Aspen, USA
Four mountains, one silver-mining town turned high-society playground. Champagne powder and champagne prices.
Best time to visit
Weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0° | -11° | 58 mm | prime |
| Feb | 1° | -10° | 61 mm | prime |
| Mar | 5° | -7° | 67 mm | prime |
| Apr | 9° | -3° | 78 mm | |
| May | 14° | 0° | 58 mm | |
| Jun | 21° | 4° | 31 mm | |
| Jul | 25° | 9° | 51 mm | prime |
| Aug | 24° | 9° | 61 mm | |
| Sep | 20° | 5° | 49 mm | prime |
| Oct | 13° | -1° | 55 mm | |
| Nov | 5° | -9° | 52 mm | |
| Dec | 0° | -12° | 61 mm | prime |
30-year averages (1995–2024) from ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo. Rain is the monthly total.
Cost
Serves travellers at Premium→Ultra-luxury level. Typically around $500 a day on the ground.
Ranges are typical costs, not quotes. Check the real price before you book.
What's on
Winter X Games January
Freestyle competitions at Buttermilk
Food & Wine Classic June
America's most storied culinary weekend
Worth knowing
Cards throughout. Tipping is expected for restaurant service, ski instructors and shuttle drivers.
money · editorial
The town sits near 2,400 metres and the summits are far above it. The first day is for drinking water and a short afternoon, not for bell-to-bell skiing off a red-eye.
know before · editorial
The two mud seasons, after the lifts close in spring and before they open in late autumn, when much of the town shuts and the mountain is neither one thing nor the other. Christmas and New Year run the town at capacity.
when not to go · editorial
The Aspen core for walking to lifts and restaurants, Snowmass Village for ski-in convenience and families, Basalt and Carbondale down-valley for space and a bus ride each way.
where to stay · editorial
A free town bus and the valley bus service link the four mountains, and the town core is walkable. A car mostly becomes a parking problem.
getting around · editorial
Aspen has a small airport with weather-sensitive connections. The alternatives are Denver and a four-hour drive over the passes, or Eagle County and a shorter transfer up the valley.
getting there · editorial
Quests
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Maroon Bells
The two most photographed peaks in Colorado. In summer you get there by bus or by bicycle, and no other way.
Aspen Mountain
The mountain that starts inside the town. The gondola goes up from the main street.
Aspen Highlands
The locals' mountain, with the bowl up top that everyone talks about.
Snowmass
The other valley, with the longest run in the area.
Independence Pass
Almost four thousand metres at the top. It closes in winter, and it really does close.
Wheeler Opera House
The 1889 theatre that outlived the end of silver.
See
See the Maroon Bells reflected in the lake, early, with no wind
Eat
Eat green chili somewhere plain; the expensive version is at the resort
Eat a hot meal halfway up the mountain, in ski boots
Aspen prices. Aspen view.
Have a coffee before the first gondola of the day
Minus ten outside and the queue already formed.
Moment
Hike up Highland Bowl and ski down
Walk the city on a snowy night, with the street empty
Expensive shop windows, free silence.
Take the first run of the day on untouched snow
You have to wake before everyone who wants the same thing.
Trail
Hike up to Highland Bowl and ski down
An hour and a half carrying the skis along the ridge, exposed to the wind.