Aspen, Colorado, occupies a unique position in the skiing world. Part legendary resort town, part cultural capital of the Rockies, and part living reminder of the Wild West mining era, it offers a mountain experience that extends far beyond the slopes. The Aspen Snowmass complex — encompassing four distinct mountains: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass — delivers over 5,500 acres of skiable terrain across the Elk Mountains range, with a summit elevation reaching 12,510 feet (3,813 metres) and an average annual snowfall of 300 inches (762 cm).
Mid-February 2026 finds Aspen in solid form. The mountains are reporting packed powder on groomed runs, a base depth of around 21 inches at mid-mountain, and 94 of 103 kilometres of pistes open. While Colorado has been waiting for a significant storm refresh in recent days, the cold temperatures have preserved existing snow quality, and the extended forecast hints at potential snowfall later in the week. Here is your complete guide to Aspen weather and conditions for February 8–14, 2026.
Quick Snapshot — Aspen This Week:
Base depth: 21 inches (53 cm) at mid-mountain
Open terrain: 94 of 103 km of pistes | 6 of 9 lifts at Aspen Mountain
Piste condition: Packed powder and firm groomed snow
Temperature range: -12°C to -2°C at summit (3,418 m)
Currently the most terrain open in Colorado
Wind: Light to moderate, calm periods midweek
Current Conditions Across All Four Mountains
Aspen Snowmass currently has the distinction of having the most terrain open of any ski area in Colorado, which speaks to the quality of their snowmaking operation and grooming programme even during periods of lower natural snowfall. The piste state across all four mountains is rated as packed powder with groomed snow — firm and fast in the mornings, softening slightly where the afternoon sun reaches lower-elevation south-facing slopes.
Aspen Mountain (Ajax) is the flagship — a steep, expert-friendly mountain that rises directly above the town of Aspen. Six of nine lifts are running, with the Silver Queen Gondola providing the main access from the base. The upper runs like Ruthie's and the Dumps are in good shape, with the firm surface rewarding clean, carved turns.
Aspen Highlands, beloved by locals for its challenging terrain and the legendary Highland Bowl (a hike-to, expert-only zone above the top lift), is reporting excellent conditions on its north-facing slopes. The Northwoods area, where snow depth measurements are taken, consistently holds the deepest snow across the four mountains.
Buttermilk offers gentle, beginner-friendly terrain and is home to the X Games terrain parks. Current conditions are good, with well-groomed runs and a relaxed atmosphere. Snowmass, the largest of the four at over 3,300 acres, provides the most diverse terrain — from mellow intermediate cruisers to steep glades — and is reporting strong coverage across its extensive trail network.
Day-by-Day Weather Forecast: February 8–14, 2026
Sunday, February 8 — Clear and Cold
A crisp, sunny start to the week. Expect clear skies over the Elk Mountains, with summit temperatures around -10°C to -6°C and valley temperatures in Aspen town between -8°C and 0°C. No precipitation is forecast. The groomed pistes will be in superb condition — firm corduroy in the morning, holding well through the day thanks to the cold. An excellent day for the Silver Queen Gondola to the summit of Ajax for panoramic views of the Maroon Bells. UV levels at altitude will be high; bring quality sunglasses or goggles and apply SPF 50+.
Monday, February 9 — Sunny, Continued Dry
Another beautiful bluebird day. High pressure dominates the Colorado Rockies, keeping skies mostly clear and temperatures cold at altitude. Summit highs reach -5°C, while the town of Aspen warms to around 2°C in the afternoon sun. This is ideal weather for exploring the expansive terrain at Snowmass, where the long intermediate runs like Big Burn and Elk Camp offer miles of cruising. Winds are light at all elevations.
Tuesday, February 10 — Fair, Slight Warming
Partly sunny with high cloud building through the afternoon. Temperatures edge slightly warmer, with summit highs around -4°C and town temperatures reaching 3°C. No precipitation. The warming trend softens the snow surface on south-facing slopes during the afternoon, creating pleasant spring-like skiing conditions lower down. North-facing runs maintain their firmness. An excellent day for Aspen Highlands — the Deep Temerity and Steeplechase runs on the north side will be in their element.
Wednesday, February 11 — Increasing Cloud
Cloud cover thickens as a Pacific weather system approaches from the west. Temperatures remain mild for altitude, with summits around -3°C. A few flurries are possible by late afternoon, but any accumulation will be minimal — perhaps a dusting. The changing light conditions can create flat visibility on open slopes, so tree-lined runs at Snowmass and the Highlands are recommended for the afternoon session. Wind remains light.
Thursday, February 12 — Snow Possible
The most promising day of the week for fresh snow. Models show the Pacific system tracking across Colorado with a potential 5–10 cm of snow at summit elevations, most likely falling overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning. If this materializes, it will provide a welcome refresh of the surface across all four mountains. Temperatures drop back to -8°C at summit level. Overcast skies with moderate visibility. This could be a day for exploring Highland Bowl if the fresh snow arrives — the hike to the top takes about 45 minutes and rewards you with some of the most dramatic in-bounds skiing in North America.
Friday, February 13 — Clearing, Cold
Any overnight snow clears by mid-morning, with skies breaking to partly sunny through the afternoon. Temperatures cool further, with summit highs around -8°C and town temperatures struggling to reach 0°C. If Thursday delivered fresh snow, Friday will be the day to enjoy it — fresh tracks on groomed runs and potentially soft snow in protected tree areas. Wind remains light to moderate.
