What Is the Main Ski Resort in Aspen?

By Robert Palmer

If you’re looking for a world-class ski resort, Aspen is definitely worth considering. This beautiful mountain town in Colorado is known for its luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining options, and of course, its incredible ski resorts. But what is the main ski resort in Aspen?

The answer to that question is simple: Aspen Snowmass. This massive resort complex consists of four different ski areas: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Each area has its own unique terrain and character, but all offer an exceptional skiing experience.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these areas:

Snowmass

Snowmass is the largest of the four ski areas in Aspen Snowmass. It boasts over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain and 150 miles of trails.

With 94 runs in total, there’s something for every skill level here. Beginners can enjoy gentle slopes and well-groomed runs, while more advanced skiers can tackle challenging steeps and glades.

One highlight of Snowmass is the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center. This facility offers childcare services as well as ski lessons for kids aged 2 to 12.

Aspen Mountain

Aspen Mountain (also known as Ajax) is the original ski area in Aspen. It’s located right in town and offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. With over 675 acres of skiable terrain and 76 runs, it’s not as large as Snowmass but still offers plenty of variety.

Aspen Mountain is known for its steep runs and challenging terrain. Intermediate and advanced skiers will especially enjoy the moguls on runs like Buckhorn and Silver Queen.

Aspen Highlands

Aspen Highlands is a bit smaller than Snowmass with just over 1,000 acres of skiable terrain. However, it’s known for its expert-only terrain and challenging runs. The Highland Bowl is one of the most famous areas of the resort, offering incredible views and some of the steepest skiing in North America.

Despite its reputation for expert terrain, Aspen Highlands does have some beginner and intermediate runs as well. Families will appreciate the ski school and on-mountain dining options.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is the smallest of the four ski areas in Aspen Snowmass. It’s often thought of as a beginner mountain, with gentle slopes and easy runs perfect for new skiers and families. However, there’s more to Buttermilk than meets the eye.

This area is home to the X Games Aspen, an annual extreme sports competition featuring snowboarding, skiing, and other events. Buttermilk also has a great terrain park for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Conclusion

Overall, Aspen Snowmass is an incredible ski resort complex with something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert skier, there’s plenty to explore here. With luxurious accommodations and top-notch dining options throughout the town of Aspen, it’s no wonder this resort is such a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts from around the world.