Parking & Getting Around
Getting around the Aspen Snowmass area is simple and convenient. On this page, we offer comprehensive guidance on everything from our efficient bus system to renting a bike to how much a parking meter costs on a Tuesday afternoon.
Tips for Easy Transit and Parking
Our local system of public-transport buses is simply awesome. Timely, efficient and with many free routes, RFTA buses have a high adoption from locals (bonus: they accommodate skis). Utilizing the RFTA system is our top tip, but you'll also want to know these prime tips as well.
Check Parking Lot Status with Our App
Check the Aspen Snowmass App to see the status of parking at your go-to spot. If your favorite lot is full, you can easily reroute to the nearest lot with our help.
Utilize the Brush Creek Park and Ride
Enjoy free parking at Brush Creek Park and Ride and easy transport to both Aspen and Snowmass Village.
Ask Your Hotel
Aspen Snowmass is a hot-bed for hospitality, and many of the accommodations in the valley have their own private shuttle. Inquire at the front desk.
Getting Around with a Car
Highway 82 serves as the main thoroughfare connecting the Roaring Fork Valley. In downtown Aspen, it is also labeled as Main Street. Our airport is conveniently located right off the highway a mere 3 miles outside of town. Snowmass Village connects to Highway 82 via both Brush Creek Road and Owl Creek Road. Below is all you need to know about parking your car during your stay.
Parking Lot Status
Download the App
There's nothing worse than losing time on the mountain while you search for parking on a busy day. Wake up, get your gear ready, and check the Aspen Snowmass App to see the status of parking at your go-to spot. If your favorite lot is full, you can easily reroute to the nearest lot with our help.
Details
We will report on parking lot status daily between 8am - 12pm at Aspen Highlands Parking Garage, Buttermilk Parking Lot, Two Creeks Parking Lot, and the Town Park Parking Lot. After 12pm, parking is available on a first come first serve basis.
You can view online now. Download the app today and get ready for a great season!
Details
We will report on parking lot status daily between 8am - 12pm at Aspen Highlands Parking Garage, Buttermilk Parking Lot, Two Creeks Parking Lot, and the Town Park Parking Lot. After 12pm, parking is available on a first come first serve basis.
You can view online now. Download the app today and get ready for a great season!
All Parking Options and Information
There are several parking lots around the Aspen Snowmass area, but they fill up quickly during peak travel times and especially on powder days. When you’re headed out for a day on the slopes, you’ll want to avoid circling the parking lot, so below we've compiled a local's perspective on the various parking lots, in order of preference.
Brush Creek Lot
Brush Creek Lot
Colorado Rd. 10, Aspen CO 81611Free
Access: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk
Your best bet if you’re traveling from outside the area is to park at the Brush Creek Lot and take a RFTA bus to any of our four mountains. This lot is located just 5 miles outside of Aspen and Snowmass on Highway 82 as you approach and it is the central hub of most bus routes.
Buttermilk Lot
Buttermilk Lot
127 W Buttermilk Rd, Aspen, CO 81611Free
Access: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk
Located at the base of Buttermilk, the Buttermilk parking lot is accessible and usually less full on peak weekends and powder days. In addition, Buttermilk Lot is the easiest way to get to Aspen Highlands on busy days.
During winter, 5-minute Ski School drop-off will be available throughout the season.
Aspen Highlands Garage
Aspen Highlands Base Village Parking Garage
199 Prospector Road, Aspen, CO 81611Paid
Access: Aspen Highlands
Located at the base of Aspen Highlands, the Aspen Highlands Parking Garage offers a limited number of spots that fill up quickly on holidays and weekends. The first half hour is free.
• Weekend and Holiday Rate: $6/hour up to a max of $40
• Weekdays Rate: $6/hour up to a max of $30
• Pull ticket and use at EXIT - keep ticket(s) in a safe place – lost tickets subject to $100 fee.
• Cash payment kiosk located inside at mid-level stairwell
• Payment only accepted at exit time, no prepayment available.
Aspen Metered Parking
City of Aspen Metered Parking
Aspen, CO 81611Paid
Access: Aspen Mountain
Downtown parking meters: Maximum of four hours. Paid parking is in effect from 10am–6pm, Monday through Saturday.
• 10am–10:59am: $4 per hour
• 11am–2:59pm: $6 per hour
• 3pm–6pm: $4 per hour
• 6pm–9:59am: Free
• Free on Sundays
Rio Grande Parking Plaza
Rio Grande Parking Plaza
Aspen, CO 81611Paid
Access: Aspen Mountain
• $2 per hour
• $12 per day
• Free on Sundays
Snowmass Base Garage
Snowmass (Village, Base & Two Creeks)
Free Parking: Town Park Station (formerly Rodeo Lot): Shuttles depart starting at 6:40am every 20 minutes, 6:30am to 7:10am and 5:20pm to 6:20pm. 10-minute service 7:10am to 5:20pm. HOV (four or more) park free at Two Creeks.Paid Parking: Lot E and Two Creeks are $25 on weekdays and $35 on weekends & holidays. Permit is required from 8:00am until noon daily. Spaces are limited, permits do not guarantee a spot.
