Aspen

Aspen

Aspen, USA

USA

Aspen

The gold standard of American skiing. Four distinct mountains offering everything from the steep glade runs of Highlands to the manicured cruisers of Ajax, set against a silver-mining town turned cultural powerhouse.

Best for

Lift-served skiing · On-piste days · Mountain dining

  • Lift-servedProfile
  • Silver-Mining GlamourTerrain
  • 2,405 – 3,417mAltitude
  • 2,405m - 3,417mElevation
  • 07:08Sunrise
  • 18:40Sunset

Your daily mountain briefing

Today's Compass

Expect clear skies and a mild start with morning temperatures climbing to 19.6°C. The early window offers the calmest air before the winds pick up later in the day.

Recently checked

07 Oct · 03:00 local

Winds are light at 9.4 kph before noon.

Plan the Day

Sequence your activity for the morning to enjoy the clear weather and light winds. By mid-afternoon, cloud cover increases and winds gust to 36.4 kph, suggesting a move toward sheltered valley locations.

Lunch Worth Booking

Secure a table at Ajax Tavern to take advantage of the clear midday conditions before the afternoon cloud cover arrives. Midday temperatures will reach 23.2°C, making for a comfortable outdoor meal.

Après Note

The village rhythm shifts toward evening as clouds move in and temperatures settle near 19.7°C. Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro is the choice for a late afternoon stop as the daylight fades.

Layering Note

A lightweight windbreaker is essential for the afternoon gusts, paired with a transition-weight chino for a day in town. Conditions will be warm with a high of 23.4°C, requiring breathable layers for the midday sun.

Local Caution

Be aware of a significant increase in wind by the afternoon, with speeds reaching 36.4 kph. Mountain operations are currently in an off-season transition phase.

Showing Plan the Day.

Selected for today's conditions

Aspen — 3 pieces

Bundle

Shop for
Your sizesAdd your sizes so we only highlight what fits you.
  • KitThe Mountain Studio Z-4 L Alp 3 Light Shell Jacket in Black Onyx, flat front
    01 · shell

    Z-4 L

    Shell jackets

    Waterproof, windproof shell engineered for exposed weather.

    Choose size
  • KitThe Mountain Studio M-9 Pertex Insulated Midlayer in Sky Captain, on model front, styled with ski pants
    02 · mid

    M-9

    Mid layers

    Midlayer for active days.

    Choose size
  • KitThe Mountain Studio J-14 Cotton Tech Pants in Brindle, on model front, styled with polo shirt
    03 · bottoms

    J-14

    Pants

    Bottom layer built for mountain days on foot.

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Conditions snapshot

Winter reopens 26 Nov

  • 21°CIn the Village
  • 14°COn the Mountain
  • 23° / 9°Today
  • NoneRain Today
  • 10 km/hWind
  • 4550 mFreezing Level

Local time 12:02

  • Snowpack and avalanche ratings resume when the winter service restarts.

Outlook · next 14 days

Recently checked

A compact Aspen outlook from a recently checked forecast. Confirm conditions with official local sources before setting the day.

  • 10/0723°9°Overcast
  • 10/0822°11°Overcast
  • 10/0920°8°Rain
  • 10/1016°8°Rain
  • 10/1117°7°Rain
  • 10/1218°9°Rain
  • 10/1318°8°Rain
  • 10/1410°4°Rain
  • 10/1510°3°Rain
  • 10/1613°2°Overcast
  • 10/1713°5°Rain
  • 10/187°-1°Rain
  • 10/1911°-2°Overcast
  • 10/2013°2°Overcast
Trip planning

When to go

When to go to Aspen

Peak winter is the fullest lift programme and the most reliable snow window. Spring brings softer afternoons and longer lunches; summer shifts the rhythm toward hiking, biking and high viewpoints.

On the mountain

Live conditions & terrain

Partial mountain readingsSource checked 07 Oct, 18:00 UTC

Lifts & slopes

0/19
Lifts Operating
0/439
Pistes Open

Of what the operator is running today

38 lifts across the resort · 439 pistes across the resort

  • SnowmassLift access unconfirmed
  • Aspen MountainNo lifts operating
  • Aspen HighlandsNo lifts operating

Webcams

1 cameras

1 live viewers available

Multiple views — Summit & Base across all four mountains

Avalanche

Aspen Zone

No current rating

Official bulletin is not publishing a current graded rating at this time.

Official bulletin

Winter reopens 26 Nov

A considered route through the day

Plan the day

Expertly curated for Aspen

Destination support

Stay

A short list for Aspen

The Little Nell in Aspen

Compass Pick

The Little Nell

Quiet Luxury

Five-star ski-in/ski-out icon at the base of Aspen Mountain with legendary service.

View details

More from the shortlist

Authorised The Mountain Studio retailers near Aspen — for fittings, repairs and on-the-ground advice from people who ski the mountain every day.

Field Book

Notes from the field — deeper reading on Aspen

All Field Book stories

Field Notes

Eight short dispatches from the margins of mountain culture.

Read the story

Before you head out

Safety note

Mountain conditions in Aspen change quickly. Use official local forecasts, resort guidance, avalanche bulletins where relevant and qualified in-person judgement. The Compass briefing is not live safety advice and does not replace official sources.