# Aspen's neighborhoods

> Aspen's neighborhoods explained: walkable downtown, the quiet West End, Red Mountain and Starwood above town, Woody Creek down valley, and Snowmass Village.

Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/aspen-neighborhoods/  
Updated: 2026-09-30 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge)

**Downtown** is the walkable core at the foot of Aspen Mountain. The **West End** is quieter Victorian streets toward the music tent. **Red Mountain, Starwood and Owl Creek** hold larger homes with views and privacy, off the bus lines. **Woody Creek** is a small community down valley on Highway 82, and **Snowmass Village** is its own town at the base of the largest mountain.

From our where-to-stay research, RFTA and public sources; checked September 2026.

## Downtown and the West End

- **Downtown**: Aspen Mountain and the Silver Queen Gondola rise straight out of it; restaurants, shops, the Wheeler and the parks are all on foot.
- **West End**: Quieter residential streets between downtown and the Michael Klein Music Tent; close enough to walk to dinner.

## Red Mountain, Starwood and Owl Creek

Larger homes with views and privacy, up hillsides and private roads. They are off the bus lines, so every trip means a car or a driver. In winter that includes icy, steep drives: plan arrivals in daylight when you can.


## Woody Creek

A small community northwest of Aspen along Highway 82, at 7,290 feet, centered on the Woody Creek Tavern in a 1940s log cabin; long home to Hunter S. Thompson.


## Snowmass Village and the other mountains

- **Snowmass Village**: Built around the largest mountain; about 95% of lodging is ski-in, ski-out. Free buses to Aspen, about 20 minutes.
- **Near Highlands and Buttermilk**: Between town and Snowmass along Highway 82 and Maroon Creek Road; free skier shuttles.

## A driver changes the week (what Aspen Privé arranges)

On Red Mountain or in Starwood, a driver on call for dinners and airport runs means no one plans around the car. [Arrange drivers](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=evening-driver).

## Which suits your trip

- **Walk everywhere**: Downtown or the West End.
- **Ski from the door**: Snowmass Village, or slopeside at Aspen Mountain.
- **Space and privacy**: Red Mountain, Starwood or Owl Creek, with a driver. [Where to stay in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/where-to-stay-in-aspen/).

## Questions

**What is the best neighborhood to stay in Aspen?**  
Downtown or the West End if you want to walk everywhere; Snowmass Village for ski-in, ski-out; Red Mountain, Starwood or Owl Creek for space and privacy with a car or driver.

**Where is Red Mountain in Aspen?**  
Above town, with larger homes, views and privacy. It is off the bus lines, so plan on a car or driver.

**Where is Woody Creek?**  
A small community northwest of Aspen along Highway 82, known for the Woody Creek Tavern and as Hunter S. Thompson's longtime home.

**Is the West End walkable to downtown Aspen?**  
Yes. It sits between downtown and the Michael Klein Music Tent, a short walk from restaurants.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

Drivers for the hillsides, the airport and dinner downtown.

- [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.
- [Private airport transfer](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-airport-transportation/) (From $195 per vehicle): From Aspen's airport to the door in a private SUV, timed to your actual landing.
- [Denver to Aspen by private car](https://aspenprive.com/denver-to-aspen-private-car/) (From $1,650 per vehicle): Winter-equipped vehicle and driver for the four-hour drive, re-timed as roads change.
- [Ski rental delivered](https://aspenprive.com/ski-rental-delivery-aspen/): Fitted at the residence, not in a shop queue.

## Sources (checked September 30, 2026)

- [RFTA: routes](https://www.rfta.com/routes/)
- [Woody Creek, Colorado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Creek,_Colorado)
- [Aspen Snowmass: Snowmass](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/four-mountains/snowmass)

## Related

- [Where to stay in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/where-to-stay-in-aspen/): Hotels, houses and taxes.
- [Aspen vs Snowmass](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-vs-snowmass/): Which to wake up in.
- [Aspen without a car](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-without-a-car/): Free buses and shuttles.

To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html