We have the Ikon Pass, which we use for skiing, and all 4 Aspen Mountains are on that pass. We can drive to Aspen from Denver, which makes it a great weekend getaway for us. We have been to Aspen multiple times in the winter and a couple of times in the summer. Aspen is one of our favorite mountain towns in Colorado! Check out our Aspen travel guide below!
How we traveled there
We drove from Denver, which takes around 4 hours, depending on traffic. If you drive to Aspen from Denver, you go over Vail Pass, which can close during snow storms but usually opens back up in a few hours or one day. We use COTrip to keep up to date with any closures.
The Aspen Airport (ASE) is right in town and would be the most convenient if you’re coming from out of town. Check to see if your city offers flights to ASE and skip the drive from Denver.
Where we stayed
We have stayed in a few Airbnbs and hotels in Aspen. There are a few different areas to stay in with pros/cons to each:
Downtown Aspen
Pros about staying downtown: Close to restaurants, bars, shopping, skiing Aspen Mountain
Cons about staying downtown: Have to drive to some of the mountains to ski (20 min drive to Snowmass)
Lodging Options
- One Bedroom Condo in downtown Aspen
- Tyrolean Lodge – We have found that this is the most affordable hotel to stay at in Aspen. It is just a basic hotel room with limited amenities, but it is clean, and most rooms have 3 beds. It is great for a larger group. There is a bus stop right out front of the hotel that takes you to Snowmass Village.
- The St. Regis Aspen – This hotel is really nice (and expensive!). A bonus is that it is dog-friendly.
Snowmass Village
Pros about staying in Snowmass Village: Close to skiing at Aspen Snowmass (our favorite mountain to ski)
Cons about staying in Snowmass Village: Have to drive to restaurants, bars, and shopping (20 min drive to downtown). There are a few restaurants and bars in Snowmass Village, but most people like to eat out in downtown Aspen.
Lodging Options
- Home in Snowmass – This is in the town of Snowmass (not Snowmass Village). It is a short drive to the ski resort but is a great place for a larger group. It is also dog-friendly.
- Condo in Snowmass Village – ski-in ski-out
- Condo in Snowmass Village – 1 bedroom with a pull-out couch and a complimentary shuttle around Snowmass and to the Aspen Airport
Basalt/Carbondale
Pros about staying in Basalt/Carbondale: Less expensive, more space, more selection
Cons about staying in Basalt/Carbondale: Have to drive a distance to everything
Lodging Options
Staying in downtown Aspen is great when we know we want to go out at night and don’t want to worry about driving. Staying near Aspen Snowmass (Snowmass Village) is more convenient for accessing the mountain, but has limited restaurants and bars. There are minimal Uber/taxis, so it’s important to think this through ahead of time.
What activities we did
- Aspen Snowmass – Snowmass is our favorite mountain to ski. It has more skiable terrain than all the other 3 Aspen resorts (Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands) combined. If you are driving to Aspen Snowmass, we like to park at the Two Creeks parking lot because it’s at the base of the mountain. Many other lots are a 5-10 min shuttle ride away. Expect to pay $30 to park on a weekend day and $20 on a weekday. However, if you get there after noon, it’s free, and we’ve also experienced it being free if you have four people in your car.
- If you don’t plan to ski but still want to enjoy the mountain, you can take the Elk Camp Gondola (for a fee) up to the Elk Camp Restaurant, which has an outside bar and live music. You can relax inside or outside and watch everyone else skiing. There is also a rollercoaster across from the Elk Camp Restaurant that Elyse enjoyed with her family. It was fast and windy. I recommend dressing as if you were going skiing to stay warm.
- The best place for beginners is the Meadows learning area, which is also at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola
- If you are looking for shorter blues, try the Elk Camp chairlift. Many people stop to take pictures at the top of the Elk Camp chair lift because of the beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
- Buttermilk – Buttermilk is a ski resort with gentle slopes and a casual, welcoming atmosphere. It is known for hosting the Winter X Games, but Buttermilk offers a diverse range of terrain suitable for all skill levels. We enjoy spending a half day here, as there are often no lines since people view it as the “beginner resort.” There is a free bus that will take you to the other mountains from Buttermilk if you want to split up your day.
