Backcountry Skiing
Backcountry skiing Aspen is anything you want it to be – roadside and lift-accessed “sidecountry” terrain, European-style hut tours, snowcat-assisted day missions and the steepest, deepest big-mountain skiing in Colorado.
Local Listings:
- Hut Trip Basics: Make reservations well in advance. Shared kitchenware and cooking fuel is supplied, but bring your own utensils and sleeping bags.
- Highway 82, which services Independence Pass, is closed in winter. It usually opens Memorial Day weekend.
- The Elk Mountains around Aspen are notorious for loose rock, so ski Castle Peak early before snowmelt turns the slopes into a shooting gallery .
- If the thought of exploring Highlands Ridge alone is too daunting, consider taking one of Aspen's snowcat tours of the area.
Deciding among Aspen's bounty of backcountry skiing can be difficult. Here are a few highlights:
Backcountry Skiing Locations
Independence Pass
Park atop the pass, then head north to the first prominent summit, Blue Peak. Enjoy mellow turns back to your tailgate. Backcountry options abound on Independence Pass, so choose a line.
Highlands Ridge
From Aspen Highlands resort, hike to the top of Highlands Bowl and continue along Highlands Ridge for a good 30-60 minutes before dropping into 4,000 vertical feet of untracked powder. Words cannot describe...
Castle Peak
Aspen boasts several 14ers with many descent options, but an overnighter to Castle Peak has the best natural apres-amenity – Conundrum Hot Springs. Ease into 102-degree pools after spending the day climbing and skiing intermediate to advanced terrain.
Friends Hut
Part of a six-hut network within the greater 10th Mountain Division Huts system, Friends Hut sits halfway between Aspen and Crested Butte in amazing terrain.
Snow Conditions
Check conditions with the Colorado Avalanche Information Center before entering any backcountry area. May typically brings the most-stable snowpack.
Guide Knowledge
An Aspen backcountry ski guide will take you places even longtime locals don't know about.
Pack Avy Gear
And know how to use it! Bring a shovel, probe and beacon at minimum.
