Aspen + The Roaring Fork Valley

Home to four highly coveted ski resorts—Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass—the Roaring Fork Valley is known for its timeless Colorado resort vibe and status as a year-round affluent vacation destination.

Visitors from around the world travel to this luxury mountain sanctuary for its high-end restaurants and boutiques, famous ski resorts, cultural offerings, legendary nightlife and bottomless outdoor adventures. Summer months usher in wildflower and waterfall hikes, mountain biking, classical music concerts, theater in the park and posh food and wine festivals. Winter months provide equal amounts of adventure. Whether you choose to hike and ski Highlands Bowl, catch a few lunch laps on Aspen Mountain or cross-country ski to Pine Creek Cookhouse, there is something in store for everyone.

Aspen’s spectacular summits, challenging vertical terrain and glitzy après-ski scene draws the celebrity crowd, while families love the accessible slopes and slower pace of Buttermilk and Snowmass. From the iconic and pristine wine-colored peaks of Maroon Bells to breathtaking Independence Pass, the surrounding White River National Forest and Elk Mountain Range are ideal for getting away from it all.

Pitkin County boasts its own small airport and sits just three hours from Denver International Airport. Local communities include Aspen, Buttermilk, Snowmass, Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, each delivering its own slice of rustic mountain town sophistication. Sitting close to 8,000 feet, the Roaring Fork Valley is an idyllic place to celebrate the good life.

Elevation: 7,908 feet
Population: 6,879 (all of Aspen)

Aspen’s downtown core is comprised of a lively restaurant row, the esteemed Aspen Art Museum, grand historic Wheeler Opera House and Gondola Plaza where it’s just a quick ride to legendary ski slopes and summer hiking trails.

This is where the full Aspen luxury experience unfolds. World-class shopping, restaurants, parks and powder skiing are all within walking distance. Catch live national music and comedy acts, attend holiday parades and festivals and live the luxe Aspen life swathed in upscale convenience.

A thriving locally owned business community, dog-friendly patios, a lively summer farmers market and the best of the valley’s après and nightlife await. The core neighborhood is built around posh penthouses and condos, single-family homes and townhomes in modern and historic architectural layouts.

Enjoy the small-town feel with all of the modern metropolitan amenities and perks. Cobblestone streets are home to iconic Aspen dining establishments and designer fashions from Prada to Chanel. Read the paper and chat up locals at a bakery and then cherish a date night over gourmet Italian cuisine. View famous works of art and attend a film festival. When the deepest snow falls, walk a few short blocks to the Silver Queen Gondola and relish powdery first tracks across quad-blasting groomers and steep tree runs.

Surrounding Neighborhoods
West End
East Aspen

Public Schools
Aspen Elementary School
Aspen Middle School
Aspen High School

Defining Qualities
Luxury dining and shopping. Rich cultural traditions that include classical music, jazz, visual arts, ballet and theater. Charming walkable downtown and swift ski resort access.

Elevation: 7,908 feet
Population: 6,879 (all of Aspen)

Aspen’s West End welcomes families with an upscale community feel and endless access to outdoor excursions. Skirting the edge of downtown and spanning the northern stretch of Main Street, the historic West End features quick access to downtown’s boutiques, nightlife and cultural offerings and equally simplified entrance to four world-renowned ski resorts.

Old-world appeal mixes with modern day comforts in enchanting miners’ homes, elegantly preserved 1800s Victorians and newly constructed contemporary single-family homes spread across the harmonious lush neighborhood. Drink in vistas of Aspen Mountain and the Hunter Creek Valley and hop on the Rio Grande Trail, a 42-mile path connecting Aspen and Glenwood Springs.

When you’re craving global indulgences, some of the state’s top culinary masters are just blocks away serving up sushi, locally ranched steaks, artisanal wines and Colorado-grown cheese and charcuterie boards. Popular Aspen hangouts and local boutiques keep the exclusive western tone going strong.

Aspen public schools, an award-winning 18-hole golf course and the walk, bike, run dog-friendly Cemetery Lane Trail are all steps away. Summer concerts at the Benedict Music Tent, year-round hiking and close proximity to river rafting and fishing add to the West End’s high quality of life.

Surrounding Neighbroods
East Aspen
Aspen Core

Public Schools
Aspen Elementary School
Aspen Middle School
Aspen High School

Defining Qualities
Famous Main Street restaurants, family hiking and biking trails, fishing creeks and rafting rivers, friendly neighbors.

Elevation: 8,209 feet
Population: 2,903

Family-focused Snowmass Village is laid back and stocked with year-round outdoor activities. Bike paths, cross-country ski trails and panoramic vistas dominate the valley, while the ski resort draws snow sports fans from around the globe.

