With its expansive skiing across four mountains, a storied past as a silver mining town, and a vibrant cultural scene, Aspen Snowmass stands as a beacon of recreational and cultural richness in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. This illustrious resort is not just about the world-class slopes but also the spirited life in its twin towns, Aspen and Snowmass Village, making it a singular destination where nature, history, and luxury converge.
As a top rated ski resort in the United States, Aspen Snowmass offers a perfect blend of adventure and elegance. We've crafted this guide to streamline your planning for an Aspen Snowmass ski holiday. Here, you’ll discover all you need to know—from the distinct characteristics of each mountain to the resort's snow history and the eclectic après-ski scene. And there’s more! At the end of this guide, you’ll also find downloadable maps of the resort and pistes, along with essential contact numbers and links.
Ready to explore? Let’s dive into it!
Aspen, Colorado
- Where is Aspen?
- Aspen the resort
- Aspen ski area
- Skiing in Aspen
- Aspen ski season dates
- Aspen snow history
- Restaurants in Aspen
- Things to do in Aspen
- Aspen après-ski, and nightlife
- Aspen resort map
- Practical information
Where is Aspen?
Aspen is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, within Pitkin County, in the state of Colorado, approximately 200 miles west of Denver.
For a detailed view of Aspen's location, you can explore it on Google Maps.
Nearest airport
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (6 km)
Transfer time
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (10 min)
Aspen the resort
- Resort altitude: 2438 m
- Resort permanent residents: 7000
Aspen, originally a Ute Indian summer hunting camp that transformed into a silver mining town, is steeped in history, as evidenced by its elegant Victorian architecture. The town offers a diverse array of accommodations, and a shopping experience featuring an abundance of antique shops, bookstores, art galleries, and exclusive boutiques—all easily accessible thanks to a complimentary shuttle service that runs throughout the resort. The culinary landscape caters to all tastes, from cozy cafés to upscale restaurants. The après-ski scene, comparable to renowned European resorts, offers a variety of activities including spa treatments, live music, and local dance parties. Aspen is all about beautiful vistas, pine forests, hidden glades, and majestic mountains, ensuring each day is memorable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Large range of restaurants, bars and shops | Expensive (but worth it) |
| Vibrant nightlife and après ski scene | Resorts are not interconnected via the slopes |
| Plenty of activities beyond skiing | Aspen Mountain has no beginner terrain |
| Great resort infrastructure | Can get quite crowded, especially during peak season |
Here is how Aspen Snowmass looks like
Watch Aspen Snowmass on YouTube .
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Aspen ski area
- Summit elevation: 3813 m
- Kilometres of pistes: 103 km
- Vertical drop: 1343 m
- Ski lifts: 46
Aspen Snowmass encompasses four separate skiing areas, including:
- Aspen Mountain: Directly above the town, Aspen Mountain reaches the resort's highest elevation of 3813 meters. It is ideal for those who love steep challenges, offering advanced and expert pistes that make up 52% of its runs.
- Aspen Highlands: Aspen Highlands is less crowded and known for its scenic beauty. It features a mix of pistes, primarily for advanced skiers, but with a significant 48% dedicated to intermediate levels. The area is wild yet welcoming, offering intense experiences like hiking the Highland Bowl and enjoying high-altitude celebrations at Cloud Nine.
- Buttermilk: This mountain is especially friendly to beginners and families, with wide, gentle slopes and excellent facilities for new skiers. Buttermilk hosts the X Games and is equipped with a transformed base area that provides intuitive access to skier services.
- Snowmass: The largest of the four, Snowmass encapsulates the full Aspen experience with an extensive range of runs. It offers everything from beginner trails to expert terrain, including burly steeps, inviting glades, and diverse groomers. Snowmass is vast, providing enough challenges and variety to keep even the most avid skiers engaged for a season or more.
Skiing in Aspen
Beginners
Buttermilk Mountain is the ideal starting point for beginners, boasting wide, forgiving runs and an internationally renowned ski school, known for its exceptional instruction and supportive learning environment.
Intermediates
Intermediates will discover a paradise at Aspen Snowmass, which boasts an extensive network of blue runs. These runs provide longer descents with variable contours and stunning scenic views, ideal for honing skills and building confidence. Additionally, Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands offer more challenging blue runs that are perfect for intermediates looking to improve their technique and self-confidence.
