Powder Compass

Atlas · Colorado · CO

Aspen Highlands

12,392′ summit · 3,635′ vert · 1,040 acres · avg 300″/yr

Solid odds — Feb 1–15

Delivered 24″+ in 7 of the last 10 seasons

Over 20 winters: 9 of 20 · typical 22", most land 17"–39"

Before you book

This bet missed 3 of the last 10.

None of the last 10 came in under 8″ — a bust, under a third of the bet.

Odds count natural snowfall only. At snowmaking-dependent resorts, early-season cover can be fine in a low-natural-snow year.

The season, window by window

The bet: 12″ of new snow per week, scaled to each window. Counted from real seasons — how our odds work.

Aspen Highlands · the shape of a typical winter

Typical new snow, window by window

The middle season — median new snow per window, counted from the last 20 winters. A picture of timing, not a forecast. Snow is streaky; hover any window for the usual range.

0 15 30 45" NovDecJanFebMarApr
Window Bet Delivered Verdict Typical Biggest Leanest
Nov 1–15 24″+ 2 of 10 · 4 busts Long shot 18" 35" 2014 0" 2025 · 2 of 20
Nov 16–30 24″+ 6 of 10 Solid odds 24" 47" 2024 1" 2012
Dec 1–15 24″+ 5 of 10 Coin flip 25" 63" 2007 6" 2006
Dec 16–31 30″+ 3 of 10 Long shot 22" 98" 2021 5" 2011
Jan 1–15 24″+ 4 of 10 · 1 bust Coin flip 19" 77" 2017 5" 2013
Jan 16–31 30″+ 1 of 10 · 2 busts Long shot 27" 38" 2014 8" 2007
Feb 1–15 24″+ 7 of 10 Solid odds 22" 45" 2008 10" 2022
Feb 16–28/29 24″+ 4 of 10 · 1 bust Coin flip 24" 38" 2022 7" 2025
Mar 1–15 24″+ 6 of 10 Solid odds 22" 81" 2019 8" 2018
Mar 16–31 30″+ 3 of 10 · 1 bust Long shot 29" 52" 2011 3" 2026
Apr 1–15 24″+ 3 of 10 Long shot 22" 56" 2018 7" 2015
Apr 16–30 24″+ 6 of 10 Solid odds 28" 58" 2011 12" 2012

Biggest and leanest are the two ends of the same 20 winters Typical is counted from — the year is when it happened, most recent first where more than one season ties.

At the snow sensor

Reading the snow sensor…

Field notes

The locals' pick of the Aspen four and a steep-skiing benchmark — Highland Bowl's hike-to lines are a pilgrimage, and the Steeplechase and Olympic Bowl terrain below is honest expert fare without the crowds. The trail map runs heavily advanced, and the number is accurate.

There's a small base and no village to speak of — stay in Aspen and bus over. Bowl laps demand fitness, a solid half-hour-plus hike when the snowcat to the shoulder isn't running. This is the one to plan a storm cycle around.

Watch this window

We'll email you when Aspen Highlands's odds move on the Feb 1–15 window — and the quote gets recorded as it stands today, so we can be graded on it later.

Planning a whole season? See the season outlook.

These are historical odds from the last 20 winters — not a forecast. Inside 16 days of a trip, a forecast is the better instrument; beyond that, counting real seasons is the honest play. Every number on this page is quoted under methodology v1.2.0, the same math we grade ourselves against in public.