When you put ski vacation and Colorado together, vivid images come to mind. You picture skiers carving down freshly groomed corduroy and snowboarders weaving through snowcapped trees. You might imagine post-ski-day hot tub soaks or dancing the night away at après. Iconic destinations come to mind, too, with two of Colorado’s most popular being Aspen Snowmass and Vail.
These ski resorts aren’t just celebrated across the state; they’ve earned recognition across the globe as two of the world’s top ski destinations — and for good reason. Both Vail and Aspen Snowmass offer expansive terrain, vibrant mountain towns and unforgettable experiences.
When it comes to choosing between the two, that’s where things can get tricky. Both mountains deliver exceptional skiing, so understanding the nuances and what sets them apart can feel overwhelming. With more than 50 years of experience in the industry, Ski.com knows exactly what makes each resort shine. Our team of Mountain Travel Experts can take your dream ski vacation and match it to the perfect resort.
Big Picture: Vail vs. Aspen
Aspen
- Aspen Snowmass, often simply referred to as Aspen, is a ski resort with more than 5,700 acres across four mountains: Aspen Mountain (also known as Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass.
- Each mountain has its own personality, with some being great for beginners and others offering a thrilling challenge for experts
- The town is famous for luxury hotels, Michelin-starred dining, and designer stores
- Aspen has a distinct charm; it was once a historic silver mining town, and many original buildings remain today
- With the town of Snowmass next door, there’s an array of accommodations, although Aspen Snowmass tends to be a bit more expensive than Vail
Vail
- Whether you’re a family or an expert skier, Vail has all 5,300 acres accessible from two interconnected resort bases
- It’s known for its legendary back bowls and Blue Sky Basin, an expansive area of backcountry-style skiing
- Vail was designed and built as a ski town with three main areas: Vail Village, Golden Peak and Lionshead
- There’s European flair around every corner, as the town was modeled after the alpine ski resorts of Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France
- Vail’s lodging is diverse, with luxury hotels, condo-style bookings, ski-in, ski-out properties and budget-friendly options
Skiing the Two Mountains
With more than 5,000 skiable acres accessible at each resort, there is something for every type of skier and snowboarder at both mountains. Depending on your group and preferred ski style, though, Vail or Aspen Snowmass might be a better fit for your ski vacation.
Aspen
- Aspen Snowmass is on the Ikon Pass, where pass holders get seven days across four mountains
- Aspen Snowmass has more skiable acres, 5,700, but the mountains are disconnected with short shuttle rides away
- For some, this is a pro with mountains being more focused for beginners or experts
- Snowmass is the resort’s largest, with 3,000 acres fit for every type of skier. Meanwhile, Aspen Mountain sits at Aspen’s base. It, along with Aspen Highlands are best suited for experts. There’s also the beginner-friendly Buttermilk Mountain close to Snowmass
- Overall, Aspen Snowmass has higher summits and more vertical feet than Vail at about 4,400 feet versus 3,450 feet
Vail
- Epic Passholders have unlimited access to Vail Mountain
- Vail is home to 5,300 connected acres suited for skiers and snowboarders of every level
- The resort is known for its seven legendary back bowls, which both intermediate and expert skiers can ride
- It’s also known for its legendary Blue Sky Basin, where skiers can feel like they’re in the backcountry with pockets of isolation
Which is Better Suited for Beginners
The good news is that both Aspen Snowmass and Vail are environments fit for beginners. Both have ski and snowboard schools, options for progressing, and kid-friendly perks.
Aspen
- Aspen offers skiing and snowboarding group lessons for adults and children, as well as private lessons
- Beginner skiers often stick to Buttermilk Mountain and Snowmass
- Snowmass is a great mountain to continue advancing with ample blue and green runs
Vail
- Vail also offers group lessons for adults and children, as well as private lessons
- With the entire mountain accessible from the same base, families and groups with varying skill levels might find Vail easier to navigate
- With intermediate back bowls, advancing skiers and snowboarders can explore new terrain and take on new challenges
Getting to the Resorts
With regional airports near both Aspen and Vail, getting to the ski resorts is a breeze. Both towns also offer free shuttles, which means car rentals are unnecessary.
