Aspen Gay Travel
wolfyy’s Aspen gay travel guide to hotels, vacation rentals, things to do, & gay ski week events.
The Gay Travel Experience: Aspen, Colorado
One of the most luxurious ski towns in the United States, Aspen draws a loyal crowd eager for a good time. LGBT travelers in particular tend to have Aspen on their radars for the epic gay ski week events held each year.
It didn’t take long to understand why everyone loves this town so much. Downtown Aspen is so charming. Everything you could need is easily accessible and the accommodations are lavish.
Aspen isn’t just a winter LGBT vacation spot. Tourists visit all year round! While more people come once it’s cold enough for snow, many travelers enjoy the mountainous terrain all year. Seeing the yellow Aspen trees in Autumn is priceless.
Similar to nearby Vail, Aspen has a largely transient community, which means the number of gay travelers there can fluctuate. You’ll of course find yourself amongst a sea of other gay guys during gay ski week, as well as a decent bunch over the winter season.
Gay Aspen: Hotels & Vacation Rentals
Hotels in Aspen are often associated with luxury, but this ski town offers accommodations that fit all different price ranges.
If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll need to weigh your options carefully. Finding the right balance between price and location is possible, though!
Downtown Aspen Hotels for Gay Travelers
For the most luxurious experience where you can feel the town’s charm, stay in the downtown area.
Aspen Mountain hotels situated right at the base of Aspen Mountain at the edge of the downtown are the most sought-after.
Conveniently located, you’ll be able to walk to plenty of stores and restaurants. They can be on the expensive side though, especially if they’re directly in front of the ski lifts.
The Limelight Hotel is a top choice. It’s elegant, modern, and strikes the perfect balance of price and location. Rooms even include gorgeous mini-kitchens.
A couple of the nicest places to stay nearby are Hotel Jerome, which has a rich, traditional style, and The Little Nell, which offers a modern interior design.
I have a couple of friends who stayed at Hotel Jerome specifically and they say it’s fabulous.
Aspen Vacation Rentals
Don’t skip a search on VRBO for accommodations—you can find some stunning homes and condo rentals that might even suit you better than a hotel.
Some of the most elegant places are actually vacation rentals in Aspen Highlands. There are a decent number of condo buildings up here.
Access to pools and other condominium facilities is also a great perk of vacation rentals. You can even find some chic rentals in the Ritz Carlton Residences, too.
Many vacation rentals in Aspen Village are just as eye-catching. If the Aspen Highlands area doesn’t suit you, or you just prefer being closer to town, there are still options.
Aspen Gay Travel Experiences
When in Aspen, you’ll either be keeping busy with outdoor sports, or you’ll be indulging in your accommodation’s lavish facilities. Go skiing or snowboarding, eat delicious meals, and relax at a spa.
Après Ski Time
Lots of gay travelers get more excited for après ski events than for the skiing itself! Après ski is a notoriously fun way to spend an afternoon.
Join some friends at a bar and then go for a swim in a relaxing heated pool!
Grab Some New Winter Gear
If you didn’t get a chance to pick up some new cold-weather clothing or outerwear, it’ll be super easy to get what you need in Aspen.
All of the most well-known winter clothing brands have storefronts in the center of town. Renting equipment will be a cinch too. Gorsuch Ltd is the crowd favorite for fantastic rental gear and accessories.
Related → Winter Packing List Essentials
Ski Aspen Snowmass
There are so many different local places to ski. You can choose from Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. The Aspen Snowmass website has overviews for each.
Buy your lift tickets before you head for Aspen’s glorious slopes. If you buy tickets early enough in advance, you should get a pretty good discount. Ticket prices are around $150 for a single day. This rate decreases the more days you purchase.
Drive Through Independence Pass
Some of the best views in Colorado are right outside of Aspen at the famous Independence Pass.
If you’re not visiting during the peak winter season (it closes from November to May) I highly recommend making the trip. You can hike the trails or stick to the viewpoints reachable by car.
Restaurants in Aspen
Aspen has some super chic restaurants and cocktail bars. I loved having an Italian dinner with some tasty wine at Casa Tua. They prepared every cocktail and dish perfectly. The service was stellar as well.
The Aspen Mountain Sundeck Restaurant is definitely an iconic spot for a meal. While I didn’t get to eat here during my visit, I’m counting on it next time! The experience and food here are supposed to be beyond incredible.
Aspen Gay Ski Week
Every January swaths of LGBT travelers at-end the popular Aspen Gay Ski Week, one of the most popular gay ski weeks around the world.
Without a doubt, it’s way more than just skiing. While many attendees do love enjoying winter spots, many don’t even ski or snowboard!
It’s a full seven days of parties, après-ski, and other fun events after the outdoor winter sports activities. You’ll need a range of sexy swimsuits for all the pool parties and jacuzzi time, as well as a skimpy outfit for White Party hosted at a chalet atop the mountain.
There are several tiers of ticket passes available, which range from around $500 to over $1200. If you don’t want to spend so much for all the events, you can also buy entry individual tickets for individual events.
Aspen Gay Travel Tips
Gay Nightlife is Event-Oriented
LGBT travelers are usually wondering about gay nightlife in Aspen. While there aren’t any official gay bars here, you won’t have any trouble finding gay friends during any of the town’s LGBT events or gay ski week.
Visiting During Peak Season
As soon as the snowy winter season arrives, expect Aspen to really buzz. I recommend planning out your week and making restaurant reservations as soon as you can. Things get very busy.
Even in the off-season, walk-in restaurant seating can be difficult to get. During the peak tourist season, this likely won’t even be an option.
Renting Ski Equipment in Aspen
If you’re not a fan of renting ski equipment out on your own, some hotels will help you do this on-site. Check with your specific hotel to see if they can arrange equipment.
Before you head to Aspen, make sure you have these essential winter packing list items!
Want to visit more of Colorado? Next, check out more ski town vibes with wolfyy’s Vail gay travel guide. Or for some city life, read my Denver gay travel guide.
For more inspiration, explore wolfyy’s full collection of gay travel guides.
See wolfyy’s travel resources page for discounts from trusted partner sites.