Ski-in/ski-out lodges and immaculate condos are abundant in the village while luxurious mountain-mod single-family homes share the surrounding landscape. Neighborhood vibes are energetic, athletic and mountain oriented. Snowmass is the largest of the county’s four mountains, offering up challenging steeps and bumps, powdery glades and manicured groomers.

The cozy resort community is built into the mountainside with stunning views of Mount Daly beaming from town center. On-mountain and village restaurants include organic family options, elevated Italian and French cuisines and loads more. Tubing, s’mores, snowcat dinners, an alpine roller coaster, free kids activities, fireworks and a full event calendar make Snowmass a popular all-ages destination.

Find most of the action at The Collective at Snowmass Base Village where families and friends gather for craft cocktails, ice skating, shopping, live music, comedy and art workshops. In the summertime, explore the valley’s mountain biking terrain, sit by the pool at the Snowmass Club and play 18 holes at the Snowmass golf course.

Surrounding Neighboroods

Woody Creek
Aspen Highlands

Public Schools
Aspen Elementary School
Aspen Middle School
Aspen High School

Defining Qualities
Family-focused amenities, gourmet restaurants, gear shops, festivals and live music, Snowmass Village Recreation Center, world-class ski resort.

Old Snowmass

Elevation: 6,847

Population: 527

Old Snowmass Neighborhood Highlights

Cloaked in thick aspen and pine trees and speckled with rustic ranches, Old Snowmass is a rural ranching community perfect for those who appreciate wide-open mountain adventures and easy solitude. Generous land parcels and expansive 360 mountain views characterize this landscape set just 11 miles northwest of Aspen.

Disconnect among the peaceful quiet and gaze out over rolling hills and grazing horses, deer and elk. Working ranches fill the area and it’s not uncommon to see neighbors on horseback or ATVs. Follow dirt roads to secluded hikes, explore Thomas Lakes and the East Snowmass trailhead and fish the babbling creeks.

High-demand homes tend to be isolated and spread out, spanning modern mountain residences and luxurious farms and ranches with vast acreage and postcard backdrops of Capitol Peak.

Rural easygoing living and the outdoor-loving lifestyle is king here. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing is popular in the winter and backcountry biking and trail running are on tap in warmer months. Eclectic shopping, ski rental and grocery services and gourmet restaurants are close by in Basalt and Snowmass Village and it’s just a short drive to one of the world-renowned Aspen Snowmass ski resorts.

Lifestyle Highlights:

Neighborhood Boundaries

Land outside of and surrounding Snowmass Village

Surrounding Hoods

Snowmass Village

Basalt

Woody Creek

Public Schools

Aspen Elementary School

Aspen Middle School

Aspen High School

Defining Qualities

Rustic old west charm, expansive ranches and vast land parcels, quiet solitude, horses and wildlife, backcountry trails.

Glenwood Springs

Elevation: 5,761 feet

Population: 9,915

Glenwood Springs Neighborhood Highlights

Glenwood Springs sits along I-70 at the energetic crux of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers with abundant natural healing hot springs and instant access to outdoor recreation. Just 40 miles from four world-class Aspen Snowmass ski resorts and a stone’s throw to Sunlight Mountain Resort, Glenwood Springs is a diverse four-season community known for its laid-back family-friendly feel.

Home to the world’s largest hot springs pool, wellness seekers flock here. Soak, swim, relax, raft the rivers, trek up to famous Hanging Lake or take a bike ride along the paved path that meanders through the stunning red rock canyon.

Residences run the full town and mountain gamut, with ample single-family detached homes, large apartments, lofts and townhomes. Modern multi-story developments, beautifully restored Victorians and lots of sizable acreage with incredible views of Mt. Sopris round out the landscape.

Expect peaceful Colorado mountain living and a historic downtown with plenty of locally owned boutiques and galleries, award-winning breweries, nightly live music and eclectic restaurants. Green accolade: In 2019, Glenwood became the seventh city in the U.S. to be powered entirely by renewable energy.

Lifestyle Highlights:

Neighborhood Boundaries

City of Glenwood Springs

Surrounding Hoods

Carbondale

Basalt

Public Schools

Glenwood Springs Elementary School

Sopris Elementary School

Riverview PreK-8

Glenwood Springs Middle School

Glenwood Springs High School

Defining Qualities

Easy access to I-70, natural hot springs, lively restaurants and breweries, adventures on the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers.

