- Trail network: 90+ miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails accessible from Snowmass Village -- ranging from flat valley walks to serious wilderness backcountry
- Best easy trail: Ditch Trail -- 2 miles each way, minimal elevation gain, unobstructed Mount Daly views, family and dog-friendly; the most accessible trail in the village
- Best views: Rim Trail South -- moderate grade, ridgeline walking above the village, stone meditation platform with panoramic views of Brush Creek Valley and Mount Daly
- Best point-to-point: Government Trail -- 10 miles connecting Snowmass Village to Buttermilk and Aspen; intermediate to advanced; best hiked Snowmass to Aspen for net downhill
- Best wilderness: East Snowmass Trail to Snowmass Lake -- 8.5 miles one way, 3,000+ feet elevation gain, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness; open late June through early October
- Best summer escape: Tom Blake Trail -- 3.5 miles one way, aspen groves and wildflowers, starts near Owl Creek Road; less crowded than Rim Trail
- Best local connector: West Government Trail -- near Snowmass Club neighborhoods; quieter than Government Trail, good for a low-commitment afternoon hike
- Altitude note: Snowmass Village sits at approximately 8,100 feet at the base; trailheads climb higher; buyers and visitors arriving from lower elevations should allow 24–48 hours of acclimatization before attempting longer or higher-elevation hikes
- Season: Most village trails are accessible May through October; East Snowmass Trail typically late June through early October; winter snowshoeing on the Rim Trail and Ditch Trail is popular December through March
I've been hiking these trails since I moved to Snowmass Village in 2004, and the thing I find myself telling buyers consistently is that the trail system here is one of the most underrated aspects of ownership. People come for the skiing. They stay because of summers like these -- 90 miles of trails, most of them accessible directly from the village, ranging from a 20-minute morning walk to a full wilderness backpacking route that ends at one of the most remote and spectacular alpine lakes in Colorado.
If you're evaluating Snowmass Village as a place to own property, the hiking network is worth understanding in detail. It's not a generic mountain-town claim. The specific trails here -- the Rim Trail's ridgeline views, the Government Trail's Snowmass-to-Aspen traverse, the East Snowmass route into the Maroon Bells Wilderness -- are genuinely exceptional by any standard.
Snowmass Village Trails: Quick Reference
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Season | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rim Trail South | ~5 mi one way | Moderate | May–Oct; snowshoe Dec–Mar | Views, morning runs, ridgeline walking |
| Rim Trail North | ~5 mi one way | Easy–Moderate | May–Oct | Wildlife, forest solitude, families |
| Government Trail | ~10 mi point-to-point | Intermediate–Advanced | Jun–Oct | Snowmass-to-Aspen traverse, full-day adventure |
| Ditch Trail | ~2 mi each way | Easy | May–Oct; snowshoe Dec–Mar | Families, dogs, altitude acclimatization, views |
| East Snowmass Trail | ~8.5 mi one way | Advanced | Late Jun–early Oct | Snowmass Lake, Maroon Bells Wilderness, backpacking |
| Tom Blake Trail | ~3.5 mi one way | Easy–Moderate | Jun–Oct | Aspens, wildflowers, less crowded summer hiking |
| West Government Trail | Varies | Easy–Moderate | May–Oct | Local connector, afternoon hike, Snowmass Club area |
The Trails: What to Know Before You Go
Rim Trail
The Rim Trail is the trail I recommend first to buyers who want to understand what living in Snowmass Village actually feels like on a Tuesday morning. It's accessible from multiple points within the village, it's well-maintained, and the views it delivers -- Mount Daly, the Brush Creek Valley, the ski area terrain below -- give you a genuine sense of the landscape you'd be waking up in. The South section is the more popular half for good reason: the ridgeline walking and the stone meditation platform at the top are as good as hiking in this valley gets at the moderate difficulty level.
