Aspen Snowmass

There are not many skiers or snowboarders in the U.S., or the world for that matter, that have not heard of the Aspen Snowmass ski area. World-class planking and amenities await guests to this massive winter complex.

Motorists can reach the ski resort by taking Interstate 70, Colorado's major east/west highway. Highway 82 offers access to the complex that sits south of the Glenwood Springs exit.

Many visitors fly into one of the many regional airports, including the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, only six miles from Snowmass Village. Most people visiting from other parts of the country (or world) will use Denver International Airport and then shuttle or drive a rental.

Four Mountains in One Complex

Anyone visiting the Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort has access to four mountains with their lift pass. Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Snowmass offer unique experiences that cater to beginners and experienced skiers alike.

Once visitors arrive, they can use the bus system to move between mountains. Lots of lodging is available in Aspen, Snowmass condos, even private residences. Once the day on the mountains is over, visitors will enjoy the apres-ski and dining experiences.

The Aspen Snowmass ski complex has over 5,527 acres of skiable terrain rated at green (beginner), blue (intermediate), black diamond (advanced), and expert (double diamond).

Aspen Highland has no green skiing, with less than a quarter rated at blue. It is a pro's paradise, with 65-percent of the terrain ranked expert (double diamond). Guests will not find green trails on Aspen Mountain either, but plenty of intermediate skiing is available (just under half the mountain is rated blue).

Snowmass offers a sliver of green terrain (roughly five percent ranks for beginners), while just under half the mountain is accessible to intermediate skiers. Beginning rippers and shredders visiting Aspen Snowmass will want to head to Buttermilk for their needs as 35-percent of the trails are rated green.

Plenty to Explore

The Aspen Snowmass ski complex receives around 300 inches of snow annually. Buttermilk averages a bit less, but that level of snowfall means that skiers and snowboarders have plenty of opportunities to cut fresh tracks after a dump. Colorado's famous sunny days also mean that guests have a good chance of getting sunburned while skiing between those dumps.

The four mountains in the Aspen Snowmass complex provide medium to steep vertical drops. Buttermilk has only a 2.030-foot rise, while Aspen Highlands and Aspen Mountain have verticles over 3,000 (the former at 3,635 feet and the latter at 3,267 feet). Snowmass offers lots of potential with its 4,406-foot verticle rise.

Aspen Snowmass has over 40 lifts to get rippers and shredders to their destinations. Lifties keep the traffic flowing efficiently, so visitors should experience waits only during peak days.

The Aspen Snowmass ski complex has well over 300 trails to ski, with Snowmass boasting the longest run at 5.3 miles. Abundant skiing, incredible sites, and world-class amenities make this a destination one has to experience to believe.