Colorado, Aspen Snowmass
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Overview

Aspen Snowmass Overview

Aspen Snowmass is world-famous with its four distinct mountains that offer some of the best skiing in the world. Aspen Mountain is considered the "town mountain," known for its long groomers and steep gladed terrain. Buttermilk is great for beginners and families (and known for hosting the Winter X Games). Snowmass is a favorite of families, too, for its groomers and activities for kids, while it also boasts 3,500 acres of skiable terrain and 4,406 feet of vertical. And don’t overlook Aspen Highlands’ 4,352 feet of vertical and 1,500 acres of skiable terrain. 

Where Is Aspen Snowmass Located?

While Aspen Snowmass may be harder to get to than other Colorado ski resorts, it's well worth it. Aspen is located about four hours from Denver and one and a half hours from Eagle County Regional Airport. You can also fly directly into the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), which is three miles from downtown Aspen. There are several shuttle carriers, or you can catch the bus that goes between Aspen and Snowmass if you want to ski multiple areas. 

Inside Scoop

Download the Aspen Snowmass App. It comes with parking lot status information, base lift wait times, mountain updates, event calendar, and more.

Restaurants

Breakfast Places

  • Jour de Fête French deli offers both healthy snacks and warm comfort foods for breakfast and lunch. Their breakfast burritos are an easy and delicious grab-and-go-option. 710 East Durant Avenue, Aspen, CO 81611

Our Favorite Lunch Spots

  • Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, Ajax Tavern features patio seating at its finest. Ajax Tavern serves distinctive bistro food. 685 East Durant Avenue, Aspen, CO 81611
  • Directly across the street from gondola plaza is Big Wrap. There is always a hungry crowd at this affordable wrap and smoothie shop. Homemade vegan soups and fresh tacos add to the diverse wrap menu and daily specials. 520 East Durant Avenue, Aspen, CO 81611 

Dinner

  • The bar menu is a favorite among Aspen locals and visitors at Cache Cache, and the divine dining room epitomizes Aspen's fine-dining scene. 205 South Mill Street, Aspen, CO 81611
  • L’Hostaria draws a crowd any day of the week, even throughout the offseason. The casual restaurant brings authentic Italian fare and ambience to the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Always a local favorite, it offers an extensive list of light appetizers, carpaccios, homemade pastas and sumptuous main dishes. 620 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen, CO 81611 

Après/Nightlife

  • Eric’s Bar, which spills into Aspen Billiards, The Cigar Bar and Su Casa, is the epicenter of Aspen's see-and-be-seen commotion. From the grinding dance floor to the hazy smokers' haven, each quadrant offers a different vibe. 315 East Hyman Avenue #211, Aspen, CO 
  • The Belly Up rocks year-round with an eclectic mix of top headliners. Its flawless sound system and intimate setting makes every show one to remember. 450 South Galena Street, Aspen, CO 81611

Transportation

Airports 

Aspen/Snowmass is one of the most accessible Rocky Mountain resorts, with hundreds of nonstop and connecting flights weekly into Aspen, Eagle and Denver airports. Serviced by United and Frontier, the Aspen airport is just three miles from Aspen and six miles from Snowmass Village. Located 70 miles from Aspen and Snowmass Village, flights into Eagle are offered on major airlines, permitting one-stop connections from across the globe. Visitors can also choose to fly into Grand Junction (125 miles from Aspen/Snowmass) and then take ground transportation to reach Aspen/Snowmass. Make sure the fare difference is worth the 220-mile drive (or shuttle ride) from Denver to Aspen, if you choose to fly into Denver International Airport. 

www.aspenairport.com

Transfers

Colorado Mountain Express (CME) offers door-to-door airport ground transportation service in the form of shared ride shuttles, charter vans and CME Premier privately-chauffeured vehicles. Aspen/Pitkin County and Eagle County Regional airport shuttles offer schedules that are flight specific while multiple daily shuttles are provided to and from Denver International Airport.

www.ridecme.com 

970-949-4227

Rental Cars

Available at the Aspen Airport, Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, Hertz and Go Rentals all offer 4x4 and SUV rentals for Aspen’s winter weather. http://www.aspenairport.com/grndtrxprtn_rental_cars.asp 

Many lodging properties offer complimentary airport transfers.

Getting Around 

Aspen boasts an incredible public transportation system that is efficient and convenient. While most of the lodges and hotels are within walking distance to downtown, you may want to venture beyond the city's borders on a RFTA bus or via local taxi. Transportation to and from the airport is also effortless and affordable via ground shuttles, taxis, limousines and local buses.

Buses

The Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) represents an unparalleled community commitment to public transportation in the Roaring Fork Valley. Today, RFTA provides a wide range of transit services to more than three million annual riders throughout the entire Roaring Fork Valley. RFTA operates free skier shuttles to all of the area ski mountains during the winter. 

www.rfta.com

970-925-8484

Local Shuttles
Local Aspen shuttles operate year-round serving shopping, dining and recreation destinations. Buses to/from Aspen to the Pitkin County Airport are free, as are The Village Shuttles in Snowmass Village.
Private Shuttles/Taxis

Ultimate Taxi

Jon Barnes' yellow cab features a rainbow of luminescent fiber optics on the ceiling, laser projectors, a webcam, a recording studio complete with keyboards and drum machines, a mirror ball, a roller-coaster simulator, and more. 

www.ultimatetaxi.com

970-927-9239

Best Time for Snow

Average Snowfall

81"
51"
34"
17"
0"
25"
Nov
64"
Dec
56"
Jan
62"
Feb
67"
Mar
36"
Apr
0"
May

Total Lifts: 41

Gondolas & Trams
3
High Speed Sixes
2
High Speed Quads
15
Quad Chairs
4
Triple Chairs
3
Double Chairs
5
Surface Lifts
9

Elevation

Base
8104'
Summit
12510'
Vertical Drop
4406'

Important Dates

November 23, 20232023/11/23
Projected Opening
April 21, 20242024/04/21
Projected Closing
148
Projected Days Open
150
Days Open Last Year
77
Years Open
300"
Average Snowfall
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