How to Ski Snowmass Mountain
Snowmass Ski Guide: How to Ski One Of Colorado’s Largest Ski Mountain
Why Ski Snowmass?
Snowmass is one of the largest ski areas in the United States—over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, a vertical drop of 4,406 feet, and a staggering variety of runs from beginner cruisers to double-black steeps. With wide-open groomers, playful glades, high-alpine bowls, and hike-to stashes, Snowmass has something for everyone—families, first-timers, and hard-charging experts alike.
The mountain has seen big upgrades in recent seasons, including the Elk Camp Gondola & Lodge, a revamped Sam’s Knob restaurant, a reconfigured lift network out of the base area, the return of the Skittles gondola connecting Base Village to the Mall, and now a brand-new Ullrhof restaurant coming online.
Getting Around Snowmass
Snowmass’ size makes planning essential. Runs often funnel into different lifts, so knowing your zones helps you spend more time skiing and less time traversing.
Key Base Access Points:
Village Express – The main high-speed quad from the Mall, now part of a smoother lift layout out of the base.
Elk Camp Gondola – Direct access to Elk Camp Lodge, beginner terrain, and family-friendly groomers.
Skittles Gondola – Short connection between Base Village and the Mall for easy mid-day transitions.
How to Ski Snowmass: Zone-by-Zone Guide
Elk Camp & Family Terrain
Start your day here if you’re skiing with a group of mixed abilities or warming up.
Rolling blue runs and gentle glades make this a great zone for building confidence.
Fun Pick: Sandy Park for smooth, flowing turns; Turkey Trot for a short, playful tree detour.
Elk Camp Lodge offers a modern, spacious spot for coffee or lunch with mountain views.
Big Burn
Sunny, expansive, and ideal for high-speed carving.
Sneaky’s – A long, consistent groomer perfect for dialing in technique.
Powerline Glades – Lower-angle trees for those learning to ski in the woods.
Both return to the same lift, so mixed groups can ski their preferred terrain and regroup easily.
Sam’s Knob & Sam’s Restaurant
Steeper groomers and bump runs with quick laps back to the top.
The new Sam’s restaurant features a modern Italian menu and big panoramic windows—great for a mid-day pause.
High Alpine & The Cirque
High Alpine Lift – Mogul classics like Powderhorn and Naked Lady.
The Cirque – Take the Cirque Poma to Snowmass’ highest point for above-treeline skiing. Choose glades to skier’s right for tight tree work or the gully skier’s left for playful, natural half-pipe turns.
Snow here stays fresh for days after a storm.
Hike-to: The Wall & Beyond
From the top of High Alpine, hike to The Wall for steeper, untracked terrain.
Strawberry Patch offers a wide bowl with a moderate pitch; other lines drop into rolling glades with powder pockets.
Cliff drops exist—scout first.
Burnt Mountain & Longshot
A short hike from Elk Camp gives you access to Longshot, one of Colorado’s longest runs at over 5 miles.
Feels like backcountry without leaving the resort. Tree-lined and quiet, with minimal cross traffic.
Once at the bottom, take the shuttle from Two Creeks or lap back to Elk Camp.
On-Mountain Dining
Elk Camp Lodge – Casual dining, coffee bar, and sunny decks.
Sam’s – Italian-inspired lunch with floor-to-ceiling views.
Gwyn’s High Alpine – A Snowmass institution offering both cafeteria-style and full-service dining.
New Ullrhof (coming soon) – Expected to bring a fresh dining option to the mid-mountain experience.
Snowmass Ski Strategy
Powder Days – Start high (The Cirque or High Alpine), then work your way toward Burnt Mountain for untracked lines.
Sunny Days – Follow the sun: Elk Camp in the morning, Big Burn mid-day, Sam’s Knob in the afternoon.
Families – Stick to Elk Camp and Big Burn for the most forgiving terrain and easiest regrouping.
Ski Snowmass with the Right Gear
With so much variety, the right skis make a difference. Miller Sports offers:
Premium Aspen ski rentals from Kästle, Völkl, and more.
Free overnight storage across from the Aspen Gondola.
Expert fitting to match your skis and boots to the zones you plan to ski.
Pro Tip: Reserve gear ahead of time to skip morning lines and get first tracks.