Advanced
Advanced and expert skiers can choose from exhilarating runs across all four mountains, with Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands particularly notable for their steep slopes, bumps, and glades. The Highlands are famed for their challenging terrain, including the celebrated Highland Bowl, which offers expert skiers a near-backcountry skiing experience with hike-accessed slopes, steep drops, and deep powder.
Off-piste
Aspen is replete with off-piste opportunities, particularly on the back side of Aspen Mountain and the various gates at Aspen Highlands. These areas offer freestylers the chance to explore deep powder and experience the tranquility of pristine, untouched landscapes.
Snowboarding
Snowboarders are exceptionally well-accommodated at Aspen, with Buttermilk and Snowmass standing out. Buttermilk, perfect for beginners and also hosting the Winter X Games, features a superpipe and creative freestyle elements. Snowmass complements this with multiple terrain parks and a superpipe designed for all levels of progression.
Aspen ski season dates
The ski season in Aspen for 2024/25 is expected to start on November 20th and run until April 21st, though dates may vary depending on snow conditions. If you're planning a ski holiday to Aspen this season, be sure to explore our Aspen ski deals for the best ski offers available.
Aspen snow history
Aspen offers optimal snow conditions from December through April. December and January consistently bring about 21 cm and 20 cm of snow respectively, dispersed across roughly 3.5 days each week, ensuring regular fresh snow. February's snowfall slightly increases to 26 cm and occurs more frequently, averaging 4.3 days per week. The pinnacle of snowfall arrives in the fourth week of February, traditionally the snowiest week in Aspen, with an impressive 30 cm of snow over 4.8 days, making it a paradise for those who cherish Bluebird Powder Days—when sunshine and light winds follow fresh snowfall. The season stretches into April with enjoyable conditions, accumulating 17 cm of snow over 3.0 days, perfect for softer snow under brighter skies.
| Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
|---|
| December | 21 cm | 3.4 days |
| January | 20 cm | 3.6 days |
| February | 26 cm | 4.3 days |
| March | 21 cm | 3.7 days |
| April | 17 cm | 3.0 days |
(Ref: snow-forecast.com)
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Restaurants in Aspen
Mountain restaurants
- Red Mountain Grill Aspen: Offers a cozy atmosphere with a menu featuring hearty American classics.
- Bonnie's Restaurant: Known for its panoramic mountain views and a delightful array of homemade dishes.
- Alpin Room: Specializes in Alpine cuisine, offering a high-altitude dining experience with traditional European flavors in a sophisticated setting.
- Sam's: Boasts a modern Italian menu served in a sleek, contemporary space with spectacular views of the snowy peaks.
Resort restaurants
- Campo de Fiori: A lively Italian restaurant known for its authentic dishes and rustic, charming decor.
- White House Tavern: Offers a cozy, intimate setting perfect for enjoying gourmet sandwiches and a selection of craft beers.
- Aspen Hickory House: Famous for its barbecue, this spot serves up smoky, flavorful meats in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
- Velvet Buck: Located in the St. Regis hotel, this restaurant provides a luxurious dining experience with a focus on modern mountain cuisine crafted from locally-sourced ingredients.
Things to do in Aspen
- Breathtaker Alpine Coaster
- Tubing
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowcat dinner rides
- Ice skating
- Dog sled rides
- Snowmobiling
- Fly fishing
- Attend a concert at Belly Up
- Wheeler Opera House
- Shopping
- Historical tours
- Visiting the Glenwood hot springs
Aspen après-ski and nightlife
- Lynn Britt Cabin: This charming cabin is a great spot for those looking to experience a traditional mountain atmosphere, complete with gourmet snacks and live music on select days.
- Elk Camp: Located at a scenic spot on the mountain, Elk Camp is known for its vibrant night events and themed parties.
- Sundeck: As the name suggests, Sundeck offers a spacious outdoor area with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
- Ajax Tavern: Situated at the base of Aspen Mountain, Ajax Tavern is famous for its lively patio scene and upscale bistro fare, making it a prime location for people-watching and soaking in Aspen's vibrant culture.
- Limelight Lounge: Known for its comfortable setting and friendly ambiance, Limelight Lounge offers a variety of live entertainment options.
- The Wine Bar (formerly Chair 9): Located in The Little Nell, this après-ski bar is a sophisticated retreat for wine lovers.
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Aspen resort map
Download Aspen resort map here
