Travel to Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
By Air:
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE): Located just a few miles from Aspen and Snowmass Village, this is the most convenient airport. Several airlines offer direct and connecting flights to ASE.
- Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE): Situated about 70 miles from Aspen, it’s another option with more airlines and flights. A shuttle or rental car is required to get from EGE to Aspen.
- Denver International Airport (DIA): Located about 220 miles from Aspen, DIA offers many flight options. From Denver, you can rent a car, take a shuttle, or catch a connecting flight to Aspen.
By Train:
- While there isn’t a direct train route to Aspen, Amtrak offers service to Glenwood Springs, which is about 40 miles from Aspen. From Glenwood Springs, you can rent a car or use a shuttle service to reach Aspen Snowmass.
By Road:
- Rental Cars: Available at all the aforementioned airports. Remember to request a vehicle with all-wheel drive, 4WD or snow tires if you’re visiting in the winter.
- Shuttle Services: Companies like Epic Mountain Express provide shuttle services from Denver and Eagle airports to Aspen Snowmass.
- Public Transportation: RFTA (Roaring Fork Transportation Authority) operates bus services in the region, including between towns in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Special Note on Driving in Winter:
If you’re driving to or around Aspen Snowmass in winter, it’s essential to be prepared for snowy and icy conditions. Equip your vehicle with snow tires or chains and be familiar with winter driving techniques.
Make sure to check weather forecasts and road conditions, especially during the winter months, as mountain weather can be unpredictable and road closures are possible. Safe travels!
Aspen Snowmass Mountain Info
Wow – this place is Massive! Aspen Snowmass is made up of four distinct ski areas: Aspen Mountain (often referred to as Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Each has its unique character and offers various skiing and snowboarding experiences.
1. Aspen Mountain (Ajax):
- Elevation:
- Base: 7,945 ft (2,422 m)
- Summit: 11,212 ft (3,417 m)
- Vertical Rise: 3,267 ft (996 m)
- Ski-able Area: 675 acres
- Trails: Approximately 76 trails
- Difficulty: No green runs; 48% intermediate, 26% advanced, 26% expert
- Lifts: 8
- Terrain Parks: None
- Mountain Food/Drink/Shelter:
Sundeck Restaurant – Aspen Mountain Peak
Warming Hut – Top of Midway Road Run
Bonnie’s Restaurant – Mid Mountain
Ajax Tavern – Base Area
Element 47 – Base Area
2. Aspen Highlands:
- Elevation:
- Base: 8,040 ft (2,450 m)
- Summit: 11,675 ft (3,559 m)
- Vertical Rise: 3,635 ft (1,109 m)
- Ski-able Area: 1,040 acres
- Trails: Approximately 122 trails
- Difficulty: 18% beginner, 30% intermediate, 16% advanced, 36% expert
- Lifts: 5
- Notable: It’s home to the Highland Bowl, a challenging and renowned off-piste area.
- Mountain Food/Drink/Shelter:
Warming Hut – Top of Loge Peak
Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro – Mid Mountain
Merry-Go-Round – Atop the Exhibition Lift
Highlands Alehouse – Base Area
3. Buttermilk:
- Elevation:
- Base: 7,870 ft (2,399 m)
- Summit: 9,900 ft (3,018 m)
- Vertical Rise: 2,030 ft (619 m)
- Ski-able Area: 470 acres
- Trails: Approximately 44 trails
- Difficulty: 35% beginner, 39% intermediate, 21% advanced, 5% expert
- Lifts: 8
- Terrain Parks: Buttermilk is known for its terrain parks and has hosted the Winter X Games multiple times.
- Mountain Food/Drink/Shelter:
The Cliff House – Top of East Summit
Fort Frog Warming Hut – Near East Summit
Buttermilk Mountain Lodge – Base Area
Warming Hut – Tiehack Base Area
Warming Hut – West Buttermilk Base Area
4. Snowmass:
- Elevation:
- Base: 8,104 ft (2,473 m)
- Summit: 12,510 ft (3,813 m)
- Vertical Rise: 4,406 ft (1,343 m)
- Ski-able Area: 3,128 acres
- Trails: Approximately 94 trails
- Difficulty: 6% beginner, 47% intermediate, 17% advanced, 30% expert
- Lifts: 16 (including the Sky Cab gondola and a dedicated children’s lift)
- Terrain Parks: Several, including a superpipe
- Mountain Food/Drink/Shelter:
Wildlife Center Warming Hut – Atop the Elk Camp Lift
Elk Camp Restaurant – Atop the Elk Camp Gondola
Ullrhof Restaurant – Base of the Big Burn Lift
Up 4 Pizza – Atop the Big Burn Lift
Sliders Cabin Warming Hut – Mid Galavant Run
Two Creeks Cafe – Two Creeks Base Area
Warming Hut – Atop the High Alpine Lift
High Alpine Restaurant – Atop the Alpine Springs Lift
Wine Cabin Warming Hut – Atop Sam’s Knob Lift
Sam’s Restaurant – Atop Sam’s Knob Lift
Lynn Britt Cabin – Base of Blue Grouse Run
Snowmass Base Village – Base Area
Aspen Snowmass Lodging
AspenSnowmass.com says: Chamonix is a gracious slope side retreat with European charm. The luxury 2 and 3-bedroom accommodations are conveniently located ski in, ski out to Assay Hill, near the Elk Camp Gondola.
