Aspen Snowmass

High Alpine Chair

Starts near the summit of Snowmass at 12,510ft and winds for 5.3 miles through the Big Burn area and into the trees. It ends at the base of the Elk Camp Gondola — from there a free shuttle takes you back to the village.

5.3 miles long — Snowmass's crown jewel for intermediates. Winds through tranquil glades. Pack a snack and savour every turn.

Long Shot — Aspen Snowmass 4K, full 5.3 miles

Big Burn Chair

In the Big Burn area — Snowmass's wide-open mid-mountain. The Big Burn was cleared by a forest fire decades ago, which is why the terrain here is so open and treeless.

Sweeping views of the Roaring Fork Valley. Well-spaced glades with a gradual pitch.

Sneaky's to Max Park — Snowmass 4K blue run

High Alpine Chair

Just below the summit, starting above the treeline at around 12,000ft. On a clear day you can see the Elk Mountains in every direction. Drops into the tree glades of the upper mountain.

Starts above treeline, drops 2,000ft through glades. Big-mountain feel on a blue run — one of Colorado's finest.

Sheer Bliss — Aspen Snowmass 4K, first tracks

Ajax Express

On Aspen Mountain (not Snowmass) — a short drive or free bus ride away. Ajax Express takes you from the base in downtown Aspen. Little Nell deposits you right back at the base of the gondola, steps from the restaurants.

Classic Aspen Mountain blue. Drops right into downtown Aspen. Finish with a beer outside at Ajax Tavern.

Ruthie's Chair

Also on Aspen Mountain, running parallel to Little Nell on the mountain's south face. Connects back to the base area and the town below.

Consistently groomed with classic Aspen views. A favourite for a midday lunch-lap.

Elk Camp Gondola or Sam's Knob Lift

Lunchline is one of Snowmass's most famous blues — it runs directly to the Elk Camp restaurant, which is one of the best on-mountain dining destinations in the Aspen Snowmass area. The run is named literally for its function. Wide, consistent, always well-groomed.

Time your ski day to arrive at Elk Camp restaurant via Lunchline around 12:30-1pm. The mac and cheese is famous. Snowmass has some of the best on-mountain dining in Colorado and Elk Camp is the centrepiece. Book a table in advance on busy weekends.

Burlingame Chair (upper Snowmass)

Dawdler is exactly what the name suggests — a place to take your time. It's in the upper Snowmass area served by the Burlingame Chair, with a consistently gentle gradient and superb views of the Elk Mountains. One of Snowmass's best progression blues.

Snowmass has a deserved reputation for excellent intermediate skiing but its vertical (3,132ft) means many runs have technical sections. Dawdler is the exception — genuinely easy throughout. Start here on day one before exploring the more challenging blues.

Big Burn Chair

Big Burn is Snowmass's most distinctive run — a massive 300-acre open slope created by a natural forest fire, offering one of the widest ski runs in North America. It's a blue designation on a big, open, rolling pitch. On a powder day it's exceptional.

Big Burn is unlike any other blue run in North America — it's not a groomed trail, it's a massive open face. On groomed days it's an easy cruise. After fresh snow it becomes a vast intermediate powder field. The width means you can always find untracked snow hours after a storm.

Elk Camp Gondola

Sneaky's is a longer, winding blue in the Elk Camp sector — one of the most consistent intermediate runs at Snowmass. It winds through varied terrain with interest but never intimidates. A good second-day run once you know the mountain.

The name is accurate — there are a few sections that catch you off guard with short steeper pitches. Read the terrain ahead of you. Otherwise an excellent cruising run with good flow. The Elk Camp sector has the best intermediate skiing at Snowmass.

Sam's Knob Lift

The Sam's Knob lift is one of Snowmass's main intermediary lifts — a high-speed quad serving mid-mountain terrain. Slot is a long, consistent blue on this lift that builds mileage well. Well-protected from wind and with good snow retention.

Sam's Knob has the most consistent conditions at Snowmass — it faces north and the runs here hold their grooming later in the day. Slot is the run to lap when the sunny faces are getting soft in the afternoon. A reliable quality run at any time of day.