103 km
2422 m - 3418 m
closed »
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Test report Aspen Mountain
Skiresort.info Test of the ski resort Aspen Mountain
Total result: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Test Aspen Mountain
The review Aspen Mountain was created by Skiresort.info, the world’s largest test portal for ski resorts.
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Further evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria for special interests
In detail: Test report for ski resort Aspen Mountain
Top evaluation criteria
These evaluations count double in the total result.
Aspen Mountain with about 80 sign-posted slopes is considered to be a medium-sized ski resort in the USA.
Runs/slopes
Altitude difference
996 m (Valley 2422 m - Mountain 3418 m )
Lifts/ cable cars
8
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 2
Number of lifts to get from one end of the ski resort to the other
→ 3 ← 2
Photos
The slope offering on Aspen Mountain consists of difficult and intermediate slopes. Sometimes there are easier connection slopes, but there are no very easy slopes. Many extremely steep slopes lead through the forest down to the valley.
Runs/slopes
Total 103 km
Easy
0 km
(0 %)Intermediate
49 km
(48 %)Difficult
54 km
(52 %)
Longest run
4.9 km
Run location
under tree line
Worth knowing
- Valley run available
- Public race course with time measurement
The entire ski resort can be accessed with the 6 person Silver Queen gondola that stretches over 4 km. There are also two high speed chair lifts and five other older chair lifts up in the ski resort so that you don't need to ski back down to the valley. The older chair lifts are only in operation when the resort is very full and it is not necessary to ride these.
Number of ski lifts
8
Total capacity
13400 Passengers / hour
Length of all lifts
13.0 km Total
Lifts and cable cars
1
7
The main runs have snow-making capabilities down to the valley, but all of the difficult slopes rely upon natural snow.
Worth knowing
- Artificial snow-making
20 % of the slopes have snow-making capabilities
- The valley run is practically always open.
Season 2009/2010
138 Days open
138 Days when valley run open
138 Days when valley run open
Season 2010/2011
135 Days open
135 Days when valley run open
135 Days when valley run open
Photos
The slope preparation is excellent.
The prepared runs are in optimal condition. The difficult runs are not groomed. This is because these lead through the forest and are sometimes too steep for snowcats.
Tip: By new snow, an optimal slope prepartion is not always possible, even with a large effort. In addition, the new snow can not combine with the snow lying underneath and moguls are created quickly. For safety reasons, usually no slope preparation is possible during operating times.
Further evaluation criteria
You can access Aspen via well-built roads leading from Highway 70. Unfortunately, there is no parking lot at the Silver Queen gondola. You can park for free at Buttermilk Mountain and take the free shuttle bus to Aspen. Due to the resort's proximity to Aspen, most of the guests arrive by foot or with the hotel shuttle buses.
Access via Highway 70 Denver-Grand Junction, Ausfahrt Glenwood Springs
- Silver Queen Gondola (Aspen, CO)
Distance: 67 km · approx. 56 Minutes driving time
Roads: Main street, very well-developed, without significant incline
Parking spaces: none,
Winter Closure
Highway 82 towards Twin Lake that goes over the Independence Pass is closed in the winter. Aspen can only be accessed in the winter via Basalt and Glenwood Springs (Highway 70).
Highway 82 towards Twin Lake that goes over the Independence Pass is closed in the winter. Aspen can only be accessed in the winter via Basalt and Glenwood Springs (Highway 70).
Trail map and overview maps:
The trail map includes all four ski resorts of Aspen Snowmass. All slopes and lifts are indicated. There is also additional information about the ski resort. The highlights of the four ski resorts of Aspen are also described on the trail map.
The trail map includes all four ski resorts of Aspen Snowmass. All slopes and lifts are indicated. There is also additional information about the ski resort. The highlights of the four ski resorts of Aspen are also described on the trail map.
