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Aspen Highlands

1600 Maroon Creek Rd., Aspen, 81611
Phone: 800-525-6200 Snow Report: 970-925-1221 (snow report)
Aspen Highlands Website

by Greg Fitzsimmons

Aspen Highlands is the mountain of choice for locals and visitors longing for the best in-bounds, big-mountain experience in North America. The incomparable Highland Bowl, which the Highlands Ski Patrol keeps a close eye on for safe skiing conditions, is atop most serious skiers’ bucket list. Steep pitches and deep snow can be had in “the Bowl” days after a storm, and the awe-inspiring views of the Maroon Bells from the summit are worth the hike alone.

For the serious skier that isn’t too stoked on the semi-strenuous hike up Highland Bowl, there are snowcat rides that transport skiers up the Bowl’s ridge. You’ll be able to access some amazing terrain without ever boot packing. (However, you won’t find many locals in the snowcat if Highland Bowl’s summit is the ultimate goal. The “earn your turns” ethic runs deep in Aspen.)

If you still have some runs left in your legs after hiking the Bowl, check out the Steeplechase and Temerity areas on the east side of the mountain. And, you’ll be able to find untouched snow on the Olympic Bowl side late into the afternoon.

Don’t be deterred by all of this double black diamond talk, though. The entire mid-mountain area is perfect for intermediate skiers. Rolling blue square runs surround the Cloud Nine chairlift, and there are a lot of beginner trails off of the high-speed Exhibition chair.

Cloud Nine Bistro is a delicious on-mountain dining option with a European list. The raclette, pheasant, strudel, and Gluehwein are memorable—unless you get carried away with the German/Austrian winter-holiday drink (tourists tend to forget that since you drink this wine warm the alcohol goes to your head quick.) Also, ZG Grill and the Merry-Go-Round are quick, fun, and good. ZG (like the original Aspen license plates) has an awesome outdoor patio at the base of the mountain, and the M.G.R. is an affordable, mid-mountain, cafeteria-style spot. Also, Highlands Pizza Company pumps out delicious pies and makes warm breakfast sandwiches that can be eaten on the chairlift.

You can stay slopeside if you’re so inclined. The ski-in, ski-out Ritz-Carlton Club needs no introduction, and, in addition to all that downtown Aspen (just a 5 minute bus ride from Aspen Highlands) has to offer, there are a lot of condominiums for rent nearby.

FYI… Aspen Highlands hosts the Highlands Closing Day Party. This annual tradition is a local favorite during the dreaded transition from winter to spring. You’re missing out if you’ve never experienced Closing Day at Highlands. While the costumes, dancing, and partying are amazing, the exclamation point to every season comes when the well-respected Highlands Ski Patrolers get the season’s final descent of Highlands, tossing avalanche explosives and receiving a standing ovation from the thousands of revelers that celebrate at the ZG Grill.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:

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Forecast:
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SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20110425T05:53:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
Apr 23 - 2"		 Surface:
No data
Base Depth:
-"		 Trails Open:
0		 Total Trails:
124
Percent Trails Open:
0%		 Lifts Open:
icon 0		 Total Lifts:
icon 5
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
11675 ft 3559 m Vertical:
3635 ft 1108 m Base Elevation:
8040 ft 2451 m		 Total Acres:
1028 Total Miles:
75
Longest Run:
N/A
3 5 miles		 Easiest Run:
Red Onion		 Steepest Run:
Go-Go Gully (Highland Bowl - you'll find it in the "Extreme Guide" map)
Best Bumps:
Mushroom		 Best Trail Name:
Mosh Pit		  
 

Air Transportation

Aspen/Snowmass is one of the most accessible Rocky Mountain resorts, with hundreds of nonstop and connecting flights weekly into Aspen, Eagle, Denver and other Colorado airports, you have lots of options...

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE): Tucked neatly into the Roaring Fork Valley, the Aspen airport is just three miles from the town of Aspen and six miles from Snowmass Village. 

Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE): Located just 70 miles from Aspen and Snowmass Village, flights into Eagle are offered on major airlines, permitting one-stop connections from across the globe.

Denver International Airport (DIA): 220 miles from Aspen/Snowmass, visitors can also choose to fly into Denver International (DIA) and then take ground transportation to reach Aspen/Snowmass.  More than 400 flights are offered into DIA from over 80 cities on 14 airlines, plus daily nonstop service from London/Gatwick on British Airways and daily nonstop service from Frankfurt on Lufthansa.

Grand Junction - Walker Field (GJT): Visitors can also choose to fly into Grand Junction (just 125 miles from Aspen/Snowmass) and then take ground transportation to reach Aspen/Snowmass.

Colorado Springs Airport (COS): 270 miles from Aspen/Snowmass.  Up to 70 daily flights from 25 cities on 10 airlines.  Reminder: during winter, Independence Pass is closed.

Ground Transportation

Aspen/Snowmass Express: Introducing new ground transportation to Aspen/Snowmass from Gray Line. Gray Line Colorado offers luxury nonstop express service between Denver International Airport and Aspen/Snowmass. Gray Line Worldwide, based in Colorado, brings nearly 100 years of experience as the world's largest operator of sightseeing and transportation services in premier resort destinations.

Colorado Mountain Express: Arriving into Denver, Eagle, or Grand Junction? Choose Colorado Mountain Express, the leader in ground transportation for over twenty-two years. Colorado Mountain Express offers door-to-door service to and from Aspen/Snowmass and has shuttles and private vehicles running every day.

CME Premier: Enjoy the luxury, convenience and personalized service of private chauffeured travel from Colorado's most respected ground transportation company. CME Premier provides service to and from Aspen airport and all Colorado airports.

High Mountain Taxi: Serving the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, Vail/Eagle County Airport and Glenwood Springs Amtrak. Our taxis accommodate up to 6 passengers. The vehicles are equipped with roof racks for additional luggage and skis.

Parking Info

High Occupancy Vehicles (4 or more people) park for FREE at Aspen Highlands. Paid parking is enforced from 7:30 a.m. to noon daily. No charge for vehicles arriving after noon, space available. Daily parking fee is $12; 10-pass punch card available for $85.

Free Bus Service

Highlands skier shuttle runs every 15-20 min. from Rubey Park. The Castle/Maroon bus is FREE and runs every 20 min. The free Maroon Creek Road shuttle runs every 30 min.

Free ASC (Aspen Skiing Company) Shuttle

A van runs from the designated Highlands parking lot at Buttermilk to Highlands beginning at 7 a.m. The shuttle runs every 15 min. to 11:30 a.m. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. the shuttle runs every 30 min. Shuttle resumes every 15 min. schedule at 2:30 p.m. at Highlands until the last run from Highlands to Buttermilk at 5:30 p.m. Pocket cards with times are available at the Highlands Guest Service desk.

Free Skier Shuttle Service Between All Four Mountains

Free shuttle buses run 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. between the four mountains - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk.