Aspen, Snowmass occupancy nearly flat, slightly down

Aspen and Snowmass commercial lodging saw a slight downtrend in occupancy this summer compared to last year. 

According to a data report released by Aspen Skiing Company on Thursday, occupancy in Aspen and Snowmass from May to October so far is pacing down 0.2%, at 43.3% compared to last year’s 43.5%. The near-flat rate increased from a 4.3% summer deficit — this year compared to last year — recorded in a May 31 occupancy tally, a “nice last-minute pickup,” the report stated.

“We often see more last-minute bookings in the summer season as drive-market traffic volume increases,” Aspen One Corporate & Brand Communications Director Hannah Dixon wrote in an email. 

Eliza Voss, vice president of Destination Marketing for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, told The Aspen Times last month that the short-term booking season will only increase as fall hits the resort communities. 

Voss said “the lead time” for visitors booking accommodations can be as short as two days in advance. 

“Empty-nesters just have the freedom to book whenever,” she said, as parents of young children will have kids in school.

July’s combined Aspen and Snowmass occupancy fell 0.5% from last year’s 70.2% to 69.7% in 2025, according to the recent data. July’s Snowmass occupancy was down 0.9%, at 62.7% compared to last year’s 63.6%. Aspen occupancy remained flat in July compared to last year at 76.3%.

Alternatively, August saw higher occupancy in both Aspen and Snowmass. Occupancy was up 1.4% in the communities, rising from 53.9% in August 2024 to 55.3% in August 2025.

“Labor Day weekend shifting fully into August is likely a big contributor to the increase,” SkiCo’s occupancy report states.

Looking ahead, SkiCo said it is difficult to predict what occupancy rates might be this winter. 

“We’re in a highly variable macroeconomic environment right now due to a range of trends (including movements in equity markets, employment, inflation, international tourism), so it is difficult to predict what visitation will be,” Dixon wrote. “As always, we are building our operations and teams to be able to handle whatever comes.”

Snowmass Tourism Director Julia Theisen told The Aspen Times last month that September occupancy in Snowmass is looking “soft,” though the final rate is hard to predict amid the last-minute booking increase.

Skyler Stark-Ragsdale can be reached at 970-429-9152 or email him at sstark-ragsdale@aspentimes.com.