Information boards and sign-postings on the slopes:
It is easy to find your way in the ski resort. There are information boards with trail maps at the mountain stations. The runs are all sign-posted with names. The Guest Service stations and the Ambassadors are also available to answer questions.
It is easy to find your way in the ski resort. There are information boards with trail maps at the mountain stations. The runs are all sign-posted with names. The Guest Service stations and the Ambassadors are also available to answer questions.
Protecting the environment plays a large role at Aspen Snowmass. They strongly encourage the use of public transportation. All four ski resorts are perfectly connected by free ski buses. They separate garbage in the ski resort. At some of the restaurants however, they still use disposable dinnerware. The ski resort is located in the White River National Forest.
Awards:
POW ProtectourWinters.org
Public transportation/ on-site mobility
- No direct train connection
- Comprehensive ski bus network
- Scheduled busses
The personnel is always friendly. They assist with boarding at all lifts. The skis are even removed when exiting the Silver Queen gondola. The Guest Service stations are also available to assist guests.
Photos
The Sundeck Restaurant is located on Aspen Mountain, Bonnie's Restaurant is at the middle of the mountain, and the Ajax Tavern is located at the base station. There are also picnic tables with great views distributed throughout the ski resort.
3 Mountain restaurants & Ski huts
Photos
Aspen is well-known for its Après-Ski. The highlight is the Ajax Tavern, located directly at the base station. There are additional bars in Aspen surrounding the base station as well as restaurants where you can stop for Après-Ski. The party can go on for a while here.
-
Ajax Tavern
At the base station of the Aspen Mountain
The Ajax Tavern is the Après-Ski location next to the Silver Queen gondola right in Aspen. Live music and a good atmosphere welcome guests daily starting in the early afternoon.
The Aspen Mountain ski resort is located directly in the town of Aspen and there are many slope-side hotels as well as those that are less than two minutes away from the slopes by foot.
Ski-in/Ski-out
There are many accommodations with direct access to the slopes and to lifts (Ski-in/Ski-out)
Towns/villages
- Aspen
Distance to ski resort 0 km (directly at ski resort)
Note: For the evaluation, only the accommodations which are located directly on the slopes and lifts, or have very easy access to the ski resort have been considered.
Photos
Evaluation criteria for special interests
There are no special offers for families at Aspen Mountain.
Information for families and children
- Ski school for children
There are no easy slopes on Aspen Mountain
Information for beginners
Ski schools on-site
Aspen Mountain is known as "the mountain" for advanced skiers. The majority of slopes are difficult to extremely difficult. Deep black slopes that lead down to the valley through the forest are to be found everywhere.
Information for advanced skiers, freeriders
- some freeride / deep snow areas
- very many mogul slopes
- many extremely difficult, steep and unprepared runs (Double Diamonds)
Slope offering advanced skiers
Runs/slopes
Total 103 km
Difficult
54 km
(52 %)Most difficult run
-
Jackpot · Length 0.5 km · Altitude difference 300 m
Note: Always mind the avalanche warnings and barriers, please. Never ski into a closed and unsecured area.
Photos
There is no snowpark
Information for Snowboarders
- few cat tracks
- few runs with ascent
- the following runs are not suitable for snowboarders
Lud's Lane
- some freeride / deep snow areas
Offering snow parks
- No snow park/ fun park
- No halfpipe
- Cross-country trail offering
Total trail length: 90 km
There are free cross-country trails between Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt. All four ski resorts are connected by trails when the snow levels are sufficient. Additional information under: www.aspennordic.com
Conclusion
Quick ascent with the gondola lift, view of Aspen, many difficult slopes for advanced skiers
Early lift closings, no special offers for children or beginners.
Test Report issued on 2012-03-25
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Highlights
Highlights
Aspen Meadows Resort
****
The perfect Colorado Rocky Mountain getaway.
81611 Aspen, CO
2.5 km to ski resort Details »
The perfect Colorado Rocky Mountain getaway.
81611 Aspen, CO
2.5 km to ski resort Details »
