Aspen Mountain (Colorado) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aspen Mountain
Aspen Mountain, seen from the northwest showing the lower ski runs of the Aspen Mountain ski area
Highest point
Elevation	10,705 ft (3,263 m)
Prominence	80 ft (24 m)
Isolation	0.80 mi (1.29 km)
Geography
Aspen Mountain Location in Colorado
Location	Pitkin County, Colorado, U.S.
Parent range	Elk Mountains
Topo map	USGS 7.5' topographic map Aspen, Colorado

Aspen Mountain is a mountain peak located in the Elk Mountains. These mountains are part of the larger Rocky Mountains in North America. The peak stands at 10,705-foot (3,263 m) high.

You can find Aspen Mountain in the White River National Forest. It's about 1.4 miles (2.2 km) south-southeast of downtown Aspen. This area is in Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The northern side of the mountain is home to the Aspen Mountain ski area. This ski area is one of four nearby areas known together as Aspen/Snowmass.

About Aspen Mountain

Aspen Mountain might not be the tallest mountain in Colorado. However, it stands out because it's very close to the town of Aspen. The town was started in 1879 as a place for silver mining. This happened during the Colorado Silver Boom.

Mining History

In the late 1880s and early 1890s, the mountain was a busy spot for mining. Many signs of this mining activity can still be seen today. You can find old mining remains both underground and on the mountain's surface.

From Mining to Skiing

In the middle of the 20th century, Aspen Mountain changed. It became a popular place for downhill skiing. In 1946, a new company called the Aspen Skiing Company was formed. Walter Paepcke helped start this company. They built the first chairlift to the top of the mountain. This opened the ski area that we know today.

Now, people use a modern gondola to reach the top. This gondola can carry six people at a time. It makes getting up the mountain easy and fun.

Local Name

Locals often call Aspen Mountain by another name: Ajax.