Aspen Ski Holidays & Summer Vacations

Dear International Guests,
We are very excited you are in interested in taking a holiday to our remarkable mountain-town. Here you will find general information to help plan your ultimate holiday vacation to Aspen & Snowmass, Colorado. Whether you're coming for the winter ski season, or looking for a tranquil summer experience, as an International guest, you will find Aspen a welcoming destination.

Alcohol
The minimum age for buying alcohol or consuming alcoholic beverages in the United States is 21 years of age. Beer, wine and liquor may be purchased at specialty liquor stores until 2:00 AM Mondays through Saturdays. Alcohol is not served at bars and restaurants beyond 2:00 a.m. on any night of the week. A valid form of photo identification (passport or international driver’s license, etc.) may be required upon purchase of alcohol or for entry to bars and nightclubs. Alcoholic beverages may not be taken off the premises of a bar or restaurant. Liquor stores In the state of Colorado do not operate on Sundays. However, you can buy beer in supermarkets on Sundays. Beer sold in supermarkets has 3.2% alcohol content.

Altitude
The town of Aspen, Colorado rests at 8,040 feet above sea level. Altitude sickness is prevalent if proper preventative measures are not taken. Simply drinking more fluids is an easy remedy and prevention. Most people notice a shortness of breath, especially when exercising. In addition, the heart is likely to beat faster, and one may develop nausea, fatigue, headache, or have difficulty sleeping. Over the counter medications can be found at most common stores. If these symptoms do not subside within a day or two, consult a doctor.

ATMs/Banks
Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are widely accepted throughout town and on the mountain, in addition to Traveler's Cheques. ATM machines, located throughout Aspen, accept most cards for a small fee.

Emergencies
Dial 911 for emergency services.

Smoking
Colorado is now smoke-free; therefore smoking is no longer permitted in restaurants, bars and other indoor public places. Some establishments do allow smoking on outdoor deck areas.

Voltage In Aspen
Voltage in the United States is 110V.

Tipping In Aspen, Colorado
Tipping is standard and expected in Aspen in places, such as, restaurants and bars, and for special services rendered, like valet parking, massage and most complimentary services. Below are a few tipping suggestions.

• Bartenders: $1 per beverage or for multiple beverages 15-20% of the total bill.
• Beauty Shops/Spas/Hair Salons: 15% of total bill.
• Courtesy Shuttle Drivers: A few dollars.
• Food Delivery Service: 15-20% of total bill depending on size of order and distance traveled.
• Hotel Bellman: $1 per bag is standard. Tip when he shows you to your room and again if he assists you upon checkout. Tip more if he provides any additional service, such as, hanging your items. Note: A $5 tip upon arrival can usually guarantee you special attention should you require it.
• Paid Shuttle Drivers: While tipping is up to the discretion of the customer, most paid shuttle drivers receive anywhere from $3 – $10.
• Parking Attendants: Tip $1-$2 when your car is delivered.
• Ski & snowboard Instructors: Instructors do not generally expect a tip, but it is recommended, if you enjoyed your experience. Use this as a loose guideline: $20 for a full-day class lesson and $80-$100 for a full-day private lesson.
• Taxi/Limo Drivers: A $2-$3 tip is usually satisfactory, more if he helps you with your bags and/or takes special steps to get you to your destination on time.
  
• Tour Guides: If a tip is not automatically included, tip $1 for a half-day tour, $2 for full-day tour, and anywhere from $5-$10 for a week-long tour. Tip a private guide more.
  
  
• Waiters: 15-20% of your pre-tax check is considered standard. The same applies to room service waiters. Some restaurants will automatically add a 15% gratuity to your bill, especially for large parties. Look for it before tipping. If the 15% is added, you need only tip up to another 5% for superlative service.

To begin planning your Aspen Holiday please visit our Aspen Vacation Planner.