North America
Aspen Snowmass
For 2026-27, Aspen Snowmass is on the Ikon Pass (7 days combined) and the Mountain Collective (2 days). Lifts run from 8,110 ft (2,472 m) to 12,510 ft (3,813 m), a vertical drop of 4,440 ft (1,341 m) across 5,758 acres, with about 300 inches of snow a year.
Aspen Snowmass is four mountains on one ticket - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - with 5,758 acres between them. Snowmass is the biggest of the four at 3,342 acres, with 4,440 feet of lift-served vertical, among the most in the US. It's known for endless intermediate cruisers, a strong family and ski-school presence, and serious expert terrain in the Hanging Valley and Cirque, all accessed on the Ikon Pass alongside sister mountains Aspen Mountain, Highlands, and Buttermilk.
Ski passes at Aspen Snowmass, 2026-27
| Pass | Access | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Ikon Pass | 7 days combined | The full Ikon Pass gives 7 days in total, shared across all four mountains (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk), with no blackouts. The Ikon Base Pass gives up to 5 days at Snowmass ONLY, blacked out Dec 26-30, 2026, Jan 16-17 and Feb 13-14, 2027. Base holders get no access to Aspen Mountain, Highlands or Buttermilk. |
| Mountain Collective | 2 days | Mountain Collective ($669 spring 2026 price) gives 2 days with no blackouts, usable at any of the four mountains, and 50% off extra days. Reservations were dropped at Aspen Snowmass partway through 2025-26; confirm the 2026-27 rule before your trip. |
Not on the Epic Pass or Indy Pass this season.
Aspen Snowmass has never been on the Epic Pass. Its owner, Aspen Skiing Co., co-founded the Ikon Pass with Alterra in 2018, and Aspen was one of the four original Mountain Collective resorts in 2012.
The Aspen Snowmass Premier Pass is unlimited at all four mountains with no blackouts (spring 2026 price $3,099 adult; prices rose again Sept 19). For 2026-27 the Valley Pass has been discontinued and replaced by a 4-7 day Flex Pass (from $679, deadline Oct 30, 2026), a new Weekday Pass, and the Alpine 2-Day Pass (two days a week).
Lift ticket prices
Peak walk-up adult day ticket, 2025-26: $279. One ticket covers all four mountains. Booking 30+ days ahead saves up to 25% on 4+ day tickets, and Ikon or Mountain Collective holders get discounted friend and family tickets.
Terrain Breakdown
Aspen Snowmass elevation, altitude and mountain stats
Peaks and base areas
| Peak | Snowmass summit (Cirque Headwall) — Highest lift-served point across the four mountains (Cirque surface lift). | 12,510 ft (3,813 m) |
| Peak | Highland Bowl (Aspen Highlands) — Hike-to from the top of the Loge Peak chair. | 12,392 ft (3,777 m) |
| Peak | Aspen Mountain (Ajax) summit — Top of the Silver Queen Gondola area. | 11,262 ft (3,433 m) |
| Peak | Buttermilk summit | 9,900 ft (3,018 m) |
| Base | Snowmass Base Village / Snowmass Village | 8,110 ft (2,472 m) |
| Base | Aspen Highlands base | 8,040 ft (2,451 m) |
| Base | Aspen Mountain base (downtown Aspen) | 7,945 ft (2,422 m) |
| Base | Buttermilk base | 7,870 ft (2,400 m) |
Highlights
Pros
- ✓Huge vertical and long top-to-bottom intermediate runs
- ✓One lift ticket covers four distinct mountains around Aspen
- ✓Excellent family-friendly layout and ski school terrain
- ✓Steep, expert hike-to terrain in The Cirque for advanced skiers
- ✓Modern high-speed lift fleet including the Big Burn six-pack and gondola
Cons
- ✗High lift ticket prices and an expensive, upscale resort town
- ✗Lower average snowfall (~300 in) than some northern Colorado peers
- ✗Spread-out terrain means lots of traversing to reach expert zones
- ✗Long travel distance and pricey flights into Aspen/Eagle airports
Quick answers
Is Aspen Snowmass on the Epic Pass?