- Rim Trail South: The primary section -- starts near Snowmass Village and climbs steadily through aspen groves and open meadows to a ridgeline with panoramic views; stone meditation platform at the high point offers one of the best 360-degree views accessible from the village; approximately 5 miles one way
- Rim Trail North: The quieter, more forested section -- dense tree coverage, wildlife sightings common (deer, foxes, occasionally bears), more solitude than the South section; good for families with children who want a lower-key experience
- Trailhead access: Multiple access points from within Snowmass Village; the South section is accessible from the Snowmass Club area; confirm current trailhead access and parking on the Snowmass Village trail map
- Winter use: The Rim Trail is one of the best snowshoeing routes in Snowmass Village during winter -- the South section in particular offers exceptional views of the ski area from above
- For residents: This is the trail people do regularly -- for morning runs, dog walks, and weekend hikes with visiting friends; its proximity to residential neighborhoods is the main reason it's the most-used trail in the village
Government Trail
The Government Trail is the hike that people who live here talk about when they want to show visiting friends what the Roaring Fork Valley's backcountry actually looks like. It's a 10-mile point-to-point route connecting Snowmass Village to Buttermilk Mountain and the outskirts of Aspen -- a genuine wilderness traverse through spruce forest, wildflower meadows, and high-alpine terrain, with wildlife sightings that remind you how much open land still surrounds these communities. The combination of distance, varied terrain, and the satisfaction of walking from one mountain town to another makes it one of the most memorable trail experiences in the area.
- Direction: Most hikers go Snowmass to Aspen -- the net elevation change favors this direction with a gradual downhill finish; the reverse is harder and less commonly done
- Terrain: Dense spruce forest, wildflower-filled meadows, open ridgelines with Elk Mountain views; terrain varies significantly throughout the 10 miles
- Wildlife: Deer, foxes, and black bears are all commonly spotted on this route -- a reminder that Snowmass Village sits within genuine wildlife habitat, not just a resort landscape
- Logistics: Point-to-point means you need a car shuttle or RFTA bus return from Aspen; plan the logistics before you go; the free RFTA bus from Aspen back to Snowmass makes this manageable
- Difficulty: Length and remote feel make it intermediate to advanced -- not technically demanding but not appropriate for casual walkers or those still acclimatizing
Ditch Trail
The Ditch Trail is the trail I recommend to buyers who have just arrived in Snowmass for the first time, or to anyone who needs a low-commitment way to get outside and start understanding the landscape. It follows an old irrigation ditch along the mountainside -- gently rolling, wide path, minimal elevation gain -- with unobstructed views of Mount Daly and the Elk Mountains that are genuinely spectacular despite the effort required. At two miles each way it's a round trip you can do in under two hours and feel like you've properly been outside in Colorado.
- Distance and effort: 2 miles each way with minimal elevation gain -- the most accessible trail in the village for all fitness levels and altitude acclimatization stages
- Views: Unobstructed Mount Daly and Elk Mountain views throughout -- among the best mountain views per effort of any trail in Snowmass
- Family and dog-friendly: Wide path, gentle grade, and bench seating along the route make it ideal for families with younger children and dogs of all sizes
- Sky Mountain Park connection: The Ditch Trail connects to the broader Sky Mountain Park trail network -- more ambitious hikers can use it as a launching point for longer routes that climb into the ridgelines above
- Winter: Accessible for snowshoeing during most of the ski season; one of the easier winter trail options in the village
East Snowmass Trail to Snowmass Lake
The East Snowmass Trail is the trail you do when you want to understand why serious hikers and backpackers put Snowmass Village on their list. The destination -- Snowmass Lake at the foot of Snowmass Mountain in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area -- is one of the most spectacular alpine settings in Colorado: a high-altitude lake ringed by 14,000-foot peaks, accessible only to those willing to earn it with 8.5 miles and 3,000+ feet of climbing. I've done this trail multiple times and it never gets routine.