Buttermilk

Elevation: 7,870 feet

Population: N/A (dependent upon ski resort seasonal homeowners/visitation)

Buttermilk Highlights

A sprinkling of world-class luxury estates and exquisite mountain mansions rest along the Tiehack area of Buttermilk and West Buttermilk’s Eagle Pines neighborhood. This exclusive address is known for its impeccable location. Residents enjoy direct access to Buttermilk’s pristine ski slopes, the scenic Owl Creek Nordic Ski Trail and the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport just across the highway.

The semi-private Maroon Creek Club—a beloved local golf, tennis and social club—is next door while the Aspen Golf Club and Aspen Tennis Club reside down the street with a few residences dotting the landscape. Steps away, the Buttermilk Ski Area maintains a come-as-you-are vibe with tons of dedicated beginner and intermediate terrain. Many local and visiting kids got their start on the playful family-friendly green runs. Buttermilk is a longtime stage for snowsport athletes and hosts the world’s best in the annual X Games. Uphill skiers and hikers love the Tiehack terrain on the east side of Buttermilk and slopestyle and halfpipe hopefuls clamor for Buttermilk’s acclaimed terrain park.

Buttermilk sits less than ten minutes from downtown Aspen’s premier boutique shopping, global restaurants and lively arts and après scenes.

Lifestyle Highlights:

Neighborhood Boundaries

Buttermilk Ski Resort, Eagle Pines neighborhood

Surrounding Hoods

Snowmass Village
Aspen Highlands
West End

Public Schools

Aspen Elementary School
Aspen Middle School
Aspen High School

Defining Qualities

Luxury niche high-end living, exquisite mountain estates, ski-in/ski-out access, world-class family-friendly Buttermilk Ski Resort.

Elevation: 7,908 feet
Population: 6,879 (all of Aspen)

Get closer to nature in this bucolic neighborhood tucked among pristine peaks and mountain trails. East Aspen is where old meets new, where rustic mingles with laid back, and where neighbors maintain elaborate gardens and leisurely stroll quiet streets. East Aspen housing spans mod condominium complexes, chic apartments, chateaus and single-family homes with spacious backyards.

A short bike ride or drive from downtown Aspen’s buzzing shops and restaurants, East Aspen gives the best of country and city living. Explore the Roaring Fork River as it flows through the neighborhood, traverse Smuggler Mountain and all its trails or take a quick jaunt up Independence Pass. Treat the dog and kids to Herron Park or dive into the area’s western roots at a local rodeo or concert. This community is focused on mind, body and spirit and pairs perfectly with Aspen’s almost 300 days of sunshine each year.

Take in the neighborhood’s serenity along the East of Aspen trail and soak in Aspen’s vibrant, athletic and unique culture. Adventures cloaked in sublime mountain views unfold around every corner. Cross-country ski trails and bike paths stretch in all directions. And when winter rolls around, top-rated Aspen Mountain awaits in the center of town.

Surrounding Neighborhoods
West End
Aspen Core

Public Schools
Aspen Elementary School
Aspen Middle School
Aspen High School

Defining Qualities
Walkable tree-lined streets, the Roaring Fork River; quick access to Independence Pass, downtown and Aspen Mountain.

Aspen Highlands

Elevation: 8,040 feet

Population: 6,879 (all of Aspen)

Aspen Highlands Neighborhood Highlights

Just five minutes from downtown Aspen and steps from legendary Aspen Highlands ski resort terrain, this exclusive resort base area is home to expansive mountain residences, townhomes and highly desired ski-in ski-out lodge condominiums.

Stroll the Aspen Highlands Village pedestrian mall, take advantage of plush skier facilities and amenities and relish in one of North America’s premier ski mountains. Aspen Highlands is known as the local’s mountain for its meticulously groomed cruisers and challenging big-mountain expert terrain. Hiking to the 12,392-foot Highland Bowl summit is a skier’s rite of passage as is après at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, while days off the mountain are spent cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking and exploring miles and miles of surrounding trails.

The Highlands area offers remarkable views of Tiehack Cliffs and the Roaring Fork Valley, along with breathtaking Maroon Bells vistas. The Aspen Recreation Center and Aspen public schools are within walking distance and some homes feature access to amenities at the Ritz-Carlton Club.

Lifestyle Highlights:

Neighborhood Boundaries

Aspen Highlands base area village and surrounding area

Surrounding Hoods

West End

Aspen Core

Buttermilk

Public Schools

Aspen Elementary School

Aspen Middle School

Aspen High School

Defining Qualities

Ski-in/ski-out luxury properties, proximity to Highland Bowl, free skier shuttle service to Aspen, European village setting at the base of a premier ski mountain.

