Snowmass Trails to Aspen Shuttle Ride

About

The Snowmass Trails to Aspen Shuttle Ride is a difficult mountain biking route connecting Snowmass Village to Aspen, Colorado. The ride utilizes the Government Trail as a primary component, traversing from the eastern flanks of Snowmass Ski Area toward the Tiehack side of Buttermilk Ski Area. The route begins near the Snowmass ski area, utilizing the Owl Creek bike path and Tom Blake trail to reach Fanny Hill. From there, riders ascend the Fanny Hill dirt 4WD work road to access the Village Bound trail, which climbs to West Government Trail. The descent follows the Ditch Trail and Connector trail before concluding near Aspen at the base of Buttermilk. This setup facilitates a car shuttle between the start and finish points. The terrain features significant elevation change, including steep inclines and technical sections with rocky and root-tangled surfaces. The trail passes through dark timber forests, open meadows, and aspen groves. The route is accessible from April through October, though significant portions may be closed from May 15 through June 20 for elk calving season. Parking is available at the trailhead, and pets are permitted. The area is part of the Roaring Fork Valley’s IMBA Gold Level-rated trail ecosystem.