What’s your vibe? Delve into the distinct personalities of Aspen Snowmass
With four mountains, Aspen Snowmass holds an adventure for every style
Special to The Aspen Times

Matt Power/Courtesy photo
Editor’s note: A version of this story appears in this year’s edition of the Winter in Aspen/Snowmass magazine.
Aspen Snowmass’ four mountains may be nestled together in one valley, but each has its distinct personality. Together, they offer diverse terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Whether you hunger for wide-open groomers, big bumps, steep glades, deep powder, hiking, or mellow beginner terrain, you’ll find it here. But how do you know which mountain is best for you? We talked with local ski patrollers and instructors who have skied these mountains almost every day for years to compile the insider info you need to know.
Aspen Mountain, aka Ajax

Think of Aspen Mountain as the longtime local. The first of the four mountains to open more than 75 years ago, it’s rich in mining and ski history.
Here, you can ski over old mining dumps or down the World Cup course. Measured by acres, Aspen might seem small, but longtime locals will tell you this mountain holds all the secrets, despite its modest size.
“There’s more to Aspen than meets the eye,” says Olga Lawson, ski school general manager at Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands. “The more you ski it, the more unique and interesting areas you can find.”
In fact, the mountain holds a plethora of shrines honoring both local legends and iconic bands, stars, and groups. Most lie tucked away in nooks and crannies, so it becomes a treasure hunt to find them. But once you do, you’ll see license plates and streets signs paying tribute to Elvis, Jimi Hendrix’s head spraypainted on the bricks of an old mining shaft, evidence of the Red Sox-Yankees’ rivalry, laminated photos of John Denver, and much, much more. You’ll find more than 100 shrines scattered throughout the four mountains, but Aspen is the original.
With the gondola rising right from the edge of town, Aspen might seem like the place to go to be seen, but be warned: There is no beginner terrain here.
“We don’t have any green runs,” warns Tessa Dawson, Aspen ski patrol director. “You want to be an intermediate or advanced skier. If you’re a mogul lover, this is the place to be.”
How do you really get to know Aspen Mountain if you’ve just got a week or a weekend to explore and no local friends to guide you? Consider hiring a ski instructor. Ski instructors can do more than teach you to link turns. They also help longtime skiers improve their technique or guide visitors around the mountain — and maybe uncover some of its secrets.
“Whatever you want, we can give you,” she says.
Pro tip: Enjoy a honey latte in a mug at Gorsuch Ski Café for a pre-ski caffeine boost, or finish the day with burgers and beers at Buck for a classic ski-town après experience.
Aspen Highlands

Independently owned by Whip Jones for 35 years before coming into the Aspen Snowmass collection, Aspen Highlands, aka Highlands, is more of the wild child — the hard-charging adrenaline junkie.
Highlands Bowl, which offers 270 acres of expert terrain accessed only by hiking, is a big draw, but you don’t need to hike the bowl to reach steeps.
“Highlands has really spectacular, long, sustained steep terrain,” she says.
Double-black diamond runs dominate the mountain, and the access is fast, easy — and everywhere. Highlands also offers some long, wide groomers, but it’s best to go elsewhere if you’re not an intermediate or advanced skier.
Pro tip: Lap the groomers off of Cloud Nine for a warm-up before hitting the steeps. Gunbarrel and Scarlett’s Run are Dawson’s favorites. Head to Highlands Alehouse at the base of the mountain for lunch or après — grab a chair on the deck if the weather is warm and sunny.
Buttermilk

The ski patrol at Buttermilk have a saying: “Relax, it’s Buttermilk.”
Egos don’t rule here. Buttermilk is that quiet friend who is never flustered and always full of fun.
Known as the family mountain, Buttermilk is the place to learn the sport without feeling self-conscious or awkward. But it’s more than that. Buttermilk is where the locals go to get away from the frenzy. It’s an uphiller’s paradise.
It’s also the home of X Games Aspen, with some of the world’s premier freestyle parks. This is where many top Olympic freestyle athletes train and compete. The contrasting terrain is “a unique and wonderful paradox,” says Buttermilk Ski Patrol Director Chris Halsey. And, thanks to a natural separation between the terrain park and the rest of the mountain, it all works well.
Pro tip: If you’re skiing with a beginner who is ready to graduate from the magic carpet but may not have the skill or stamina to ski a blue run, head to the top of West Buttermilk Express for a full mountain experience. Take a green run to mid-station, where you can go up again or ride to the bottom. For a warm lunch, build your own Mongolian bowl at the Cliffhouse.
Snowmass

Snowmass is big — bigger than the other three mountains combined — and then some. It’s known for its wide-open groomers, but it offers much more than that.
“We have a wide mix of terrain that really can appeal to anybody, from some of the steepest runs in the valley to some of the best beginner terrain,” says Nathan Garfield, Snowmass patrol director.
With mellow beginner trails, smooth corduroy, long bump runs, glades, and steep, hike-to terrain, Snowmass acts as a great basecamp for families or groups with different skill levels and interests. Parents can drop their kids at ski school and ski the steeps without driving to another mountain. It’s the place to go to divide up according to terrain preference but still easily meet up for lunch or après.
Pro tip: Sometimes big can be too much of a good thing. Don’t try to ride every lift in one day. Pick one lift or one part of the mountain you want to explore, and then move out from there. Need an energy boost? Swing by Up 4 Pizza to order a gooey hot cookie for a sweet treat.
Aspen Mountain
The “town” mountain
Opened in 1947
Acres: 675
Summit: 11,262 feet
Vertical: 3,317 feet
Number of trails and lifts: 127 and 8
Terrain: 0% beginner; 48% intermediate; 26% most difficult; 26% expert
Aspen Highlands
The “wild child”
Acres: 1,040
Summit: 11,675 feet
Vertical: 3,635 feet
Terrain: 0% beginner; 23% intermediate; 12% most difficult; 65% expert
Buttermilk
The beginners mountain
Acres: 470 acres
Summit: 9,900 feet
Vertical: 2,030 feet
Terrain parks: 9
Current and past home of X Games Aspen
Terrain: 35% easiest; 39% intermediate; 26% most difficult (no expert)
Snowmass
The family mountain
Acres: 3,339
Summit: 12,510 feet
Vertical: 4,406 feet
Terrain parks: 3
Terrain: 5% easiest; 48% intermediate; 17% most difficult; 30% expert
Think you’re ready to hike Highlands Bowl? Here’s what you need to know before you go:
Ascent: Nearly 800 feet vertical gain in 0.75 mile
Hike time: 30-60 minutes (average 45 without cat assist)
Afraid of heights? The ridge is narrow in places.
Beware: Wind and clouds can create whiteout conditions and frostbite.
Stop by patrol headquarters for a Highlands Bowl strap, patrol tips, and daily condition updates.
Pro tip: Dress in layers, bring water, and use a strap or pack to carry your board(s).
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