No. Aspen Snowmass is not on the Epic Pass for 2026-27. It is on the Ikon Pass (7 days combined) and the Mountain Collective (2 days) instead. Aspen Snowmass has never been on the Epic Pass. Its owner, Aspen Skiing Co., co-founded the Ikon Pass with Alterra in 2018, and Aspen was one of the four original Mountain Collective resorts in 2012.
Is Aspen Snowmass on the Ikon Pass?
Yes. For the 2026-27 season the Ikon Pass includes 7 days combined at Aspen Snowmass. The full Ikon Pass gives 7 days in total, shared across all four mountains (Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk), with no blackouts. The Ikon Base Pass gives up to 5 days at Snowmass ONLY, blacked out Dec 26-30, 2026, Jan 16-17 and Feb 13-14, 2027. Base holders get no access to Aspen Mountain, Highlands or Buttermilk.
Is Aspen Snowmass on the Mountain Collective?
Yes. For the 2026-27 season the Mountain Collective includes 2 days at Aspen Snowmass. Mountain Collective ($669 spring 2026 price) gives 2 days with no blackouts, usable at any of the four mountains, and 50% off extra days. Reservations were dropped at Aspen Snowmass partway through 2025-26; confirm the 2026-27 rule before your trip.
What is the elevation of Aspen Snowmass?
Aspen Snowmass sits at an altitude of 8,110 ft (2,472 m) at the base and 12,510 ft (3,813 m) above sea level at the top of the lifts, for 4,440 ft (1,341 m) of vertical drop. Named peaks and lift tops: Snowmass summit (Cirque Headwall) at 12,510 ft (3,813 m), Highland Bowl (Aspen Highlands) at 12,392 ft (3,777 m), Aspen Mountain (Ajax) summit at 11,262 ft (3,433 m) and Buttermilk summit at 9,900 ft (3,018 m).
How big is Aspen Snowmass?
Aspen Snowmass has 5,758 acres, 41 lifts and 413 runs.
How much snow does Aspen Snowmass get?
About 300 inches (762 cm) a year on average, as reported by the resort.
How much is a lift ticket at Aspen Snowmass?
A walk-up adult day ticket peaks at $279 for the 2025-26 season. One ticket covers all four mountains. Booking 30+ days ahead saves up to 25% on 4+ day tickets, and Ikon or Mountain Collective holders get discounted friend and family tickets.
When does Aspen Snowmass open for the season?
Scheduled for 2026-27: opening Nov 26, 2026 (Aspen Mountain and Snowmass); Dec 12, 2026 (Highlands and Buttermilk), closing Apr 4, 2027 (Buttermilk); Apr 11 (Highlands and Snowmass); Apr 18 (Aspen Mountain). Dates move with snowfall, so check the resort before booking.
Is Aspen on the Epic Pass?
No. Aspen Snowmass is not on the Epic Pass (it is Vail's main rival in the valley). Its multi-resort passes are the Ikon Pass (7 days on the full pass; Snowmass only on Ikon Base) and the Mountain Collective (2 days).
Snowmass vs Aspen: how far apart are they and where should I stay?
Snowmass Village is about 9 miles from downtown Aspen, roughly a 20-minute drive or free RFTA bus. Staying in Snowmass puts you ski-in/ski-out on the biggest, most intermediate-friendly mountain. Aspen has the town, restaurants and nightlife, and is at the base of Aspen Mountain. One lift ticket covers all four mountains wherever you stay.
Can you snowboard at Aspen?
Yes, at all four mountains. Aspen Mountain was one of the last resorts to ban snowboards and lifted the ban in 2001. Snowmass and Buttermilk both have terrain parks, and Buttermilk hosts the Winter X Games.
What happened to the Aspen Valley Pass?
It was discontinued for 2026-27. It was replaced by a 4-7 day Flex Pass, and 2025-26 Valley Pass holders get a discount on the Flex Pass. There is also a new Weekday Pass.
