Nestled at the base of Aspen Mountain, the high-country ski resort town of Aspen is among the most highly acclaimed ski destinations in North America. Aspen is the playground for many of the country’s so-called elite from the entertainment, business, media, and political sectors of society. On any given day, you’ll see celebrities skiing on Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk, or Aspen Highlands, or dining in upscale restaurants and or shopping in pricy boutiques.

Aspen was founded as a mining camp during the Colorado Silver boom and later named Aspen for the abundance of aspen trees in the area. Aspen is home to the Aspen Music Festival and School, the Aspen Institute, and the Aspen Center for Physics. It was also the former home of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. The famous singer John Denver also lived in Aspen and wrote several songs about the town and the area.

Aspen is one of the most popular places for vacation homeowners and tourists. Outdoor recreation in the surrounding White River National Forest serves as a summertime counterpart of the city’s four ski areas. Demand for real estate has made Aspen one of the most expensive places in the country to buy a home.

The Aspen Skiing Company was founded in 1946 and the city quickly became a well-known resort, hosting several international competitions every year. The city’s character has transformed dramatically in recent decades by skyrocketing property values and the proliferation

of second homes, increasingly shutting low and middle-income workers out of the city and creating a large pool of commuters from nearby bedroom communities such as Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs.

Aspen is a glitzy playground for the wealthy and famous and has become a second home for many international jetsetters. In 2020, the average single-family home in Aspen sold for $11 million, and nearly a dozen homes sold for more than $25 million.