Aspen and Vail, the United States: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Aspen, Snowmass, Vail and Breckenridge are in central Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains, between 2,400 and 2,900 meters in elevation. They are the country’s best-known ski resorts, connected to Denver by Interstate 70, which crosses the range through tunnels and mountain passes.

Aspen began as a silver mining town in the late 19th century and became a ski resort after World War II. It has four ski areas: Aspen Mountain, which rises directly from downtown, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, the largest, with its own village, Snowmass Village. In summer, the Independence Pass road and Maroon Lake, at the foot of the Maroon Bells peaks, are the most popular outings.

Vail opened in 1962 by veterans of the 10th Mountain Division, the Army ski troops who trained nearby during World War II. The village has pedestrian streets in a Tyrolean style, and the mountain is known for the Back Bowls, large open valleys on the south face. Breckenridge, about an hour from Vail, preserves a historic downtown from the 1859 gold rush, with wooden Victorian-era houses along Main Street.

The ski season generally runs from late November to April. From June to September, the same mountains welcome hikers, mountain bikers and gondola rides, and in late September the aspen groves turn yellow on the slopes.

This destination brings together 4 cities: Aspen, Snowmass Village, Vail, Breckenridge.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Aspen and Vail is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Aspen and Vail

✈ Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) · 7 km to Aspen

Aspen airport (ASE) is 7 km from downtown; Eagle County airport (EGE) is about 60 km from Vail. Denver airport (DEN), with more flights, is about 170 km from Breckenridge and 360 km from Aspen. Shuttle vans operate between Denver and the resorts.

Suggested arrival point: Aspen

Colorado · Aspen and Vail Suggested arrival point

Aspen

A former silver town at 2,400 meters in the Roaring Fork valley, Aspen is one of the United States’ best-known ski resorts. The Aspen Mountain gondola departs from downtown, and buses connect the town to Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. In summer, Maroon Lake, at the foot of the Maroon Bells, and the road over Independence Pass are the main outings.

Colorado · Aspen and Vail

Snowmass Village

Mountain village about 15 km from Aspen, built in the 1960s at the foot of Snowmass, the largest of the four Aspen Snowmass ski mountains. It has slope-side lodging, a village of shops and restaurants connected by a gondola, and in summer offers trails, mountain biking and a mountaintop amusement center.

Colorado · Aspen and Vail

Vail

Mountain village founded in 1962 at the base of the ski area of the same name, about 160 km from Denver via Highway 70. Vail Village and Lionshead have pedestrian streets in a Tyrolean style, connected to the slopes by gondolas. The mountain is known for the Back Bowls, and the village has an alpine botanical garden and the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum.

Colorado · Aspen and Vail

Breckenridge

City founded during the 1859 gold rush, at about 2,900 meters altitude, Breckenridge preserves one of the largest historic districts in Colorado, with Victorian-era wooden houses on Main Street. The ski resort occupies five peaks of the Tenmile Range and connects to town by a gondola.

The local experience

Things to do in Aspen and Vail

Breckenridge · Colorado · Ski resort

Breckenridge Ski Resort

Ski resort on five peaks of the Tenmile Range, connected to town by a gondola, with one of the highest chairlifts in North America.

Aspen · Colorado · Mountain lake

Maroon Bells

Two peaks over 4,200 meters reflected in Maroon Lake, about 15 km from Aspen, in the White River National Forest. In summer, access is by bus with a reservation.

Snowmass Village · Colorado · Ski resort

Snowmass

The largest of the four Aspen ski mountains, with runs for all levels, a village at the base of the slopes and, in summer, a mountaintop amusement center.

Vail · Colorado · Ski resort

Vail Mountain

One of the largest ski areas in the United States, with the north face, the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin; in summer, gondolas and trails.

See 6 more places in Aspen and Vail

Aspen · Colorado · Ski resort

Aspen Mountain

The ski mountain that rises directly from downtown Aspen via the Silver Queen gondola, with intermediate and advanced runs and summer trails at the top.

Breckenridge · Colorado · Historic centre

Main Street of Breckenridge

Breckenridge’s historic district, with wooden houses from the gold rush lining Main Street and mining museums.

Vail · Colorado · Historic centre

Vail Village

Vail’s center, with Tyrolean-style pedestrian streets along Gore Creek, at the base of Gondola One, and the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum.

Aspen · Colorado · Ski resort

Aspen Highlands

Aspen ski mountain known for the Highland Bowl, a large open bowl above 3,700 meters reached on foot from the ridge.

Vail · Colorado · Botanical garden

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Botanical garden at about 2,500 meters elevation, in Vail’s Ford Park, with mountain plants from around the world, waterfalls and a stone chapel.

Aspen · Colorado · Scenic highway

Independence Pass

Mountain road that climbs from Aspen to the Continental Divide at 3,687 meters, with viewpoints and the ghost town of Independence. It closes in winter.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

To ski: December through March, when the snow is usually firmer; the season generally runs from late November to April. For hiking and lakes: June through September. Late September for the yellow aspens. April, May, October and November are low season months, with some services closed.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One week is the standard for skiing, with five or six days on snow at a single resort. In summer, four or five days allow time to see Aspen, the Maroon Bells and Vail or Breckenridge, which are about two hours from Aspen by road.

Which city to stay in

In Aspen, downtown is the most practical base, with the gondola up Aspen Mountain and buses to the other mountains. Snowmass Village has lodging next to the slopes. In Vail, Vail Village and Lionshead sit at the base of the gondolas. In Breckenridge, the historic downtown is connected to the slopes by a gondola. Frisco and Dillon, near Breckenridge, are simpler alternatives.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Aspen and Vail

What is the best time to ski in Aspen and Vail?

From December to March, when the snow is usually firmer. The season generally runs from late November to April; opening and closing dates change each year and are announced by the resorts.

Can you ski in Aspen and Vail on the same trip?

Yes, but it’s about a two-hour drive between them, longer in winter when Independence Pass is closed and the route is via Highway 70 and Glenwood Springs. The most practical option is to choose a base for each part of the trip.

Do you need a car in Aspen and Vail?

Not inside the resorts: there are local buses and gondolas linking the villages to the slopes. A car is useful in summer and to travel between resorts. In the United States you drive on the right, and winter mountain roads may require appropriate snow tires.

Does altitude cause problems in Aspen and Vail?

Towns are between 2,400 and 2,900 meters, and the slopes rise above 3,500 meters. Many people feel tired or have headaches in the first days: drinking water, avoiding alcohol on the first day and starting gradually usually help.

Do you need a visa to visit the United States?

Entry requirements for the United States depend on your nationality and travel documents: some countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, requiring prior electronic authorization, while others need a visa. Requirements can change: confirm before traveling.

Aspen and Vail

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.