Current Weather:

-°

Base Depth:
-"

24hr Snowfall:
0

Surface:
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Snowmass

601 East Dean St., Aspen, 81611
Phone: 800-525-6200 Snow Report: 970-925-1221 (snow report)
Snowmass Website

by Greg Fitzsimmons

Of the mountain resort quartet that surrounds Aspen, Snowmass combines the shining attributes of Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Highlands into one location. With steep terrain like Ajax, rolling Buttermilk-esque cruisers, and side-country stashes that locals covet like those at Highlands, Snowmass is a massive (it’s not a misnomer) example of the best Aspen has to offer.

Beginner terrain can be found throughout the 3,000+ skiable acres. Fanny Hill is a perfect place for newbies to get their legs under them, it’s the mellow pitch located right next to the “Skittles” Sky Cab—the colorful gondola cars that runs back and forth between the new Base Village. Other trails like Dawdler, Assay Hill, and Scooper are great places for novice skiers and boarders to get some turns in.

The Elk Camp and Big Burn areas of Snowmass are ideal locales for the blue square skier, complete with wide-open runs and breathtaking views. And if you’re in a meat hucking mood, there are steeps, cliffs, and trees in the Cirque and Hanging Valley Wall areas that will challenge even the most extreme skier or rider.

In addition to world-class skiing, a family-friendly atmosphere is the modus operandi at Snowmass. The Treehouse Kids Adventure Center is an unparalleled kid-centric lodge, equipment rental, playground, ski school, and cafeteria facility. (But beware parents, there are areas in the Treehouse where “No Adults Allowed” signs lay down the law.)

The new Base Village boasts dining and drinking options that created quite the buzz around Aspen during the village’s inaugural 2009 season. The Sweet Life, located in the charming red barn at the base of the mountain, is a hit with children of all ages. Kids can choose from homemade ice cream, colorful confections, and s’mores; while adults can indulge in a candy-inspired cocktail. And if the après-ski scene is what’s on tap, Sneaky’s Tavern has an outdoor patio in the heart of the Base Village that gets packed as soon as the lifts stop running.

Slopeside accommodations are in abundance at Snowmass. From family-friendly condominiums to the chic and stylish Viceroy (which opens it’s doors December 2009), there are a lot of options to choose from.

FYI…Locals ski the mountain from looker’s right to looker’s left. For the best snow conditions I recommend that you start on the Campground lift early in the A.M., move to Big Burn with the sun, and end your day riding the Elk Camp and Two Creeks chairs.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:

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Forecast:
No data available
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SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20110410T08:27:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
Apr 04 - 13"		 Surface:
No data
Base Depth:
-"		 Trails Open:
0		 Total Trails:
91
Percent Trails Open:
0%		 Lifts Open:
icon 0		 Total Lifts:
icon 24
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
12510 ft 3813 m Vertical:
4406 ft 1343 m Base Elevation:
8104 ft 2473 m		 Total Acres:
3132 Total Miles:
144
Longest Run:
N/A
 Easiest Run:
Assay Hill		 Steepest Run:
AMF
Best Bumps:
Reidar's		 Best Trail Name:
Zugspitze		  
 

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

Free Parking: Town Park Station (formerly Rodeo Lot), shuttles depart starting at 6:40 a.m. every twenty min. until 7:20 a.m. for the ski area. 10 minute service 7:20 a.m. – 5:10 p.m. HOV (four or more) park free in lots C.

Paid Parking: Lots C, E, and Two Creeks $13 per day. Permits (winter only) can be purchased from the parking attendant from 7:30 a.m. until noon daily in Lot C. Two Creeks permits can be purchased from the parking attendant from 8 a.m. until noon daily.

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.  Snowmass skier shuttle runs every 10 - 15 min. from Rubey Park in Aspen. Shuttles run from SM to Aspen from 8:00am – 4:45pm. To access Two Creeks by bus from Aspen, riders must take the #3 Village Shuttle from the mall. RFTA will not be running a direct bus from Aspen to Two Creeks.

RFTA Buses within and between Aspen and Snowmass

The Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) provides a FREE and extensive bus service within Aspen 2 a.m. Buses between Aspen and Snowmass Village run until 2 a.m for a $3 fare (correct change required). Most routes begin and end at Rubey Park on Durant Street in downtown Aspen.

Snowmass Village Shuttle

Year round FREE transportation service to virtually all condominium complexes and many outlying residential areas within Snowmass Village. For specific information, please contact 970-923-2543.