- Trailhead: End of Snowmass Creek Road -- confirm current trailhead access and parking; the approach road adds some time to the overall day
- Distance and gain: 8.5 miles one way, approximately 3,000+ feet elevation gain to Snowmass Lake; a full day as an out-and-back or a multi-day backpack
- Destination: Snowmass Lake at approximately 10,980 feet, at the base of Snowmass Mountain (14,092 feet) -- one of the most remote and beautiful alpine lakes accessible from the Roaring Fork Valley
- Season: Typically accessible late June through early October depending on snowpack; check current conditions before going -- the approach can hold snow into July in heavy snow years
- Beyond Snowmass Lake: The trailhead is also the starting point for the famous Four Pass Loop -- one of the premier backpacking routes in Colorado -- and for those summiting Snowmass Mountain
- Wilderness permit: The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area may have permit requirements for overnight use -- check current USFS regulations before planning a multi-day trip
Tom Blake Trail
Tom Blake Trail is what I call a well-kept local secret -- less trafficked than the Rim Trail but every bit as scenic in its own way. It starts near Owl Creek Road and winds through some of the most beautiful aspen groves in the area, particularly in mid-summer when the aspens provide a cooling canopy and the undergrowth is full of wildflowers. For buyers considering properties near Owl Creek Road or the lower village neighborhoods, this is the trail that would become part of a regular morning routine.
- Character: Aspen groves and wildflower meadows dominate -- at its best in June and July when the undergrowth is at peak bloom; in fall the aspens turn gold and make for exceptional color hiking
- Trailhead: Near Owl Creek Road on the lower slopes of Snowmass Ski Area -- convenient for residents in that part of the village
- Crowd level: Consistently less busy than Rim Trail -- a meaningful factor if you value solitude on your morning hikes
- Connectivity: Connects with several other trails in the Snowmass system allowing extension into longer loops
- Mountain biking: Popular with mountain bikers as well as hikers -- be aware of bike traffic and yield appropriately on shared sections
West Government Trail
The West Government Trail is the trail for Snowmass Village residents who want to get outside on a weekday afternoon without committing to a full-day adventure. It runs along the lower slopes of Burnt Mountain near the Snowmass Club and surrounding neighborhoods -- accessible on foot from that part of the village without driving to a trailhead. Alpine meadows, shaded forest, and scenic overlooks in a package that works for a 90-minute after-work hike. For buyers considering properties near the Snowmass Club, this trail is a direct extension of daily life rather than a weekend destination.
- Location advantage: Near Snowmass Club neighborhoods -- genuinely walkable from nearby residences without requiring a car or shuttle to a trailhead
- Terrain: Lower-slope hiking along Burnt Mountain with access to alpine meadows, forested paths, and scenic overlooks; less dramatic than Rim Trail but more accessible for a casual outing
- Crowd level: Less traveled than Government Trail and Rim Trail -- good for residents who want a quieter experience close to home
- Use case: Best suited for afternoon hikes, dog walks, and casual exploration rather than a destination hiking experience
Hiking in Snowmass Village by Season
- May–June: Lower-elevation trails open first -- Ditch Trail, Rim Trail South, West Government Trail typically accessible by mid-May; higher trails (Government Trail, Tom Blake) open by June; East Snowmass Trail usually opens late June depending on snowpack
- July–August: Peak hiking season -- all trails fully open; wildflowers on Tom Blake and East Snowmass at peak; Snowmass Lake accessible; most crowded period on Rim Trail; Bike Park also running simultaneously
- September–October: Fall color season -- aspen groves on Tom Blake and East Snowmass approach turn gold; cooler temperatures make longer hikes more comfortable; trails begin closing in late October as snow returns to higher elevations
- November–April: Snowshoe season -- Rim Trail South and Ditch Trail accessible for snowshoeing throughout the ski season; other trails buried under snow; snowshoe rentals available in Base Village
- Moderate hiking on Snowmass Ski Area: Summer mountain access via Elk Camp Gondola -- beginner to moderate hiking accessible from the gondola top station without a long approach; combined well with Lost Forest activities
What the Trail System Tells You About Owning in Snowmass Village
When I show property in Snowmass Village, I almost always end the tour with a walk on the Ditch Trail or the lower Rim Trail. Not because I'm trying to sell the hiking -- but because standing on those trails, looking at Mount Daly, and understanding that this view is 10 minutes from Base Village puts the real estate in a context that no floor plan or amenity list can replicate.
