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    Colorado, USA · Ikon / Mountain Collective

    Aspen Mountain

    675 acres, 76 runs above downtown Aspen. No beginner terrain, direct gondola access, Ikon Pass.

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    Season 2026 - 2027
    Opens
    27 Nov 2026
    Closes
    18 Apr 2027
    Days open
    142
    Annual snow
    235in
    Snow record
    7in
    Last winter · 2026-27
    11% of a typical winter64in
    Explore 2 winters of snowfall→
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Aspen Mountain's summit reaches 11,212 feet, dropping 3,267 vertical feet to a base at 7,943 feet across 76 runs spread over 675 acres directly above downtown Aspen, Colorado. Terrain splits 48 per cent intermediate and 26 per cent each for advanced and expert, with no beginner-rated runs at all. Average annual snowfall runs to roughly 235 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective affiliation. Eight lifts, including four double chairs, three quad chairs and one gondola, serve the mountain.

    Aspen Mountain, known locally as Ajax, holds the genuinely rare distinction among major American ski resorts of offering no beginner terrain whatsoever, a deliberate reflection of its identity as a serious, downtown-adjacent mountain for committed skiers. Its direct access from Aspen's town centre makes it one of the most conveniently located resorts in Colorado.

    Austrian ski instructor and racing champion Friedl Pfeifer, together with Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke, Judge William E. Doyle, James J. Johnston and H.F. Klock, founded the Aspen Skiing Company in 1946. Lift-1, the resort's first chairlift, opened on 14 December 1946 as the world's longest chairlift at the time, establishing Aspen Mountain as the foundation of what would become a four-mountain skiing empire.

    The Aspen Skiing Company did not pay dividends until Twentieth Century Fox purchased it in 1977, and by July 1985 ownership had passed to the Crown family of Illinois alongside a partnership called MKDG. The Crown family continues to own Aspen Skiing Company today. Adult daily tickets run from 189 to 259 US dollars.

    3,264ft
    Vertical
    76
    Runs
    675 acres
    Skiable
    235in
    Annual snow
    Ikon / Mountain Collective
    Pass
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    The Terrain

    76 runs across 675 acres skiable

    Aspen Mountain rises straight from downtown Aspen, packing 675 acres (273 hectares) of terrain into 76 runs. The base sits at 7,950 ft (2,422 m) and the summit at 11,210 ft (3,417 m), a vertical drop of 3,260 ft (995 m). Intermediate runs make up 48% of the mountain, with advanced and expert at 26% each and no beginner terrain at all. Annual snowfall averages around 235 inches. Eight lifts, including a high-speed gondola, serve the mountain from the edge of town, with the Sundeck restaurant at the summit.

    From the Sundeck at the summit, intermediate runs fan out on either side of Bell Mountain, through Copper Bowl and down Spar Gulch. Bell offers bump runs down its ridge and its east and west faces for mogul fans, while Walsh's, Hyrup's and Kristi are double black runs with long, steep fall lines. The Silver Queen run is the steepest at about 42 degrees, and Ruthie's Run stretches more than two miles down the west ridge, reached by the Ruthie's high-speed double chair. With so little easy terrain, this is a mountain for confident intermediates, advanced skiers and experts. Beginners should pick Buttermilk or Snowmass, and the town of Aspen sits right at the base.

    Terrain split
    76
    runs
    76 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner0 runs · 0%
    Intermediate36 runs · 48%
    Advanced20 runs · 26%
    Expert20 runs · 26%
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    Time it right

    When to visit Aspen Mountain

    The 2025-26 season at Aspen Mountain ran from 28 November 2025 to 19 April 2026, a roughly twenty-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 235 inches. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Aspen Mountain's intermediate-and-expert-weighted terrain. As an Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective resort, Aspen Mountain draws a genuinely international visitor base alongside pass holders, supported by the mountain's direct access from downtown Aspen's considerable luxury lodging and dining infrastructure.

    Given the complete absence of beginner terrain, Aspen Mountain's visitor base skews toward intermediate and advanced skiers, with beginners typically directed to sister mountain Buttermilk within the broader Aspen Skiing Company portfolio. School holiday periods and Aspen's storied social calendar bring substantial visitation throughout the season.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Under continued Crown family ownership of the Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen Mountain continues building on nearly eight decades of history since Lift-1's December 1946 opening. The mountain's direct downtown access and committed-skier character remain central to its seasonal identity.

    Season 2026 - 2027
    27 Nov 2026
    Opens
    18 Apr 2027
    Closes
    142
    Days open
    235 in
    Annual snow
    The record

    Historical snowfall at Aspen Mountain

    Daily snow reports at Aspen Mountain go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.

    11 in
    Snowiest day
    5 Dec 2025
    7 in
    This winter · 2026-27
    so far
    64 in
    Typical winter
    average of complete seasons
    Explore historical snowfall →
    Winter totals
    in
    Past wintersThis winter
    Getting there

    Getting to Aspen Mountain, and where to stay

    Aspen Mountain sits directly above downtown Aspen, Colorado, with a base elevation of 7,943 feet and a summit at 11,212 feet across a 3,267-foot vertical drop over 675 acres. This setting gives Aspen Mountain one of the most convenient downtown-to-slopes configurations of any major American ski resort.

