Aspen Highlands
Known for the Highland Bowl, which can only be reached by hiking, a steep backcountry snowfield prized by expert skiers.
Aspen Highlands lies about 3 km southwest of town at the mouth of the Maroon Creek valley and is famous for the Highland Bowl. From the top station of the lift, skiers hike for roughly 45 to 60 minutes along the ridge to a summit at about 3,777 m, then ski down the bowl-shaped snowfield, which is steep at around 45 degrees. It is a pilgrimage route for North America's top skiers. The summit, Loge Peak, offers a distant view of the Maroon Bells. There are plenty of intermediate runs, but the mountain is generally difficult, so beginners will do better at Buttermilk. In summer, the Maroon Bells shuttle also departs from this parking area.
Opening hours
Ski season, approx. 09:00–15:30
Nearby sights
- Buttermilk
- Aspen Music Festival (Music Tent)
- Downtown Aspen
- Wheeler Opera House
- Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (Hallam Lake)
- Aspen Mountain (Ajax) & Silver Queen Gondola
- Aspen Art Museum
- John Denver Sanctuary