Uphilling Guide

Uphilling is a key ingredient to the Roaring Fork Valley’s rich, athletic culture, and Aspen Snowmass has offered skiers and riders access to uphill travel across its four mountains longer than most ski resorts.

For winter enthusiasts who just can't seem to get enough time on the slopes and want a unique on-mountain experience, uphilling is a great workout with a sweet reward. Morning skins up Buttermilk, moonlit tours up Aspen Mountain or Highlands, afternoons spent steadily climbing Snowmass—the peaceful moments of sliding up the hillside, taking in the views, and earning your snowy turns back down to the base are hard to beat.

Wildlife update: We are fortunate to share our lands with some amazing wildlife. We live in bear and moose country and we will sometimes cross paths with these wild creatures. For the safety of all, people and animals, please do not approach these animals to get a picture or video or for any other reason. Give them space and enjoy viewing them from a distance.

Snowmass

1. Two Creeks | 1,655 feet of elevation gain
   Go up Creekside to Cascade, then continue to the top of Funnel and on to Elk Camp Restaurant.
2. Elk Camp | 1,368 feet of elevation gain
   Start at Base Village, follow Funnel to Elk Camp Restaurant. Then continue up the left side of Bull Run to the top of the Elk Camp Chairlift.
3. High Alpine | 2,086 feet of elevation gain
   Fanny Hill, then follow Lower Green Cabin to Coffee Pot and continue to the High Alpine Restaurant.
4. Sam’s Knob | 2,173 feet of elevation gain
   Begin at Fanny Hill, then take Dawdler to Lower Velvet Falls, Upper Velvet Falls, and up to the mid-station of the Village Express Chairlift. Continue on Coney Glade Trail to Banzai Ridge and up to the top of Sam’s Knob. From there, follow the right side of Sneaky’s to the top of the Big Burn Chairlift. (No downloading on Village Express Chairlift.)

5. Campground | 1,585 feet of elevation gain
   Begin at the base of Slot, ascend to the mid-station of the Village Express Chairlift, and merge with the main Sam’s Knob route.

Aspen Mountain

1. Aspen Mountain Uphill | 3,267 feet of elevation gain
   Begin on Little Nell, then follow Bingo Slot and Spar Gulch. Turn left into Deer Park and continue onto Silver Bell. This route must be completed by 9am, and if not, uphillers will be asked to turn around.
2. Aspen Mountain Downhill
   to use the designated downhill route: Copper, Copper Bowl, and Little Nell.requiredFor safety, uphillers are

Aspen Highlands

1. Lower Aspen Highlands | 1,950 feet in elevation gain
   Stay hiker’s right up Jerome Bowl, head under the Exhibition Chairlift, and into the trees toward Lower Stein. Continue up to Park Avenue, intersect with Memory Lane, then continue to Merry-Go-Round Restaurant.

2. Upper Aspen Highlands | 3,635 total feet of elevation gain from base
   Complete the lower route and, if uphillers arrive at Merry-Go-Round Restaurant before 8:30am, they may continue up to the top of the Loge Peak Chairlift.

Buttermilk

1. Tiehack | 1,683 feet of elevation gain
   Up Eagle Hill to Ptarmigan. Stay hiker’s right up Ptarmigan until you intersect with the top of Buckskin. Cross trail into the marked woods trail to Savio. Stay hiker’s left on Savio to the top of Tiehack Express Chairlift.
2. Main Buttermilk | 1,842 feet of elevation gain
   Follow the orange disks up Columbine from the base. The route winds through the woods, crosses Midway Avenue, and continues on Ridge Trail to the top of Summit Express Chairlift. For extra adventure, take the Alternate Wild Route—same distance, more time in the forest.
3. West | 1,027 feet of elevation gain
   Up Teaser to the Bridge, under the bridge and up to Ridge Trail to Cliffhouse Restaurant. Turn right and stay hiker’s left up Tom’s Thumb to the top of West Buttermilk Express Chairlift.

Uphill Private Lesson

Arrange for an Uphill Private Lesson (inbounds) with one of our expert uphill Pros and discover the sport at your own pace. Instructors will share tips and proper use for: boot/binding interface, clothing/layering, hydration and nutrition for uphill fitness, putting skins on/off the skis, walking uphill at a reasonable pace, proper routes, etiquette and transitioning to downhill mode. Advance uphill private lesson reservation and payment are required.

Learn more about our Private Lessons here.

Uphill Locals Clinic