    Aspen itself offers extensive luxury lodging, dining and shopping immediately at the mountain's base, a genuinely walkable town centre renowned as one of America's premier ski destinations. The broader Roaring Fork Valley surrounds Aspen with additional recreation and scenic attractions.

    Colorado State Highway 82 provides access to Aspen from the broader region. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice, particularly through Independence Pass when open, though the main approach via Glenwood Springs is well maintained. There is no need for a car once in town, given the gondola's direct downtown access.

    Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, within a short drive of downtown, offers direct flights from numerous major US cities, making Aspen Mountain one of the more air-accessible ski destinations in Colorado despite its remote mountain setting.

    Where to stay

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    Latest News

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    1 Nov 2026

    Aspen Mountain Lift Tickets

    Aspen Mountain lift tickets & passes

    Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 27, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Aspen Mountain typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.

    Our lift ticket pricing was last updated on Oct 8, 2026.

    Day passes start from US$132, with peak rates up to US$309.

    Prices on the go

    Check Aspen Mountain lift tickets anytime. Opens to this page.

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    Prices on the go

    Check Aspen Mountain lift tickets anytime. Opens to this page.

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
    Ikon / Mountain Collective9 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult 1-Day Lift Ticket (18-64)

    US$189up to US$309 peak

    1-Day Lift Ticket valid at any of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, Snowmass) for the 2026/27 season, ages 18-64. Aspen Snowmass uses fully dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed on the resort's own booking calendar (Dec 2, 2026 non-holiday to Dec 26, 2026 holiday). December sample only - January/February peak weeks may run higher.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–17

    Teen 1-Day Lift Ticket (13-17)

    US$132up to US$216 peak

    1-Day Lift Ticket for teens 13-17, valid at any of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains for the 2026/27 season. Dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed on the resort's own booking calendar (Dec 2, 2026 non-holiday to Dec 26, 2026 holiday). December sample only.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–12

    Child 1-Day Lift Ticket (7-12)

    US$132up to US$216 peak

    1-Day Lift Ticket for children 7-12, valid at any of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains for the 2026/27 season. Dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed on the resort's own booking calendar (Dec 2, 2026 non-holiday to Dec 26, 2026 holiday). December sample only. Children 6 & under ski free.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–99

    Senior 1-Day Lift Ticket (65+)

    US$132up to US$216 peak

    1-Day Lift Ticket for seniors 65+, valid at any of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains for the 2026/27 season. Dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed on the resort's own booking calendar (Dec 2, 2026 non-holiday to Dec 26, 2026 holiday). December sample only.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 18–64

    Adult 2-Day Lift Ticket (18-64)

    US$322up to US$526 peak

    2-Day Lift Ticket valid at any of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains for the 2026/27 season, ages 18-64. Dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high total price observed on the resort's own booking calendar (Dec 2, 2026 non-holiday start to Dec 26, 2026 holiday start). December sample only.

    Buy pass
    Adult 18–64

    Adult 3-Day Lift Ticket (18-64)

    US$483up to US$789 peak

    3-Day Lift Ticket valid at any of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains for the 2026/27 season, ages 18-64. Dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high total price observed on the resort's own booking calendar (Dec 2, 2026 non-holiday start to Dec 26, 2026 holiday start). December sample only.

    Buy pass
    Adult 0–99

    Flex Pass (Adult, 4 Flexible Days)

    US$799

    Flex Pass (4-Day, Adult) for the 2026/27 season - new flexible pass, choose any 4 days all season across all four Aspen Snowmass mountains, no blackout dates. Confirmed flat price from the resort's own store for the 4-day tier; 5, 6, and 7-day tiers also available at a higher price.

    Buy pass
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    Season passes

    Adult 18–64

    Premier Pass (Adult 18-64, Unlimited, Unrestricted)

    US$3,699

    Premier Pass (Adult 18-64) for the 2026/27 season - unlimited, unrestricted access to all four Aspen Snowmass mountains with no blackout dates. Confirmed flat price from the resort's own store; includes a complimentary Ikon Base Pass, complimentary Uphill Pass, eight transferable 50% off Friends & Family lift ticket vouchers, and other dining/retail/lesson discounts.

    Buy pass
    Adult 0–99

    Weekday Pass (Adult)

    US$2,529

    Weekday Pass (Adult) for the 2026/27 season - new unlimited Monday-Friday access to all four Aspen Snowmass mountains, no blackouts, including early and late season bonus weekends. Confirmed flat price from the resort's own store.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Aspen Mountain day pass cost?+
    Aspen Mountain day passes range from US$132 to US$309 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Aspen Mountain lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Aspen Mountain lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Aspen Mountain, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Aspen Mountain lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Aspen Mountain - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Aspen Mountain lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Aspen Mountain offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Aspen Mountain directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Aspen Mountain.

    More Aspen Mountain intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.

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