Arriving at The Ritz-Carlton Club®, Aspen Highlands is a homecoming in the most pleasurable sense of the word. No matter how long you have been away, you will find everything ready for your stay.

Dedicated Concierge

Our Concierge Staff will arrange everything for your arrival and will remain at your service throughout your visit. At your request, transportation will meet you at the airport, and you will find your favorite foods and beverages stocked and chilled for your arrival. Your Concierge will also assist with travel preparations and coordinate other activities. In addition to the following services, your Concierge will gladly provide for any requests you may have.

Twice-Daily Housekeeping

We offer service as discreet and meticulous as your own household staff, from pre-warming your bathroom floors to nightly turndown.

Ground Transportation

Enjoy complimentary airport transportation service to The Ritz-Carlton Club®, Aspen Highlands. In addition, your Concierge can arrange airport pick-up for family members or friends.

Spa and Fitness Center

The Ritz-Carlton Health Club offers individual health and fitness programs, massages, body treatments and more. The Club's fitness center features state-of the-art equipment and the Spa offers a menu of signature spa services.

Private Chef Upon Request

The Concierge can arrange for a private Chef to prepare an intimate meal or impromptu dinner party in your Residence. From private service in your Residence to supplying the ingredients and recipes for your own culinary adventure, we will make all of the arrangements. Just ask your Concierge for more information.

Ritz Kids Center

Designed especially for children between four and nine years old. Our counselors' creativity and enthusiasm will ensure fun throughout the week. Activities include educational activities, arts and crafts, and more.

Aspen Quarterly Life Newsletter 2019

Four amazing mountains and epic powder as far as the eyes can see. That is Aspen, and as a Member, you will be best positioned to experience it all.

Lift Tickets

One lift ticket is good for Aspen, Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass mountains. You may purchase your tickets at the ticket offices at each mountain, and we would be happy to pre-purchase them for you.

Aspen Mountain

From steep-bump runs to groomed, intermediate-cruising runs, moguls and double fall-line trails, skiers face intense terrain at Aspen—the area’s 675-acre flagship mountain and haven for intermediate and advanced skiers. With an annual snowfall of 300 inches, 76 trails, eight ski lifts and an array of on-mountain dining establishments, Aspen Mountain has a base elevation of 7,945 feet, a summit elevation of 11,212 feet and a vertical rise of 3,267 feet. It is located three miles from Aspen Highlands Village.

Aspen Highlands

Your “home mountain” and local’s favorite mountain, this 675-acre mountain is the perfect place for intermediate to advanced skiers. With an annual snowfall of 300 inches, 122 trails and five ski lifts, Aspen Highlands Mountain is located within the White River National Forest, three miles from downtown Aspen. The mountain has a base elevation of 8,040 feet, a summit elevation of 11,675 feet and a vertical rise of 3,635 feet.

Buttermilk/Tiehack

Hailed as “One of the best learning/teaching mountains in the world,” this 470-acre mountain caters to beginners; however, it also has some good intermediate spots. With an average snowfall of 200 inches, 44 trails, eight ski lifts and two on-mountain dining establishments, Buttermilk is located one mile from Aspen Highlands Village. The mountain’s base elevation is 7,870 feet; summit elevation, 9,900 feet and vertical rise, 2,030 feet.

Snowmass

The largest and steepest of the four mountains, this 3,332-acre mountain stands nobly on the threshold of a village. The playground of beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers, Snowmass has an annual snowfall of 300 inches, 94 trails and more than 20 ski lifts. Comprised of four mini mountains, Snowmass is located seven miles from Aspen Highlands Village. The mountain’s vertical rise is 4,406 feet, base elevation, 8,104 feet and top elevation, 12,510 feet.

Cross-country Skiing

As an integral part of the winter experience in Aspen and Snowmass, enjoy Nordic (cross-country) skiing along a number of cross-country routes, including an 90 km network of groomed trails—the most extensive, free cross-country trail system in the United States.

