How to Get from Vail to Aspen
Nov 10th, 2005, 01:25 PM
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How to Get from Vail to Aspen
My friends and I are(5 at last count) are planning a trip to Vail and Aspen in Feb. 2006. We are flying into to Eagle/Vail on a Wednesday AM. We'll stay in Vail until Friday and then we want to head to Aspen for the rest of the weekend - until Monday.
My questions for anyone who knows the area well: Is this a do-able trip? How long a drive is it (realistically) from Vail to Aspen. Considering we have to fly back out from Eagle on Monday afternoon? Is it worth trying to ski both resorts in a 5 day trip? I really appreciate your advice on this. Thanks.
My questions for anyone who knows the area well: Is this a do-able trip? How long a drive is it (realistically) from Vail to Aspen. Considering we have to fly back out from Eagle on Monday afternoon? Is it worth trying to ski both resorts in a 5 day trip? I really appreciate your advice on this. Thanks.
Nov 10th, 2005, 01:47 PM
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Sure, it would be worth it. From Vail it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive to Aspen. It's not a hard drive and you'll enjoy some beautiful scenery (especially through Glenwood Canyone). If you haven't been to Aspen, it's really worth a (pricey) visit.
Nov 10th, 2005, 02:05 PM
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I agree, go for it. Couple of hours will get you there. We ski Aspen/Snowmass every year and love it. Vail is bigger (and has lots of bowls in the back), mountainwise but the town of Aspen rocks. Great food (not all expensive regardless of what you hear)and atmosphere.
Aspen Mountain isn't my fav. Steep and straight down. Love Highlands and Snowmass. Buttermilk is a small tuneup mountain, but has the X games course on it. X games are in Jan. so don't know if they keep it fully groomed thru Feb.
Aspen Mountain isn't my fav. Steep and straight down. Love Highlands and Snowmass. Buttermilk is a small tuneup mountain, but has the X games course on it. X games are in Jan. so don't know if they keep it fully groomed thru Feb.
Nov 10th, 2005, 02:07 PM
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www.aspensnowmass has links to lots of lodging and I think you can sort by price. The website has a concierge service and will make ressies for you if you want. Lots more options available on the website than at orbitz, expedia....
Nov 10th, 2005, 04:41 PM
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i'm in the other camp. while it may be a 21/2-3 hour drive in good weather it could easily take most of a day in a serious snow storm. and if by some chance you were unable to make the drive you would have already given up your hotel in vail.
also vail as amwosu mentioned is HUGE.
you do not mention how well everyone skies but most people could spend weeks on vail mountain and not go the same way twice. also if you did get bored copper mtn and beaver creek are 20 mins each in opposite directions. (bc-west, copper east)
i do not mean to disparage aspen, as it too is a fabulous area. an option might be to just fly into aspen and stay there.
think of the runs you will miss driving. 1/2 day wed., 1/2 day fri., and 1/2 day monday.
you could be cranking turns instead of driving is all i'm saying... happy trails
also vail as amwosu mentioned is HUGE.
you do not mention how well everyone skies but most people could spend weeks on vail mountain and not go the same way twice. also if you did get bored copper mtn and beaver creek are 20 mins each in opposite directions. (bc-west, copper east)
i do not mean to disparage aspen, as it too is a fabulous area. an option might be to just fly into aspen and stay there.
think of the runs you will miss driving. 1/2 day wed., 1/2 day fri., and 1/2 day monday.
you could be cranking turns instead of driving is all i'm saying... happy trails
Nov 11th, 2005, 07:23 AM
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Go for it!
Vail/Eagle County Airport is between the towns of Gypsum & Eagle, 30 freeway miles (I-70) west of Vail.
Aspen is 102 miles from Vail. On a good, clear day it should take only 2 hours. If snowing, or if highway conditions are not optimal it will take longer. Use your head and drive according to the conditions. Get on I-70 in Vail and head west for 65 miles to Glenwood Springs (exit 116). This leg is all expressway with speed limit of 75 mph for the first 48 miles until you get to the head of Glenwood Canyon. The 17 miles of expressway through Glenwood Canyon are beautiful, and the speed limit is 50 mph. Many people opposed the building of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, but the way the engineers integrated the double deck highway through the canyon is a marvelous example of minimal impact.