- Maroon Bells – It is said these are the most photographed mountain peaks in North America. These twin peaks, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, are reflected in the crystal-clear Maroon Lake. There are different rules for accessing the Maroon Bells depending on the time of year. This website will guide you on requirements. Since this is a popular activity with limited to no parking, we recommend getting reservations for the shuttle. There is a small parking lot next to the shuttle pick-up area, but the parking is expensive (we paid $60). You can park in the town of Aspen and take the bus to the shuttle area, which is at the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain.
- Once you get off the shuttle, there is no hiking required to see the Maroon Bells. There is a paved path to view them, and you can also walk the path along Maroon Lake, which has little to no elevation gain.
- Elyse hiked to Crater Lake (moderate hike) in the summer for a closer view of the Maroon Bells. Crater Lake starts to dry up later in the summer, but there was still some water over Labor Day Weekend.
- Palm Tree Music Festival – This is a must-attend event for music enthusiasts seeking a one-of-a-kind alpine festival experience. It is held outdoors in February in downtown Aspen in the Rio Grande Park. It features around three artists each night for two nights. We saw Gryffin, Kygo, Jack White, and more in 2023. You can come and go from the festival, which is convenient. We’d recommend dressing very warm – we wore our snow pants and heavy snow boots since you are standing in the snow. We stayed in Basalt and drove in for the festival. It was easy to find free parking in downtown Aspen during the festival.
- JAS Fest (Jazz Aspen Snowmass) is a 3-day festival during Labor Day Weekend. There is one main stage, a smaller stage, and food and drink tents. We purchased a single-day ticket, but they offer an all-weekend pass. You park for free, then shuttle to the event. Our favorite artists to see were Sheryl Crow and Eric Church, but they change every year. It was very warm during the day but really cold once the sun went down. Bring layers and blankets!
- Snowmobiling – Elyse has snowmobiled twice at T-Lazy-7 Ranch. The Maroon Bells tour is a great way to see the Maroon Bells during the winter. You snowmobile to where the shuttle drops you off in the summer. There was avalanche danger one of the times Elyse went so the original tour was changed to do the smaller, less expensive Pyramid Peak course. They should notify you within 24 hours of your event if the Maroon Bells tour is closed. It was cold so we’d recommend wearing what you would typically wear skiing.
- Kemo Sabe is a high-end custom hat store in downtown Aspen. Many celebrities have been spotted there, and it has been featured on television shows. Prepare to spend upwards of $500 for a custom hat. I would try to go off-hours since it gets busy.
- Ashcroft Ghost Town is a former silver mining ghost town with restored historical buildings, including a saloon, post office, and hotel. Be careful if you visit in the winter as there were many snow crevasses when we went.
- On the way back to Denver from Aspen, we like to stop at Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs which is an hour from Aspen. There are 16 mineral pools of varying degrees. For an upgrade, they recently added 11 World Experience pools which use a unique mineral formula designed to replicate hot springs from around the world, such as the Blue Lagoon in Iceland or Hokkaido in Japan.
Where we ate
Aspen has a few grocery stores if you want to cook at your condo. We usually do a mix of cooking at the condo and eating out – here are some of our recommendations:
Downtown Aspen
- Mawa’s – Our favorite restaurant in Aspen! They serve Afro-Caribbean-inspired cuisine that combines bold flavors and locally sourced ingredients. It is located just outside of town, across from the airport.
- White House Tavern – This is a laid-back restaurant known for its exceptional sandwiches, burgers, and beers
- Chica – This is a modern Latin kitchen with a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes
- Ellina – This restaurant serves Italian food in an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere
- Kenichi – Kenichi serves exceptional sushi and Asian-inspired dishes
- Jing – Asian fusion, seafood, and steak
- Clark’s Oyster Bar – A great place for fish and oysters
- Bear Den – A small bistro and wine spot. We enjoyed their brunch
- Spring Cafe – Great organic breakfast and lunch spot. They also have juices and both indoor and patio seating.
Aspen Snowmass Resort
- Lynn Britt Cabin – A cozy log cabin on the mountain offering gourmet cuisine. Make sure to make a reservation weeks in advance through Resy if you want to eat here because the inside is small. This is also our favorite place on-mountain to grab Apres drinks. In the afternoon, they have a DJ and lots of outdoor seating. You must be able to ski to and from the cabin.
