Aspen Mountain Ski Resort Facilities

Aspen Mountain has excellent ski resort facilities, some of which are located on-mountain at Ajax, whilst the town of Aspen also has many amenities and services such as ski rentals and babysitting.

Aspen Ski Rental

There are a multitude of Aspen ski rental shops. Chances are that wherever you’re staying in the town of Aspen, there will be a ski and snowboard rental shop somewhere nearby. Some of the big Aspen hotels also have a ski shop, so you don’t even need to leave the building to get your equipment rental needs sorted out. Alternatively there are some ski shops that will come to your hotel and fit you for ski or snowboard equipment.

There are various Aspen ski shops near the Silver Queen gondola which also makes renting equipment very convenient. One example is Gorsuch at the base of the gondola, who rent out a range of quality ski and snowboard equipment, including fat skis.

The resort owned ski shop, Four Mountain Sports, is located just across the road from the gondola (520 E Durant). One advantage of renting with Four Mountain Sports is that you get free slopeside equipment storage (see below). However prices are a little more expensive than other Aspen ski rental shops and they are the most expensive of the Colorado ski resorts.

All the Aspen ski shops also do equipment tuning, waxing and repairs. Hamilton Sports (520 E Durant Ave) has a pretty good reputation for doing a respectable job.

Equipment Storage & Transfer

Aspen Snowmass have a great system where you can store your equipment overnight at the base of Aspen Mountain, and if you want to ski at one of the other Aspen Snowmass ski resorts the next day, they’ll transfer the equipment to a slope-side location at that resort. You can jump on the bus without the added hassle of having to lug your equipment around.

If you rent your equipment from Four Mountain Sports, the overnight storage and transfer is free, as it is if you take private ski or snowboard lessons. If you have rented equipment from elsewhere or have your own skis or snowboard, the storage and transfer attracts a small fee.

Aspen also has a few private ski shops near the gondola that provide overnight storage for skis, snowboards, and boots.

Eating On Mountain

The Sundeck is the main on-mountain eatery at Aspen Mountain, located at the top of the Silver Queen gondola. This large upscale building has beautiful architecture and the views from the big picture windows are spectacular. And the restaurant’s namesake, the sundeck, offers even better vistas over the backside of Aspen Mountain. The food is cafeteria self-service style, with a range of stir fries, burgers, salads, and pizzas.

Bonnie’s is a small mid-mountain restaurant located near the Ajax Express lift. The deck is a great spot for lunch on a nice day, and their desserts are very scrummy. They also serve homemade soups and chilli.

Another popular spot is the Ajax Tavern next to the base of the gondola, serving French inspired cuisine. This is a fabulous place to be seen and to watch the action coming down the Little Nell run that terminates right in front of the Ajax Tavern. The slope can get a little slippery so there are usually some great stacks to view!

Aspen Babysitting and Child Care

There is no resort run child care at Aspen Mountain, only at Snowmass. In Aspen there are several private services that provide babysitting by the hour, temporary nannies and overnight care.

Aspen Babysitting Company provides babysitting for a minimum of 4 hours.
 

Aspen Ski School

Aspen Mountain has a well developed and reputable ski and snowboard school, but for obvious reasons it’s not well geared up for beginners or kids lessons. Beginners wanting lessons will be much better served at Buttermilk Mountain or Snowmass.

Adult group lessons are only held in a full day format (10am-3pm) and rates are ouch worthy. Private snowboard and ski lessons are also available for a hefty fee and can be in a half day or full day format.