Best Types of Properties to Invest in Aspen

Aspen is a world-famous ski town located in Colorado just west of Denver and known for its cozy and quaint small-town feel. The town highlights some of the best amenities that big cities offer, as well as world-class adventure in the Rocky Mountains. Aspen real estate is centered around the main two snow resorts, Aspen Snowmass.

Aspen Snowmass has four different mountains, endless trails, and plenty of off-mountain events for the whole family. Buttermilk has miles of groomers and plenty of beginner-friendly terrains featuring green and blue trails. Aspen Mountain rises up right out of the town for endless diverse terrain. Aspen Highlands features the famous Highland Bowl, with epic lines and steep terrain for experienced skiers and riders. Snowmass is the largest mountain of the four and offers something for everyone, from adventurous terrain parks to gliding green trails and aggressive, steep trails for experts.

Aspen isn’t just the place to be in winter, though. It’s also one of the best destinations for outdoor summer living. Aspen Snowmass switches to summer mode as the snow melts, featuring alpine coasters, slides, hiking, and live music that lights up the summer nights. In the surrounding Rocky Mountains, residents can enjoy plenty of adventures such as hiking, camping, mountain biking, climbing, and white water rafting. There’s no shortage of activities in Aspen, no matter the season.

You're not alone if you’re looking to invest in homes for sale in Aspen. According to the Colorado Association of Realtors, single-family homes in Pitkin County, where Aspen is located, increased in price by 39% between October 2021 to October 2022, from $5,250,000 to $7,300,000. With so much demand, choosing an investment property can be an exciting time. Our guide will walk you through the best properties to invest in around the Aspen area.

One of the most popular Aspen luxury homes is ski-in/ski-out condominiums. Ski-in/Ski-out properties are located on the slopes of Aspen Snowmass and have immediate access to the lifts at resorts. Ski-in/ski-out properties offer extreme luxury and convenience. After sipping a coffee and watching the snow fall, getting to the slopes is as easy as putting on your boots and stepping outside. You get access to the best runs of the day, with pristine snow under your feet as you step off the lift.

At the end of the day, there’s no commute back to the cabin, as you can simply glide right up to your door. Kick off your boots, settle in by the fire or in the community hot tub, and relax immediately. Ski-in/ski-out properties are the ultimate definition of luxury and are in high demand. They also offer access to many resort amenities, such as indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, fitness facilities, spas, and more.

As an investment property, a ski-in/ski-out condominium is one of the best. Many visitors on vacation are looking to rent ski-in/ski-out properties to make the most of their vacation time in the mountains and experience the luxury and convenience of resort living. The resort's amenities allow for an even greater nightly rate and, ultimately, more income. In addition, many of the chores of owning a home are taken care of — the homeowners association typically manages leaf removal, snow removal, and general landscaping, making owning the property a total breeze.

The convenience of ski-in/ski-out properties can sometimes be outweighed by mountain chalets and cabins' fantastic privacy and serenity. These cozy dwellings are often built off the resort and offer the amenities of a full home, including privacy and seclusion. However, just because these cabin oases are located in the wilderness doesn’t mean they don’t come with luxury. Some of the most luxurious mountain chalets are truly mansions, with plenty of room for the entire family to enjoy.

They also feature stunning, classic mountain architecture such as exposed beams, A-frame architecture, raw stones, and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the mountain views. Many have luxurious amenities such as heated pools, wine cellars, and more. These properties can be a fabulous investment, either to rent or to resell at a later date.

For those that want to be close to the action, a condominium downtown is the place to be. Downtown Aspen is simply charming. Walking along the main street is like wandering through a classic snow globe, with eclectic shops, creative eateries, and vibrant bars that play live music long into the night. There’s an incredible array of diverse restaurants featuring some of the best local produce. Living downtown also allows walking access to the lifts at Aspen mountain for easy skiing and riding all winter long.

Although hard to come by, undeveloped land can be a fantastic investment in Aspen. Undeveloped land allows you to create the property of your dreams any way you want. There are many highly skilled and experienced home developers and architects in the area that can help you bring your mountain oasis to life. Undeveloped land is truly a prize in Aspen — it allows you to have a blank canvas to create the perfect home. You can design it exactly to your personal specifications or work with a developer to create the perfect rental or vacation property for additional income.

If you’re considering investing in Aspen real estate, you will want to work with a great realtor. One of the best realtors in the area is Steven Shane. He is an award-winning Colorado realtor with extensive experience in the luxury market. If you’re ready to start investing in real estate, Steven will guide you through the process to make it easy, fun, and exciting.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Steven Shane}