This cozy complex offers a fitness room, outdoor heated pool, hot tub, slope side ski locker room and complimentary underground parking. Each condominium has a fully equipped kitchen, in unit washer/dryer, gas or wood fireplace, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
These beautiful one- and two-story properties are accessed by interior elevators. Our first-class hospitality includes fully staffed front desk service, concierge service, bell services, complimentary Aspen Airport and Snowmass Village shuttle transportation, and daily newspaper delivery.
AspenSnowmass.com says: Electric Pass Lodge offers next-level sustainability with each residence being ultra-efficient, powered 100% by renewable electricity. Enjoy on-site amenities, ski-in/ski-out access, and unbeatable proximity to Snowmass Base Village shops, restaurants, and activities.
Residences are thoughtfully designed featuring stylish and sophisticated designs, yet remain cozy and inviting. These two- and three-bedroom residences provide the ultimate comfort and livability.
AspenSnowmass.com says: Offering guests a low-key version of Aspen, The Inn at Aspen is the only ski-in ski-out hotel located at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. The hotel features 121 comfortable guest rooms, complimentary ski storage lockers, an inviting lobby lounge, a fitness center complete with Peloton bikes, complimentary shuttle service, and a spacious meeting and event room.
The hotel’s outdoor space includes a pool, hot tub, and a fire pit with Adirondack chairs. Additionally, the hotel is home to Home Team BBQ, a casual restaurant and bar serving fantastic barbeque and drinks. The hotel is located directly next to the Buttermilk Mountain Lodge, the Aspen Ski School, and the ski lifts at Buttermilk. We’re located two minutes away from the Aspen / Snowmass Airport and less than ten minutes from downtown Aspen.
There are a lot of ultra nice lodging options in the Aspen Snowmass area to choose from. Above is a Google map showing search results for the general area.
Lodging is somewhat expensive close to Aspen Snowmass so I’m going to have to stay in Glenwood Springs which is about 43 miles away. I don’t mind, I’ll simply drive in each morning super early.
Perched near the banks of the Colorado in Roaring Fork Valley, the award-winning Quality Inn & Suites on the River offers travelers affordable and modern accommodations just off of Interstate 70.
Aspen Snowmass Food & Drink
Located atop the Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass, The Elk Camp Restaurant takes an elevated approach to casual on-mountain dining with house-made organic local options. Take a breather from the mountain while enjoying a flavorful grass-fed beef burger at this awe-inspiring place.
Located at the base of Aspen Mountain inside the Little Nell Hotel. It’s been called Aspen’s finest spot to wine, dine and unwind. The name Element 47 pays tribute to silver, the precious metal that first put Aspen on the map, and to the finest silver service cuisine for breakfast, lunch, apres and dinner, seven days a week.
Located atop the Silver Queen Gondola at Aspen Mountain. AspenSnomass.com says: Leave it to Aspen to take the slopeside cafeteria to new heights. And we mean that in two senses: (1) the views from the Sundeck have that breathtaking, top-of-the-world wow-factor, and (2) the food gets high marks from foodies and families alike, with fresh, creative dishes that are ready for you to grab and eat whenever you’re ready.
Located atop the Summit and Tiehack Express Lifts at Buttermilk with panoramic views of the dramatic Pyramid Peak and the entire Maroon Creek Valley is Cliffhouse. The make-your-own Mongolian BBQ pairs well with a fresh made juice, you pick your fruit! Also on the menu: Thai tea and high-protein grab-and-go snacks like super-food grain salads and energy bars inspired by Tiehack uphillers.
Located at the base of Buttermilk Mountain, the Home Team BBQ is open all year. Guests can take a seat in one of the booths, at a handcrafted wood table, or at the 25-seat bar situated in the center of the action for a cold local brew, craft cocktail, or make a selection from our wine list and enjoy the best BBQ in town!
