Resort Overview
Resort Name: Aspen Mountain, known locally as “A-Jax”
Resort Address: 601 E Dean St, Aspen, CO 81611
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aspensnowmass/
Twitter: @AspenSnowmass
Instagram: @AspenSnowmass
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/aspensnowmass
Flickr: https://flickr.com/aspensnowmass
Date First Open: December 14th, 1946 marked the opening of Aspen Mountain’s historic Lift 1, at the time the longest chairlift in the World.
Resort Prices for tickets: Prices vary widely depending on the desired days for skiing, age of the skier, and the day of the week. Lift tickets purchased for one day (Valid at any of the four Aspen locations) will run $140/Adult and $89/Children-Teens-Seniors. View Aspen Mountain Resort Lift Tickets
PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy Swanson/Aspen Snowmass
Mountain Specs
Acreage: 675 acres
Vertical Feet: 3,267 ft (996 m)
Base elevation: 7,945 ft (2,422 m)
Top elevation: 11,212 ft (3,417 m)
Number of Trails: 76 total
Longest run: 3 miles (5 km)
Number of Lifts: 8 total: 1 gondola, 1 high-speed quad, 1 high-speed double, 1 quad chair, 2 double chairs, 2 secondary lifts
Terrain Park? Pipe?: Park and Pipe enthusiasts should look elsewhere (Buttermilk or Snowmass) to satisfy their interests
Snowmaking: 31% of the mountain
Average Snowfall: ~300”/year
Resort map
Resort Extras
Ski School Offerings
There are both private and group lessons available on Aspen Mountain, however, for those uncomfortable on steep terrain or runs that are blue and above, these lessons may be a little difficult for you. Childcare options are also available for those looking to devote more time to improving their turns.
Other Activities
Snowshoe tours are available for purchase, fulfilled by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES); Yoga is available every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 9:30-10:30 at the Sundeck for $5; and Mountain Ambassadors are available every day at 10:30am and 1:30pm at the top of the mountain at Guest Services Center for first timers.
Dining is available at one of four mountain locations (Sundeck, AJAX Tavern, Bonnie’s, & Element 47) suiting most occasions and price ranges.
Year Round Offerings
Aspen Mountain offers many activities in the summer including Disc Golf, Hiking, Yoga, and Outdoor Music. In addition, the gondola and lifts also run during the summer providing easy access to gorgeous views of the Roaring Valley and beyond.
PHOTO CREDIT: Aspen Snowmass
Average On-Mountain Lunch Price
Prices widely vary. Head to Bonnie’s and Sundeck for lower prices, and Element 47 and AJAX Tavern for more special occasions.
Best Place to Park
Down Valley Commuters will often make use of the city’s free bus system by parking at the Intercept lot and riding the Aspen Local bus into the city. All-day parking in residential areas for $8 – available at the Airport Parking kiosk, City Hall, Wheeler Opera House and City Markets. Most hotels in town also offer their guests a $5 street-parking pass to park in designated zones for an entire week. For short-term parking, the pay-and -display metered spaces are enforced Monday-Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Downtown parking meters: Maximum of four hours. Paid parking is in effect from 10am–6pm: First hour: $2, Second hour: $2, Third hour: $3, Fourth hour: $4.
Resort Trivia/Random Facts
There are many who say that under the Bell Mountain lift on Aspen Mountain was the home of the first tree to be decorated with bras, underwear and Mardi Gras necklaces, occurring as early as the late 1950’s.
PHOTO CREDIT: Aspen Snowmass
Best of
First Chair
First Chair to ride would definitely be the Gondola as it provides you access to most the most terrain on the mountain.
First run to ski
On a powder day, ride Walsh’s to Lud’s Lane down Gentleman’s Ridge into the Bingo Glades for the longest run of untracked gladed powder.
What time to be first tracks on a pow day?
Serious powder enthusiasts will register for the Daily Fresh Track Program (available at least 24 hours in advance) for access beginning at 8am.
Best Powder Stashes
Stick to the “skier’s right” side of the mountain for un-skied areas of powder.
Best Tree Runs
For steep, tight trees ski Bingo’s Glades. You will not be disappointed!
Most Convenient Airport
Aspen/Pitkin Country Airport, located only about a 15-minute drive from Aspen Mountain: http://aspenairport.com
PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Powers/Aspen Snowmass
Best Place For Apres
Red Onion for cheap pitchers of PBR or Justice Snow’s for a $5 Margarita.
Best Nightlife
Again the Red Onion scores high on the list. Aspen Brewing Company offers a more intimate atmosphere, while Belly-Up Aspen offers great concerts and performances. The many clubs, from Bootsy Bellows to the Rec Room, offer higher-end entertainment.
Best Place to Eat
I have to give a shout out to the Taco Stand just across from the Rugby field downtown. Also HOPS! for their awesome beer selection and cheap shot-and-beer deal.
Most Interesting Place to Eat
The Sundeck on the top of the mountain offers beautiful views of Aspen Highlands and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Best Place to Recover
There are many spas in town for those looking for pay a pretty penny. For those looking for a long hike, check out Conundrum Hot Springs. For those heading back down valley, Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is a great place to relax.
PHOTO CREDIT: Aspen Snowmass
Writer Bio
Michael Stevens is a 20’s-something, recent college graduate turned freelance writer and glorified ski-bum that claims he is from Colorado though has been tracked back to the metropolitan area of our Nation’s Capitol.
While he might not actually be from Colorado, he has spent the past five years skiing many of its resorts, coming to know A-JAX through his part-time work this season on the television network, hosted on the mountain.
Of course, another eastcoastie.