Aspen
- Downtown Aspen is just a 15-minute drive from the regional Aspen/Pitkin County Airport
- The airport is served by major airlines like United, Delta, and American with direct flights from major cities like Denver, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, and Dallas
- If you’re hoping to fly into Denver and drive from there, you’ll spend longer in a car compared to Vail. Aspen is about 200 miles (four hours away without traffic)
Vail
- Skiers looking to ski at Vail and avoid traffic can fly into the Eagle County Regional Airport
- This regional airport is 36 miles (45 minutes) from Vail Village and served by major airlines like United, Delta, and American with direct flights from major cities like Denver, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, and Dallas
- Vail is also along the I-70 corridor, so flying into Denver is an easier option, with Denver’s International Airport 121 miles (2 hours) away
- Travelers can choose between renting a car, booking a shuttle, or hiring a private car from the airport to take them to Vail
Town Comparison
Both towns are celebrated for their restaurant and shopping scenes, while Aspen is known for its historic charm, Vail visitors can sometimes feel like they’ve been transported to Europe, with downtown areas designed after alpine ski villages.
Aspen
- Aspen was originally built as a mining town, so there’s historic charm spread across each street
- The town is filled with historic buildings like the Hotel Jerome and the Wheeler Opera House
- Its streets are teeming with art galleries and designer stores
- The dining scene tends to be more elevated, with Michelin-starred Bosq and other popular options like Element 47 and White House Tavern
- Overall, it tends to be less crowded than Vail, yet skiers can still discover a lively apres scene
Vail
- Visitors in Vail will also discover charm, although it can feel more manufactured than Aspen
- The town was modeled after European alpine ski villages, so there’s a focus on pedestrian-friendly streets, steep roofs with ornamental trim, and European-inspired hotels
- Since it was built with skiing in mind, the town is intuitive and easy to navigate
- Vail’s shopping and dining scene is rich. There are high-end stores and impressive bites at restaurants like Sweet Basil and Mountain Standard
- There’s a friendly, welcoming apres scene where skiers can discover affordable bites at local breweries as well
Where You'll Stay
From boutique hotels to luxury staples, both Aspen and Vail have a range of accommodations fit for romantic couples, families, and every traveler in between.
Aspen
- Known for its abundance of luxury hotels, including The St. Regis Aspen Resort, Hotel Jerome, and W Aspen
- Also known for The Little Nell, a five-star, Five-Diamond, ski-in, ski-out hotel
- Larger-style condo and vacation rentals are harder to find in Aspen, with ski-in, ski-out options being concentrated in Snowmass Village
Vail
- Home to recognizable luxury like the Grand Hyatt and Four Seasons Resort
- Vail has more variety with ski-in, ski-out options and multi-room vacation rentals
- Vail also has more budget-friendly options across its three villages
Differences in Costs
Both ski towns are some of Colorado’s most expensive destinations, but with Snowmass nearby and Vail’s size, they both have mid-range options as well.
Aspen
- Aspen is widely recognized as Colorado’s most expensive destination for ski vacations
- The average nightly hotel cost was $1,168
- Lift tickets aren’t the state’s highest, but they will cost around $279 a day
- With Snowmass next door, visitors can find ski-in, ski-out accommodations for less, but will have to travel to get to downtown Aspen
Vail
- Vail is also expensive. The average accommodation costs around $650 a night
- Peak season lift tickets at Vail can exceed $325
- However, the town has more affordable options for food and accommodations than Aspen
Final Thoughts on Vail vs. Aspen
Both resorts are incredible environments to explore wide open trails, discover an adrenaline rush, and spend evenings in community, so it’s really up to a traveler’s preferences and vacation goals. Book a call with a Mountain Travel Expert and discover a ski destination you’ll want to visit again and again.
