Aspen Snowmass Resort Guide

With four mountains to explore, an authentic ski town with pretty brick buildings, skiing for all abilities and a booming après scene, Aspen Snowmass is a special destination for couples, friends or families. Choosing the right location for your needs is a must and that’s where we can help!

Aspen Mountain rises quite spectacularly from the town centre. Although this particular mountain is actually quite small - only 675 acres - the incredibly efficient shuttle bus system makes it very easy to visit the three other mountains nearby. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk are a few miles outside the town and Snowmass is an easy 20-minute free shuttle ride away.

Aspen Mountain and Highlands offer the most challenging skiing with some beautiful tree runs, gullies and chutes, while beginners and intermediates will revel in the huge variety of wide cruisers at Buttermilk and Snowmass. Snowmass has a huge range for all levels of skier and boarder as well as some great accommodation alternatives.

Aspen Highlands is the second largest mountain and is the real local’s hang out as it offers steeper terrain with some cracking groomers to warm up on. Definitely the place for advanced skiers on a powder day. Highlands Bowl offers some amazing skiing and is well worth the gruelling 30 to 45 minutes hike.

Buttermilk is where the majority of the green runs are for beginners and has some really nice groomers to find your ski legs again at the start of a trip. You can easily do a morning here and take a two-minute shuttle ride to the base of Highlands in the afternoon. The resort has also spent time cleaning up the gladed terrain on the Tiehack side of the mountain as it offers wonderful rolling, gladed and groomed terrain which is great for skiers and riders looking for single black trails off the beaten path. If you're an advanced skier or rider it's worth a visit in the afternoon as you'll have the top of the mountain to yourself!

Aspen Mountain (known as 'Ajax' to the locals) is a seriously steep mountain for advanced skiers and riders, with long runs from the top of the gondola to burn the thighs. Bear in mind there are no green runs on this mountain.

Snowmass is an intermediate's paradise with the biggest vertical in the US (4,396 ft - start training now!) and over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. The slopes are kept in pristine condition and there is plenty to please every type of skier or snowboarder - mellow beginner slopes, wide cruisey groomers, fun-filled glades, knee-destroying moguls and some seriously scary steeps, plus three terrain parks and two pipes.

Originally a mining town, Aspen has evolved into one of the most prestigious ski holiday destinations in North America while still maintaining its historical character and small-town atmosphere. Many of the Victorian buildings have been preserved creating a hugely picturesque town centre.

There are over 100 bars and restaurants to choose from and bundles of boutiques and galleries to saunter around when off the slopes. Most are within easy walking distance of each other. Aspen is also known for its nightlife. This is where the rich and famous come to party, so if celeb spotting is your thing, you are in the right place! However, Aspen is also perfect for those looking for a more relaxed pace with plenty of local charm.

Getting there - The easiest way to get to the resort is to fly into Aspen Airport via Denver, Chicago or even LA. This saves the four-hour transfer from Denver Airport that will get you to Aspen quite late in the evening. Alternatively, why not fly direct into Denver, take a night in an airport hotel and then hire a car for the one day and take a leisurely drive. You can always stop at the factory outlets in Silverthorne or even ski at Vail or Copper which are en-route. You won’t need the car in resort so you can drop it off at Aspen Airport and pick it up for the drive home.

Transportation - The free skier shuttle runs from 8:00am - 4:30pm daily. After this, there is a bus that runs between Aspen and Snowmass until 2am for $3 per person.

Budget - Aspen is an exclusive resort with a relatively small number of hotels. Early season, January and Easter are great times to go as the snow is good, the rates are lower and there are lots of special offers. Alternatively, Snowmass offers some excellent value accommodation and you are just 15 minutes on the bus from everything that Aspen town has to offer.

Four Mountain Sports - If renting equipment, Four Mountain Sports offers free ski valet service. Drop your skis off at one mountain at the end of the day and they'll have them ready for you in the morning at the mountain of your choice! It saves carrying equipment on and off the resort bus.

Supermarkets - There are two in Aspen and one in the Village of Snowmass. All three are open 7am - 10pm.

Snowmass Village is a purpose-built ski base which has seen significant improvement over the past few seasons, including new accommodation and facilities and a centrepiece ice rink.

Getting There - The easiest way to get to the resort is to fly into Aspen Airport, via Chicago. This saves the 4 hour transfer from Denver Airport that will get you to resort quite late in the evening. Alternatively, why not fly direct into Denver, take a night in an airport hotel and then hire a car for the one day to take a leisurely drive to resort. You can always stop at the factory outlets in Silverthorne or even ski at Vail which is en-route. You won’t need the car in resort so you can drop it off at Aspen Airport and pick it up for the drive home.

