Aspen Highlands is known for its “maverick”, innovative and unique past, and of course the famous Highlands Closing Day party. It is a local’s favorite that boasts sweeping views of the glorious Maroon Bells. It is also home of the famed Highland Bowl, expert only terrain, accessed by an uphill slog in your ski or snowboard boots. You will have truly earned your turns when you click back into your bindings and enjoy some of the best in-bounds skiing in Colorado.
Aspen Highlands
Eat & Drink
On mountain restaurants include the Merry-Go-Round, located mid-mountain, and Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, an alpine, European-style cabin (reservations recommended). At the base, Highlands Alehouse is a great spot to revel in your accomplishments of the day.
Historical Highlights
Courtesy Aspen Historical Society
- Aspen Highlands mountain opened in 1958 and was independently owned by Whipple Van Ness “Whip” Jones. The mountain opened with a rope tow, t-bar lift, and both the Thunderbowl and Exhibition lifts.
- Cloud Nine lift and restaurant were opened in 1962.
- Snowboarding first occurred on Aspen Highlands in 1983.
- In 1993 Whip Jones donated the resort to his Alma Mater, Harvard University. The university later sold the land, and eventually, the mountain was folded into part of the Aspen Skiing Company’s Aspen ski resort portfolio.
- Highland Bowl opened in 2002.
In the Know
- Ambassadors lead free tours every day on Highlands at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Meet at the Guest Services Cabin next to the Merry Go Round restaurant located mid-mountain.
- History Tours are available on Mondays at 11 AM and meet at the Guest Services Cabin next to the Merry Go Round restaurant located at mid-mountain. In conjunction with Aspen Historical Society.
- Aspen Highlands Uphill Policy maintains that skiers need to be past the Merry-Go-Round restaurant by 8:30 AM in order to continue up the route to the top of the mountain, Lodge. Aspen Snowmass requires an Uphill Pass for on-resort uphill access, for details and how to purchase learn more here.
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