Skier Insightssummarized from Reddit trip reports and ski forum reviews
Aspen Snowmass is what happens when a world-class ski complex and a gilded resort town share a zip code and mostly stay out of each other's way. The four mountains — Snowmass, Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk — are all on one ticket, and the skiing community's worst-kept secret is that the crowds that plague the I-70 corridor never make it here. Skiers describe powder days at Highlands where the bowl stays fresh past noon, something that hasn't happened at Vail since the Epic Pass was invented.
Each mountain has a job. Snowmass is the everyday workhorse: 3,342 acres, the biggest lift-served vertical in the country, endless blue cruisers like Big Burn, and hidden expert terrain in Hanging Valley once you survive the traverse. Highlands is the locals' church — hike Highland Bowl once and you'll understand the bumper stickers. Ajax rises straight out of downtown with no green runs and classic fall-line skiing; Buttermilk is the learning and park mountain with X Games infrastructure. Snow is lighter than the Colorado average but totals trail the snowiest resorts, so terrain choice matters more in lean stretches. Lines are short everywhere, and the recent lift work — the Coney Express upgrade at Snowmass most recently — keeps it that way.
This is the trip for skiers who value terrain quality and crowd-free laps over budget, and it particularly rewards strong skiers willing to hike. On the Ikon Pass you get 7 days across all four mountains (full pass only in 2025-26; the Base Pass picks up Snowmass-only days with blackouts starting 2026-27). Costs are the catch: this is arguably the most expensive lodging market in US skiing, so the standard play is staying in Basalt or Carbondale and riding the free bus. Compared head-to-head with Vail, you trade back-bowl acreage and unlimited pass days for steeper terrain, an actual town with history, and lift lines that don't exist.
What skiers like
- +Highland Bowl is repeatedly called the best inbounds powder run in Colorado — a 30-45 minute hike to 12,392 feet that gates out most of the competition
- +Lift lines are genuinely rare; skiers coming from Vail or Breck are stunned to ski powder-day laps at Highlands with zero wait
- +Four distinct mountains on one ticket means a week here never repeats — Snowmass for size, Highlands for steeps, Ajax for fall-line history, Buttermilk for park and learning
- +The Hero's expansion added 150+ acres of legitimately steep gladed terrain off the top of Aspen Mountain
- +Snowmass's 4,440-foot vertical serves up top-to-bottom intermediate runs that take 20+ minutes of continuous skiing
- +Free RFTA buses connect all four mountains and run like clockwork — no car needed once you're in the valley
- +The new Coney Express at Snowmass (with its clever angled mid-station) cleaned up one of the mountain's last slow-lift chokepoints
- +Aspen's food and après scene is the best in American skiing if budget is no object — but Highlands' closing-day bash and the J-Bar keep real ski culture alive
Common complaints
- −Lodging prices are the worst in North American skiing — even modest condos run $500+/night in February, pushing budget skiers 30-40 minutes down-valley to Basalt or Carbondale
- −Flights into Aspen's tiny airport cancel or divert constantly in weather; seasoned visitors fly to Denver or Eagle and drive
- −Snowfall averages around 300 inches — respectable, but noticeably less than Steamboat or the Cottonwoods, and dry spells hit harder here
- −Aspen Mountain has zero beginner terrain — literally no green runs — so families split up across mountains
- −Ikon Base now gets only five Snowmass days with holiday blackouts and nothing at Aspen Mountain, Highlands or Buttermilk, and full-pass holders get just 7 days
- −Getting between the four mountains eats time; you can't realistically ski more than one, maybe two, in a day
- −Traverses at Snowmass are long and flat — snowboarders openly curse the routes to Hanging Valley
- −The scene can be alienating: fur coats on Ajax, $28 burgers, and a real sense that the town's soul is fighting a losing battle with billionaires
Common Questions
Is Highland Bowl doable for a strong intermediate?
Which mountain should beginners and families use?
How do people afford to stay there?
Aspen or Vail — which is the better trip?
When is the best time to go?
Pass and ticket details checked 2026-09-30. Sources: aspensnowmass.com, aspensnowmass.com, aspensnowmass.com, aspensnowmass.com, aspen.com, peterglenn.com, ikonpass.com, saminfo.com, onthesnow.com
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
← Back to All Resorts