DOWNHILL SKIING
Sixty-plus years after dedicating the first chairlift on Aspen
Mountain, Aspen/Snowmass continuesto deliver. Aspen/Snowmass, anywhere else, this would be four separate vacations. It’s not just one mountain – it’s Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk. With four choices and 5,303 acres; decide which mountain fits your passion. For more information visit the Aspen Skiing Company.
NORDIC SKIING
The Aspen Parks Department maintains one of the largest free cross-country trail systems in the United States. The Nordic trails system consists of 100 kilometers of groomed ski and snowshoe trails stretching from Aspen to Snowmass, including both the Aspen Golf and Tennis Club and Snowmass Golf Club. For more information visit Nordic Skiing.
For a complete guide to the Aspen/Snowmass Nordic trail system and corresponding maps, please visit our Nordic Skiing information.
For current grooming conditions, call the Nordic HOT LINE: 970.429.2039 (Ext. 4) for daily updates. Or visit here for Daily Ski Reports.
DOWNHILL SKI TERRAIN IN PITKIN COUNTY
Aspen Mountain (a.k.a. Ajax)
Base elevation: 7,945 ft./2,422 m.
Summit elevation: 11,212 ft./3,417m.
Terrain: 673 acres/270 hectares
Best known for: Great location in the center of Aspen - Ski down for lunch and shopping. Aspen Mountain, the flagship mountain of the Aspen/Snowmass resort comlex, offers excellent intermediate to expert terrain that includes steep and bump runs.
Aspen Highlands
Terrain: 1,028 acres/416 hectares
Trails: easiest: 18%, more difficult: 30%, most difficult: 16%, expert: 36%
Best known for: Locals' favorite mountain for expert and adventure terrain. Take a snowcat ride to the ridge where you can hike up and drop into the Highland Bowl for the ultimate in-bounds backcountry experience.
Buttermilk
Terrain: 470 acres/176 hectares
Trails: easiest: 35%, more difficult: 39%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 0%
Parks and Pipes: 5 terrain parks, 1 superpipe and 1 beginner pipe - all within Buttermilk Terrain Park
Best known for: Being one of the best learning/teaching mountains in the world. It has terrain park and halfpipe for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Uncrowded slopes: On average, 3.7 people per acre / 8 people per hectare. Site of Winter X Games.
Snowmass
Terrain: 3,132 acres/1,267 hectares
Trails: easiest: 6%, more difficult: 50%, most difficult: 12%, expert: 32%
Pipes and Parks: Three terrain parks (new Snowmass Terrain Park, Makaha and Scooper), one superpipe and one beginner pipe.
Best known for: Snowmass is the second largest ski area in the country—36 Disneylands could fit within the ski-area boundaries. A family-friendly area with long, groomed cruising runs, snowboarders' haven with a Super Dragon halfpipe and acres of terrain-park riding.