Aspen Mountain

Steep glades with a gondola straight out of downtown.

Locals call it Ajax. The Silver Queen Gondola climbs from the edge of downtown Aspen to the Sundeck, and every run is intermediate or harder: long groomers, bumps and steep glades. It suits confident skiers who want Aspen’s restaurants and nightlife at the bottom of the hill. This winter the mountain turns 80 and opens the new Nell Bell lift.

The mountain

Vertical drop

3,317 ft

Summit

11,262 ft

Skiable terrain

906 acres

Trails

127

Lifts

8

Average snowfall

300″ a year

Longest run

3 mi

Snowmaking

25% of terrain

Terrain mix

• Beginner 0%
• Intermediate 48%
• Advanced 52%

What’s here besides skiing

• Scenic lift rides
• Cat skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country
• Ice skating
• Snowmobiling
• Sleigh rides
• Spa
• Nightlife

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 24 (annual)Usually

  Christmas Eve services

  Downtown churches hold several Christmas Eve services, including St. Mary’s Catholic Church, a few blocks from the gondola. Check 2026 times.

• New Year’sDec 31, about 8 pm (2025 timing)Usually

  New Year’s Eve fireworks over Aspen Mountain

  Fireworks over Aspen Mountain, early enough for families. Afterward, hotels and bars in town like the St. Regis, W Aspen, Hotel Jerome and Silver City throw ticketed parties.

• Opening dayThu, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving)

  Opening Day

  Aspen Mountain and Snowmass open for the 2026-27 season.

• FestivalDec 10–13

  Wintersköl

  Aspen’s welcome-to-winter party since 1951. It brings torchlight descents on Aspen Mountain, fireworks, SoupSköl, bonfires and snow sculptures, plus early-season lift ticket deals at all four mountains.

• EventMon, Dec 14

  Aspen Mountain’s 80th birthday

  Aspen Mountain opened on Dec 14, 1946, and lift tickets for this date are priced at the original $3.75.

• FestivalJan 17–24, 2027

  Aspen Gay Ski Week

  America’s longest-running gay ski week, with parties, concerts and on-mountain events across all four mountains.

• MusicFeb 19–20, 2027

  Palm Tree Music Festival

  Two days of electronic music in the heart of Aspen, co-founded by Kygo, with add-on lift tickets good at all four mountains.

Where to stay

• ski-in/ski-outThe Little Nell

  Five-star hotel at the foot of the Silver Queen Gondola, home to Ajax Tavern and Element 47.

  Slopeside
• lodgeMountain Chalet Aspen

  Family-run lodge two blocks from the gondola and next to the free shuttles to the other three mountains. One of the better values in the core.

  3 min walk
• lodgeSt. Moritz Lodge

  West End lodge with simple rooms and condos, breakfast, a heated pool and a free winter happy hour. A budget pick by Aspen standards.

  12 min walk
• hotelLimelight Aspen

  Casual, family-friendly hotel a couple of blocks from the gondola, with a busy lobby bar at après.

  3 min walk
• hotelHotel Jerome

  Aspen’s grand 1889 hotel on Main Street, with the historic J-Bar downstairs.

  10 min walk

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Silver Queen Gondola sightseeing · At the base

  Non-skiers can ride to the Sundeck at the top for lunch and the view. Sightseeing tickets start at $41.

• ACES snowshoe tour on Richmond Ridge · Top of the gondola

  Two-hour naturalist-led tour from the top of the gondola, daily at 10 am and 1 pm from Dec 15. $85 for adults, gondola and snowshoes included.

• Aspen Mountain Powder Tours · Top of the gondola

  Snowcat skiing on 1,500 acres off the backside, about 10,000 vertical ft a day with lunch. $850 a seat; reservations open Oct 1, with a lottery for busy days.

• Aspen Art Museum · 3 min walk

  Contemporary art in a woven-wood building a block from the gondola, with a rooftop café.

• Wheeler Opera House · 5 min walk

  Restored 1889 opera house for concerts, comedy and films; it screens the cult ski film Aspen Extreme during Wintersköl.

• Ice skating downtown · In town

  Outdoor skating at the Silver Circle rink by the base, or indoors at the Aspen Recreation Center.

• T-Lazy-7 Ranch snowmobile tours · 10 min drive

  Guided snowmobile rides from a family ranch on Maroon Creek Road, toward the Maroon Bells.

• Aspen Brewing Company · 3 min walk

  Local brewery taproom with a deck facing the mountain.

Après and nightlife

• Ajax Tavern

  The classic base-of-the-gondola patio, known for truffle fries and people-watching.

• Eleven212

  The mountain’s newest après spot, at the top of the gondola, where you can have a drink before the last run down.

• J-Bar

  Wood-paneled bar in the Hotel Jerome, an Aspen institution since the mining days.

• Belly Up Aspen

  Small club that books surprisingly big touring acts.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) · about 10 min drive
• Denver · about 4 hr
• Salt Lake City · about 6 hr

Directions in Google Maps