Aspen: What to Know Before You Go

Short answer: book your Maroon Bells shuttle or early-morning parking reservation at aspenchamber.org weeks before arriving (especially for September's golden foliage), drink three litres of water on your first day to prevent altitude headaches at 2,408 metres (7,908 feet), and use Aspen's 100% free RFTA buses and Downtowner app instead of paying for downtown parking.

1. Adjusting to Aspen's High Altitude (2,408m Base to 3,813m Mountain Summits)

Downtown Aspen sits at 2,408 metres (7,908 feet) above sea level, already 800 metres higher than Denver, and riding the Silver Queen Gondola or driving over Independence Pass takes you above 3,400 to 3,687 metres (11,200 to 12,095 feet) where the air holds 35% less effective oxygen than at sea level:

• The 3 Golden First-Day Rules: 1) Drink twice as much water and electrolytes as normal starting on your flight; 2) Go easy on alcohol and heavy caffeine during your first 24 hours (one cocktail at 8,000 feet hits like two at sea level); and 3) Save strenuous hikes like Cathedral Lake or Highland Bowl for Day 2 or Day 3.

2. Three Essential Logistics Rules Before You Arrive

1. Book Your Maroon Bells Shuttle or Parking Permit Early: from mid-May through October, personal cars are barred from Maroon Creek Road between morning and late afternoon. Reserve your RFTA Shuttle seat or early-morning parking tag online via the official site.
2. Remember That Highway 82 Over Independence Pass Closes Every Winter (Nov to Late May): in winter and spring, the only road into Aspen is Highway 82 from Glenwood Springs and I-70.
3. Use 100% Free Transit: see our free RFTA bus and Downtowner guide.

3. When to Reserve Dining & Mountain Activities

If your trip falls during the Food & Wine Classic in mid-June, the Aspen Music Festival in July and August, peak golden foliage in late September, or the Christmas and Winter X Games weeks, reserve tables at Matsuhisa, Cloud Nine and Pine Creek Cookhouse 30 days ahead.