Base Village Parking Garage
• First hour is free
• $8.00 Each additional hour
• $56.00 Daily maximum
• Evening parking is free if you enter the garage after 3:00pm
• Free during summer months
Town Park Station
Town Park Station
2909 Brush Creek Rd, Snowmass Village, CO 81615Free
Access: Snowmass
Located in Snowmass and formerly named 'The Rodeo Lot," shuttles depart from Town Park Station every 10 minutes between 7:30am – 5:30pm. Shuttles depart every 20 minutes between 6:40am – 7:30am and 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
Two Creeks Lot
Two Creeks Lot
31 Burnt Mountain Cir, Snowmass Village, CO 81615Paid
Access: Snowmass
Located in Snowmass at the base of the Two Creeks lift, the Two Creeks Lot is $25/day on weekdays and $35/day on weekends & holidays. Permit is required from 8am until noon daily. Spaces are limited, permits do not guarantee a spot. HOV (four or more) park free at Two Creeks.
West Buttermilk
West Buttermilk
West Buttermilk Road, Aspen, Colorado 81611Free
Access: Buttermilk
Located at Buttermilk at the base of the West Buttermilk Express lift, the West Buttermilk lot is a small lot accessible at no charge. Spaces are limited and the lot is frequently full.
Parking Lot Quick Directions
Get updates on road closures, traffic, and travel alerts first with Pitkin County Alerts SMS messages. The Pitkin Alert notification system enables local officials to quickly provide you with information about emergencies and community news, such as severe weather, road closures, missing persons, and evacuations. You may select exactly which alerts you would like to receive by text message, phone call, email, and/or hearing-impaired receiving devices.
Getting Around Without a Car
Pedestrians walking around Aspen Snowmass in winter
Not only is it possible to enjoy your vacation at Aspen Snowmass without a car, it is totally doable. The beauty of Aspen Snowmass is that you have access to 4 unique, world-class mountains without ever having to get behind the wheel. A seamless bus system, pedestrian-friendly streets, free shuttles, and numerous limo and taxi companies make it possible to focus on enjoying your experience (and your après cocktail) rather than focusing on the road.
Pedestrian-friendly streets, free shuttles, reliable public transportation and numerous limo and taxi companies make sure that you can ditch the car for your visit.
Pedestrian-friendly streets, free shuttles, reliable public transportation and numerous limo and taxi companies make sure that you can ditch the car for your visit.
RFTA Bus System
Roaring Fork Transit Authority
The RFTA or Roaring Fork Transit Authority (which locals simply call “Rafta”) has routes to all four mountains, around town, downvalley, and most places in between. Convenient schedules and (more importantly ski and snowboard racks) make them a popular choice for visiting the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass. Enjoy your après cocktail worry-free knowing your Designated Driver is arriving every 15 minutes to shuttle you home!
Visit RFTA’s website to learn more about schedules and fares.
You can receive estimated arrival times by text message with RFTA SMS Text Schedules. You can get information online in advance of your trip or find information on how to text at any posted bus stop!
Quick Guide to RFTA
Traveling from mountain to mountain? Use the 4-Mountain Connector route
Traveling around Aspen? Use the City of Aspen route
Traveling around Snowmass Village? Use the Snowmass Village route
Traveling to Aspen from Down Valley? Use the VelociRFTA: Bus Rapid Transit route
Hotel Shuttles
Numerous hotels and resorts in Aspen and Snowmass Village offer resort shuttles to the slopes, and — in some cases — luxury transfers to wherever you want to go. Learn more about the hotels and resorts (and the transportation services they offer) in our Lodging section.
On Bike
Bike culture in Aspen and Snowmass Village is alive and thriving. Regardless of season, most locals get from point A to point B on a bike because of how easy it is.
In summer, Four Mountain Sports rents cruiser, road and mountain bikes for getting around. Even the Limelight Hotel Aspen offers complimentary cruiser bikes to guests.
In summer, Four Mountain Sports rents cruiser, road and mountain bikes for getting around. Even the Limelight Hotel Aspen offers complimentary cruiser bikes to guests.
On Foot
Both downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village are pedestrian friendly. In fact, you could cross both of them on foot in 20 minutes time. In Aspen, Cooper and Hyman Avenues (between Mill and Galena Streets) and Mill St. (between Hyman and Durant Avenues) are closed to vehicles, creating a wonderful pedestrian mall.
In Snowmass Village, the Mall and Base Village areas are also perfect for strolling.
In Snowmass Village, the Mall and Base Village areas are also perfect for strolling.
Taxi / Limo Service
From a simple cross-valley ride to the five-star treatment, several taxis and limousine services can be found in and around Aspen and Snowmass Village. Local taxi and limousine companies include:
• Aspen Limo Services
• High Mountain Taxi
• Corporate Transportation Specialists - CTS Aspen
• Nomi Limo
• Aspen Limo Services
• High Mountain Taxi
• Corporate Transportation Specialists - CTS Aspen
• Nomi Limo
Rental Car Agencies
Most destinations around the Aspen Snowmass area are accessible by public transportation, bike, or foot. However, if you’re craving the freedom of the open road or are planning to travel outside the bounds of public transportation, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport has numerous rental car agencies that you can rent from.