Snowmass Village offers adventure year-round
A cluster of wood-beamed lodges and chalets form Snowmass Village, a Rocky Mountain ski town 8 miles northwest of Aspen. “If you want a ski-in, ski-out location, there’s nowhere better than Snowmass,” says Gary Feldman, who has sold in the area for 40 years and founded the Gary Feldman Group at Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty. Throughout the cold winter, Snowmass Village comes alive as skiers and snowboarders congregate by communal fire pits, and kids ice skate in the heart of downtown under twinkling lights. The mountains also provide recreation in the summer, resulting in countless year-round tourists. Nonetheless, Snowmass Village has nearly 3,000 permanent residents who stay all year for community events, outdoor activities and comprehensive shopping and dining options.
High-alpine activity through all four seasons
Recreation in Snowmass Village revolves around the mountains. “There’s plenty to do,” Feldman says. “You can hike, ski, swim, bike; it’s summer camp for adults.” The Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort features steep drops, powder-filled glades and downhill runs that range from green to double-black-diamond difficulty. Terrain parks with jumps and pipes cater to all skill levels, and large crowds gather to watch the professionals compete during the X Games each January. The resort’s four mountains also offer cross-country ski paths, and groomed winter cycling trails accommodate fat bikes. Snowmobilers carve routes toward the iconic Maroon Bells landmark, comprised of bell-shaped peaks at 14,000 feet.
When the snow melts, the ridgelines become routes for off-roading Jeep tours, hiking and horseback riding. Climbers can scale the Rocky Mountain granite or ride the Elk Camp Gondola for sweeping views of the Roaring Fork Valley. Whitewater rafters brave the Roaring Fork River, which is also popular for fly fishing and kayaking. The Snowmass Club resort and country club has a golf course open to the public, and the Snowmass Village Recreation Center provides athletic facilities, pools and a climbing wall for those with a daily pass or an all-inclusive membership.
Housing includes compact condos and multimillion-dollar estates
Buyers will find a mix of condos, townhouses and single-family homes, and very few lots are left for new construction. Condos typically share community amenities in complexes near the town center and right off the slopes. Some single-family properties perch high above the valley with panoramic views, and others sit slopeside. Architecture often blends contemporary features with rustic, alpine chic designs. Large floor-to-ceiling windows maximize natural light, which reflects off natural materials like wood and stone.
The median price is $3 million, about seven times higher than the national figure. “During the ‘60s and ‘70s, when it was first designed and built, Snowmass Village was known as ‘the little sister of Aspen,’ where you could get 25% more for 25% less,” Feldman says. “Now, that equation has significantly changed, and prices have caught up.” One-to-two-bedroom condos outside of town start in the $100,000 range, and extravagant properties can surpass $20 million.
Shopping and dining in the village and off the slopes
The town has two main commercial hubs: the original Snowmass Mall and the newer Snowmass Base Village, a mixed residential and retail space. Both areas offer ski shops, boutiques and dining options. Snowmass Mall houses classic local restaurants, including The Stew Pot, which has served comfort food since 1972, and Il Poggio for Italian. Kenichi serves Japanese delicacies in Base Village, and Heather’s, a popular Basalt spot known for its savory pies, opened a Snowmass Village location in 2024. Clark’s Market sells groceries in a recently renovated shopping center, also home to Taster’s, a long-standing pizza joint. Department stores like Target and Walmart require a trip to Glenwood Springs, 40 miles northwest.
Art and annual traditions add culture to the ski town
At the heart of Base Village, The Collective community center hosts activities from bingo nights and fitness classes to movie viewings under the stars. The village and local sponsors put on a free summer concert series at Fanny Hill, which Feldman calls “The Mini Woodstock of Thursday nights.” The Snowmass Art Walk reveals murals and sculptures throughout public spaces, and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience attracts over 10,000 fans. Kids can participate in the Snowmass Rodeo by competing in the Mutton Busting event, where the horses are replaced with sheep. Skiers and snowboarders light the slopes with red flares during the New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, followed by a striking firework show.
Education through the Aspen School District
Children may attend Aspen Elementary, which scores a B on Niche, and Aspen Middle, which earns an A-minus. Aspen High has an A-minus rating and offers an International Baccalaureate program. Aspen Community Charter School for prekindergarten through eighth grade is another option in the district that scores an A-minus.
Transportation and health care close by
Locals take the Village Shuttle around town and Roaring Fork Transportation Authority buses to nearby communities like Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Drivers can reach Colorado State Highway 82, the area’s most prominent thoroughfare, within about 6 miles via Brush Creek Road. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is also 6 miles away, offering flights through major carriers, like American and United. Residents don’t have to travel far for health care, as the Snowmass Clinic branch of Aspen Valley Health has a location in the Snowmass Mall.
