People have settled around Aspen for nearly 8,000 years and up until 1879 (when prospectors first discovered the town’s silver lodes) it was inhabited by the Ute Indians. The town was named Ute City, but in 1880 the name was changed to Aspen—after the abundance of Aspen trees.

By 1893 this booming metropolis had 12,000 residents, six newspapers, four schools, three banks, two theaters, an opera house, a hospital, electricity, and a brothel to boot.

In 1935, Aspen was scheduled to become one of Colorado’s premiere ski resorts but had to postpone its opening due to the War. In 1947, Aspen Mountain officially opened, boasting the world’s longest ski lift. For more than 60 years since, Aspen/Snowmass has offered some of the best skiing and riding in the world. Today, Aspen/Snowmass boasts 5,285 acres of terrain, 336 trails, and an average snowfall of 300 inches--numbers that sound good to any mountain enthusiast.

OUR MOUNTAIN TOWN

Aspen rests at an elevation of 7,908 ft. and is located in the Roaring Fork Valley within the White River National Forest. Approximately 4 hours from Denver, this vacation destination encompasses two towns, Aspen and Snowmass, and boasts four world-renowned mountains that are sure to please any level of skier or rider. Aspen Highlands is the locals’ favorite mountain, while Aspen Mountain (known simply as “Ajax”) is perfect for experts looking for powder stashes and great skiing in the trees. The largest of the four mountains, Snowmass, is the most family-friendly mountain, catering to a range of abilities and levels. For novice skiers and riders Buttermilk is the best place to learn how to link turns.

WEATHER

The average temperature for Aspe dips below 30 degrees but we promise all the sunshine makes this mountain town feel much warmer. As it's the nature of Colorado weather, you never really know what kind of conditions the day has in store so plan on a snowstorm one minute and bluebird skies another. Or, vice versa. Save yourself from freezing or overheating by wearing layers of thin clothing under your ski gear. Whatever you do, don’t forget to bring some sunscreen because at this high altitude SPF is the only thing that will save you from a goggle burn.

SLOPE ETIQUETTE 

You can find the skier/rider responsibility code just about everywhere on the mountain, but we thought we'd share it with you for good measure. It may seem simple, but be aware of these rules as they ensure a safe and fun day on the mountain. And don’t forget to sport a helmet—not only will it to protect your noggin but it will keep you nice and warm on chilly days.