Aspen/Snowmass


Aspen, Colorado
(view all Aspen area trails)

Type: Lift-serviced / Resort

Posted by: Matt S on May 25, 2011
 

Description

 
Aspen Snowmass gives skiers and snowboarders 4 peaks to choose from with thousands of acres of skiable terrain and hundreds of trails for all skill levels.

With a summit elevation of of 12,510 feet, Snowmass boasts 4,406 vertical feet and 3,132 acres of terrain. There are 91 trails covering a distance of 147 miles with a longest trail of 5.3 miles. The trails are ranked 6% easiest, 50% more difficult, 12% most difficult, and 32% expert. Snowmass also has 21 total lifts to access all parts of the mountain.

Aspen Mountain sits at an elevation of 11,212 feet and has a vertical rise of 3,267 feet over 675 acres. The 76 trails target more experienced skiers and cover a total of 64 miles. The longest trail is 3 miles. The trails are ranked 0% easiest, 48% more difficult, 26% most difficult, and 26% expert. The trails are accessed by 8 lifts.

Aspen Highlands has a summit elevation of 11,675 feet and a vertical rise of 3,635 feet. 118 trails totaling 84 miles cover 1,028 acres of skiable terrain. The longest trail is 3.5 miles. The trails are accessed by 5 lifts. The trails are ranked 18% easiest, 30% more difficult, 16% most difficult, and 36% expert.

Buttermilk, host of the Winter X Games sits at 9,900 feet and has 2,030 feet of vertical rise. 44 trails cover 21 miles over 470 acres. The longest run is 3 miles. The trails are ranked 35% easiest, 39% more difficult, 26% most difficult, and 0% expert. Buttermilk has 9 lifts and its famous terrain parks boast over 100 features.

These 4 peaks will require more than one visit.

Activities
Skiing (Downhill), Snowboarding

Website
aspensnowmass.com

Trails in this System
Spar Gulch
Bear Paw
Campground
Powderhorn Run
Garrett Gulch
Slot
Sneaky's
Naked Lady
Long Shot
Northstar
Ruthie's Run
Broadway
Tiehack Trail
Burnt Mountain Glades
The Dikes (aka Cirque Dikes)
Granite
Max Park
Trestle
Sheer Bliss

 

Reviews of Aspen/Snowmass

 

mtbikerchick   Blue Square
November 15, 2011
  
(1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
 
The Aspen/Snowmass group is my favorite place to head in the winter when I want a break from my local resort. Snowmass is my favorite place to ski. Wide blues, bumped out blacks, fun glades...there's something for everyone and no matter what there's always a moment when I can look around and it feels like I've got the whole mountain to myself. Favorite run has to be Long Shot - 5 miles of leg burning fun!
Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Respond to this review

Jan Olson   Tourist
November 6, 2011
  
(1 out of 1 members found this review useful.)
 
If you are driving here the approach to all the 4 mountains from Glenwood Springs is really easy and a gentle incline and the RFTA bus service is superb. Park at the intercept lot off 82 at the Snowmass turnoff (Brush Creek) to ride for free to any of the 4 mountains. This will be my seventh season skiing Aspen/Snowmass where I never get bored with all the offerings of the 4 mountains. This year my favorite run at Buttermilk has a new high speed quad The Tiehack Express! I can hardly wait to lap this run. Highlands has a revamped restaurant at the Merry-Go-Round my favorite for Wednesdays locals appreciation day with all the perks like free parking! A great family destination at Snowmass with trails for all abilities and the gondola is great up to Elk Camp. Of course the Aspen mountain gondola is supreme and free parking on Sunday? I love this place!!
Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Respond to this review

krakanator   Bunny Slope
November 21, 2011
  
(0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
 
The highlight, by far, of Aspen is making the hike up to the top of Aspen Highlands. The views are outstanding and the terrain is nice and steep. A nice departure from the lift lines elsewhere on the mountain.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Respond to this review

Guest  
November 4, 2011
  
(0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
 
The amount of terrain here is amazing. You won't ski it all unless you spend a lifetime. Aspen and Highlands are the steeper mountains. With all the high speed lifts you'll get lots of runs per day. The Big Burn at Snowmass is 2000' vertical and a mile square with billions of lines. I didn't try Buttermilk. This place IS better than heli in the amount of time you'll spend on the snow! The only drawback is the lodging prices.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No | Respond to this review
mtbikerchick
March 21, 2012
  
(0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
 
We finally spent some time at Buttermilk this past weekend and decided it was a hidden gem. The black runs hardly get skied at all and during the spring they're awesomely groomed and slushy! It's never crowded either. We like to ski half a day at Highlands and then take the shuttle back to Buttermilk.

As for lodging - try staying in Basalt at the Aspenalt Lodge. Cheaper, with nice views of the Frying Pan river (stay riverside). There's a great restaurant next door as well.
Was this review helpful? Yes | No

Recommendations

Alta (100%)
Stein's Way (50%)
Star Gazer (50%)
Chip's Run (50%)
Wizard (50%)


Colorado Outdoor Lists