Saturday, February 14 — Sunny, Cold, Beautiful
Valentine's Day in Aspen looks gorgeous. Expect clear to mostly sunny skies, cold temperatures (-10°C at summit, 0°C in town), and calm winds. The combination of any fresh snow from earlier in the week, cold preservation temperatures, and sunshine makes for outstanding ski conditions across all four mountains. The town of Aspen will be bustling with romantic dinners and events — this is one of the premier Valentine's Day destinations in the United States.
Weekly Temperature Summary
| Day |
Summit High |
Town High |
Fresh Snow |
Conditions |
| Sun 8 | -6°C | 0°C | 0 cm | Clear, cold |
| Mon 9 | -5°C | 2°C | 0 cm | Bluebird |
| Tue 10 | -4°C | 3°C | 0 cm | Partly sunny |
| Wed 11 | -3°C | 2°C | Trace | Cloud increasing |
| Thu 12 | -8°C | -1°C | 5–10 cm | Snow possible |
| Fri 13 | -8°C | 0°C | 0 cm | Clearing |
| Sat 14 | -10°C | 0°C | 0 cm | Sunny, cold |
The Four Mountains: A Quick Guide
Aspen Mountain (Ajax)
The original, the iconic, the mountain that put Aspen on the map. Aspen Mountain hosted the first chairlift in the world when it was installed in 1946, and it remains the heart of the resort experience. There are no beginner runs here — the entire mountain is rated intermediate to expert. The Silver Queen Gondola rises from the centre of town to the 11,212-foot summit in 14 minutes. Key runs include Spar Gulch (a classic cruiser), Ruthie's Run (wide and fast), and the infamous Walsh's (steep, mogulled, and not for the faint-hearted). The Sundeck restaurant at the summit offers spectacular views and surprisingly good food for an on-mountain venue.
Aspen Highlands
The locals' mountain. Highlands offers the most vertical in the Aspen area and arguably the most exciting terrain, including the legendary Highland Bowl — a 227-acre above-treeline zone accessed by a 20-minute boot-pack from the top of the Loge Peak lift. The bowl opens when conditions allow and delivers some of the steepest, most dramatic in-bounds skiing anywhere in Colorado. Beyond the bowl, the Steeplechase area and Deep Temerity woods offer excellent advanced terrain.
Buttermilk
The friendliest mountain in the Aspen family, Buttermilk is ideal for beginners, families, and freestyle enthusiasts. It hosts the ESPN Winter X Games each January, and the terrain parks are among the best in North America. The gentle learning areas and patient atmosphere make it the place to bring first-timers. Don't overlook the Tiehack side, though — the tree skiing here can be surprisingly good after fresh snow.
Snowmass
The big one. At over 3,300 acres, Snowmass offers more terrain than the other three mountains combined. The variety is extraordinary: long groomed cruisers like Big Burn and Elk Camp, steep tree runs in the Hanging Valley Glades, and the 5.3-mile Long Shot run — one of the longest continuous descents in the United States. The Snowmass Village at the base is a complete resort community with hotels, restaurants, and shops. For families and mixed-ability groups, Snowmass is the best base in the Aspen area.
What to Wear and Pack
Colorado's high-altitude climate brings intense sunshine, low humidity, and dramatic temperature swings between summit and valley. Layer carefully: a moisture-wicking base, an insulating mid-layer, and a breathable shell will serve you well across the expected temperature range of -12°C to 3°C. The dry air means you will not feel as cold as the thermometer suggests, but wind chill on exposed chairlifts can be significant. Sunscreen is absolutely critical — Colorado's thin atmosphere at 8,000+ feet allows more UV radiation than lower-altitude destinations, and snow reflection amplifies the effect. Drink plenty of water to combat altitude dehydration, which is common during the first day or two for visitors arriving from sea level.
Getting to Aspen
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) receives direct flights from several major US cities during the ski season, including Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston. The airport is just four miles from town, making it one of the most convenient fly-in ski destinations in North America. For international travellers, Denver International Airport (DEN) is the main gateway, with onward travel to Aspen via a scenic 4-hour drive over Independence Pass (closed in winter — use Highway 82 via Glenwood Springs instead) or a connecting flight to ASE. Colorado Mountain Express and other shuttle services operate regular transfers from DEN and Eagle County Airport (EGE), which is about 2 hours from Aspen.
Dining and Nightlife
Aspen's dining scene rivals that of any major city. From the legendary truffle fries and people-watching at the Ajax Tavern (at the base of Aspen Mountain) to the Michelin-worthy tasting menus at Element 47 in The Little Nell hotel, the range is extraordinary. Matsuhisa, Nobu's original mountain outpost, delivers world-class Japanese cuisine, while Jimmy's serves classic American comfort food in a lively atmosphere. For a more casual après-ski vibe, the J-Bar inside the Hotel Jerome — a beautifully preserved 1889 landmark — is the place to see and be seen with a signature Aspen Crud cocktail.
Valentine's Day on Saturday will see special menus and events across town. Book early — Aspen's best restaurants fill up weeks in advance for February 14.
Full Aspen Forecast on WFY24
For the full 16-day Aspen weather forecast with hourly temperature, wind, and precipitation data, visit the Aspen weather page on WFY24.com.
Last updated: February 8, 2026. For real-time Aspen conditions, visit WFY24.com.
