Very Good!4 / 5Sep 18, 2009
MMarjorie
Aspen offers the best variety of mountains and very convenient with bus service and ski transfers. Great dining also.Build your Aspen Ski Trip
Learn more about Aspen
Pros
- Upscale and lively town with tons of food and shopping
- Fantastic intermediate and advanced ski terrain
- Low elevation - altitude sickness won't be a problem
Cons
- Expensive ski vacation
Overall
Aspen Mountain or “Ajax”, first opened in 1946, and is the flagship venture of the Aspen Skiing Company which has now expanded into a complex of four ski areas. Aspen is collectively known as a “skier’s mountain” as the terrain primarily appeals to intermediates with nearly half the runs rated blue and the remainder to be carved up by advanced and extreme skiers. If it’s your first time skiing, best to head down to its sister resorts Snowmass and Buttermilk across town.
Best month to go
February
Ski season on Aspen Mountain generally begins in late November during Thanksgiving weekend and goes through late March - sometimes stretching into April. The crowds start flooding in Christmas week and the party continues until the end of January as the town comes alive for the Wintersköl festival and the X Games. But if you’re only there for the mountain, the slopes are deserted during the X Games though it’s still considered peak season for lodging. If you’re a powder hound, the best months to ski or ride Aspen Mountain are December, January and February. That said, March and April are Colorado’s snowiest months, so even if you arrive late in the season there are still freshies to go around – though the snow tends to be a little heavier, turning into compact powder near the tail end of the season. For a good balance of sun, snow and quiet, February is good bet!
FLY TO
Aspen Pitkin County Airport
DRIVE/ SHUTTLE TO
Aspen Mountain (10 minutes)
Aspen (Walk)
- Wide variety of lodging, dining and nightlife options
- Aspen mountain has a reputation for expensive accommodation
- Reasonably priced yet less convenient lodging further from slopes
Snowmass Village (5-10 mi)
- Great location for skiing at Snowmass and other mountains
- Larger rental homes and condos than Aspen
- Kids programs at the Treehouse Kids Adventure Center
For beginners
There's no beginner terrain at Aspen Mountain so it's best to check out Buttermilk or Snowmass instead!
More beginners tipsFor intermediates
Intermediate's will have plenty to ride here! Our picks for intermediates would have to be Dipsy Doodle under the Ajax Express lift and Ruthie's Run beneath Ruthie's lift where you can dip in and out of other runs through the trees.
More intermediates tipsFor experts
Aspen Mountain is truly an expert's playground! Check out our favorite here Traynor's Ridge - the terrain is steep with large rocks and cliffs to launch off while you weave between the trees!
More experts tipsFind freshies
Ride between the trees from the end of Bear Paw to Rayburns above Spar Gulch. Unofficially known as the Cone Dumps, this is where unlimited face shots await!
Ditch the crowds
The Ajax Express lift is one of the busiest lifts, giving access to the upper mountain and two on-mountain restaurants. Avoid it during lunchtime or take the Silver Queen Gondola for other awesome terrain.
Non skiers
Non-skiers will be smothered with the endless activities here. Aspen Mountain is notoriously known for its vibrant nightlife so you know where non-skiers will be at night. During the day non-skiers can do everything from yoga classes to Nordic skiing.
Families
Families with intermediate skiers should do laps off Silver Queen Gondola where you'll find long and steep blue runs! The resort itself is also known for its family-friendliness as the town of Aspen is conveniently located at the foot of the mountain with a wide range of dining and lodging options.
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Aspen Reviews
Very Good!4 / 5Aug 13, 2009
DDiane
Aspen has greast lodging & fun restaurants. It's not as family-friendly, though, & pricier. We'd like to try Steamboat springs for a family vacation & see how it compares to Beaver Run & Aspen.Superb!5 / 5Jul 15, 2009
JJohn
Aspen is great because of a number of factors such as mountain terrain, snow conditions, scenery, nightlif and dining. Aspen has it all.Average!3 / 5Jun 29, 2009
SSunil
Its gotten to be too pricey these days. But Aspen is still a beautiful ski place.Very Good!4 / 5Jun 04, 2009
PPaul
Aspen is beautiful but the one time I went there it was REALLY cold.Very Good!4 / 5May 25, 2009
EErika
Aspen is Aspen. Great skiing, dining, nightlife, people, beauty. It's a whole experience there.Very Good!4 / 5May 22, 2009
RRichard
The town is wonderful to walk through. The attitude of most people is down to earth. You can have great skiing but if you are uncomfortable afterwards by how the locals treat you, you won't want to go back. Not the case when my wife and I went there.Superb!5 / 5Mar 16, 2009
MMark
great snow, great town to visit, and we ususally stay at the same hotelAverage!3 / 5Mar 12, 2009
WWayne
Great but Aspen itself is small mnt, need to travel to Snowmass for varietySuperb!5 / 5Jan 21, 2009
TTheresa
Great condos at ski club prices and a good location for all skiers to go to the other mountains.