The hiking network is one of the reasons Snowmass Village holds its value the way it does. You can build a better building. You can upgrade a ski area. You can add restaurants and retail. You cannot manufacture 90 miles of trails in a wilderness setting that is immediately adjacent to a fully serviced resort community. That combination -- genuine backcountry access alongside ski-in/ski-out condos, world-class dining, and Base Village amenities -- is what Snowmass Village offers and what the Roaring Fork Valley real estate market consistently reflects in pricing.
For buyers who prioritize outdoor access as a primary driver of their purchase, I'd encourage you to spend a morning on the Rim Trail before you look at a single listing. It'll calibrate your expectations in the right direction. Then reach out to me and we'll talk about which properties put you closest to the trails you want to use most.
Hiking in Snowmass Village: Common Questions
What are the best hiking trails in Snowmass Village?
The top hiking trails in Snowmass Village are the Rim Trail (10 miles total, panoramic views of Mount Daly and Brush Creek Valley, accessible from the village), Government Trail (10-mile Snowmass-to-Aspen traverse, intermediate to advanced), Ditch Trail (easy, 2 miles each way, best for families and acclimatization), East Snowmass Trail to Snowmass Lake (8.5 miles one way, advanced, into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness), Tom Blake Trail (3.5 miles, aspen groves and wildflowers, less crowded), and West Government Trail (easy connector near the Snowmass Club neighborhoods).
What is the easiest hike in Snowmass Village?
The Ditch Trail is the easiest hike in Snowmass Village -- approximately 2 miles each way with minimal elevation gain, a wide path, and unobstructed Mount Daly views throughout. It's appropriate for all fitness levels, families with children, dogs, and visitors who are still acclimatizing to the altitude. The trail follows an old irrigation ditch along the mountainside and includes bench seating along the route. It's also accessible for snowshoeing during winter.
What is the best moderate hiking in Snowmass Village?
Rim Trail South is the best moderate hike in Snowmass Village -- approximately 5 miles one way with a steady climb through aspen groves to a ridgeline with panoramic views of Mount Daly, Brush Creek Valley, and the ski area. A stone meditation platform at the high point offers 360-degree views. The trail is well-maintained, accessible from within the village, and popular for morning runs and weekend family hikes. Tom Blake Trail (3.5 miles, aspen groves, near Owl Creek Road) is a good moderate alternative with less foot traffic.
Can I hike from Snowmass Village to Aspen?
Yes. The Government Trail connects Snowmass Village to Buttermilk Mountain and the outskirts of Aspen over approximately 10 miles of point-to-point trail. Most hikers go Snowmass to Aspen to take advantage of the net downhill. The trail passes through spruce forest, wildflower meadows, and open ridgelines with Elk Mountain views. The free RFTA bus provides a return from Aspen to Snowmass. The trail is intermediate to advanced due to its length -- not technically demanding but not appropriate for casual walkers.
How do I get to Snowmass Lake from Snowmass Village?
Snowmass Lake is reached via the East Snowmass Trail, with the trailhead at the end of Snowmass Creek Road. The hike is approximately 8.5 miles one way with 3,000+ feet of elevation gain into the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. The lake sits at approximately 10,980 feet at the base of Snowmass Mountain. The trail is typically accessible from late June through early October depending on snowpack. It's an advanced hike best completed as a full-day out-and-back or a multi-day backpacking trip.
What should I know about the altitude when hiking in Snowmass Village?
Snowmass Village sits at approximately 8,100 feet above sea level at Base Village. Most trailheads begin at or above this elevation, and high-altitude trails like East Snowmass climb well above 11,000 feet. Visitors arriving from sea level or low-elevation cities should allow 24–48 hours of acclimatization before attempting strenuous hikes. Stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol on your first day, and start with easier trails like the Ditch Trail before attempting longer or higher routes. Altitude sickness symptoms (headache, fatigue, shortness of breath) typically resolve with rest and descent if needed.
Find Your Snowmass Village Home Base
The right property puts the right trails outside your door. I've been hiking these trails and selling in this market since 2004 -- I can match you to the neighborhoods that align with how you want to use the outdoors here.
Talk to Steve Harriage