Ski-in ski-out - If you want ski-in ski-out accommodation, Snowmass Village is the better option, especially if you are travelling with a young family and will be using the ski school and childcare facilities a lot. Base yourself here to minimise hassle and make use of the shuttles to visit Aspen in the evenings.

Transportation - The free skier shuttle runs from 8:00am - 4:30pm daily. After this, there is a bus that runs between Aspen and Snowmass until 2am for $3 per person.

Four Mountain Sports - If renting equipment, Four Mountain Sports offers free ski valet service. Drop your skis off at one mountain at the end of the day and they'll have them ready for you in the morning at the mountain of your choice! It saves carrying equipment on and off the resort bus.

Childcare - The Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center is an industry-leading childcare centre and ski school. It offers a superb 'Kids Club' with themed rooms for kids aged 8 weeks and above. Evening activities such as movie nights are also available.

Supermarkets -The Village Market is located at the Snowmass Shopping Center, and there’s also a liquor shop and drug store there. The mall has the Daly Bottle Shop that carries domestic and imported wines and beers. Many of the properties also offer a grocery delivery service for your arrival.

Did you know? - In October 2010, a bulldozer operator working in Snowmass Village uncovered the bones of a 43,500-year-old Columbian mammoth.

We've not quite managed to try all 100+ bars and restaurants in Aspen, but here are a few of our favourites:

• Paradise Bakery - a true Ski Safari favourite, been making cookies for 37 years and a pit-stop here is essential to any Aspen visit.
• The Popcorn Wagon, Aspen - re-opened for winter 18-19, now making "healthy junk food" and twists on past favourites.
• New York Pizza - the best pizza joint in Aspen. Open late.

For a complete list of dining options please see eatAspen.

Reservations - The concierge desk at the base of Two Creeks will make the evening’s dinner reservations in Aspen or Snowmass while you’re on the mountain. If you’re travelling over peak dates we highly recommend pre-booking restaurants.

Aspen is home to possibly the best apres in North America! We recommend:

• Ajax Tavern - lively, fun and perfectly located at the base of Aspen Mountain. Enjoy the fizz, cocktails and good-looking crowd. Top tip - truffle fries are mandatory.
• The J-Bar - located in the incredible historic Hotel Jerome, be sure to try out the Aspen Crud, an ice-cream milkshake infused with Jack Daniels, a recipe which dates back decades to the prohibition era
• Belly Up - for late night drinks, this is the town's premier live bar and club showcasing up to 300 concerts a year. Expect to see world-renowned artists from Ben Harper to ZZ Top.

Restaurants in Snowmass range from all-American to fine dining and there is a reasonable selection of everything in between. The pub-style and more low-key options tend to be in the base village or in the mall. The best restaurants are generally in the hotels. Here are a few of our recommendations:

• Black Saddle Bar & Grille at the Snowmass Club - for the best views in the valley at breakfast, lunch or dinner. They use all local produce and offer on- or off-site catering. Reservations are recommended.
• Venga Venga Cantina and Tequila Bar - a stylish place to go for all things Mexican, with an impressive cocktail and tequila menu. Be sure to get there for happy hour, 3 - 6pm daily.
• Base Camp Bar & Grill - perfect for groups of friends, families or those wanting quick service, good drinks, great variety of typically filling (huge portions) American bar food. Very reasonably priced.
• The Stew Pot - great for comfort food, no visit to America is complete without plenty of chowder.
• Slow Groovin' BBQ - rustic, true to its roots - BBQ food of dreams. Think ribs to die for, melt in your mouth brisket, shot skis and Colorado beers in abundance. A great spot for the family or friends.

On the mountain, we recommend taking lunch at the rustic Lynn Britt Cabin, located mid-mountain. For something a bit different, try one of their snowcat dinners.

Après ski is quite sedate in Snowmass, but there are some good bars with outdoor seating, perfect for people watching with a chilled beer. The Limelight Hotel Snowmass has the signature Limelight Lounge and will host live music most nights if you're looking for something a little more lively.

The Belgium Ranger Station serves punchy Belgium beers, accompanied by baked Bavarian pretzel rolls. It's where the locals' hangout, with live music most days. Serious party-goers should head to Aspen Town.

In Aspen, the Aspen Recreation Center offers swimming, fitness centre, rock climbing, ice skating, sledding and more.

Snowmass is home to one of the best childcare centres of any of the ski resorts in North America - the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Centre - making it the ideal choice for families. The purpose-built nature of the village also means all the winter activities are walkable from your accommodation, including the fantastic Tube Town, open daily and great fun for everyone over 4 years old.

Other activities offered in the area:

• Snowshoeing
• Nordic skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Hot air ballooning
• Sleigh rides
• Concerts
• Guided backcountry skiing
• Paragliding
• Cat-skiing
• Dog sledding
• Alpine Coaster
• Snowcat dinner rides