Cozy, sophisticated spaces with reclaimed-wood details and inviting, interconnecting dining rooms that spin Dolomite-meets-Alpine style set the stage for sumptuous Italian cuisine, all against the backdrop of rotating art and photography installations curated by Casa Tua’s in-house gallery team.
Enjoy fresh, local ingredients through every seasonal bison and venison in the winter and trout and porcini mushrooms in the summer. At all of our restaurants, we always pair organic, ethically sourced ingredients with an extensive yet familiar wine list, fine art, welcoming service, and most of all, the best company.
Brewed at 7,908 feet at the foot of the Elk Mountain Range, our beers are crisp, cold, and #downstreamfromnobody
Bars & Pubs:
J-Bar at Hotel Jerome: A historic Aspen bar with a rich history.
Belly Up: A live music venue that serves drinks and has a fun atmosphere.
Sky Hotel’s 39 Degrees Lounge: A trendy spot for cocktails.
Aspen Snowmass Tickets & Passes
AspenSnowmass.com says: At Aspen Snowmass, our pass and access products help you connect with our terrain in a way that maximizes fun for everyone in our local community, our Aspen Snowmass passholders, our day ticket guests, and our Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders.
Reservation booking instructions:
1. Log into your Mountain Collective account to retrieve your voucher ID. Vouchers begin with MCP followed by a series of numbers. (ex: MCPXXXXXXXX)
2. Reservations can be booked using our online shop here. You may be prompted to login or create an Aspen Snowmass account.
3. Select a date using the calendar.
4. Once a date has been selected, you can input your Mountain Collective voucher ID into the validation box located on the product page and select ‘Validate’.
5. Once the voucher has been validated, you are then able to add the product to your shopping cart, and complete checkout.
6. To add multiple reservation dates, simply select a new date and then add to cart before completing checkout.
Multiple reservations:
All reservations can be made using one Aspen Snowmass account.
Reservations can be made for multiple guests in one purchase.
When all desired dates have been added to the cart, select reset in the Mountain Collective validation box. This will allow you to paste a new voucher.
Enter a new MCP number and click ‘Validate’.
Add desired reservation days to the cart.
Repeat steps for each member of your party.
Great news – Aspen Snowmass is an Ikon Pass member for the 2024-2025 season! Please note that we will require lift reservations for all Ikon Passholders for the 2024-2025 season. Reservations will be available starting August 1, 2024. To make a reservation, login to My Account on https://www.ikonpass.com/. Space is limited and may sell out.
Aspen Snowmass is once again a Mountain Collective Pass member for the 2024-2025 ski season. Reservations required (starting early October 2024).
Aspen Snowmass Other Info & Stuff to Do!
Weave in and out of serene spruce and fir forests as you take in Aspen’s majestic vistas from Richmond Ridge with a knowledgeable Naturalist on this two-hour guided snowshoe tour. Learn about wildlife in winter, mountain ecology, Aspen history, avalanches, and winter habitats. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Located adjacent to the Elk Camp Restaurant, riders and passengers will be able to experience the thrilling ride during the day and during special Ullr Nights.
Reservations are required. Purchase in person at any ticket office, buy online, or call 866-857-8769 to reserve. Winter activities are weather-dependent and subject to cancellation. Click here to view our activities status. Winter activities tickets are non-transferable.
Pro Tip: Coaster may close early due to capacity, to ensure the best experience please arrive no later than 1:00pm. Partially used tickets are nonrefundable.
Tubing at Snowmass is open every day beginning December 17, 2023, as well as during Ullr Nights.
Winter activities are weather-dependent and subject to cancellation. Click here to view our activities status. Winter activities tickets are non-transferable.
Pro Tip: Tubing availability may close early due to capacity, to ensure the best experience please arrive no later than 1:00pm. Partially used tickets are nonrefundable.
Experience the rush of sliding down ski slopes on a Snowbike. Create a memorable experience for every member of your group with this unique offering.
The Aspen Recreation Center, also known as the ‘ARC’, provides a variety of recreational opportunities for people of all ages. Join a pick-up game of hockey, participate in public ice skate, experience tots and youth art classes, attend youth karate classes, take swim lessons, or just kick back and float in our lazy river.
Enjoy our state-of-the-art fitness center featuring an aerobic studio, a media-enhanced cardio room, and a weight room. Our cardio room includes elliptical trainers, treadmills, several types of stationary bikes, stair climbers, and a rowing machine, each with its own television so you can enjoy your favorite shows while you work out. The weight room includes a wide variety of different resistance machines for toning and strengthening each part of your body.
