# On-mountain dining in Aspen

> Where to eat on Aspen's four mountains: Cloud Nine (reservation required), the Sundeck at 11,212 ft, Bonnie's, the Merry-Go-Round, Elk Camp and snowcat dinners.

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

The one table to book ahead is **Cloud Nine** at Aspen Highlands: **a reservation is required** and peak days go fast. On Aspen Mountain, the **Sundeck** sits at the **11,212-foot summit** and **Bonnie's** is the classic mid-mountain stop. Snowmass has the most choice, from **Sam's** Italian lunch to **Elk Camp**. For dinner on the mountain, **The Cabin** at Snowmass and **Cloud Nine** run snowcat evenings.

From Aspen Snowmass and our own mountain guides, checked September 2026. Hours and menus change through the season; confirm before you go.

## Cloud Nine and the Merry-Go-Round

- **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 lunch in Aspen. Reservation required.
- **Merry-Go-Round**: Mid-mountain at Highlands: the easy lunch stop, and the meeting point before the Bowl.
- **Summer**: Highlands dining closes for summer.

## The Sundeck and Bonnie's

- **The Sundeck**: At the 11,212-foot summit, with a fireplace and Adirondack chairs, and views to Highland Bowl and the Elk Mountains. Non-skiers can ride the Silver Queen Gondola up to meet the skiers for lunch.
- **Bonnie's**: The classic mid-mountain stop, known for its pancakes.
- **Ajax Tavern**: At the foot of the gondola: the patio, the truffle fries and the après crowd.
- **Buckhorn Cabin**: Above town on Aspen Mountain, for group events, corporate dinners and private gatherings.

## The most choice

- **Sam's**: On Sam's Knob: Italian food and wine, open until 3:30 p.m.
- **Elk Camp**: At the top of the Elk Camp Gondola: a big drinks list, indoor and outdoor seating.
- **The Cabin**: Under the Village Express mid-way station: comfort food, a deck, a DJ booth and live music; dinner by snowcat.
- **Ullrhof**: The expanded, all-electric lodge for a quick lunch.

## Cliffhouse and The Backyard

- **Cliffhouse**: At the top of Buttermilk; Full Moon Dinners in season.
- **The Backyard**: Buttermilk's après spot at the base.

## Cloud Nine, booked (what Aspen Privé arranges)

Tell us the day and the group and we'll ask for the Cloud Nine table, and have a driver at the base afterwards. [Ask us](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=highlands-day).

## Dinner on the mountain

- **Snowcat dinners**: The Cabin at Snowmass and Cloud Nine at Aspen Highlands open for dinner after the lifts close, reached by snowcat.
- **Private events**: Cloud Nine and Buckhorn Cabin take private events and group dinners.
- **Sleigh-ride dinner**: Pine Creek Cookhouse, up the Castle Creek Valley: $195 per adult. [Snowmobile and sleigh tours](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-snowmobile-tours/).

## Planning lunch on the mountain

- **Book Cloud Nine when you book the trip**: Especially for holiday weeks, Presidents' week and closing day, when Highlands is at full volume.
- **Meet the non-skiers**: The Sundeck is the natural meeting point: non-skiers ride the gondola up, skiers come in for lunch.
- **Children**: Kids' meals are served at High Alpine, the Merry-Go-Round, the Sundeck, Cliffhouse, Buttermilk Mountain Lodge and Elk Camp.
- **Four mountains, one passport**: Pick up the Aspen Snowmass Food Passport at any on-mountain restaurant and collect all four.

## Questions

**Do you need a reservation for Cloud Nine?**  
Yes. Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro at Aspen Highlands requires a reservation, and peak days go fast; book when you book the trip.

**Where can non-skiers eat on Aspen Mountain?**  
The Sundeck at the 11,212-foot summit. Non-skiers ride the Silver Queen Gondola up with a sightseeing ticket and meet the skiers for lunch.

**What is the best on-mountain restaurant at Snowmass?**  
It depends on the day: Sam's on Sam's Knob for a sit-down Italian lunch, Elk Camp at the top of the gondola for the view and drinks, The Cabin for music and a deck, Ullrhof for speed.

**Can you have dinner on the mountain in Aspen?**  
Yes. The Cabin at Snowmass and Cloud Nine at Aspen Highlands run snowcat dinners after the lifts close.

**Is on-mountain dining open in summer?**  
Partly. Aspen Mountain's Sundeck and parts of Snowmass stay open for summer visitors; Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk close their dining for summer.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

The table held, skis delivered, a driver at the base and the house warm afterwards.

- [Ski rental delivered](https://aspenprive.com/ski-rental-delivery-aspen/): Fitted at the residence, not in a shop queue.
- [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.

## Sources (checked September 30, 2026)

- [Aspen Snowmass: dining](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/dining)
- [Aspen Snowmass: Aspen Mountain dining](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/dining/aspen-mountain)
- [Aspen Snowmass: Aspen Highlands dining](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/dining/aspen-highlands)
- [Aspen Snowmass: Buttermilk dining](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/dining/buttermilk)
- [Aspen Snowmass: Snowmass](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/four-mountains/snowmass)
- [Aspen Snowmass: après-ski guide](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/discover/experiences/guides/apres-ski)

## Related

- [Après-ski in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/apres-ski-aspen/): Where the afternoon goes.
- [Aspen restaurants](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-restaurants/): The dinners worth booking.
- [Aspen's four mountains](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-four-mountains-which-one/): Which one for whom.

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