Any seasoned skier will be well aware of Aspen’s appeal, offering four breathtaking mountains to delight any slope enthusiast. December through to February is widely considered the best time of year to visit, with the town powdered with fresh snow and the slopes ready to play host to a lineup of excited skiers.
Widely regarded as the playground of the rich and famous, Aspen has earned a reputation as the bucket list destination for skiing, après and everything in between.
Below, discover The Sybarite’s guide to making the most of your time in Aspen.
Mountains To Visit
Snowmass
This spot offers over 3000 acres of mountain terrain, making it the largest of Aspen’s major four. Ski runs are long, wide and predominantly classified as intermediate and expert. Given its sheer size, you could easily spend your entire Aspen vacation on Snowmass, working your way through the various terrains. And with a myriad restaurants, retail shops and bars, there are plenty of pleasing distractions from skiing.
Aspen Mountain
With just 675 skiable acres, Aspen Mountain is significantly smaller than Snowmass, and as such, typically attracts more seasoned skiers looking for challenging slopes. 50% of the mountain is classified as a blue run (for veterans), while the other 50% is classified as black and double black run (solely for experts). Unsurprisingly, beginner skiers don’t frequent this mountain too often, unless it’s to reserve a seat at the famed Ajax Tavern for some people-watching over a cocktail or two.
Aspen Highlands
Widely regarded as the favourite mountain among locals, Aspen Highlands boasts some of the best skiing routes on Colorado’s western slope. With just over 1000 acres, which are predominantly classified as black and double black, this mountain also attracts a more experienced level of skier — as there is no terrain for beginners.
Buttermilk
Offering one of the best beginner ski schools in Colorado, Buttermilk is, as the name implies, a lovely, soft option for novice skiers. Being the smallest mountain with 470 acres, this offers great fun for the entire family or anyone looking for a more relaxed approach to skiing. That being said, there is also intermediate and advanced terrain for anyone seeking a challenge, without having to move to an entirely different mountain.
The best time to visit Aspen for skiing is widely agreed upon to be winter, which runs from December. However, not only is this the most popular season, but it is also the most expensive, which is something to keep in mind.
How much are Aspen skiing fees?
You can see a full price breakdown of skiing fees here. A single lift ticket to Aspen Snowmass provides access to our four mountains. Plan to play ahead of time and ski or ride for less.
