# Aspen Highlands > Aspen Highlands, the experts' mountain: open December 12, 2026 to April 11, 2027; 1,010 acres, summit 12,392 ft, 270 acres of hike-to Highland Bowl, Temerity. Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/aspen-highlands/ Updated: 2026-09-29 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge) Aspen Highlands opens **December 12, 2026** and closes **April 11, 2027**. It is **1,010 acres** with a **12,392-foot summit**, about **two-thirds expert terrain**, and home to **Highland Bowl** (270 acres of hike-to terrain) and **Temerity**. It is best for confident, experienced skiers; there is no beginner terrain. Dates and features are from Aspen Snowmass, checked September 2026; acreage and vertical from the ski area's published figures. Parking rates from Aspen Snowmass's parking page. ## The mountain in numbers - **Season**: December 12, 2026 to April 11, 2027. - **Size**: 1,010 acres; 3,638 ft of lift-served vertical, 4,342 ft including Highland Bowl; summit 12,392 ft. - **Terrain**: Roughly two-thirds expert: Highland Bowl, Temerity and steep trees, with groomed cruisers for warming up. - **Lessons**: Ski school from age 5; no beginner area, so first-timers start at Buttermilk or Snowmass. ## The Bowl, Cloud Nine and the ride home (what Aspen Privé arranges) We book an instructor who knows the Bowl, ask for your Cloud Nine table and have a driver at the base. [Plan the day](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=highlands-day). ## Highland Bowl and Temerity Highland Bowl is 270 acres of in-bounds, hike-to terrain from the top of Loge Peak, with a free snowcat for part of the way when it runs. Temerity is the steep, lift-served alternative. Both deserve a day or two at altitude first. Full detail in [Highland Bowl, on foot](https://aspenprive.com/highland-bowl-aspen/). ## Cloud Nine and the Merry-Go-Round More in [après-ski in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/apres-ski-aspen/). - **Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro**: A European-style cabin near the top of the Cloud Nine lift, facing the Maroon Bells: fondue, wine and the most sought-after après in Aspen. A reservation is required; book when you book the trip. - **Merry-Go-Round**: Mid-mountain and relaxed: organic food, DJs through the season and Aperol spritzes by the bucket. - **Snowcat dinners**: After the lifts close, a snowcat up the mountain for dinner. ## Parking and the bus More in [parking in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-parking/). - **Highlands garage**: 199 Prospector Road. First 30 minutes free; weekdays $35 up to four hours, $40 over; weekends $45 and $50. Pay by QR code or kiosk. - **Free bus**: Free RFTA buses run from Rubey Park in downtown Aspen, and the free Four-Mountain Connector links all four mountains. - **Uphill**: Uphill skiing is allowed at set hours; see [uphill skiing in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-uphill-skiing/). ## Is Highlands right for your group? - **Yes, if**: you are strong skiers who want the steepest terrain in Aspen, or want to hike the Bowl once in your life. - **Mixed group?**: Split the day: experts at Highlands in the morning, everyone meeting in town for lunch. See [which mountain is yours](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-four-mountains-which-one/). ## Questions **When does Aspen Highlands open for 2026–27?** December 12, 2026, closing April 11, 2027. **Is Aspen Highlands good for beginners?** No. It has no beginner terrain and ski school starts at age 5; beginners start at Buttermilk or Snowmass. **How much is parking at Aspen Highlands?** The garage is free for 30 minutes, then $35 (up to four hours) or $40 on weekdays, and $45 or $50 on weekends. **Do you need a reservation for Cloud Nine?** Yes. Aspen Snowmass lists a reservation as required, and peak dates fill quickly. **How big is Highland Bowl?** 270 acres of in-bounds, hike-to terrain above Loge Peak, with a summit of 12,392 feet. ## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this A private instructor who knows the Bowl, skis tuned and delivered, Cloud Nine booked, and a massage at the house afterwards. - [Private ski instructor](https://aspenprive.com/private-ski-instructor-aspen/): A private lesson matched to the skier and the mountain. - [Ski rental delivered](https://aspenprive.com/ski-rental-delivery-aspen/): Fitted at the residence, not in a shop queue. - [In-home massage](https://aspenprive.com/in-home-massage-aspen/) (From $425 per 60 minutes): A therapist at the residence after travel or skiing. - [A driver for the evening](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=evening-driver) (From $210 per hour): A car and driver on call for dinner and the night out, so nobody hunts for a taxi at midnight. ## Sources (checked September 29, 2026) - [Aspen Snowmass: Aspen Highlands](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/four-mountains/aspen-highlands) - [Aspen Snowmass: parking and getting around](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/parking-and-getting-around) - [Aspen Highlands (ski area)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspen_Highlands) ## Related - [Highland Bowl](https://aspenprive.com/highland-bowl-aspen/): The hike, the snowcat, the terrain. - [Snowmass](https://aspenprive.com/snowmass-aspen/): The biggest mountain and the village. - [Après-ski in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/apres-ski-aspen/): Cloud Nine and the rest. To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html