Are you thinking about taking a ski trip to Aspen Snowmass this winter – or have always dreamed of one, but aren’t quite sure how to plan for your trip? We know planning a trip can be overwhelming, but we also know that being well prepared ahead of time is the best way to make the most of your ski vacation here in Aspen Snowmass. So, we’re here to help!

Check out our planning guide below, with a variety of tips to help you successfully plan your Aspen Snowmass ski vacation. 

Choose Your Ski Resort 

In Aspen Snowmass alone, there are four world-class ski resorts to choose from: Snowmass mountain, Aspen mountain (also known as Ajax), Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. They’re all incredible ski areas, so you can’t go wrong. In fact, you can actually ski at any resort in the collection with your Aspen Snowmass lift ticket, so you could even try them all if you wanted! But, we recommend honing in on one resort as the ‘base station’ for your trip, and planning to ski at least most of your days there, if not all, so you can maximize your time on the slopes and get to know the terrain. Our recommended top resort pick is Snowmass, for a variety of reasons:

• Snowmass is the largest resort in the Aspen Snowmass collection, encompassing a full 3,300 acres of terrain, with a whopping 4,400 feet of vertical drop!
• With all that terrain, there’s a ton of variety, so there’s plenty of runs for skiers and riders of all levels, from beginner to expert. 
• Snowmass is one of the most family-friendly resorts out there, with an incredible ski school setup, on-mountain childcare offerings at the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, and tons of fun non-skiing activities like the famous Alpine Coaster, snow tubing, ice skating, and more.
• The dining options are exceptional, with seven restaurants on the mountain alone, and countless more at Snowmass Mall and throughout Snowmass Village.

Snowmass Resort. Photo: Kersten Vasey

Book Your Accommodation

Once you’ve settled on where you want to ski, you’ll need to get your lodging locked down. There are lots of options in Snowmass, so it can be hard to know where to start. But, here are a few of the most important things to look for when selecting your Snowmass vacation rental – and why Woodrun V Snowmass checks all the boxes:  

• Ski-In/Ski-Out Access – With renowned ski terrain waiting for you, you want to maximize your time on the hill – not waste it schlepping your gear around. Ski-In/Ski-Out access is a must, and Woodrun V offers the best access out there. When you stay with us, you can ski right from your door, and have all of Snowmass’ terrain at your fingertips!

• Space for Family and Friends – The best part of any ski trip, of course, is sharing it with family and friends. You’ll want a vacation rental with plenty of space for everyone, and Woodrun V serves that up in spades! Our two, three and four-bedroom condos all feature spacious layouts with a variety of sleeping options, to accommodate as many guests as possible.

• Premium Comfort and Amenities – A truly good vacation rental is one that offers all the comforts of home – plus some extra amenities to make your trip feel special. Each Woodrun V residence provides everything you need to live like you’re at home, with comfort and luxury top-of-mind across our offerings. Guests also have access to premium amenities, including multiple hot tubs, a heated pool, complimentary covered parking, and more. 

Curious to learn more about our offerings, or explore availability? Check out our bookings page for all the details. To help narrow down which unit might be right for your group, check out this recent article from Ski.com, for an expert breakdown. Or, give us a call to speak directly with our team!

Pro Tip: Book early and SAVE! Our final pre-season sale is ON NOW, and you can save up to 15% on your winter booking when you book by December 5th – including 10% off of holiday bookings! Visit our bookings page to learn more.

Woodrun V’s ski-in/ski-out luxury residences are the perfect Snowmass accommodation.

Build Your Itinerary

We know ski trips always go by way too fast, and there never seems to be quite enough time to squeeze in all the things on your vacation ‘bucket list.’ We recommend laying out a rough day-by-day itinerary ahead of time, so you can plan your outings strategically, and prioritize the activities that are most important to you – especially since there are so many to choose from in Snowmass! Our Winter Activities Guide, Dining Lists, and Concierge Overview are great resources to help you build out your dream ski vacation here in Aspen Snowmass. 

For additional recommendations, help with reservations, or other questions about trip planning, feel free to contact our Concierge Service Team – we’re always happy to help!

