The Aspen Snowmass area features four famed peaks: Aspen Mountain (Ajax, as locals call it), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain. Further west in Glenwood Springs, Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort is a favorite too. Offering multiple locations on each mountain for dining and celebrating, a diverse range of ski runs from green to double black, and outfitters with all of the gear you need within close proximity, these mountains are the core of the Roaring Fork Valley’s winter culture.
Aspen Mountain
As the town’s smallest (but mightiest) mountain, this internationally renowned peak features double black diamond runs, moguls and seriously steep cliffs. More challenging than any of its neighboring mountains, the spirit of Ajax (as locals call it) is an unbridled need for speed. Naturally, it is best suited for the intermediate to expert skier. Bell Mountain, recognized by a nearly defunct double chairlift running up its spine, anchors Aspen Mountain. On the western side, the Dumps, a series of cascading runs named after the mine tailings that initially occupied this space, funnel into Spar Gulch. On Bell’s eastern face, Gentleman’sRidge terrain narrows into Copper. All roads lead to the mountain’s base, apart from the far west side of the mountain, Lift 1, which serves the area’s first ski run, Ruthie’s, and is home to the World Cup course. Hero’s, the newest addition on the east side of the mountain, adds 153 acres of terrain. Rest your legs and recharge with a basic pizza lunch or an extravagant vegan power bowl at the Sundeck, or the famous apple strudel or white bean chili at mid-mountain Bonnie’s, then walk into town to finish the day with après—helmet hair and ski boots encouraged.
Base elevation: 7,945 feet
Summit elevation: 11,212 feet
Vertical rise: 3,267 feet
Terrain: 675 acres
Number of trails: 76
Total miles of trails: 64
Longest run: 3 miles
Level of diculty: Intermediate to expert
Lifts: 8
On-mountain restaurants: Sundeck, Bonnie’s
Snowmass
Providing a brief synopsis of a resort with as wide a range of activities as Snowmass Mountain (from magic carpet rides to cliff-level drop-offs) is no small task. But then again, Snowmass is no small mountain. Spanning a massive 3,342 acres, Snowmass Mountain is the largest mountain in the Aspen Snowmass area, contributing more than 50% of the area’s skier visits. For those seasoned skiers in the audience, we know what you’re thinking—more visitors mean longer lines and more wait time between runs. While it is a popular spot, Snowmass’s wide acclaim luckily doesn’t correlate with longer lines. Skiers and snowboarders branch from 20 different chairlifts, exploring the expansive options on the slopes. Snowmass is nothing if not diverse, boasting long intermediate runs of Elk Camp and Campground for those bluebird sunny days, stomach-dropping verticals of Hanging Valley Headwall, and family-friendly cruisers on Assay Hill. If people aren’t skiing Snowmass, they’re clinging on for dear life on the alpine coaster, located in the Lost Forest Adventure Center.
Base elevation: 8,104 feet
Summit elevation: 12,510 feet
Vertical rise: 4,406 feet
Terrain: 3,332 acres
Number of trails: 96
Total miles of trails: 150
Longest run: 5.3 miles
Level of difficulty: Easy to expert
Parks and pipes: 3 terrain parks
Lifts: 20O
On-mountain restaurants: Elk Camp, Sam’s, Up 4 Pizza, Two Creeks Cafe, Lynn Britt Cabin
Aspen Highlands
The view of Tibetan prayer flags atop the 12,392-foot Highland Bowl is a true feat to be celebrated. After a nearly hour-long hike conquering around 717 vertical feet, Aspen’s powder day patrons plunge through some of the steepest in-bounds skiing in North America. Considered a die-hard skiers’ (or boarders’) staple, the bowl offers a defining Highlands experience, on pretty much any day of the season. Though there’s quite a bit of chatter about the bowl, Aspen Highlands is a multi-faceted mountain with a ski run for everyone. A long ridge reaches up to Loge and Highland peaks, with runs falling off mirroring a draped towel on both sides. Aspen glades? You better believe it. Roller-coaster-like groomers? Absolutely. Heart-thumping bumps? Naturally. Easy-breezy runs for kids? Those too. Not to mention the Highlands closing party, celebrated the last day of the season, which has evolved into an international sensation. The skiing is top-notch, complemented by a choice of food and dining options, such as Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, Highlands Alehouse, and mid-mountain Merry-Go-Round, after a day on the slopes.
Base elevation: 8,040 feet
Summit elevation: 11,675 feet
Top of Highland Bowl: 12,392 feet
Vertical rise: 3,635 feet
Terrain: 1,040 acres
Number of trails: 144
Total miles of trails: 84
Longest run: 3.5 miles
Level of difficulty: Easy to expert
Lifts: 5
On-mountain restaurants: Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, Merry-Go-Round, Highlands Alehouse
Buttermilk Mountain
Buttermilk Mountain is both everything you assume and everything you don’t. In one form, it’s a beginner mountain for frightened powder pandas and unsure skiers, stumbling their way down the bunny hill. In another form, it’s a terrain park full of adventure, with young athletes flying through the air in the ESPN Winter X Games each January. In yet another form, it’s a favorite site for up-hillers; Tiehack and Buttermilk traffic hundreds of athletes during peak season. While it’s reputation may feel more novice, there is an expert side of this mountain that locals know and love. Those thrill-seekers who overlook this mountain with assumptions of green runs will be delighted by the runs surrounding the Tiehack Express Lift. 1,683 vertical feet get the heart pumping and adrenaline rushing, just like the neighboring mountains.
Base elevation: 7,870 feet
Summit elevation: 9,900 feet
Vertical rise: 2,030 feet
Terrain: 470 acres
Number of trails: 44
Total miles of trails: 21
Longest run: 3 miles
Level of difficulty: Easy to expert
Parks and pipes :2 terrain parks
Lifts: 4
On-mountain restaurants: Bumps, Cliffhouse
Sunlight Mountain – Glenwood Springs
If the icy temperatures of the upper valley aren’t your cup of tea, head down to Sunlight Mountain Resort in Glenwood Springs for a slightly warmer take on a ski vacation at a lower elevation. With on-mountain restaurant pricing at the Grizz Grilland Todd’s Tavern that is just as reasonable as the lift tickets, a trip to this resort provides all the adrenaline of an iconic winter break at a lower price point than its neighboring mountains. Explore 680 acres of ski runs around the resort. Beginners can relish the views from greens and blues while the seasoned skiers head to the double black diamonds and test out their tricks at the terrain park. Three chairlifts connect at the top of the mountain for a joint last run of the day.
Base elevation: 7,885 feet
Summit elevation: 9,895 feet
Vertical rise: 2,010 feet
Terrain: 680 acres
Number of trails: 67
Total miles of trails: 16 miles
Longest run: 2.5 miles
Level of difficulty: Easy to expert
Parks and pipes: 1 terrain park
Lifts:3
On-mountain restaurants: Grizz Grill, Todd’s Tavern
For more information on our ski in, ski out offerings visit our website here.
Leave a Reply