A chilly overnight low of 24°F sets the scene at Aspen Highlands this December 22, 2025, but skiers should come prepared for early-season conditions. Aspen Highlands is a ski resort in Colorado, USA, known for its steep and challenging terrain.
Wind
Humidity
With just 9 inches of snowpack—down more than 54% from average—coverage is limited, and off-piste areas remain rocky and thin. However, there’s a glimmer of hope with 5 inches of fresh snow forecasted over the next five days, and a light dusting of 0.3 inches expected in the next 72 hours. Groomed runs are your best bet for a smooth ride, while Highland Bowl remains a test for skilled skiers seeking a challenge.
The Highlands have seen a dramatic start to the season, from powder-filled opening day bowl laps to unsettling incidents including an altercation on a chairlift and a tragic tree collision involving a young skier. Patrol presence is strong and safety reminders are front and center across the mountain. Despite the lean snowpack, the vibe remains high with après-ski festivities warming up the base village. Keep an eye on the weather—those few incoming inches could freshen things up just in time for the holiday weekend.
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 -1" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, sunny, with a high near 41. west southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Aspen Highlands is expected to receive up to 5.33" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Buttermilk Mountain
Aspen Mountain
Snowmass
Snow is set to pile up in southwest Colorado, where resorts near the San Juan Mountains are expecting the highest totals in the next five days. Wolf Creek Ski Area leads the state with a forecast of up to 15–20 inches through the weekend, supported by nearby sensor data from Wolf Creek Summit (15") and Scotch Creek (20"). Telluride is ... Read more