You’re staring at the price of a night at the Little Nell and wondering if you actually need two kidneys. Aspen is expensive. It’s legendary for being expensive. But if you’re actually there to ski—like, really ski—you’ve probably realized that staying in the heart of the village isn't always the flex people think it is. Honestly, hauling your gear across three blocks of icy pavement just to get to the gondola is a nightmare. This is exactly where The Inn at Aspen enters the conversation.
It’s sitting right at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. Most people think of Buttermilk as the "kids' hill" or the place where the X Games happen once a year, but for a skier who wants to wake up, grab a coffee, and literally click into their bindings ten feet from the door, this spot is a sleeper hit.
The Reality of Staying at the Base of Buttermilk
Buttermilk has a reputation. If you’re a double-black-diamond seeker looking for the terrifying chutes of Highlands, you might scoff at a hotel located here. But here’s the thing: Aspen is a "power of four" town. One lift ticket gets you onto Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Snowmass, Highlands, and Buttermilk. They are all connected by a free shuttle system that is surprisingly efficient.
Staying at The Inn at Aspen means you aren't paying the $1,500-a-night "Main Street" tax, yet you have the only ski-in/ski-out access at this specific base area. It’s a Wyndham Vacation Rentals property, which means the experience is a bit different than a standard boutique hotel. You’ve got a mix of privately owned condos and hotel rooms. It’s a bit of a hybrid.
The building itself has that classic, slightly nostalgic Colorado ski lodge vibe. Heavy timbers. Big windows. Stone fireplaces. It doesn't try to be a minimalist ultra-modern gallery. It feels like a place where you can actually kick off your boots without feeling like you’re ruining the aesthetic.
Why the Location Is Smarter Than It Looks
Most visitors fixate on being near the Silver Queen Gondola. Sure, it’s iconic. But it’s also chaotic.
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- The X Games Factor: If you are visiting in late January, you are literally at the center of the universe. The Inn sits at the foot of the X Games slopestyle and halfpipe courses. You can watch world-class athletes from the property.
- The Learning Curve: If you have kids or you’re still mastering your edges, Buttermilk is the best learning mountain in North America. Period. The Panda Peak lift is right there.
- The Shuttle Cheat Code: The RFTA (Roaring Fork Transportation Authority) buses stop right outside. You can be in downtown Aspen for dinner in about 10-12 minutes without worrying about the $40 parking fees or the "Aspen glance" from valet drivers.
What’s Actually Inside the Rooms?
Expect variety. Because these are often individually owned units managed under a central flag, one room might have a sub-zero fridge and custom cabinetry while the one next door is a bit more "90s mountain cozy."
Standard rooms usually come with a kitchenette. This is a massive win. Even if you have the budget for dinner at Matsuhisa every night, sometimes you just want to make a grilled cheese and crash after doing 20 laps on the Tiehack lift. Having a microwave, toaster, and a small fridge changes the economics of an Aspen trip entirely.
The "Studio" units are the workhorses here. They usually feature two queen beds or a king and a sleeper sofa. They aren't massive suites, but they utilize the square footage well. Most have a patio or balcony. If you get a mountain-facing room, you’re looking directly at the slopes. It’s a great way to check the snow conditions before you even get out of bed.
The Amenities That Actually Matter
Let’s talk about the pool. It’s outdoors, heated, and sits right by the mountain. There is something fundamentally "Aspen" about sitting in a steaming hot tub while watching the snow cats groom the runs under the lights at night.
- The Fitness Center: It exists. It’s fine. You’re here to ski, though.
- Home Team BBQ: This is a big deal. The on-site restaurant isn't just "hotel food." Home Team BBQ is a legitimate staple that migrated from Charleston. Their "Gamechanger" frozen cocktail is famous (and dangerous). It’s one of the best après-ski spots in the valley, and you don’t even have to leave the building.
- Ski Valet: They take your gear. You don't carry it to your room. This should be a law at all ski resorts.
The "Buttermilk Gap" and Misconceptions
People think Buttermilk is boring. That’s a mistake. While the front side is mellow, the Tiehack side has some incredible glades and steep groomers that stay pristine long after Ajax has been bumped out.
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Staying at The Inn at Aspen gives you a "home base" that feels quieter than the frenzy of Snowmass Base Village or the high-society buzz of the core. It’s a place for people who want the Aspen experience without the Aspen pretension.
The price point is usually the biggest surprise. You can often find rooms here for 40% less than comparable ski-in/ski-out properties in Snowmass. Does it have a 24-hour butler? No. Does it have a fleet of Audis to drive you around? Usually just a local shuttle. But it has the one thing you can't buy elsewhere: convenience for the price.
Practical Tips for Booking
Don't just book the first thing you see on a travel site. Since these are condos, look closely at the photos of the specific unit if you are booking through a secondary platform.
If you’re flying into ASE (Aspen-Pitkin County Airport), you are literally three minutes away. You could almost walk, though the hotel shuttle will pick you up. It’s the fastest airport-to-hotel transition in the Rockies.
Logistics of the Roaring Fork Valley
One thing to keep in mind is that Aspen is a linear valley. The Inn at Aspen sits on Highway 82. This is the main artery.
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If you want to head to the Maroon Bells—the most photographed peaks in North America—you’re already on the right side of town to beat the crowds to the shuttle at Aspen Highlands. If you want to go to Snowmass for the day, you’re closer than the people staying downtown.
The only real downside? If you want to walk to a different bar every night, you’re going to be relying on the bus or Ubers. But since the bus is free and runs until 2:00 AM, it’s a minor trade-off for being able to ski to your back door.
How to Do Aspen Without Going Broke
The Inn is the foundation of a "Value Aspen" strategy. Pair it with these moves:
- Grocery Stop: Hit the City Market in town or the Whole Foods in Basalt on your way in. Use that kitchenette.
- The Milk Run: Ski Buttermilk in the morning, then take the shuttle to Highlands for a late lunch at Cloud Nine if you want the party, or Alehouse for a local beer.
- Free Events: Aspen has a ton of free gallery openings and talks at the Aspen Institute. Check the Aspen Times or Aspen Daily News (both free in the lobby) for the day's schedule.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check the X Games Schedule: If you want peace and quiet, avoid late January. If you want the biggest party in sports, book a year in advance for those specific dates.
- Request a Mountain View: The "parking lot view" is just okay, but the mountain view allows you to see the lifts start spinning, which is the best alarm clock in the world.
- Download the RFTA App: This tracks the buses in real-time. You’ll never stand in the cold wondering where your ride to town is.
- Book Your Rentals On-Site: There is a Four Mountain Sports right there. You can swap your skis for different conditions (powder vs. carving) at any of their locations across the four mountains. It makes life incredibly easy.
Aspen doesn't have to be a choice between a boring budget motel ten miles away and a luxury suite that costs a mortgage payment. The Inn at Aspen is the middle ground that actually works. It's functional. It’s comfortable. And honestly, being able to walk from the hot tub to your room in thirty seconds after a day on the hill is the only luxury that really matters.