Ski · Aspen Mountain
Aspen Mountain
Ajax to locals: the mountain that starts at the end of the street. What it is like to ski, where to eat on it, and how to plan a day that begins in town.
Ajax to locals: the mountain that starts at the end of the street. What it is like to ski, where to eat on it, and how to plan a day that begins in town.
Aspen Mountain opens November 26, 2026 and closes April 18, 2027. It is 673 acres with 3,267 feet of vertical to an 11,212-foot summit, reached from downtown by the Silver Queen Gondola. It suits intermediate and expert skiers; there is no beginner terrain.
Dates, lifts, dining and experiences are from Aspen Snowmass, checked September 2026; acreage and vertical from the ski area's published figures.
Paul Montiel · Aspen · Updated September 2026
We book the instructor, ask for lunch at the Sundeck or Ajax Tavern, and have skis tuned and delivered. Plan the days.
Top-to-bottom groomers in the morning, Bell Mountain's trees and bumps when the legs are warm.
Start at Buttermilk or Snowmass; ski school here begins at age 5. See learning to ski in Aspen.
Ride the gondola to the Sundeck for lunch with the skiers. See the Silver Queen Gondola.
More in après-ski in Aspen.
Mid-mountain breakfast and lunch, known for its pancakes and its history.
Lunch and après at 11,212 feet, with the fireplace and the view; Eleven212 next door is the newest summit après spot.
At the base by the gondola: the patio at the end of the day. Book ahead in peak weeks.
Snowcats and guides on the back of the mountain, untracked lines and lunch in the trees. See Aspen Powder Tours.
Early-morning runs on fresh corduroy before the lifts open to everyone.
Skinning up is allowed at set hours; see uphill skiing.
Walk or drive to the gondola; the earliest cabins are the quietest. Parking is easiest at the Rio Grande garage; see parking in Aspen.
Lunch at Bonnie's or the Sundeck; meet non-skiers at the top.
Ski down to Ajax Tavern, or download on the gondola if legs are done.
November 26, 2026, closing April 18, 2027.
No. It has no green runs; beginners start at Buttermilk or Snowmass.
673 acres with 3,267 feet of vertical and an 11,212-foot summit.
The Nell Bell, a new high-speed chairlift to Bell Mountain.
An instructor who knows the mountain, skis fitted at the house, lunch at the top held, and a driver after Ajax Tavern.
A private lesson matched to the skier and the mountain.
Fitted at the residence, not in a shop queue.
A car and driver on call for dinner and the night out, so nobody hunts for a taxi at midnight.
A therapist at the residence after travel or skiing.
Aspen, known
Aspen Snowmass: Aspen Mountain · Aspen Mountain (ski area) — checked September 29, 2026.
Tell us your level and your dates. We'll book the instructor and build the days around the mountain.
Plan the days