So many things to do in Snowmass! Photo: Jeremy Swanson

Buy Your Lift Tickets In Advance – And Don’t Forget Lessons and Rentals!

Buying your Snowmass lift tickets ahead of time ensures you get the best deals on the mountain. Not only does it help save you money, but it also secures your access to the lifts, and lets you avoid potential lines for day-of ticket purchases. Buying in advance at Snowmass provides significant discounts, and the savings only increase as you book more days, and the further ahead that you book. This year, you can save a full 25% when you book at least 30 days in advance and purchase four days or more of lift tickets. That’s a huge savings! Plus, with Aspen Snowmass’ Lift Ticket Guarantee, there’s no risk of loss, even if your plans end up changing. 

Bottom line: Plan early, and maximize your benefits!

The same goes for ski lessons and equipment rentals. Be sure to get those booked ahead of time, to guarantee availability and secure the best rates. 

Book your tickets now!

Pack Smart! 

Packing for a ski trip can be especially challenging, with a variety of gear needs. We always recommend checking the forecast ahead of time and packing appropriately, but it’s also important to be prepared for unexpected weather changes. 

In general, dressing in layers is the best way to ensure you’re prepared for varying conditions, and we always recommend starting with non-cotton base layers, and making sure you have both an insulated midlayer and waterproof outer shell on hand. Sunscreen is crucial here at our high elevations, and so is eye protection. We recommend packing different colored goggle lenses to make sure you can see optimally in various conditions, from low light to bright sunshine. A neck gaiter is another ‘must-have’ piece of gear for our team here at Woodrun V, to help protect you from both sun and snow. 

For a great comprehensive packing list, check out this guide from the Aspen Snowmass team. 

Have more questions about planning your trip to Snowmass, or making your booking at Woodrun V? Give us a call or shoot us an email. Our team is happy to connect with you directly, to help make sure you have the best Snowmass ski vacation you could imagine!

Enjoy free, family-friendly live music on Fanny Hill, with a stunning mountain backdrop

Visiting Snowmass this summer? While the area’s many incredible recreation opportunities often take the spotlight, Snowmass is also renowned for its huge range of special events and entertainment offerings during the summer season. With all kinds of different events on tap this summer, it can be hard to decide which ones to attend. But if there’s one true can’t-miss for any trip to Snowmass, it’s the Snowmass Summer Concert Series on Fanny Hill. 

Now in its 33rd year running, the Snowmass Summer Concert series is a longstanding favorite tradition among locals and visitors alike, and serves up fun for every member of the family. The concerts take place each Thursday night from June 12th through August 21st, and are offered FREE of charge for all to enjoy. The shows take place on the famed ‘Fanny Hill’ area, just mere steps away from the doors of Woodrun V, so guests can walk right out from their residence to take in an amazing show!

The series features a different band each week, from local favorites to touring artists, each with its own distinct style and sound. The featured genres run the gamut throughout the summer season, from bluegrass to rock to soul to country, and more! The venue is unlike any other, providing a stunning backdrop of the Elk Mountain range for families and friends to gather in the fresh mountain air to listen to great music, sing, dance, and revel in the joy of summer. Concert-goers can bring a picnic and blankets out to the kid-friendly lawned seating area, or grab dinner before the show at any of the amazing nearby Snowmass dining options. There’s no better way to celebrate the sweet sounds, sights and sensations of summer!

Photo: Jeremy Swanson

The series kicks off this Thursday night, featuring The Burroughs, a 9-piece band from Greeley, CO known for its signature “sweaty soul music” that is sure to have everyone moving and grooving! 

