Telluride vs Aspen: Which Ski Mountain Town Is Best For You

Are you trying to decide between Telluride vs Aspen for your next ski mountain town getaway? You’ve come to the right place.

Both of these ski mountain towns are located in Colorado and high on many people’s bucket lists, thanks to their outstanding ski slopes, gorgeous mountain views, charming downtown areas filled with restaurants, shops, and bars, and overall fabulous experiences. 

I’ve personally visited both Telluride and Aspen and know that while both of these towns are similar in many ways, they’re also very different and each has its own unique attractions, activities, and vibe. 

In this post, we’ll look at the similarities and differences between Telluride and Aspen, including the costs, weather, skiing, crowds, and more, to help you decide which is better for your next Colorado trip.

Telluride vs Aspen

Both Telluride and Aspen provide a luxurious mountain getaway. They are famous for being iconic ski towns with fantastic skiing, upscale amenities, and high-end shopping options.

In addition to winter activities, both towns offer great opportunities in the spring, summer, and fall, for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring their downtown areas. Your choice between the two might depend on factors like accessibility, the activities you enjoy, or even the ski pass you have.

Here’s everything you need to know when planning your trip to Telluride or Aspen.

Key Differences Between Telluride vs Aspen

When comparing Telluride and Aspen, there are several factors worth considering. These include costs, dining options, ease of access, ski terrain, and other aspects.

To explore the differences between Telluride and Aspen in more detail, continue reading below.

Costs & Prices

Both Telluride and Aspen are famous ski towns known for their glamor. People often praise their amazing skiing, luxurious amenities, celebrity sightings, and overall great vibes.

Based on my own visits, I can say that Telluride tends to be more affordable than Aspen. You’ll find a wider range of accommodation options in Telluride that won’t break the bank compared to Aspen.

The same goes for dining and shopping, Telluride offers more budget-friendly choices. While it’s not a cheap destination overall, Telluride does have options that make it more accessible to different budgets.

Weather

Both Telluride and Aspen are mountain towns in Colorado, and when it comes to weather, they’re quite alike. They may vary slightly in temperature and precipitation by just a tiny bit, but overall, their weather patterns are very similar.

Since skiing is a passion of mine, I’m particularly interested in how each destination fares in winter sports. Telluride gets around 280 inches of snow on average each year, while Aspen receives about 300 inches. This gives Aspen a slight edge in snowfall, although both places offer a similar snowy experience for winter activities.

Food

Both Telluride and Aspen offer excellent dining options, making it a win-win situation for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or après-ski delights.

From my own experience, I’ve noticed that Aspen boasts a broader array of choices spread across its downtown area and four ski resorts. However, Telluride shines with its more affordable and laid-back dining selections.

What I appreciate about Telluride’s dining scene is that most eateries are conveniently located in the downtown area and at the resort itself. This setup makes it easy to stroll around downtown and find numerous dining spots, or grab a quick bite while skiing without straying too far from the slopes.

On the flip side, Aspen’s dining experience can be a bit more challenging. Restaurants are scattered across different areas, including the resorts and downtown, which may require hopping in a car or taking the bus to reach your desired spot. This lack of centralized dining can be a tad inconvenient compared to Telluride’s setup.

Accommodations

Accommodations like hotels, Airbnbs, and other options tend to be pricey regardless of whether you choose Telluride or Aspen. However, if you’re aiming to save some money, Telluride offers a few more affordable options within town. Keep in mind, though, they’re not exactly budget-friendly.

For more budget-friendly accommodations near Telluride, I suggest looking into Ouray at the Ouray Inn. I’ve stayed there myself and commuted to Telluride; it’s a charming town with several options that won’t strain your wallet like slopeside accommodations in Telluride might.

Similarly, for Aspen, if you’re seeking budget-friendly choices, consider staying in Basalt. I’ve stayed at the Element Basalt and commuted to Aspen, and I enjoyed the area, the restaurants, and the nearby hot springs.

On the luxury side, both Aspen and Telluride boast a plethora of high-end hotels. My personal top pick in Telluride is the Madeline Hotel & Residences, while for Aspen, I recommend the St. Regis. Both hotels are excellently located and offer luxurious amenities.

Accessibility

Both Telluride and Aspen have their own airports, although they are not particularly large. To reach Telluride, you’ll need to fly into Telluride Regional Airport, while for Aspen, you’ll land at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

Driving from Denver, it takes approximately 6 hours and 10 minutes to reach Telluride, whereas the journey to Aspen takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Overall, it’s generally easier to access Aspen compared to Telluride.

Skiing

As you probably know, both Telluride and Aspen rank among the top ski resorts in the entire world. Their skiing terrain is exceptional, and I’m lucky to have skied at both destinations.

Telluride offers more than 2,000 skiable acres, catering to various skill levels. And comparing it to Aspen is challenging because Aspen comprises four distinct resorts: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands, totaling 5,600 acres of skiable terrain. With so much terrain it makes it ideal for both beginners and experts. If I had to pick my personal favorite among Aspen’s resorts it would be Aspen Highlands.

If you prefer a ski resort where you won’t repeat runs, Aspen is the place to go. It’s also a great place for avoiding crowds due to the multiple resorts. On the other hand, Telluride rarely has many crowds because it is pretty difficult to get to.

Both resorts offer fantastic skiing, but Aspen’s variety, proximity to Denver, and reputation as the ski capital often make it a preferred choice for an exceptional skiing experience.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with skiing at either resort but Aspen does have more of a variety. 

Telluride vs Aspen: Which Is Better To Visit In 2024?

Deciding between these ski towns is a great choice either way. But to help you make your decision, I’ll outline some of the best activities in each town during the winter season in addition to the fantastic skiing and snowboarding.

Telluride: Best Things To Do

• Heli skiing
• Horseback riding
• Sleigh rides
• Ice skating
• Ice climbing
• Nordic skiing
• Ouray hot springs
• Sledding
• Snowshoeing
• Strolling around downtown
• Fat biking

Aspen: Best Things To Do

• Snowshoeing
• Ice skating
• Shopping
• Glenwood Springs hot springs
• Alpine coaster
• Tubing
• Ullr nights
• Snowcat dinner rides
• Cross country skiing
• Winter hiking
• Relaxing at spas

Telluride Pros And Cons

Aspen Pros And Cons

FAQs About Telluride vs Aspen

Continue reading below as I answer a couple frequently asked questions about visiting Telluride or Aspen. 

What is better Telluride or Aspen?

Aspen is better than Telluride because of its location and fantastic ski slopes.

Is Telluride as expensive as Aspen?

Telluride is not as expensive as Aspen. Telluride has more local restaurants, shops, and accommodation options for visitors to enjoy. Whereas, most of Aspen is high-end with designer shops, fancy restaurants, and world-class accommodations. 

Final Thoughts: Telluride vs Aspen

Choosing between Telluride and Aspen can be tough. They’re both top-notch ski destinations in Colorado, offering luxurious resorts, upscale places to stay, and attractions all year round. But they each have their unique qualities.

Telluride gives you a more secluded feel with plenty of affordable options for shopping, dining, and staying. It’s laid-back and has a western vibe that’s quite charming. Meanwhile, Aspen is all about luxury and glamor, with high-end stores, fancy hotels, and expensive dining experiences.

Both places are fantastic for skiing, so it really depends on the atmosphere and style you prefer. You can’t really make a wrong choice between the two, and if you can, it’s worth checking out both to see what you like best.