Colorado, USA · 7,908 ft

Aspen

The mountain town that does everything right — skiing, dining, culture, and altitude.

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The Destination

Not just a ski town.

Aspen sits at 7,908 feet in the Elk Mountains of Colorado — a town that somehow manages to be world-class in everything it touches. Skiing, food, art, architecture, summer festivals. The altitude is the only thing that'll slow you down.

4
Ski mountains
336
Days of sunshine
300"
Annual snowfall
7,908
Feet elevation
7,908
Feet Above Sea Level

On the Mountain

Four mountains.
Zero compromises.

Aspen/Snowmass is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. Each mountain has its own character.

675
Aspen Mountain
76 runs · Expert & intermediate
3,014
Snowmass
94 runs · All levels
1,320
Aspen Highlands
135 runs · Highland Bowl
470
Buttermilk
44 runs · Beginners & X Games

Where to Eat

Eat well.
Then eat again.

Aspen punches well above its weight on food. For a town of 7,000 people, the dining scene is absurd — in the best way.

Fine Dining
Matsuhisa
Nobu's original outpost in the mountains. Japanese-Peruvian fusion done right. Book weeks out in ski season.
Après-Ski Institution
Ajax Tavern
Ski-in lunch spot at the base of Ajax. Truffle fries are mandatory. Outdoor terrace, strong drinks, good people-watching.
Classic Aspen
Steakhouse No. 316
Dark wood, great wine list, serious steaks. The kind of place you end up staying until midnight.
Local Favourite
Element 47
Wine-forward tasting menu inside The Little Nell. One of the best wine cellars in Colorado.
Breakfast
Jour de Fête
French café energy. Excellent pastries, strong coffee, good eggs. Get there before the ski crowd wakes up.
On-Mountain
Elk Camp Restaurant
Snowmass gondola summit. Views of the Elks, good food for 11,325 feet. Earn your lunch.

Beyond the Slopes

There's a reason
people come in summer.

Aspen doesn't close in July. The Roaring Fork Valley in summer is its own thing — and most people haven't figured that out yet.

01
Maroon Bells
Two of the most photographed peaks in North America. 10 miles from town. The reflection at sunrise is worth setting an alarm for.
02
Roaring Fork River
World-class fly fishing. Gold medal water runs right through town. Hire a guide, they'll put you on fish.
03
Music Festival
Aspen Music Festival runs eight weeks in summer. World-class orchestral performances in a tent at 8,000 feet. Surprisingly good.
04
Hunter Creek Trail
Seven miles of singletrack right from downtown. Accessible in summer and fall. No car needed.
05
Art Galleries
More galleries per capita than most cities. The Baldwin Gallery and Aspen Art Museum are both worth your time.
06
Snowmass Balloon Festival
Hot air balloons launched daily in January. Watch from your balcony with coffee, or pay to ride. Both options are good.

Getting There

The logistics.

✈️
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
3 miles from downtown. Direct flights from LA, Denver, Dallas, Chicago in ski season. Notoriously difficult in weather — have a backup plan.
🚁
Private Aviation
ASE handles jets up to mid-size. Eagle County (EGE) is 70 miles east and handles larger aircraft. Charter from Denver is a viable option.
🚗
Drive from Denver
4 hours via I-70 and Hwy 82. Stunning drive through Glenwood Canyon. Check road conditions November–April — Independence Pass closes in winter.
🚌
Roaring Fork Transit
Free bus service within Aspen and to Snowmass. Reliable, frequent, free. You don't need a car once you're in town.
When to go
Peak Ski
Dec–Mar. Best snow, most events, highest prices. Book 6 months out.
Spring
April. Soft snow, deals everywhere, still skiing. The local's sweet spot.
Summer
Jun–Aug. Hiking, festivals, 75°F days, cool nights. Surprisingly affordable.
Fall
Sep–Oct. Aspens turn gold. No crowds. Best hiking of the year.