Powder Tours

Enjoy a day in over 1,500 acres of backcountry powder with a small group and a snowcat. Powder skis recommended. Enjoy groomed track skiing through beautiful meadows and valleys. Instruction and rentals are located at the Aspen Cross Country Center, the Snowmass Lodge and Club, and the Ashcroft Ski Touring area.

Ice Skating

An Ice Rink is located on Durant Street in the heart of Downtown Aspen offering outdoor public skating daily. The Aspen Ice Garden, located in the West End of town, offers limited indoor public skating as well as skating lessons. There are public skating hours on most days at the Aspen Recreation Center as well.

Sleigh Rides

Enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride in the beautiful Castle Creek valley to the rustic Pinecreek Cookhouse for a special lunch or dinner. Or take a ride with Aspen carriage tours for a sunset trip along the Ute Avenue.

Snowboarding

You can snowboard on all four of Aspen’s mountains.

Snowmobiling

Enjoy the excitement and beauty of a snowmobile tour to the Maroon Bells or to the Ghost town of Independence. Other tours head up into the mountains near Lenado behind Woody Creek.

Snowshoeing

Whether exercise or scenery suits your fancy, private snowshoe guides can introduce you to the beautiful surroundings of Aspen. Or, try an all-day expedition or a two-hour snowshoe walk guided by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies on top of Aspen or Snowmass Mountains.

Bicycling

If you want to venture out on your own, bike rentals are available at Four Mountain Sports. Or, enjoy a guided tour to Ashcroft, the Maroon Bells, or even try some trail riding. Contact the Club Concierge for more information.

Fly Fishing

Discover the valley’s gold medal trout waters on the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers. Half- and full-day trips are available, as well as pond fishing trips for children and beginners. Please contact the Club Concierge for reservations.

Aspen Golf Club

Located 5 minutes from the Club, the Aspen Municipal Course offers a great place to enjoy a day of golf.

River Valley Ranch Golf Course

Located 45 minutes from the Club, River Valley Ranch offers a scenic and challenging course with views of Mt. Sopris. With a lower elevation than the Aspen Golf Course, it offers a warmer climate and a longer playing season.

Hiking

Hikers of all abilities enjoy Aspen’s abundant trails, from a leisurely hike along the Rio Grande trail to an energetic hike to American or Cathedral Lake. Choose between a guided or self-guided hike along winding rivers, through meadows of wildflowers and groves of Aspen trees.

American Lake

Drive up the Castle Creek Road to the trailhead about 11 miles up, across from the Elk Mountain Lodge. Parking is available.
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Difficult/steep

Cathedral Lake

Drive up Castle Creek Road to access road about 12 miles up on the right. The Trailhead is about ½ mile up the access road on the right. Parking is available.
Distance: 6.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Crater Lake

Take RFTA shuttle to the Maroon Lake parking area, hike to the north end of the Maroon Lake, and look for the trail signs to Crater Lake.
Distance: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: moderate

Difficult Creek Trail

Drive 4 miles east on Highway 82 up Independence Pass. Turn right into Difficult Campground. Travel .6 miles and park into the picnic area on the right. The trailhead is in the left corner of the lot.
Distance: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Independence Ghost Town

Drive east Highway 82 up Independence Pass approximately 16 miles. The parking area is off the left (south) side of the road at the 16-mile maker.
Distance: Approximately 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy

Smuggler

From Main Street, head north on Mill Street. Bear right onto Gibson Avenue.
Distance: Approximately 1 mile / 30-45 minutes up
Difficulty: Moderate

Sunnyside Trail

After the round-a-bout going into Aspen, turn left onto Cemetery Lane at the traffic light. Drive 1.5 miles, crossing Slaughterhouse Bridge over the Roaring Fork River. The street’s name changes to McLain Flats Road before reaching a parking area on the left. A large wooden sign designates the trailhead right of the road.
Distance: 3.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate

The Grottos

Follow Highway 82 east up Independence Pass about 9.3 miles. Exactly 0.9 miles beyond the Weller Campground sign, make a sharp right onto a gravel road (this road is not marked) parking is available.
Distance: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Easy

