Iconic
Aspen Mountain base
The Little Nell
Aspen's only Forbes Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel and the sole ski-in/ski-out property at the base of Aspen Mountain, a Relais & Chateaux icon since 1989.
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For families
Room to spread out, slopes for every level.
Separate bedrooms, full kitchens, and gentle terrain that lets first-timers and experts share the same mountain day.
Design This TripBase in a Snowmass ski-in/ski-out residence or a Sky Residence at W Aspen, with room to spread out between adventures and the space a multi-generational trip needs.
Beginners and kids thrive at Buttermilk and the Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School, where private lessons flex around the family's pace and priority lift access keeps the day moving.
Summer fills just as easily.
Gentle Crater Lake hikes, a half-day Roaring Fork float with Blazing Adventures, and a sightseeing gondola to the Sundeck. A private-chef night and an early balloon flight round out a trip everyone remembers.
What’s inside
- A Snowmass ski-in/ski-out residence or W Aspen Sky Residence
- Beginner slopes and private lessons at Buttermilk
- A half-day Roaring Fork float with Blazing Adventures
- A sightseeing gondola ride to the Sundeck
- An in-residence private-chef dinner
A sample rhythm
- 01
Settle in
A residence stock-up and a first easy run or valley stroll.
- 02
Learn and play
Private lessons at Buttermilk, or a gentle Crater Lake hike.
- 03
The big day out
A Roaring Fork float or a summit gondola, lunch handled.
- 04
Together at home
A private-chef dinner, then an early balloon flight to close.
The Aspenwe’d build in
The pieces that fit this trip.
Where to stay
At the base of the mountain, or the heart of town.
Aspen's finest hotels cluster at the foot of Aspen Mountain and along its historic downtown, each a short walk from the gondola.
Historic landmark
Downtown
Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
The social heart of Aspen since the 1889 silver boom, a meticulously restored landmark hotel steps from the Aspen Mountain gondola.
Visit official siteGrand luxury
Aspen Mountain base
The St. Regis Aspen Resort
A red-brick grand resort at the foot of Aspen Mountain pairing St. Regis butler service with the destination RAKxa wellness spa.
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Aspen Mountain base
W Aspen
A bold contemporary hotel with the only year-round rooftop pool and bar in town, set right at the base of Aspen Mountain.
Visit official siteSki-in/ski-out
Snowmass Village
The Snowmass (Viceroy Snowmass)
A sleek ski-in/ski-out resort in Snowmass Base Village with a multi-level pool deck and direct access to the largest of the four mountains.
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Downtown
Limelight Hotel Aspen
A relaxed, design-forward hotel a block from the gondola with a buzzing fireplace lounge and live music, owned by Aspen Skiing Company.
Visit official siteOn the snow
Four mountains on a single pass.
One lift ticket unlocks Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, from gentle beginner cruisers to the legendary hike-to Highland Bowl.
Holiday weeks and the powder months bring peak demand. We secure private instructors and snowcat days well ahead.
One pass, four peaks
Aspen & Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass (Four Mountains)
A single lift ticket unlocks all four mountains, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, spanning beginner cruisers to legendary expert terrain.
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Aspen & Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School
North America's largest family of elite instructors, fluent in 30-plus languages, offering fully customizable private lessons with priority lift access.
Visit official siteLuxury snowcat
Aspen Mountain backside
Aspen Mountain Powder Tours
Guided luxury snowcats access 1,500 acres of untracked bowls and glades on Aspen Mountain's backside, averaging 10,000 vertical feet with a wood-stove cabin lunch.
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Aspen
Aspen Expeditions Worldwide
A four-season professional mountain guide service operating since 1977, offering private backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering and avalanche education.
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Aspen Mountain base
The Little Nell Adventures
The hotel's adventure desk curates private guides, ski concierge service and exclusive snowcat powder days for its guests.
Visit official siteExpert terrain
Aspen
Aspen Highlands (Highland Bowl)
Home to the famed hike-to Highland Bowl, a 12,392-foot ridge of steep, in-bounds powder that draws strong skiers from around the world.
Visit official siteThe signature days
Whitewater, high passes and flight.
Aspen's active days range from rafting the Roaring Fork to a backcountry Jeep climb above 11,000 feet, tandem paragliding and a sunrise hot-air balloon.
Original outfitter
Aspen & Snowmass
Blazing Adventures
Aspen's original whitewater outfitter since 1973, running Roaring Fork rafting trips plus backcountry Jeep tours and hot-air balloon experiences.
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Aspen & Snowmass
Blazing Adventures Jeep Tours
Rugged guided 4x4 tours climb above 11,000 feet on routes like Taylor Pass and Gold Hill for history, geology and panoramic Elk Mountain views.
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Aspen Mountain
Aspen Paragliding
Established in 1990 and among the first schools cleared to launch from a ski resort, offering tandem flights with the highest-rated certified pilots.
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Aspen
Aspen Expeditions Worldwide
Professional IFMGA-trained guides lead rock, alpine and ice climbing across the Elk Mountains and beyond, guiding since 1977.
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Aspen & Snowmass
Above It All Balloon Co.
Year-round sunrise hot-air balloon flights drifting roughly an hour over the Roaring Fork Valley and surrounding peaks.
Visit official siteHeritage flights
Aspen & Snowmass
Unicorn Balloon Company
A long-running ballooning operator offering scenic sunrise flights over the Aspen and Snowmass valleys.
Visit official siteGrand views
The world's longest gondola, and a pass at 12,000 feet.
The biggest scenery comes easily here: a single-stage gondola to an 11,200-foot summit, the Maroon Bells vista, and high-alpine drives over the Continental Divide.
Independence Pass is closed to through traffic in winter, typically opening late May and closing by early November.
World's longest
Aspen Mountain
Silver Queen Gondola
The longest single-stage gondola in the world rises 3,267 vertical feet in about 15 minutes to the 11,200-foot summit and the Sundeck.
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Maroon Creek Valley
Maroon Bells Scenic Area
The reflective Maroon Lake view of the twin Bells is the signature scenic experience of the Rockies, accessed by timed shuttle or parking reservation.
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Highway 82 east
Independence Pass
A seasonal high-alpine drive cresting the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet through wildflower meadows, open only late spring through fall.
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Snowmass Village
Snowmass Elk Camp Gondola
A scenic gondola ride to Snowmass's Elk Camp for high-country views, dining, hiking and the Lost Forest activity area.
Visit official siteGhost-town drive
Castle Creek Valley
Castle Creek Road to Ashcroft
A quiet valley drive past wildflower meadows to the restored Ashcroft ghost town beneath the Elk Mountains, gateway to Pine Creek Cookhouse.
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Private Family Villa
Let’s design it around you.
Share what you can already picture. A concierge fills in everything still open and sends back a plan, not a quote.