A crisp winter morning greets skiers at Aspen Highlands this December 28, with overnight temperatures dipping to a brisk 14.7°F. Aspen Highlands is a ski resort in Colorado, USA, known for its steep and challenging terrain.
Wind
Humidity
The base snowpack rests at 15 inches, significantly below seasonal averages by nearly 36%, making conditions variable across the mountain. Despite this, groomed runs remain well-maintained, and the legendary Highland Bowl continues to allure advanced skiers with its challenging terrain. While only a light dusting of new snow—less than an inch—is forecast over the next five days, the resort is maximizing coverage through snowmaking operations to keep slopes in top shape.
In local news, Aspen Highlands celebrates its early season opening—its earliest in recent memory—a testament to improved early-winter operations. However, safety remains top of mind after a dramatic chairlift incident and a recent avalanche near the area, reminding visitors to ski responsibly and stay informed. The newly opened expansions across Aspen Snowmass are drawing additional crowds, yet Highlands maintains its reputation as the “locals’ mountain,” with plenty of space for those seeking a more authentic, high-alpine experience. While snowfall is limited in the forecast, the sun-drenched slopes and festive holiday atmosphere provide all the incentive needed for a memorable day on the mountain.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Upper Taylor.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Aspen Highlands.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Aspen Highlands impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
The Aspen Highlands Ski Resort in Colorado is located in the Elk Mountains range of the Rocky Mountains. Some of the pertinent mountain ranges and mountain aspects of the resort include:
1. Aspen Highlands: The resort itself is named after the mountain it is located on, Aspen Highlands. This mountain offers a variety of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
2. Maroon Bells: The iconic Maroon Bells, two peaks in the Elk Mountains, are visible from the resort and provide a stunning backdrop to the ski slopes.
3. Highland Bowl: This challenging terrain at Aspen Highlands is a favorite among advanced skiers and snowboarders. It offers steep chutes and open bowls for experienced riders to enjoy.
4. Pyramid Peak: Another prominent peak in the Elk Mountains, Pyramid Peak is visible from Aspen Highlands and adds to the picturesque scenery of the resort.
5. Deep Temerity: This area of the resort offers some of the steepest terrain in Colorado, with challenging runs that will test even the most experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Overall, Aspen Highlands Ski Resort is known for its stunning mountain scenery, challenging terrain, and variety of slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Some of the best trails include Highland Bowl, Olympic Bowl, and Steeplechase. An interesting fact that few people know is that the resort was founded by Whipple Van Ness Jones, the inventor of the geodesic dome, who also designed the Highland Bowl ski area. For beginner skiers, the resort offers the Cloud Nine beginner area, which has gentle slopes and a magic carpet lift. The best apres ski bar at Aspen Highlands is Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, which offers European-style dining, live music, and champagne spraying.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 5 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 6500 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2451 Meters |
Terrain Park | No |
Acreage | 1028 Acres |
Established | 1958 |
Run Count | 125 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, snow showers likely, mainly before 11am. areas of blowing snow before 11am. mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 16. wind chill values as low as -20. blustery, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. winds could gust as high as 40 mph. chance of precipitation is 60%. new snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Aspen Highlands is expected to receive up to 1.53" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Buttermilk Mountain
Aspen Mountain
Snowmass
Fresh snowfall in Colorado is favoring the northern and southwestern mountains. Steamboat Springs and the surrounding Routt National Forest are seeing the heaviest totals, with Dry Lake reporting 9" in the past 24 hours and a 3-day forecast of continued accumulation. Tower SNOTEL—close to Steamboat Resort—reported 9” new snow as well, with a 5-day forecast of 2”. The nearby resorts ... Read more