Get off I-70 in Glenwood Springs (exit 116) and get onto Colorado Hwy 82 south. If you're not in a hurry on this travel day, and you want to relax for a couple hours before continuing on to Aspen, I'd suggest stopping at the Hot Springs Pools in Glenwood Springs. It's $12 per adult to get into the pools. The pools are easy to find - you see them from the freeway.
Aspen is 41 miles south of Glenwood Springs. On a good, clear day I've made this leg in 40 - 50 minutes. The first 23 miles on Hwy 82, from Glenwood Springs to Basalt, is a 4 lane highway running through the Roaring Fork River Valley with speed limit of 65 mph. The final 18 miles from Basalt to Aspen wind along the Roaring Fork River itself and the speed limit drops to 55. Since many of the poeple who work the Aspen ski areas live down in Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs, the highway can be crowded very early in the morning. There is a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane from Basalt to Aspen for the exclusive use of cars with 2 or more people in it.
On the day you leave to get back to the Eagle County Airport, don't go all the way back to the town of Eagle. Get off I-70 at Gypsum (exit 140) and take U.S. Hwy 6 east to the airport. This will save you the inconvenience of backtracking from Eagle to the airport.
Vail/Eagle County Airport is between the towns of Gypsum & Eagle, 30 freeway miles (I-70) west of Vail.
Aspen is 102 miles from Vail. On a good, clear day it should take only 2 hours. If snowing, or if highway conditions are not optimal it will take longer. Use your head and drive according to the conditions. Get on I-70 in Vail and head west for 65 miles to Glenwood Springs (exit 116). This leg is all expressway with speed limit of 75 mph for the first 48 miles until you get to the head of Glenwood Canyon. The 17 miles of expressway through Glenwood Canyon are beautiful, and the speed limit is 50 mph. Many people opposed the building of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, but the way the engineers integrated the double deck highway through the canyon is a marvelous example of minimal impact.
Get off I-70 in Glenwood Springs (exit 116) and get onto Colorado Hwy 82 south. If you're not in a hurry on this travel day, and you want to relax for a couple hours before continuing on to Aspen, I'd suggest stopping at the Hot Springs Pools in Glenwood Springs. It's $12 per adult to get into the pools. The pools are easy to find - you see them from the freeway.
Aspen is 41 miles south of Glenwood Springs. On a good, clear day I've made this leg in 40 - 50 minutes. The first 23 miles on Hwy 82, from Glenwood Springs to Basalt, is a 4 lane highway running through the Roaring Fork River Valley with speed limit of 65 mph. The final 18 miles from Basalt to Aspen wind along the Roaring Fork River itself and the speed limit drops to 55. Since many of the poeple who work the Aspen ski areas live down in Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs, the highway can be crowded very early in the morning. There is a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane from Basalt to Aspen for the exclusive use of cars with 2 or more people in it.
On the day you leave to get back to the Eagle County Airport, don't go all the way back to the town of Eagle. Get off I-70 at Gypsum (exit 140) and take U.S. Hwy 6 east to the airport. This will save you the inconvenience of backtracking from Eagle to the airport.
Nov 15th, 2005, 02:00 PM
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I live in Vail so of course I am biased BUT I will have to agree with a previous post... why spend any time driving on the roads when you can be skiing the slopes at the largest ski mountain in North America?? You could ski there all week and never ski the same runs twice! Your pass is also good at Beaver Creek and Breckenridge which have shuttle service. The roads in a storm would be a huge waste of your precious ski time> Ski Aspen your next visit!!!
Nov 15th, 2005, 03:23 PM
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I agree that unless you ski very well, and don't mind missing 2 days (one day there, one day back, unless you ski on a 1/2 day pass)traveling, Ajax might be better saved for another trip. But Bell Mt. is hard to beat...
If you do make the trek, try to stop at Glenwood Hot Springs pool--you won't regret it.
If you do make the trek, try to stop at Glenwood Hot Springs pool--you won't regret it.
Nov 17th, 2005, 05:16 PM
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Thanks to all for the great advice. We have decided to head directly to Aspen and stay there for the 5 day trip. The allure of glamour and glitz was too strong for the this group of Nor'easter women! So besides the fact that Aspen Mtn. is steep and straight down (sounds alot like skiing in the Northeast), we will make the trek. Due to the vast difference in cost flying into Eagle vs. Aspen, we'll still land there and take the drive. Thanks Furledleader for the great driving directions!
I am now in a panic of what to wear! Do I give into the "snow-bunny" stigma of Aspen, or stick to the "no-nonsence" practicality of New England? ...
I am now in a panic of what to wear! Do I give into the "snow-bunny" stigma of Aspen, or stick to the "no-nonsence" practicality of New England? ...
Nov 19th, 2005, 10:05 AM
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aellis,
You're welcome.
My advise is to stick with the New England practicality. The only people who do glitz in Aspen are the tourists. The locals are generally down-to-earth people who could give a rat's petard about what you wear. If you feel the need to do glitz, you can, but I'd save it for the restaurants and nightclubs in the evening.
The Aspen ski area is actually 4 separate mountains. Each mountain offers a free guided tour of the mountain done by locals who are called "ambassadors". You meet them at about 10 a.m. at one of the guest service huts on whichever mountain you're at, and they will take your party on a 1 1/2 to 2 hour tour of the best runs and out-of-the-way secret spots. No reservations are required.
Right in town is Aspen Mountain (aka Ajax Mountain). It may look daunting, but it does have it's share of some nice blue runs on the upper level. If you do the ambassador tour of Aspen Mountain, ask them to take you to a couple of the hidden "memorials" that the locals have set up on the mountain in rememberance of the likes of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, John Denver, and Jerry Garcia just to name a few.
A short (10 minute), free shuttle ride from town is Aspen Highlands ski area. The Highlands is best known for it's blacks and double blacks, but has some great blues and greens to boot. It is also the least crowded of any of the four. If you take your car there, you get free close-in parking in their parking structure if there are 3 or more people in your car.
Five minutes further away is Buttermilk Mountain. It is the least challenging of the four with lots of green runs. It is also where the ESPN Winter X Games are held each January.
Finally, 10 minutes further away is the huge complex of Snowmass. This is an awesome mountain for all levels of skier. You could ski there all day and never have to ski the same run twice. You can take the free shuttle from any of the other mountains. If you drive, free close-in parking is offered to vehicles with 5 or more passengers...otherwise you have to park in one of the outer lots and take a shuttle bus to the base area.
You're welcome.
My advise is to stick with the New England practicality. The only people who do glitz in Aspen are the tourists. The locals are generally down-to-earth people who could give a rat's petard about what you wear. If you feel the need to do glitz, you can, but I'd save it for the restaurants and nightclubs in the evening.
The Aspen ski area is actually 4 separate mountains. Each mountain offers a free guided tour of the mountain done by locals who are called "ambassadors". You meet them at about 10 a.m. at one of the guest service huts on whichever mountain you're at, and they will take your party on a 1 1/2 to 2 hour tour of the best runs and out-of-the-way secret spots. No reservations are required.
Right in town is Aspen Mountain (aka Ajax Mountain). It may look daunting, but it does have it's share of some nice blue runs on the upper level. If you do the ambassador tour of Aspen Mountain, ask them to take you to a couple of the hidden "memorials" that the locals have set up on the mountain in rememberance of the likes of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, John Denver, and Jerry Garcia just to name a few.
A short (10 minute), free shuttle ride from town is Aspen Highlands ski area. The Highlands is best known for it's blacks and double blacks, but has some great blues and greens to boot. It is also the least crowded of any of the four. If you take your car there, you get free close-in parking in their parking structure if there are 3 or more people in your car.
Five minutes further away is Buttermilk Mountain. It is the least challenging of the four with lots of green runs. It is also where the ESPN Winter X Games are held each January.
Finally, 10 minutes further away is the huge complex of Snowmass. This is an awesome mountain for all levels of skier. You could ski there all day and never have to ski the same run twice. You can take the free shuttle from any of the other mountains. If you drive, free close-in parking is offered to vehicles with 5 or more passengers...otherwise you have to park in one of the outer lots and take a shuttle bus to the base area.
Nov 19th, 2005, 10:29 AM
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Ajax brings new meaning to "straight down". It is very much an "expert" mountain, in my opinion. But as others have pointed out, there is other great skiing in the area. I like Vail, myself--all terrain, great restaurants in a compact area. And you can ski other mountains if you want.
Nov 19th, 2005, 03:04 PM
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Hope you love Aspen. I've been going for 20 odd years and am just a middle class, midwestern girl.
I LOVE the Elk Camp/ Two Creeks side of Snowmass Mtn. Totally rocks for long wide blue crusiers at the top and gets a little steeper and more narrow at the bottom. Fabulous houses in the Two Creeks area are fun to ski past. I checked one out online once. $7K per NIGHT during peak weeks and it was booked solid thru March.
Aspen Highlands is also great for blue and black runs(in my case I'm sometimes black and blue! LOL!) We love eating at Bonnie's and the Sundeck on Ajax. Even if you don't want to ski Ajax you can go up the gondola on your lift ticket to the Sundeck. At Snowmass, Cafe Suzette for crepes and other French food is fun for lunch. There is a tiny little pizza joint at the very top of Snowmass that has great warm and gooey cookies. Makes for a great break to get warm. At Buttermilk the ahi tuna sandwich at the restaurant on the top of the mountain (name escapes me) is very good. My kids love the Mongolian grill there where you dump in your own veggies and sauces and choose your meat and it is grilled while you wait.
In Aspen we love Range for dinner (last year they had a really good early dinner special, 2 for 1, lots of savings) for elk, buffalo, free range chicken, wild Alaskan salmon entrees and awesome sweet potato fries.
The Hickory House is a must!!! Casual locals' place for a hearty breakfast with great hash browns. We do it on the day we leave Aspen because I can't imagine eating all that food then skiing. Oprah featured the Hickory House bbq sauce on her show once and the ribs are good.
Jimmy's is inviting and cozy and masculine(dozens and dozens of different tequilas- so good by the shot and no hangover from the really good ones)for dinner. Elevation, Montagne at Little Nell and Rustique are also favorite dinner spots. Casual lunch on a shopping day in Aspen at Mezzaluna (which is a chain so you may already know it). Cute little pizza joint in the Hyman Street Mall is Merlin's for interesting individual pizzas. Just beside Merlin's is my favorite jeweler, Frank Heeger who has a shop no bigger than a closet and is quite popular with the locals. Reasonable prices and a great guy.
Pacifica for happy hour specials on their rock shrimp appetizer in a bowl, oysters on the half shell, and bottled beers. Hopefully, they're still open. They had new owners last season. Just around the corner from Pacifica is the Popcorn Wagon, another must! After dinner in town, walk to the wagon for a crepe which you eat outside by the gas warmer.
For a really memorable night, Pine Creek Cookhouse. You park your car (about 30 minutes outside of Aspen)at a cross country ski place then take a sleigh ride or a cross country ski jaunt to the beautiful huge log cabin.
Chepita (jewelry, sculpture)and Amen Wardy (table wear, clothing, soaps, lotions, candlesticks) for knicky knacky artsy fartsy fun stuff. Sooooo many great jewelry stores and art galleries in Aspen. Curious George for great belts and belt buckles.
Be sure to check out www.aspensnowmass.com where you can buy lift tix cheaper that if you walk up to the window and where you can also check out lots of lodging and dining options. Have a ball!!!
I LOVE the Elk Camp/ Two Creeks side of Snowmass Mtn. Totally rocks for long wide blue crusiers at the top and gets a little steeper and more narrow at the bottom. Fabulous houses in the Two Creeks area are fun to ski past. I checked one out online once. $7K per NIGHT during peak weeks and it was booked solid thru March.
Aspen Highlands is also great for blue and black runs(in my case I'm sometimes black and blue! LOL!) We love eating at Bonnie's and the Sundeck on Ajax. Even if you don't want to ski Ajax you can go up the gondola on your lift ticket to the Sundeck. At Snowmass, Cafe Suzette for crepes and other French food is fun for lunch. There is a tiny little pizza joint at the very top of Snowmass that has great warm and gooey cookies. Makes for a great break to get warm. At Buttermilk the ahi tuna sandwich at the restaurant on the top of the mountain (name escapes me) is very good. My kids love the Mongolian grill there where you dump in your own veggies and sauces and choose your meat and it is grilled while you wait.
In Aspen we love Range for dinner (last year they had a really good early dinner special, 2 for 1, lots of savings) for elk, buffalo, free range chicken, wild Alaskan salmon entrees and awesome sweet potato fries.
The Hickory House is a must!!! Casual locals' place for a hearty breakfast with great hash browns. We do it on the day we leave Aspen because I can't imagine eating all that food then skiing. Oprah featured the Hickory House bbq sauce on her show once and the ribs are good.
Jimmy's is inviting and cozy and masculine(dozens and dozens of different tequilas- so good by the shot and no hangover from the really good ones)for dinner. Elevation, Montagne at Little Nell and Rustique are also favorite dinner spots. Casual lunch on a shopping day in Aspen at Mezzaluna (which is a chain so you may already know it). Cute little pizza joint in the Hyman Street Mall is Merlin's for interesting individual pizzas. Just beside Merlin's is my favorite jeweler, Frank Heeger who has a shop no bigger than a closet and is quite popular with the locals. Reasonable prices and a great guy.
Pacifica for happy hour specials on their rock shrimp appetizer in a bowl, oysters on the half shell, and bottled beers. Hopefully, they're still open. They had new owners last season. Just around the corner from Pacifica is the Popcorn Wagon, another must! After dinner in town, walk to the wagon for a crepe which you eat outside by the gas warmer.
For a really memorable night, Pine Creek Cookhouse. You park your car (about 30 minutes outside of Aspen)at a cross country ski place then take a sleigh ride or a cross country ski jaunt to the beautiful huge log cabin.
Chepita (jewelry, sculpture)and Amen Wardy (table wear, clothing, soaps, lotions, candlesticks) for knicky knacky artsy fartsy fun stuff. Sooooo many great jewelry stores and art galleries in Aspen. Curious George for great belts and belt buckles.
Be sure to check out www.aspensnowmass.com where you can buy lift tix cheaper that if you walk up to the window and where you can also check out lots of lodging and dining options. Have a ball!!!
Nov 19th, 2005, 03:06 PM
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Oh, I forgot...I wear good old Columbia ski gear in Aspen, nothing fancy for me. You'll see everything in Aspen. And you don't really need to dress up for dinner anywhere in town. Jeans and a nice sweater will do fine anywhere!
Nov 19th, 2005, 03:13 PM
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oops... Merlin's and Frank Heeger's little jewelry store are in the Mill Street Plaza, not Hyman. Cache Cache is supposed to be one of the best restaurants in town although we haven't tried it so I can't say for sure.
Nov 19th, 2005, 03:23 PM
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aellis, great decision! if you are going to do the pool at glenwood on your way to aspen be sure you are on the road to aspen by early afternoon. all those same commuters will be on hwy 82 headed home. maybe you should soak just before the plane ride home..
re:clothing. i agree no glitz needed on the slopes. but i believe you will find skiing warmer than you are used to. town of aspen is high elevation (just under 8000') which means dry air, which feels warmer than equal temp in east. the temp should avg. just under 30. and they avg 25" snow in feb so: think layers or zip apart gear and googles.
nighttime, glitz to the max or you can look like the locals in your jeans and turtleneck. maybe a splurge on some hot snow boots...
and i cannot resist suggesting the ultimate tourista thing. take a look at www.ultimatetaxi.com i think you and the ladies(?lol) would have fun...
have a great trip.
re:clothing. i agree no glitz needed on the slopes. but i believe you will find skiing warmer than you are used to. town of aspen is high elevation (just under 8000') which means dry air, which feels warmer than equal temp in east. the temp should avg. just under 30. and they avg 25" snow in feb so: think layers or zip apart gear and googles.
nighttime, glitz to the max or you can look like the locals in your jeans and turtleneck. maybe a splurge on some hot snow boots...
and i cannot resist suggesting the ultimate tourista thing. take a look at www.ultimatetaxi.com i think you and the ladies(?lol) would have fun...
have a great trip.
