Snowmass Village

How to Get There

From Aspen (9 mi): Take Brush Creek Rd west from Aspen Airport area, continue directly into the village and follow signs to base area parking and lodging.

Overview

Snowmass Village is a popular winter resort location for skiing and snowboarding, the town is well known as the location of the Snowmass ski area, the largest of the four nearby ski areas operated collectively as Aspen/Snowmass.

Snowmass Village is to the north and at the base of the Snowmass Ski Area. It is located on Brush Creek, not Snowmass Creek. Within the area of the town, Owl Creek and Brush Creek join and then flow north into the Roaring Fork River. Visible from the village from east to west are Burnt Mountain Ridge, Burnt Mountain, Baldy Mountain, Chapel Peak, Garret Peak, Clark Peak, Mount Daly, and Capitol Peak. Neither Snowmass Mountain nor Snowmass Peak, at the headwaters of Snowmass Creek, are visible from Snowmass Village.

Today, Snowmass Village has experienced a building boom, as new condominiums, luxury homes, mountainside mansions, and Base Village have recently been constructed. Westin Hotels and the Viceroy Hotel Group have recently built a respective hotel in Snowmass. Snowmass Village is also experiencing a rising influx of wealthy tourists and skiers.

Snowmass Ski Area

Snowmass is a ski resort located in the Town of Snowmass Village near Aspen, Colorado. The ski area is owned and operated by the Aspen Skiing Company as part of the Aspen/Snowmass complex. It was opened on December 17, 1967 . Snowmass is the largest of the four Aspen/Snowmass mountains, comprising 3,362 acres (1,361 ha).

Slopes

The mountain is most notable for its wide cruiser runs, family-friendly atmosphere, and extensive ski-in/ski-out lodging. Despite its family reputation, the resort also contains several terrain parks, extensive extreme skiing terrain, mogul runs, and gladed terrain.

Lifts

Snowmass has the most vertical feet of skiing of any ski area in the United States, but only when the Cirque poma is running. There are 17 lifts at Snowmass: 7 high-speed quads (Two Creeks, Elk Camp, Alpine Springs, Sheer Bliss, Coney Glade, Sam's Knob, High Alpine), 2 high-speed six packs (Village Express, Big Burn), 2 gondolas (the Sky Cab - better known as the "Skittles" and Elk Camp Gondola), 2 quads (Meadows and Assay Hill), 1 double (Campground) and 2 pull lifts (Scooper and The Cirque).

Things to Do

Experience a Premier Rocky Mountain Resort Destination

Snowmass Village is located in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley and is known for its world-class skiing, extensive trail system, stunning mountain scenery, and family-friendly atmosphere. The village combines outdoor adventure with modern resort amenities, making it a popular destination in every season.

Enjoy Snowmass Ski Area

Snowmass Ski Area is the largest of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, offering thousands of acres of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. During the summer months, the mountain transforms into a hub for hiking, mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, alpine activities, and outdoor events.

Explore the Snowmass Mall and Base Village

Visitors can stroll through Snowmass Mall and Base Village to enjoy shopping, restaurants, cafés, live entertainment, seasonal festivals, and family-friendly activities. The pedestrian-friendly village creates a vibrant mountain atmosphere with beautiful views in every direction.

Visit the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center

Snowmass gained international attention when important Ice Age fossils were discovered nearby. The Ice Age Discovery Center provides educational exhibits about mammoths, mastodons, giant bison, and other prehistoric animals that once inhabited the region.

Experience Outdoor Adventure Year-Round

Beyond skiing, Snowmass Village offers hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, horseback riding, ziplining, rock climbing, rafting, and hot air balloon rides. The surrounding White River National Forest provides access to some of Colorado's most spectacular mountain landscapes.

Take a Scenic Trip to Aspen and Maroon Bells

Located just a short drive from Aspen, Snowmass Village provides convenient access to the Maroon Bells, one of the most photographed mountain destinations in North America. Visitors can enjoy stunning alpine lakes, scenic drives, photography, wildlife viewing, and hiking opportunities throughout the region.

Top Trails

Rim Trail

Length: Approximately 7 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

One of Snowmass Village's signature trails, the Rim Trail traverses hillsides above the village and provides expansive views of Snowmass Ski Area, the surrounding mountains, and the Roaring Fork Valley. The route is popular with hikers, runners, and mountain bikers.

Government Trail

Length: Approximately 8 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate

This scenic trail connects Snowmass Village with Aspen and travels through forests, wildflower meadows, and aspen groves. It is one of the area's most popular mountain biking and hiking routes.

Ditch Trail

Length: Approximately 6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

A family-friendly trail following a historic irrigation ditch, Ditch Trail offers gentle terrain, beautiful forest scenery, and excellent opportunities for walking, trail running, and wildlife viewing.

Village Nature Trail

Length: Approximately 2 miles loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy

This interpretive trail near Snowmass Village provides an accessible introduction to the area's natural environment. Visitors can enjoy mountain views, native vegetation, and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

Sources: Aspen Snowmass official visitor information, including details on Snowmass Ski Area, summer mountain activities, Base Village, hiking, biking, and year-round recreation opportunities. https://www.aspensnowmass.comhttps://www.aspensnowmass.com
Additional information verified through Snowmass Tourism resources covering village attractions, the Ice Age Discovery Center, outdoor adventures, events, dining, and family-friendly activities. https://www.gosnowmass.comhttps://www.gosnowmass.com
Further trail and recreation information reviewed through White River National Forest and regional outdoor recreation resources covering the Rim Trail, Government Trail, Ditch Trail, and nearby access to Maroon Bells and surrounding public lands. https://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriverhttps://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Snowmass Village, Colorado", and "Snowmass (ski area)", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0