Everyone needs a lift. This is especially true in Aspen, Colorado, where lift tickets to the area's four mountains are in high demand during the winter months as visitors explore and play at Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. From skiing and snowboarding to scenery and fine dining, the local mountains offer it all. Here are FAQ and Facts to help you get the most bang for your buck!
To take advantage of the four mountain experience, you're going to need a lift ticket. What's important to know, and what are the tricks to saving both money and time when purchasing lift tickets? This week, our blog team sits down with Frias Properties concierge Mariya Mitsinova to talk about everything you need to know about Aspen lift tickets. Let's get the inside scoop!
Q: What does a lift ticket give me access to? A: "Four world-class mountains - Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass and Aspen Highlands - with slopes for all skill levels. You can come to Aspen to learn how to ski/snowboard or challenge your expertise riding on the black diamond hills. Backcountry skiing, powder tours, ski and snowboard lessons - you will need a lift ticket to do all that. "If you are not really a skier or a snowboarder and you are in Aspen to enjoy the winter scenery - you can still take advantage of the Aspen gondola or the lifts and dine at one of the on-mountain restaurants (unless the restaurant is ski in/ski out exclusively). A sightseeing lift ticket is required - the cost is $31."
Q: When should I buy my lift tickets? Immediately after I book? A: "Buy your lift tickets at least 7 days in advance prior to the first day of skiing/snowboarding for a small savings of $10 per day. Once you get here and head to the ticket office at the base of each mountain, there are no discounts available. "A small discount is better than no discount - $10 per day still buys lunch or beer! Another advantage of ordering the lift tickets in advance is having them delivered to your check-in location and avoiding the long lines at the ticket office.
Q: Please explain how the purchasing process works. A: "Easy. You can buy your lift tickets online ! "Or you can call the Frias Properties concierge desk at (970) 429-2449 if you are renting a condo we manage."
Q: Can I buy lift tickets for several days? How about for a group of people? A: "You can buy lift tickets for as many days as you want. A ski pass might be a better idea if you are planning on skiing more than 20 days. Groups can contact the concierge desk for assistance."
Q: What do I need to do when I arrive in Aspen? Do I pick them up? A: "Upon booking the lift tickets you can choose Lodge Delivery and have them delivered to your check-in location - 1 of the three Frias Properties offices (double check which office is your check-in location if you are not certain): Frias Main Office at 730 E. Durant Avenue; Fasching Haus office, 747 S. Galena Street; or the Silverglo office at 940 Waters Avenue. "Second option - will call. You can get your lift tickets from any ticket office at the base of each mountain."
- Snowmass - 3 ticket office locations: Snowmass Base Village, Snowmass Village Mall and Two Creeks
- Aspen Mountain - 2 ticket office locations: Gondola Plaza and base of Shadow Mountain lift
- Aspen Highlands - 1 ticket office location: Highlands Village
- Buttermilk - 2 ticket office locations: Buttermilk Main (base of Summit Express Lift) and base of Tiehack
Q: Where can I get on the lifts? A: "First you have to decide which mountain is best for your abilities. Snowmass offers an abundance of terrain for all abilities. The Treehouse Kids Adventure Center for ski lessons and childcare is located there. Families love Snowmass. Types of trails: easiest: 6%, more difficult: 47%, most difficult: 17%, expert: 30%. "Advice: Do not drive, catch the free bus from downtown Aspen and enjoy a 30-minute scenic ride to Snowmass without having to look for and pay for parking. "Buttermilk has long, easy-going green and blue slopes. A great mountain for beginners, intermediate skiers and snowboarders, families. Types of trails: easiest: 35%, more difficult: 39%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 0%. Short drive, free bus ride from downtown Aspen - about 15 minutes. "Aspen Mountain has no easy slopes. Upper intermediate, advance and expert skiers head this way. Bumps and steeps and easy access in downtown Aspen. Types of trails: easiest: 0%, more difficult: 48%, most difficult: 26%, expert: 26%. The Sundeck Restaurant is great on-mountain lunch place with magnificent views. "Aspen Highlands has slopes for all levels and the Highland Bowl: an in-bounds backcountry experience if there ever was one. Great views of Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak. Black diamond seekers will also love this mountain. Types of trails: easiest: 18%, more difficult: 30%, most difficult: 16%, expert: 36%.
"The restaurant Cloud 9 (strictly ski in and ski out, sells out 1 month prior to the exact date) is the place to be - fondue and raclette, Alpine-style dining and magnificent views."
Q: What advice do you have for someone riding the lifts or the gondola for the first time? A: "Don’t let the elevation gain and change of altitude get to you! Drink a lot of water prior to the ride and hitting the slopes. Staying well hydrated is the key. Use a lot of sunscreen - the sun can burn your skin fast at high elevation. Riding the Gondola and lifts is always fun - relax and enjoy the majestic mountain views!" Thanks, Mariya. We can't wait to get on the slopes! In her role as concierge, Mariya assists Frias guests with everything from lift tickets to dinner reservations and baby-sitting. Frias guests with questions or requests can call the concierge desk at (970) 429-2449.