Aspen Highlands Ski Area
Just ask the locals and they’ll tell you, Aspen Highlands is their favorite! Why? Big mountain skiing! With over 1000 acres of terrain, there’s something for everyone, but if your interested in a challenge, Aspen Highlands Ski Resort is just what you’ve been looking for. With over 50% of the mountain dedicated to Diamond and Double Black Diamond runs, prepare to be aroused! Experience Steeplechase, Olympic bowl, Temerity and the Highland bowl to get a taste of what Colorado skiing is all about!
More Resort Facts
| Nearest Town: Aspen, Colorado |
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| Base Elevation: 8,040 ft. (2,450 m) | Top Elevation: 11,678 ft. (3,559 m) |
| Latitude: 39.181111 | Longitude: -106.856389 |
| Total Runs: | |||
 18% Beginner |
 30% Intermediate |
 16% Advanced |
 36% Expert |
| Terrain Parks: 0 |
| Total Lifts: 5 |
| (3) High speed quad chairs, (2) Triple chairs |
| Total lift capacity: 6,500 people per hour |
| Average Snowfall: 300 inches/year | Snowmaking: 110 acres |
Aspen Highlands is really an intermediate to expert level mountain! It’s best known for the Highland Bowl which has, since 2002, been the “crown jewel” of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area. This expert only area, that’s accessed mostly by foot, has an average pitch of 40 degrees. The steepest section checks in at 48 degrees. While it has the backcountry feel, skier safety is always a top concern! The Aspen Highlands Ski Patrol provides avalanche control and monitors the area in order to assure a safe skiing experience. Highland bowl skiing is classified by three different zones that relate to the proper ski wax necessary for the conditions. The bowl actually faces east, however, the best skiing is in the G zone which face north. This coldest portion of the bowl regularly provides the best snow. The Y zone, with it’s south facing slopes can be accessed by snowcat, saving you a hike. The B zone which is inclined to the east, provided the steepest and most challenging terrain. Starting at the summit of the Highland bowl, you head directly down the center of the bowl. It’s a fantastic run from 12,382 ft. at the summit to the bottom of the bowl and then catwalk back to the Deep Temerity and Loge Peak lifts!
Aspen Highlands was founded by ski industry pioneer and Aspen resident, Whip Jones back in 1956. Jones owned the 
land at the base of the mountain and was moved to consider developing it when the Forest Service suggested that it would be a “great place for a ski area.”Initially considering it a task outside of his abilities, Jones offered the development opportunity to the Aspen Skiing Company . They turned it down; go figure! Not put off by the rejection however, Jones decided to take on the challenge and contacted Dick Durrance an Olympic alpine champion turned ski entrepreneur, to conduct a feasibility study for the project. After careful consideration, Whip decided to go ahead with the project on his own. He financed the venture by selling the lumber harvested from the runs and being very careful with his labor expenditures. When it opened in 1958, the ski area had three lifts which included a double chairlift with the worlds longest single section. After the longest continuous private ownership of any Colorado Ski Area, Whipple Jones donated the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, a gift valued at 18.3 million dollars to Harvard University, his Alma Mater, in 1993. Harvard sold the ski area to a Texas developer, who later sold it to the Aspen Skiing Company.
Resort Photos and Videos
