Aspen Mountain, with its famous black-diamond terrain, has kept us on the map since 1947. Inbounds you’ll get a variety of glades, bumps and steeps. For an out-of-bounds experience, Aspen Mountain Powder Tours will hook you up with fresh tracks on the backside. While the
mountain hasn’t changed much, you’ll appreciate the new gondola, great views & food at the Sundeck at the summit and Ajax Tavern at the base, where the après rivals the skiing and snowboarding.
Winter Season dates:
November 22, 2012 - April 14, 2013
Location: White River National Forest, the mountain rises up from downtown Aspen
FACTS:
Base elevation: 7,945 ft./2,422 m
Summit elevation: 11,212 ft./3,418 m
Vertical rise: 3,267 ft./996 m
Terrain: 675 acres/273 hectares
Number of trails: 76
Number of lifts: 8
Miles/km of trails: 64 miles/103 km
Longest run: 3 miles/4.83 km
Types of trails: easiest: 0%, more difficult: 48%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 26%
Lifts: 8: 6 primary – 1 gondola (14-minute ride), 1 high-speed quad, 1 high-speed double,
1 quad, 2 doubles; 2 secondary – 1 quad (Little Nell), 1 double (Bell Mountain)
Lift hours: All lifts open at 9 a.m. and close at 3:30 p.m. except FIS lift which closes at 3:45 p.m.
Rental/Retail: Four-Mountain Sports/D&E Ski and Snowboard Shop/D&E Women across the street from the
Silver Queen Gondola
On-Mountain Restaurants: 4: Sundeck, Bonnie's, Ajax Tavern, Montagna Restaurant and Bar in The Little Nell
Average temps: summer (highs between 70-75 degrees, lows 30-40) winter (30 degrees, lows around 0)
humidity is low.
Average snowfall: 300 inches (762 meters)
HOW TO GET THERE:
Planes:
Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (5 kilometers from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) eaglecounty.us/airport) is about an hour and a half north of Aspen (112 kilometers from Aspen).
The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (aspenairport.com) is Aspen's regional airport, just five minutes from the resort area. Take a morning flight and be skiing by afternoon. Two airlines service the airport: United Express and American Airlines. United Express has direct flights to and from Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Chicago. American Airlines offers direct flights to and from Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles and Denver.
Private Jets:
Aspen is one of America's wealthiest towns and the epitome of American ski luxury. As such, many Aspen businesses cater to wealthy clientele. When it comes to travel, the town has several jet charter operations that can outfit you with private jets for your ski trip.
Transportation:
The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (rfta.com) provides free, daily transportation to Aspen and Snowmass from the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. During the morning, afternoon and evening, the bus stops at the airport every 15 or 30 minutes. The RFTA also provides a
ski bus that services all four Aspen-area resorts (Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass). Many Aspen hotels and resorts also offer free shuttles to and from the airport; inquire when making reservations.
Trains:
Amtrak Station in Glenwood Springs (45 miles, 72.4 kilometers from Aspen)
Airport Car Rental Companies:
Colorado mountain weather offers motorists numerous challenges. The agencies listed here have all the SUV and 4 X 4 options available to tackle the toughest conditions and insure safety while driving about during your stay.
Public Transportation:
There is FREE skier bus service from Aspen to Snowmass and from Snowmass to Aspen.
MONDAY – FRIDAY
Between 6:15am - 8:15pm - There is free service leaving Rubey Park and Snowmass Mall
every 30 minutes at :15 and :45 after the hour.
Between 8:15pm - 2:15am - There is free service leaving Rubey Park and Snowmass Mall
every hour at :15 after the hour. Please note that at 2:15am the bus leaving Snowmass
DOES NOT go to Aspen. It only travels downvalley.
SATURDAY
Between 6:15am - 2:15am - There is free service leaving Rubey Park and Snowmass Mall
every hour at :15 after the hour. Please note that the last bus going into Aspen from
Snowmass is at 1:15am.
SUNDAY
Between 6:15pm - 12:15am - There is free service leaving Rubey Park and Snowmass Mall
every hour at :15 after the hour. Please note that the last bus going into Aspen from
Snowmass is at 11:15pm
Both Aspen and Snowmass Village offer free shuttle bus service throughout their
respective communities.
The Roaring Fork Transit Authority (rfta.com) provides valley-wide transportation to and
from Aspen to Snowmass Village, Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs
