How to Get to Aspen Highlands Ski Area
7 Ways to Get to Aspen Highlands (Parking, Buses, and Creative Options)
Locals will tell you that Aspen Highlands is a best kept secret for skiers and snowboarders. With no beginner runs, it’s gloriously uncrowded, and the views of the Elk Range are out of this world. Here’s exactly how to get to Aspen Highlands, whether you’re driving, taking the bus, thinking of using rideshare, or avoiding parking altogether. Some of these options are not advertised. We had to figure this out through trial and error and the graciousness of others.
Option 1: Free parking for carpoolers
If you have four or more people in your vehicle and can get there early, Aspen Ski Co. puts an attendant at the entrance to the Highlands garage from 8:30–10:30 a.m. who will give you a promo code. Check the Aspen Snowmass Parking page to confirm times and availability. Look for the “Day Skier parking” sign on-site. Once parked, you enter that promo code into the parking web site (the link to which is posted everywhere) and your parking is free. If someone in your group needs to leave before the others, that’s no problem; you don’t have to have four on the way out.
Option 2: Free parking at Tiehack lot
The lot on the Tiehack side of Buttermilk Ski Area is free, but be aware it is not very big and sometimes fills up. Check the status of available parking on the Aspen Snowmass mobile app before you go. Once parked, walk about 1/4 mile across the Maroon Creek bridge (you can’t miss it, and its incredible view of Pyramid Peak) to the Aspen Recreation Center uphill bus stop on Maroon Creek Road. That stop is serviced by two free Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) routes going up to Highlands, so you shouldn’t have to wait more than 10 minutes. Bonus: get some turns off the Tiehack Express lift at Buttermilk before calling it a day.
Optional: drive up around the corner to Highlands first to the drop-off area if you have passengers who can take equipment. Then all you have to carry is yourself.
Option 3: Van shuttle from Buttermilk lot
There is a free shuttle direct to Aspen Highlands from Buttermilk Ski area. As of this writing, it doesn’t show up on Google Maps, likely because it’s not a RFTA bus. It’s a white van that pulls up to the transportation island in the middle of the parking lot at Buttermilk—not the Buttermilk bus stop out on the highway.
This option assumes it is not X Games week at Buttermilk, when the lot closes. Otherwise, as long as you show up before the hill opens, you can usually get a free parking spot at Buttermilk, boot up at your vehicle, and make the short walk to the shuttle, which will drop you off right at the Aspen Highlands base. The driver appreciates tips and has Venmo if you don’t have cash.
The same shuttle departs Aspen Highlands on the :15 and :45 each hour.
Option 4: Direct buses from Snowmass Village and Aspen
If you’re staying in Aspen, it’s easy to get to Highlands from the main transportation center, called Rubey Park Transit Center, or from just about any bus stop in town. Look for the CM (Castle Creek–Maroon Creek) or AH bus and hop on for free.
From Snowmass Mall in the town of Snowmass Village, there is a Highlands Direct bus that departs at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. daily. Like all buses between Snowmass Village and Aspen, it is free. We’re highlighting this one because every other route from Snowmass requires going out of your way into Aspen and waiting to transfer to another bus. Make sure you get on the RFTA bus labeled Highlands Direct. The smaller Snowmass Village Shuttles will not get you there.
At 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., the Snowmass Direct leaves Aspen Highlands to take you back.
Option 5: Park and Ride from downvalley
Depending on where you’re coming from, pick a RFTA Park and Ride along Highway 82. There are nine of these lots between Glenwood Springs and Snowmass Village. The Brush Creek Park and Ride (a.k.a. the Intercept Lot) may seem like an obvious choice since it’s closest to the ski area and buses from that zone are free. Be aware the lot is large and you may have to walk a bit with your gear. Go early for a spot closer to the bus pickup lane.
The trick with this option is to find the bus route that will connect you with the Castle–Maroon (CM) bus at the Maroon Creek Rd + Hwy 82 bus stop. If you enter Aspen Highlands as your destination in Google Maps, that should be listed as an option. Choose that route so you don’t have to bus all the way into Aspen and then backtrack to Highlands.
Option 6: Aspen Middle School lot
On the weekends or school holidays, there is a large parking lot in front of Aspen Middle School, with a nearby bus stop on Maroon Creek Road where you can catch a free RFTA bus to take you and your equipment the last mile up to Aspen Highlands base. The school district has, at times, offered parking there as a fundraiser. If the lot is not attended and signage indicates public parking is not allowed on the day you’re visiting, do not risk getting a ticket or having your vehicle booted or towed.
Option 7: Pay for Aspen Highlands Day Skier parking
Paid parking at Highlands is very close to the slopes. Rates are listed here and typically start at $25 for partial days on a normal weekday. Check the Aspen Snowmass app for real-time parking availability. It is a two-level garage and connected lot; i.e., not all parking there is covered.
Uber is not the best way to Aspen Highlands
We do not recommend trying to Uber to Aspen Highlands. Uber and Lyft are not as ubiquitous here as other cities, and you might not be able to get a ride—or a ride back—in a reasonable timeframe. If you après past the bus hours and find yourself needing a ride, try High Mountain Taxi.
How to transfer buses in Aspen
If you miss the direct routes and end up on a bus that requires a transfer in Aspen (which is common), you do not have to ride all the way in to Rubey Park Transit Center like your maps app may suggest. Get off at the Hallam St + 8th Street stop as you’re coming into town. Walk across the street to wait for outbound buses. This can save a lot of time, since buses often sit and wait at Rubey Park for their scheduled departure time.
Beware the backup at the roundabout
If you are driving to Highlands and you want first tracks, allow extra time for the Maroon Creek roundabout from 8:00-9:00 a.m. on days that schools are open. (Buses get their own lane around it.) Also, watch the speed limits. The area is patrolled heavily for student safety. You will encounter the same backup on Maroon Creek Road when schools get out. If you want to avoid traffic, leave before 3:00 p.m. or hang out for a while with a good meal at Highlands Alehouse.
Parking policies and shuttle schedules change—flag anything outdated in the comments below so we can keep this current.
If you’re considering a move or extended stay here, see our full guide to living in the Roaring Fork Valley.
