How to Have a No-Hassle Colorado Ski Vacation at Aspen Snowmass
By Susan Linden
Updated: October 2022
You want to make the most of every minute of your Colorado ski vacation and Aspen Snowmass makes it easy to do just that by providing services and resources to alleviate hassles. Whether it’s transporting you and your equipment to the slopes, or getting those lift tickets in hand for first tracks, we’ve got you covered.
1. Check Your Packing List
While skiing and snowboarding might seem gear intensive, there’s no need to bring it all with you. With nine convenient locations among the four ski mountains, Four Mountain Sports offers an extensive line of rental equipment tailored for different abilities and conditions. In addition, these shops offer a wide selection of apparel and accessories for purchase. Pick and choose what you want to pack and take care of the rest when you get here:
2. Take Advantage of Free Overnight Ski Transfers and Storage
Skiing Snowmass today and Aspen Mountain tomorrow? There’s no need to drag your equipment to the hotel and back the next day. Simply drop off your skis or snowboard at the corral located at the base of each mountain and it will be transferred to your desired location. You can also store your equipment at the base of each mountain and pick it up the next day, saving you the hassle of carrying your gear after a long day of skiing or riding.
Pro Tip: When renting with Four Mountain Sports all equipment storage and transfers are free.
Pro Tip: When renting with Four Mountain Sports all equipment storage and transfers are free.
3. Download the Aspen Snowmass App
The Aspen Snowmass App is your go-to resource for all things Aspen Snowmass. Download the new and improved version for mountain conditions and grooming reports, lift statuses, parking updates, interactive trail maps, tracking your stats (skier days, vertical feet, and bowl laps), and keeping up with events and activities. Not to mention, the app shows any rewards you have included with your pass, such as credits for food and beverage, discounts on Ski and Snowboard Schools lessons, and more.
4. Swap Your Equipment for Free at Four Mountain Sports
When renting skis and snowboards it's always a gamble to decide what conditions you should rent for. Do you get a powder board or skis and cross your fingers for some fresh snow. Or do you play is safe with an all-mountain ski? At Four Mountain Sports there is no need worry, you can swap out your rental to fit the condition of the day. For instance, you could rent your skis or board at our Aspen location, and two days later swap them out for powder skis at Snowmass to better suit conditions.
5. Use RFTA: Your Best Friend In The Valley
With buses and shuttles connecting every Aspen Snowmass ski area, you can easily go carless for your entire vacation.
The award-winning Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) provides transportation throughout the Roaring Fork Valley on a year-round basis including free buses operating between the city of Aspen and the town of Snowmass Village. Buses and shuttles run frequently, especially during peak times. The free RFTA Flyer shuttles skiers and riders from the Brush Creek Lot directly to Aspen Highlands on Saturdays and Sundays, so it has never been easier to get first tracks on a powder day!
The award-winning Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) provides transportation throughout the Roaring Fork Valley on a year-round basis including free buses operating between the city of Aspen and the town of Snowmass Village. Buses and shuttles run frequently, especially during peak times. The free RFTA Flyer shuttles skiers and riders from the Brush Creek Lot directly to Aspen Highlands on Saturdays and Sundays, so it has never been easier to get first tracks on a powder day!
Here is a handy guide to finding your way around on the RFTA system:
- 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
- Traveling to Aspen Highlands from Down Valley? Use the FLYER route
6. Take Advantage of Local Hotel Shuttles
Many hotels and resorts in Aspen Snowmass offer shuttles to the slopes or wherever you want to go. The Little Nell’s in-town shuttle will whisk guests off in style to any Aspen Snowmass ski area by day and to the best nightlife and cultural spots in town by night. The Limelight Aspen and Limelight Snowmass shuttles take guests to and from the Aspen Airport, as well as wherever you want to go in the respective towns.
7. Or Hop in a Complimentary Audi
Need a car for a few hours?
As a guest of The Little Nell, Limelight Aspen or Limelight Snowmass you can take a luxury drive in an Audi.
Little Nell and Limelight guests can check out the all-electric Audi e-tron SUV.
Check in at the front desk for details.
As a guest of The Little Nell, Limelight Aspen or Limelight Snowmass you can take a luxury drive in an Audi.
Little Nell and Limelight guests can check out the all-electric Audi e-tron SUV.
Check in at the front desk for details.
9. First Tracks
Enjoy the feeling of being the first on the mountain with First Tracks at Aspen Mountain and Snowmass! You’ll be able to carve turns in perfect, untouched corduroy or — if we are blessed by the snow gods — fresh powder long before other guests hit the slopes.
Advanced reservations are required:
Advanced reservations are required:
- Snowmass – Offered beginning to mid-December 2019 on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. To reserve, call 970-923-0560.
- Aspen Mountain – Offered daily beginning in early December. To reserve, call 970-920-0755.
10. Take An Ambassador Tour
Is this your first visit to Aspen Snowmass? Skiing or riding a new mountain? Consider taking a tour of the mountain with a Ski Ambassador to help you learn the mountain. Often long-time locals, these friendly guides know the ski runs like the back of their hands. Below is the Ski Ambassador Tour Schedule. Please note that you must be at least an intermediate skier in order to tour.
| Mountain | Day/Time | Meeting Place |
| Snowmass | Daily, 10:30am | Sam's Knob |
| | Daily, 1:30pm | Outside Elk Camp Restaurant |
| Aspen Mountain | Daily, 10:30am | Guest Services Hut near top of the Silver Queen Gondola. |
| | Daily, 1:30pm | Guest Services Hut near top of the Silver Queen Gondola. |
| Aspen Highlands | Daily, 10:30am | Guest Services Hut near top of the Exhibition Lift. |
| Daily, 1:00pm | Guest Services Hut near top of the Exhibition Lift. | |
| Buttermilk | Daily, 10:30am | Guest Services at the top of the Summit Express Lift |
| Daily, 1:30pm | Guest Services at the top of the Summit Express Lift |
Aspen Snowmass makes it easy to spend your ski vacation where you want to be spending it — on the slopes!