- Jus Cafe (Snowmass Village) – Casual cafe that serves coffee, breakfast, juice, etc.
- The Crepe Shack (Snowmass Village) – Sells sweet and savory crepes with gluten-free and vegan options. We usually eat here once every trip.
- Elk Camp Restaurant – Located mid-mountain, Elk Camp offers a mix of American and international cuisine with a spacious deck for outdoor seating. There is usually a DJ in the afternoon, and it is a great place to meet any friends who are not skiing, as they can take the gondola (for a fee) to meet you.
- Venga Venga – Popular spot for apres-ski with great Mexican food and drinks
- Toro Kitchen – This is a fancier option in the Viceroy Hotel. They serve Pan-Latin-inspired dishes.
Basalt/Carbondale
- Tempranillo – Offers Spanish-inspired cuisine and wines
Grocery Stores
- City Market (downtown Aspen)
- Clarks Market (downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village)
- Whole Foods (Basalt)
Where we drank
Downtown Aspen – Aspen’s downtown area offers a vibrant nightlife with various bars and lounges to enjoy drinks.
Here are some popular places to get drinks in downtown Aspen:
- Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar – Our favorite cocktail bar! This small and cozy cocktail bar focuses on craft cocktails made with high-quality ingredients. We always love the music there. Get here early, as there is often a wait for a table.
- Escobar Aspen – A nightclub with DJs and a dance floor. This is a place to go at the end of the night.
- The Living Room – this is located in Hotel Jerome which has a very cozy feel and a great Old Fashioned cocktail
- Aspen Brewing – If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere and craft beers, Aspen Brewing Company is a local brewery with a taproom
- The Sterling – A nightclub with DJs and a dance floor – right next to Hooch!
- Silver City Saloon – This bar is a laid-back place to grab a drink with Old West charm. We will note – while we were there it smelled very bad, so we left after one drink.
- Casa Tua – This is also a restaurant, but we love grabbing a drink here at the bar because the atmosphere is cozy and intimate
- Ponyboy – This is a trendy cocktail bar in the W Aspen with interesting music, drinks, and artwork. It was fun to grab a drink, but we wouldn’t stay here all night.
- Aspen Public House – This place has a warm pub ambiance and is a great place to grab a quick drink
What we recommend knowing/preparing
- Aspen has four mountains to ski: Snowmass, Buttermilk, Highlands, and Aspen (also known as Ajax). Highlands and Ajax are best for more experienced skiers. Snowmass is the most popular mountain with the most terrain. Buttermilk is best for beginners.
- Aspen (the town) is a 20-minute drive from the Aspen Snowmass ski resort. There are free buses that will transport you between the two.
- Aspen has a great free bus system. You can bring your skis on the buses.
- It is a small town with limited lodging, so book ahead
- Stay hydrated! Aspen is around 8,000 ft above sea level.
- Make any dining reservations in advance, as they often fill up quickly
- Aspen is known for its Apres-ski culture, so make sure to find a fun place to enjoy drinks, friends, and live music after you are done skiing
What we didn’t do but looked into
- Cloud 9 for Apres – on top of Aspen Highlands, this restaurant offers a vibrant Apres party
- Aspen Art Museum – known for showing the art of established and emerging artists. Check out the Rooftop Cafe for drinks and the view of the mountains.
- See a show at Belly Up – an iconic small venue hosting big-name artists
- Mawita – A new location from Mawa’s Restaurant in Snowmass
- Winter X Games – a winter action sports competition held every winter in Aspen around the end of January
- Independence Pass – It connects Aspen and Twin Lakes during the summer. It is closed during the winter. There are many hiking trails off this pass, and it is also a beautiful drive.
What we packed
- If you are hitting the mountain in the winter, bring your typical ski or snowboarding gear. At night the town is dressier than the average ski town, but it will be frigid, so dress warmly.
- In the summer, it is very warm during the day but gets cold at night. Bring layers (even a light jacket and gloves)!
Check out our recommendations for travel clothing and essentials.
We hope you enjoyed our Aspen travel guide. Leave a comment below or contact us for any questions. If you are looking to explore more places to ski in Colorado, then you should also check out our post on Steamboat.
~Jessica
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.