All shows take place at 6:30 pm on Fanny Hill, with ‘doors’ opening at 5:30 pm, so you can grab the perfect spot for your group. The full lineup for the Summer 2025 season is below:

• • Thursday, June 12th – The Burroughs – 9-piece “Sweaty soul music” band from Greeley, CO with high-energy, eclectic beats
  • Thursday, June 19th – Charlotte Sands – featuring a special Pride Month celebration! – A bold, alternative blend of genres, from punk and modern pop to pop-rock
  • Thursday, June 26th  – Certainly So – A Nashville-based indie-rock group with feel-good, laid-back vibes
  • Thursday, July 3rd – Ozomatli – This high-energy, Grammy-winning group fuses Latin, hip-hop, rock and funk and is a Snowmass Concert series favorite
  • Friday, July 4th – Spazmatics – Special Fourth of July celebration concert! – A must-see 80s rock genre band with a fun, nostalgic vibe and incredible choreography 
  • Thursday, July 10th – Neil Francis – This Chicago-based artist brings a blend of soul, funk and rock, with a retro vibe
  • Thursday, July 17th – The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. – This Grammy-nominated group brings a blend of Mardi Gras tradition and New Orleans funk, highlighted by powerful brass beats
  • Thursday, July 24th – Boy Named Banjo – A heartfelt, feel-good blend of folk-rock and Americana music 
  • Thursday, July 31st – Goldie Boutilier – This Canadian singer-songwriter is known for her cinematic alt-pop sound, blending elements of disco, synth-pop, and Americana
  • Thursday, August 7th – The Talbott Brothers – An Americana duo known for its cinematic folk-rock sound, blending elements of country and rock. 
  • Thursday, August 14th – Jon Muq – An Indie artist blending electronic beats with soulful vocals and introspective lyrics, providing a unique sound and musical experience

Photo: Jeremy Swanson

How to make the most of Aspen Snowmass’ Closing Weekend celebrations for the 2025 ski season

While it’s hard to believe with the recent snow storms and powder days at Snowmass, we’re in the final countdown of the 2024-25 ski season. And what a season it was! We celebrated the opening of the new Coney Express lift, giving skiers and riders better ski-in/ski-out access than ever to the entire Snowmass resort, right from their doorstep at Woodrun V; enjoyed more bluebird ski days on the mountain than we could count; took full advantage of plenty of epic powder days during big storm cycles; soaked up the views from all our favorite on-mountain dining spots at Snowmass… and the list goes on! As always, Snowmass shined this winter for its family-friendly environment, spectacular range of world-class skiing terrain, and huge variety of top-notch dining, entertainment and recreation options.

With just three weeks of skiing left for the year, we’re ready to make the most of each day of fantastic spring skiing, and celebrate the end of the season in style until Snowmass closing day arrives on April 20th. Join in on the festivities to put an exclamation point on your ski season and close it out with gusto!

Photo: Sam Ferguson

Saturday, April 19th – Elk Camp Surf & Snow Beach Party: There’s no end-of-season party quite like this one, when Snowmass transforms into a full-on spring skiing celebration zone on Saturday of the mountain’s closing weekend for the Elk Camp Surf & Snow Beach Party. This beach-themed bash brings out revelers of all types, eager to soak up the sunshine and good vibes at Snowmass’ Elk Camp. The renowned annual celebration delivers live music from a range of DJs, free leis and other swag, margaritas served up from bike-powered blenders, hot tubs for a festive on-mountain soak, and of course: the ever-popular pond skim challenge. The atmosphere and energy are simply unbeatable! For those who want to keep the party going into the night, celebrations continue down at Base Village long after the mountain has closed for the day. Be sure to check out The People’s Party at Base Camp Bar & Grill, hosted by The Collective Snowmass.

Photo: Sam Ferguson

Sunday, April 20th – Snowmass Closing Day: April 20th marks the final day of skiing at Snowmass for the 2024-25 ski season, and skiers and riders can take full advantage of their last chance to get those turns in for the year, with Sheer Bliss, Village Express & Elk Camp Gondola running on the mountain’s extended spring hours, open until 4 pm. Guests can also enjoy a variety of food and drink specials, along with more live music, DJs and celebrations – and soak up those high-elevation rays! – at any of the area’s on-mountain dining venues, from Sam’s to Elk Camp to The Cabin to Up4 Pizza.

Already excited for next winter?! Us too! Our bookings for the 2025-26 ski season are open, and you’ll save up to 10% when you book your trip early for next winter (*black out dates apply). Check out our full range of luxury ski-in/ski-out townhomes here, and give us a call to inquire about special early booking deals.