Ikon Passholder’s Guide to Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass is home to four incredible mountains and countless storied experiences to be had. We’ve put together this special guide to give you a little direction.
Do you go to Snowmass where you can find fresh tracks all day across 3,339 skiable acres? Or maybe the steep-and-deep glades of Aspen Mountain, the high-altitude descent of Highland Bowl, or the long and uncrowded cruisers of Buttermilk are calling you instead? Thankfully, there are no wrong answers to these questions. We know that when you visit Aspen Snowmass this winter, there is a high likelihood you’ll fall in love. And that you’ll be back.
Please note that we will require lift reservations for all Ikon Passholders for the 2024-2025 season. Reservations are available now. To make a reservation, login to My Account on the Ikon site, here. Space is limited and may sell out.
Ikon Friends & Family Lift Tickets
Ikon Passholder Friends & Family Sharing Instructions
Friends and Family vouchers will be available using our online store.
Step 1: Log into your Ikon account on https://www.ikonpass.com/
Step 2: You can see how many discounts you have remaining. Click "Share Discount" to send some to a friend.
Step 3: Then, enter your guest's name and email to send the discount to their guest.
Ikon Friends & Family Redemption Instructions
Step 1: Log into your IKON Account using the IKON Portal on the product page. You will be redirected to the IKON login page.
Step 2: Once logged in and vouchers are confirmed, you will be redirected back to the product page.
Step 3: Select your date and age then click add to cart.
Step 4: Complete the checkout flow. In order to complete your purchase, you may be prompted to log in or create an Aspen Snowmass account.
You must have an Ikon Passholder share the Friends & Family voucher with you. Cannot be redeemed by passholder themselves.
Save on Stays at Limelight Hotels
Throughout the 2024-2025 ski season, your Mountain Collective or Ikon Pass earns you 20% off stays of 2 or more nights at Limelight Aspen or Limelight Snowmass. Plus, enjoy complimentary parking and a $50 food and beverage credit to fuel your mountain adventures. Must present ski pass at the front desk to redeem offer.
The Mountains
Snowmass
Learn moreVertical: 4,440 feet
The Terrain: A little bit of everything. If Snowmass were a playlist, it would have all your favorites — steep and deep powder runs, smooth groomers, parks and pipes, cliffs, and everything in between.
The Introduction: Take the Elk Camp Gondola then the Elk Camp Chairlift. Stretch your legs on the beautiful cruisers Bear Bottom and Gunner’s View, then for an added challenge, descend some of the steeps off the High Alpine Lift.
The Vibe: Amiable. From family vacationers to jibbers to seasoned locals with an eye for the chutes, everyone is there to have fun … and it feels that way.
Aspen Mountain
Learn moreVertical: 3,317 feet
The Terrain: An unusual but thrilling mix of short-and-steep glades and chutes, which can be combined with long, thigh-burning cruisers. The T2B’s at Aspen Mountain are legendary. There are no green runs.
The Introduction: Ride the Silver Queen Gondola up. Traverse to Bonnie’s for pancakes (they’re free from 10am–11am if there’s 8 or more inches of fresh powder), then Ajax Express back up and take Silver Dip to the Face of Bell for an impeccable glade run. Stretch it out on Spar Gulch to Kleenex Corner and Little Nell.
The Vibe: A true original. Local’s adore Aspen Mountain for its proximity to town and its hidden runs. Vacationers love it for its mystique. It just feels different.
Aspen Highlands
Learn moreVertical: 3,635 feet
The Terrain: A series of ridges rising from the valley and topping out at 12,392 feet with the crown jewel of Aspen Snowmass — Highland Bowl. From there, perfectly pitched runs, glades and chutes descend in all directions. Secrets (and shrines) abound. Like Aspen Mountain, there are no green runs.
The Introduction: Exhibition Lift to Loge Peak. Warm up on Broadway, Hayden and Meadows, then return via Loge Peak. Above you is the double-black Highland Bowl which requires a brisk hike to access. Do you go for it? Or do you descend the Face of Oly to Lower Olympic? Either way, you ought to end up at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro by late afternoon. You’ll see why.
The Vibe: The locals’ mountain and eternally Old School. Want to reach the best terrain? Hike in. Want the inside secret on the next run? Ask the townie riding the lift with you. Aspen Highlands still feels like skiing from yesteryear, but with the modern lift service and amenities to drink it all in quicker.
Buttermilk
Learn moreVertical: 2,030 feet
The Terrain: If Aspen Highlands is narrow and hugs a ridge, Buttermilk spreads out and takes a deep breath. In fact, Buttermilk is defined by feeling spacious. There are plenty of beginner and intermediate cruisers in all sectors of the mountain, and some truly invigorating black diamond runs off the Tiehack lift. Buttermilk is the perfect place to start if you’re a new skier or rider looking to get comfortable on snow.
The Introduction: Take the Summit Express up and cruise down Sterner to Sterner Gulch and Eagle Hill. Take the Tiehack Express back up and check off each of the expert runs on skier’s right. Afterwards, if you fancy some Mongolian grill fare lunch at the Cliffhouse with its second-to-none view of Pyramid Peak is a must.
The Vibe: Mellow but for one week of the year. Buttermilk is a paradise for beginner skiers, especially kids who love the playful runs, the beginner terrain park and mid-afternoon breaks on Fort Frog. But in late January, Buttermilk transforms into the home of the X Games Aspen, where the world’s best freestyle snowsports athletes and live musicians take to the slopes.
8 Secrets of Aspen Snowmass
Your Ikon Pass may be the reason you are giving Aspen Snowmass a shot, but these are the things that will make you want to come back again and again.
1. Treat Yourself to Slopeside Lodging
2. Use the Free Buses
3. Get Tracking with the Aspen Snowmass App
4. Be Prepared for Any Weather and Any Mountain
5. Find the Best Line
6. Earn Your Turns
7. Get First Tracks
8. Apres Like You Mean It
Make the Most of the Weekend
Now that you’ve got a game-plan in place for your Ikon Pass weekend at Aspen Snowmass, here are a few extras to make it even sweeter.