Basalt

Elevation: 6,611

Population: 4,154

Basalt Neighborhood Highlights

Small town charisma and active living are the draw of this growing mid-valley community. Basalt is home to a historic, artsy downtown lovingly called Old Town where two Gold Medal fishing rivers—the Frying Pan and the Roaring Fork—converge and fly-fishing enthusiasts cast for trout year round.

Approximately 18 miles northwest of Aspen, Basalt spans both Pitkin and Eagle counties and unfolds into popular smaller neighborhoods that include Lazy Glen, Holland Hills, Sopris Village, Dakota Ridge and more. The nearby urban development Willits attracts new mountain residents with commercial amenities and modern lofts.

Colorful Victorian buildings house downtown’s shops, art galleries and restaurants. Farmers markets showcase the region’s finest produce and handmade wares. River access is easy to find, the whitewater park is a kayaking mecca and Ruedi Reservoir is close by for motor boating. Some of the Roaring Fork Valley’s best mountain biking and hiking lies minutes from town in the White River National Forest.

Elaborate estates, luxurious mountain homes, modern and historic single-family residences and a variety of townhomes and condos make up this swiftly growing, highly livable community.

Lifestyle Highlights:

Neighborhood Boundaries

Town of Basalt and surrounding neighborhoods and subdivisions

Surrounding Hoods

Carbondale

Woody Creek

Old Snowmass

Public Schools

Basalt Elementary School

Basalt Middle School

Basalt High School

Defining Qualities

Historical and artful downtown, charming period homes, bountiful river recreation, farmers markets, a strong sense of community.

Carbondale

Elevation: 6,171

Population: 6,898

Carbondale Neighborhood Highlights

A quick 30 miles from Aspen and resting at the foot of majestic Mt. Sopris, Carbondale is a hub for creative minds and outdoor enthusiasts. The Certified Colorado Creative District is known for its quirky cultural personality, funky shops and talented chefs. Contemporary exhibits at the Powers Art Center keep inspiration fresh and art lovers excited.

Carbondale enjoys mild winters and comfortable summers due to its slightly lower elevation, serving up four seasons of biking, hiking, kayaking and world-class fly-fishing on the Roaring Fork and Crystal rivers. Winter is cherished for cross-country skiing at Spring Gulch, hot springs soaking and easy day trips to Sunlight Mountain and Aspen Snowmass ski resorts. Summertime brings popular artisan fairs and farmers markets filled with passionate makers and musicians.

The Carbondale vibe is down to earth and the neighbors are friendly and welcoming in this close-knit community. Housing includes newly built condos and townhomes, grand single-family estates overlooking the golf course and the Crystal Valley, expansive ready-to-build acreage and modern farmhouse living with a nod to the town’s mining and ranching roots.

Lifestyle Highlights:

Neighborhood Boundaries

Town of Carbondale

Surrounding Hoods

Basalt

Glenwood Springs

Public Schools

Crystal River Elementary School

Carbondale Community K-8

Carbondale Middle School

Roaring Fork High School

Bridges High School

Defining Qualities

Lively art, music and cultural scene, top Colorado adventure town, pioneering spirit, strong sense of community.

Elevation: 7,346 feet
Population: 263

 A few miles northwest of Aspen, secluded Woody Creek rests along the Roaring Fork River in a nontraditional neighborhood setting. Residents savor riverfront property, isolated woodland estates, private living and serene mountain escapes. Outdoor enthusiasts appreciate easy access to fly fishing, hiking, biking and Snowmass Ski Resort.

Cycle to town on the Rio Grande Trail, explore nearby peaks, go horseback riding and take in crystal clear starry nights. Settle into the small town feel among Woody Creek’s single post office, firehouse, community center and famed tavern.

A Woody Creek subarea, desirable McLain Flats is a 10-minute drive from downtown Aspen and a stone’s throw from the Aspen airport. Delve into the rustic ranch lifestyle and put down roots among the magnificent Elk Mountains. Known for its relaxed blend of community and privacy, residents love the growing neighborhood’s proximity to nature. Slip seamlessly onto the slopes on powder days—Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands ski resorts are minutes away.

Generous windows opening out to surrounding mountains and ranchland are common in luxurious McLain Flats homes. Green lawns and gardens wrap around spacious estates and grazing horses fleck the landscape. Deer and elk roam freely and rural charm flourishes among the area’s rich western roots.

Surrounding Neighborhoods

Old Snowmass
Snowmass Village

Public Schools
Aspen Elementary School
Aspen Middle School
Aspen High School

Defining Qualities
Large estates, charming rustic ranchland, relaxing riverfront property. Privacy, seclusion, wildlife, access to trails and ski resorts.