The Hunter Creek Trail

From Main Street, head north on Mill Street and bear left to Red Mountain Road. Continue up the road, bearing right until you reach a sharp switch back on Lone Pine Road. You will see the Hunter Creek trail head on the left.
Distance: 4.2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy

The Rio Grande Trail

From Main Street, head north on Mill Street, and take second left onto Puppy Smith Road. The trailhead will be on the right hand side of the road. This gentle paved trail through the woods follows the Roaring Fork River to the Slaughterhouse Bridge. From there, a dirt path opens up for panoramic views of surrounding peaks and leads to the Woody Creek Tavern.
Distance: 4.2. miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy

The Ute Trail

From Main Street, go to the very end until Main Street curves, at the four way stop sign go straight until you reach Ute Avenue and then turn left. The trailhead is on the right before the Aspen Club.
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Difficult/steep

Horseback Riding

Enjoy an afternoon lunch ride through endless mountain trails, or ride to the famous Maroon Bells. One, two, and four-hour rides are also available in Snowmass. Riding School and pony rides are available for children. Please contact the Club Concierge for reservations.

River Rafting

From float trips to Class V rapids, a variety of thrilling white-water trips are offered, including half and full day trips on the Colorado, Roaring Fork, and the Arkansas rivers with picnic lunch. Please contact the Club Concierge for reservations.

Tennis

Both the Aspen Tennis Club at the Municipal Golf Course and the Aspen Meadows offer clay and hard courts. There are also courts at The Aspen Club, The Gant, and the Snowmass Club. Full-time professionals offer private and group lessons and clinics as well as tournaments held throughout the year. Tennis courts are also available on a first-come, first-served basis at the nearby Aspen Recreation Center.

Massage and Salon

The Club Concierge can also assist in making any massage or salon appointments.

Mine Tours

Learn why Aspen owes its beginnings to silver mining by touring the Smuggler mine.

Ashcroft Ghost Town Tours

Experience the magic of Ashcroft’s historic ghost town. Learn about the history of the Castle Creek Valley, from the early Ute settlements to the populated mining era. It is only 10 miles south of Aspen on the Castle Creek Road and is open daily.

Independence Ghost Town Tours

Drive east Highway 82 up Independence Pass approximately 13 miles. The parking area is off the right side of the road at the 13-mile marker.

The Silver Queen Gondola

See the spectacular views from the top of Aspen Mountain, take a guided nature hike, play Frisbee golf or enjoy the Sundeck restaurant for lunch.

Aspen Recreation Center

A five-minute stroll adjacent to beautiful Maroon Creek will lead you directly to this complex, offering a host of state-of-the-art recreational amenities. From ice skating to lap swimming to wall climbing, ARC makes a visit to Aspen Highlands more fun than ever.

The shops and galleries in downtown Aspen offer an eclectic mix of art and sculpture, one-of-a-kind jewelry, Western artifacts and the season’s hottest trends. Here you can purchase a Zac Posen dress to go with your Italian leather shoes or an authentic Cowboy hat to go with your designer lingerie.

Shopping

A wide selection of retail shops and art galleries are located in the heart of downtown Aspen.

From a day at the museum to a night at the opera, Aspen is a cultural oasis for all tastes.

Movie Theaters

The local theater is the Isis Theatre, with occasional showings at The Wheeler Opera House and Harris Concert Hall.

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

ACES offers a variety of captivating nature programs for all ages.

Anderson Ranch Art Center

This nationally known arts center is located in Snowmass and features workshops for crafts and other arts.

Aspen Art Museum

Discover a year-round program of art exhibitions, lectures, and discussions.

The Aspen Music Festival

Casual and formal winter music concerts are presented from November through April at the Harris Concert Hall.

The Wheeler Opera House

Built in the height of the mining era and restored in 1984, the Wheeler Opera House hosts foreign films, lectures, and musical groups.

The Aspen Historical Society

Relive Aspen’s rich history as you stroll through the historic downtown area on a West End Walking Tour.

Events

Many festivals are offered in the summer. Contact the Club Concierge for ticket information for the Aspen Music Festival, Dance Aspen, Snowmass Rodeo, Janus Jazz Aspen, and Theatre in the Park.