Aspen needs no introduction. Nor does the 5500 acres of Aspen Snowmass terrain.
Colorado’s most known postcode combines the glitz and glam of Hollywood with authentic historic ski town charm and big mountain peaks filled with uber dry snow and blue sky days.
But for such a well-known destination, Aspen doesn’t rest in coming up with new and exciting offerings to add to the list. From hidden secrets to little-known hacks to make your trip that little bit easier and more cost-effective, we’ve got it all below.
Here are the 10 things you didn’t know about Aspen, but should…
Kids ski free with rentals
Aspen knows that a family holiday can add up quickly – and so they’ve made it easier for you to share your love of the sport with your little ones.
Just purchase a minimum of two days rental equipment from Four Mountain Sports for kids aged between seven and 12, and receive a free lift ticket for the same number of days.
The bonus here is that you won’t have to drag any of the kids ski luggage through the airport as you make your way over – or even in resort, because when you book with Four Mountain Sports, you receive free transfer/storage of your skis/snowboards in resort.
Valid from January 1 through to April 17, 2023.
Free bus transfers and ski valet
Take the free bus between the four mountains and enjoy free, fast Wi-Fi so you (or your teenage children) can upload those TikToks while you ride.
Don’t fancy taking your skis on the bus? Just let the ski valet service on each mountain know where you’re heading the next day, drop off your skis at the end of your day and pick them up at the next mountain the next morning.
Or stay at town favourite The Little Nell and everything gets stepped up an extra notch via the Ski Concierges, from boot warming, tune-ups and equipment storage to personalised recommendations based on the conditions and grooming.
Perfect deals for Aussies
There’s the SKI10 deal, exclusive to Aspen’s number one international crowd (that’s us), where you can ski 10 days for less than the price of six days.
Or if that doesn’t quite suit, there’s also the SKI30 deal, where you receive unlimited skiing and riding for 30 consecutive days for less than the price of a seven-day ticket – not bad.
All you have to do is book at least seven nights of lodging through a preferred tour operator before October 31. And as a bonus, both SKI30 and SKI10 unlock additional savings for Ski & Snowboard School lessons, Four Mountain Sports rentals, and lodging.
You can go cat skiing off Aspen mountain
Aspen consistently gets great snow thanks to the altitude, but if you want the very best powder stashes all to yourself – you don’t have to go far.
Step into a luxury snowcat off the back of Aspen Mountain with Aspen Powder Tours and let it take you to the prime spots with fresh tracks guaranteed.
A typical day averages 10,000 vertical feet of skiing and boarding in an expanse of 1,500 acres, that features open bowls, meadows and glades. The trip includes two guides and a driver for a maximum of 10 people, plus lunch is served in a cozy wood-stove heated cabin, and snacks and drinks provided throughout the day.
Aspen has an airport
Aspen Snowmass is one of the easiest ski destinations to access in North America. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport sits less than 5km from downtown Aspen so you can fly in with easy connections via Los Angeles, Dallas or San Francisco and be skiing in no time.
Over 300 days of sunshine every year
You read that right. It’s likely you’ll hit the bluebird jackpot in Colorado, with an average of over 300 days of sunshine and blue skies annually paired with over seven metres of snowfall every season. Ski days you’ve dreamed about.
Aspen’s own fashion design
It’s called ASPENX, and it’s not your standard mountainwear. Think collaborations with Prada leading to the most stylish of shirts and jackets; candles that wouldn’t look out of place on the shelf at Mecca; plaid cushions and throws that you’ll want to take home to recreate the ski chalet vibe; cycling gear and so much more.
It’s all custom-built, innovative and premium, designed and engineered to withstand the demands of mountain professionals who spend every day on the slopes and in the elements.
The Aspen Art Museum
Downtown Aspen is home to one of the best institutions of international contemporary art, with innovative and timely exhibitions paired with community happenings and a roof top bar and cafe with views across to Aspen Mountain. Few ski towns blend art, design, innovation and thought leadership the way Aspen does.
Dance in your ski boots at Cloud 9
The après scene at Aspen is everything it’s cracked up to be… and then some. Book in for one of two lunch sittings at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro on the mountain, and if you’re lucky to score a spot at the coveted second sitting then expect endless bubble spray from bottles of Veuve Clicquot.
Be prepared to dance on the table tops in your ski boots, Euro style, to the DJ that spins some beats for each seating. Then greet a smiling ski patrol as you leave to guide you down the mountain with the same beats still playing in your head.
