Early winter · Weather & things to do
Aspen in December
Aspen cools off: highs slip to 30°F (-1°C), from 41°F in November, with lows of 10°F (-12°C) and about 2.0 in (51 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Avg low
- 10°F (-12°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.0 in (51 mm)
- Humidity
- 89%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 15 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 30°F (-1°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 10°F (-12°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 2.0 in (51 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 15 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 5.7 in (144 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 15 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 53/100 in November to 48/100.
- Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
- December sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 10°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Aspen in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Matsuhisa
Nobu Matsuhisa's restaurant in a Victorian house on Main Street, a downtown fixture since the late 1990s.
Crater Lake Trail
3.6-mile round trip from Maroon Lake to a quieter lake right under the Bells.
Snowmass
The largest of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, with long groomed cruisers and the Elk Camp Gondola.
Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro
Mountain hut on Aspen Highlands serving fondue and raclette, known for its lively afternoon lunch seating.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 30°F.
Wheeler Opera House
Sandstone opera house built in 1889 by silver baron Jerome Wheeler, now hosting concerts, comedy and films.
J-Bar at Hotel Jerome
Classic 1889 hotel bar, home of the Aspen Crud bourbon milkshake.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Vail in December~39 mi · highs 28°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Breckenridge in December~46 mi · highs 23°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in December~100 mi · highs 24°F, 1.5 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Denver in December~105 mi · highs 44°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 8°C (14°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~3,268 m to Aspen's ~2,405 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Aspen in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Aspen?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 30°F (-1°C) and 2.0 in (51 mm) of rain or snow. Our Colorado Rockies route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Aspen in December?
Average highs are 30°F (-1°C) and average lows 10°F (-12°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Aspen in December?
Not much: about 2.0 in (51 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 20.7 in (527 mm).
What should I pack for Aspen in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 10°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in December
- Breckenridge, Vail & Aspen Dec – Mar
Planning Aspen in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.