Aspen and Vail are two internationally known destinations that boast world-class skiing, beautiful scenery, and great dining and nightlife. Geographically, they are not far apart, but the two resorts share a friendly rivalry and differ in many ways.
Frias Properties offers vacation rentals and property management in Aspen, so we are bit biased – we think Aspen is the pinnacle Colorado destination, but we admire some of Vail's attractions, restaurants, and activities.
Read on as we summarize the similarities and differences between Aspen and Vail.
Aspen vs Vail by the Numbers
POPULATION
Aspen: 7,170
Vail: 5,377
ELEVATION
Aspen: 7,908 feet
Vail: 8,150 feet
MOUNTAIN RANGE
Aspen: Elk Mountains
Vail: Gore Mountains
SKI AREAS
Aspen: 4 ski areas (Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk)
Total skiable terrain: 5,300 acres
Peak elevation on Aspen Mtn: 11,212 feet
Vail: 1 ski area
Total skiable terrain: 5,317 acres
Peak elevation: 11,570 feet
DISTANCE FROM MAJOR AIRPORTS
Aspen: Aspen / Pitkin County Airport (ASE), 3 miles.
Denver International Airport (DEN), 223 miles.
Vail: Eagle Airport (EGE), 34.5 miles.
Denver International Airport (DEN), 122 miles.
Getting to Aspen vs Vail
Aspen is an end-of-the-road destination, located four-plus hours from Denver. There are no other ski areas near Aspen, so skiers and snowboarders make the journey to experience this destination exclusively. Visitors can fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), which is only three miles from downtown Aspen.
Vail is located on the I70 corridor with other ski resorts nearby. Visitors can fly into Eagle Airport (EGE), which is about 35 miles from the resort or arrive in Denver and drive up to the mountains. Neighboring ski areas include Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, A Basin, and Loveland ski area.
Aspen vs Vail Town Ambiance
Aspen was a town before it was a ski destination, built by silver miners in late 1800s. With that historic infrastructure comes charm, including beautiful Victorian buildings, historic hotels and an opera house, and gridded streets that extend out from the ski mountain.
Vail is a purpose-built resort with a planned village that serves the ski area. The Vail Valley is a tight corridor with a major interstate running through it, so many of the town's amenities like golf courses and parks are limited to a narrow swath of land.
Aspen vs Vail Skiing
The primary difference between skiing in Aspen and in Vail is that Aspen boasts four separate ski areas, while Vail has one, massive ski resort. An Aspen Snowmass lift ticket grants skiers and snowboarders access to all four of its ski areas.
Aspen is made up of the four Aspen Snowmass ski areas spread out over approximately 10 miles: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Together, these ski areas offer more than 5,300 acres of terrain, and each mountain boasts unique character and attractions that appeal to beginner, intermediate, or expert skiers.
Winter visitors to Aspen can stay in the City of Aspen, at Aspen Highlands, or in Snowmass Village. There is a free skier's shuttle that transports skiers between all four ski areas.
Vail is one contiguous resort with 5,317 acres of terrain. The famous Back Bowls encompass 3,017 acres, and there are dedicated beginner and intermediate zones on the resort. Vail's base and peak elevation is similar to Aspen's, starting at 8,120 feet and rising to 11,570 feet.
Vail visitors mostly stay within the villages at the base of the ski area, where the lodging is concentrated. There are two main access points to the mountain: Vail Village and Lionshead Village.
Both ski resorts are part of multi-destination ski passes; Aspen is part of the Ikon Pass, and Vail is part of the Epic Pass.
Aspen and Vail closely guard their daily skier-visit numbers, but anecdotally Vail is known to have larger crowds and longer lift lines. This is likely due to access, as Vail is within driving distance of the Front Range cities, so resident from Denver, Boulder, and the surrounding areas can make daytrips to the resort.
Aspen vs Vail in the Summer
Both Rocky Mountain destinations are wonderful places to visit during summer months, when ski slopes transform to verdant meadows dotted with brilliant wildflowers, restaurants open their sunny patios, and visitors rejoice in the just-right summer temperatures.
Aspen draws many summer visitors who are interested in the natural scenery, including the Maroon Bells, Colorado's most photographed peaks. Summer outdoor activities in Aspen include hiking, biking (mountain and road), river rafting, fly-fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass ski areas are open during summer months with on-mountain dining and attractions including a lift-accessed downhill mountain bike park, the Lost Forest adventure zone, and an alpine coaster.
Vail's summer outdoor pursuits are similar to Aspen's, and Vail ski area offers a vast network of hiking and biking trails. There is also summer tubing, a mountain coaster, and on-mountain dining. The Colorado River offers a thrilling venue for white-water rafting.
Aspen's marquee summer festivals are another reason to visit during June, July, and August. The summer season kicks off with the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience. The Aspen Music Festival & School presents more than 400 classical music events in July and August, and the Aspen Ideas Festival brings the world's brightest minds to Aspen in early July. Jazz Aspen Snowmass's Labor Day Festival caps off the summer with a three-day outdoor music festival. Weekly, Aspen visitors and locals enjoy the Aspen Saturday Market where local farms and artisans sell fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, artwork, and more.
Vail hosts amazing arts & culture events throughout their summer season as well. The Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival showcases world-famous orchestras and small ensembles during its season that runs from late June to early August. The Vail Dance Festival presents two weeks of performances in late July / early August. The Vail Wine Classic gathers master winemakers and drinkers for a weekend of tastings and events in mid-August. And capping off Vail's summer season, the Gourmet on Gore festival is a culinary experience with open-air tastings throughout Vail Village over Labor Day weekend.
Aspen vs Vail Dining and Nightlife
Aspen's dining and nightlife runs the gamut from ritzy to lowkey. Many Aspen establishments live up to its notorious rich-and-famous reputation, but there are still down-to-earth eateries with rich history. On the high end, reservations are in high demand for Matsuhisa (a Nobu outpost), Casa Tua, Catch Steak, and Casa D'Angelo. For an authentic Aspen experience, follow locals as they belly up to the J Bar at Hotel Jerome, sip margaritas at Mi Chola, or settle in for happy hour at Mezzaluna.
After dinner, Aspenites head to speakeasies and lounges like Bad Harriet and Hooch, and when the clock strikes midnight, nightclubs like Escobar and 7908 open their dancefloors. The live music venues – Belly Up Aspen and The Wheeler Opera House – also host great nightlife events.
Vail has a more laidback dining and nightlife scene, but there are still many high-end options. It too has a Matsuhisa Nobu outpost along with another lauded sushi restaurant, Osaki's. Other famed Vail restaurants include Sweet Basil, Flame, and The Chophouse.
As for nightlife, Vail's options are diverse and plentiful, from breweries and lounges to the famous Shakedown Bar with live music.
Which Will You Visit: Aspen or Vail?
We hope you'll choose Aspen and stay with Frias Properties. Start planning your trip by browsing our Aspen vacation rentals. If you'd like a recommendation on where to stay, contact our Aspen-based reservations team. We hope to see you in Aspen soon!