Where to Stay in Aspen: Downtown, Snowmass or Down-Valley

Updated October 24, 2026

Short answer: stay in downtown Aspen if you want to walk to the Silver Queen Gondola, restaurants and nightlife; Snowmass Village if you want ski-in/ski-out condos and space for a family; near Buttermilk or the airport for a quieter, often lower-priced base; and down-valley in Basalt, Carbondale or Glenwood Springs to save the most, accepting a daily bus ride or drive.

Aspen Snowmass has four ski areas — Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass — and free RFTA buses link them with town and the airport, so you don't need to sleep at the base of the mountain you plan to ski most.

Downtown Aspen

The historic core sits at the base of Aspen Mountain. You can walk to the gondola, shops and dinner, and catch free RFTA buses to Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. It is usually the most expensive base, especially over the holidays. A few properties, such as condos near Lift 1A, offer true ski-in/ski-out on Aspen Mountain.

Snowmass Village

About six miles from the airport, Snowmass is the largest of the four mountains and has the most slopeside lodging — many condos with kitchens, which helps groups and families keep costs down. Several Snowmass lodging companies include airport and village shuttles.

Buttermilk and near the airport

Highway 82 between town and the airport has a few lodges at the base of Buttermilk, the area's beginner-friendly mountain and long-time X Games venue. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is about three miles from town, so this stretch is convenient for short trips.

Down-valley: Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs

"Down-valley" means away from Aspen along Highway 82. Lodging is generally cheaper, and RFTA's VelociRFTA bus rapid transit runs up-valley to Aspen. Basalt is roughly 25 minutes from ASE by car; allow more time by bus and in snow. Fares apply on RFTA's down-valley routes, while service within Aspen and Snowmass is free.

Getting to Aspen

• Fly to ASE: United, Delta and American serve Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, with nonstops to cities including Denver, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Houston (per Aspen Snowmass, 2025–26 season).
• Fly to Eagle (EGE): about an hour from Basalt by road.
• Drive from Denver: about 200 miles and roughly 3.5 hours in clear conditions via I-70 and Glenwood Springs; Independence Pass (Highway 82) closes in winter. There is no scheduled public bus from Denver to Aspen.

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Tours and activities

Aspen tours on GetYourGuide Glenwood Springs tours

Related: Denver to the ski resorts · Budget ski trips in the US · Colorado ski trips

Sources: Aspen Snowmass (getting here, lodging), Basalt Chamber (RFTA), Arion Denver-to-slopes guide. Schedules, fares and airline routes change — confirm before you book.

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