Massive Snowmass Covers All The Skiing, Riding Bases In Colorado
As the second largest ski and snowboard mountain in Colorado, Aspen Snowmass (3,332 a., 4,406 vert.) boasts something for everyone -- with a decided preference for those who love long blue cruisers.
Sixteen lifts include nine high-speeds and one gondola and cover some 96 named trails. To make it across the whole hill, at least four lifts must be taken. Out of the busy base, the new Coney Express detachable quad has helped reduce morning waits by pairing with the 20-year-old Village Express six-pack to get folks within range of the upper slopes.
It's a mountain so sprawling that you should choose a section or two and stick there for the day. There's plenty to do within each section on Snowmass trail map: Elk Camp, Alpine Springs, Two Creeks, Big Burn, Sheer Bliss, Campground. Cross-mountain travel can eat up valuable downhill skiing and riding time, often necessitating a trip to the base to re-orient.
Only about 5% of trails are rated green, either near the base area or new mid-mountain Meadows with dedicated chairlift. Most expert runs drop off upper ridge that tops out at 12,500 feet and are served by four chairs. Classic steeps peel off all along the ridge from The Cirque above Big Burn to Elk Camp, many with narrow lines between cliffs.
The black-only Campground area on far skier's left tucks away the longest expert trails on the mountain -- plus one of the slowest chairlifts.
Above all, skiers and riders with a predilection for setting a firm edge for long carves can find nowhere better than Snowmass. They extend up from timberline off of Sheer Bliss and Big Burn, plus a pair of ridge-running blues off the Cirque summit (12,510 feet). An unusual hike-intermediate run, Long Shot off Elk Camp summit goes on for five miles, as does Turkey Trot-Creek Side off Alpine Springs.
All across the mid-section, cruisers from moderate to near-black pitch curl down the hill off of every lift. Plus, a plethora of terrain parks and big jumps. From skier's left, you've got Banzai Ridge, Coffee Pot, Adams' Avenue, Cascade -- and everything in between -- to choose from. Expect thigh burn.
The snow-hugging Maroon Bells loom to the west, including 14,092-foot Snowmass Mountain. Prevailing southwest winds pull storms over the peaks and into Snowmass: Snow totals aren't exceptional but often the most among Aspen's four resorts. Persistent winds can shut down upper mountain Big Burn, Elk Camp, High Alpine and Sheer Bliss chairlift -- shutting down most expert terrain as well..
Six on-mountain restaurants dot all around the trail map, well-spaced to serve each distinct section of Snowmass. Ski-in ski-out accommodations abound in the village. A free parking lot at Brush Creek is hub for shuttles to all four resorts, where close-in parking either costs or isn't available.
