A new Charlotte to Aspen direct flight is making one of Colorado’s most iconic mountain towns more accessible than ever for Queen City travelers. Just in time for ski season — but equally appealing for yearround escapes — the nonstop route removes a major barrier to visiting Aspen, opening the door to world-class dining, outdoor adventure, and entry into a town that feels somehow both glamorous and grounded. If you’ve never been (or haven’t been in years), here’s a curated Aspen travel guide for Charlotte travelers.
An Aspen Travel Guide for Charlotte Visitors: Where to Stay and What to Eat, and Explore
A direct flight from Charlotte to Aspen, Colorado launched in December 2025. Fun fact, this is longest direct flight into Aspen.
Aspen is just a little over a four hour flight from the Queen City, but it’s a bit like stepping into a different world. When I left Charlotte, it was, in true southern fashion, 60 degrees outside. When I landed that evening in the quaint local airport, I was in a veritable winter wonderland.
Where to Stay
I called The Gant homebase for my long weekend and it proved to be the perfect first foray into experiencing all I could in this ski village. The Gant provides free on-demand transportation (a major plus since this is a town with virtually no Uber). The shuttle from the airport to the resort took a mere ten minutes.
One of Aspen’s longest standing luxury stays, The Gant offers boundless amenities, an unbeatable location and incredibly spacious accomodations. Every inch was the genuine embodiment of what’s become popularly known as “quiet luxury.” Nothing flashy or scene-y, but every inch was immaculate. It’s also set on five scenic acres, an almost unheard of amount of spaciousness in this incredibly in-demand area. I felt like a true resident, tucked away into my own private living quarters — particularly because these are condos rather than traditional hotel rooms.
On property, each condo (115 individual units) has a living room, full kitchen, dining area, and either a private balcony or patio. The Gant has also taken measures to stay true to its local roots, whether by showcasing local artisan markets, sourcing local private chefs or hosting on-site events. A town that has such global appeal can easily become a target for corporate takeover, but this emphasis makes The Gant feel like as authentic of an experience as a non-Aspenite can hope for.
If you’re looking for more of a “loud luxury” scene and quicker access to nightlife, Hotel Jerome and The St. Regis also take up space downtown and offer beautiful high-end accomodations. Or, for a somewhat more affordable option, stay in Snowmass Village at an area inn or in a condo rental.
Eat & Drink
Any Aspen travel guide for Charlotte travelers would be incomplete without food + beverage recommendations. I was pleasantly surprised with the diversity of dining options in such a small area. If you want fast casual, a relaxed meal, or a world-class fine dining restaurant, there’s options in walking distance for it all.
Sant Ambroeus Coffee bar
An Italian coffee bar with no shortage of style, Sant Ambroeus will deliver on your caffeine needs and has options for an easy grab-and-go breakfast, brunch or lunch. If you have a sweet tooth, their Milanese desserts are as eye-catching as they delicious.
Parc Aspen
Parc is all chic, Polo-esque vibes with some of the best food I had in town. The menu is fine-dining centered, but Parc does manage to feel accesible to enjoy a more casual cocktail paired with a few small plates, too. Speaking of small plates, the pictured elk carpaccio is one of my favorite dishes I’ve had in a while.
Meat and Cheese
I just loved this unassuming yet totally memorable restaurant. Meat and Cheese eschews anything overly fanciful, serving up excellent chef-prepared dishes in what appears to be a simple wine and cheese shop with a large open kitchen in the center. It felt very Switzerland ski town cool. In addition to their boards (ranging from charcuterie, as pictured, to a rotisserie chicken board and a caviar board), they also offer sandwiches, soups, fresh baked bread, and a strong craft cocktail menu.
More Options
Jimoto
When it’s cold outside, nothing hits quite like a big bowl of ramen. At Jimoto, expect a fast-casual spin on Asian-fusion fare like soup dumplings, poke, and ramen. Tired after a long day on the slopes and want something satisfying and hearty that you won’t wait long for? This is your spot.
Stranahan’s
This whiskey bar is an outgrowth of Stranahan’s small batch whiskey distilled in Denver. Here, you’ll have a cozy, lounge-like setting that’s perfect to unwind in after a day spent outdoors.
The Sundeck
For the quintessential mountaintop ski break, The Sundeck on Aspen mountain combines surprisngly high quality food (expect a variety of fare served cafeteria style) with truly showstopping views. If the sun is shining and you’re layered up, grab a spot outside to take in the natural beauty while you refuel.
Origin by the Farmer & Chef
Part of The Gant property, Origin fits seamlessly into The Gant’s larger emphasis on local collaborations throughout everthing it touches. Origin is dedicated to showcasing Western Colorado’s small-scale, regenerative agriculture. They source fresh, seasonal ingredients for the daily breakfast and brunch/lunch. You can dine in, cozying up by the fireplace or sitting outside on the scenic patio, or do a quick grab-and-go on your way into town.
Explore
I found the ease of access in Aspen to be pretty darn unparalled. If you’re staying downtown, you can truly walk everywhere – to Aspen mountain and to all the shops and restaurants. Need to get outside the downtown area? Aspen offers free, public buses to and from Snowmass, Highlands and Buttermilk.
Indoor Fun
Belly Up
Listed as one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Best Clubs in American,” Belly Up is a 450-capacity music venue at the base of Aspen Mountain. While the space feels like your regular neighbordhood dive, they feature top tier talent like The Chainsmokers, Jack White, Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Buffett and more. I went on “Local’s Night”, nabbed a ticket for a mere $12, and got to watch local DJs take the stage to perfect the art of après-ski.
Aspen Art Museum
Founded by artists in 1979, Aspen Art Museum is a beautiful example of what makes this town “local-forward.” All interntional tourist destinations struggle to some extent to balance the “soul” of the locale with the demand of the visiting populous, but Aspen seems to have truly committed to catering to both. The art museum, inspired by Aspen’s history, allows you a break from the slopes to take in the creative community that props the culture up.
Base State Longevity
Perhaps less exploration and more survival, Base State truly brought me back to life after some major skiing soreness and altitude effects. Jokes aside – and I’m only sort of joking – Base State is a lovely little wellness escape conveniently located downtown. I went with a private sauna and cold plunge paired with the oxygen bar (and then came back the next day for more oxygen). They also offer IV therapy, massage, a hyperbaric chamber and more.
Aspen Emporium
I stumbled into this shop in search of a Christmas gift, and it ended up being a delightful dip into Aspen’s arts scene. Nestled on Main Street, the shop is an eclectic artisan collective, with a variety of art, gifts and jewelry. In a town where Gucci and Hermes are steps away, this felt like a lovely peek into the grassroots of Aspen.
Outdoor Fun
The Four Area Mountains
Transparently, I am far from a proficient skiier. While I can happily spend a day or two out on the greens, I was worried I might not be able to enjoy this trip fully due to my lack of prowess. I was totally wrong, and would now venture to say you really don’t need to ski at all to still get a ton out of visiting Aspen.
Whether or not you care to hit the slopes, make it to the mountains regardless. This is an unbelivably scenic, stunning region that includes four mountains making up over 5,700 acres of terrain. All are accessible using a single lift ticket. Buttermilk and Snowmass offer beginner slopes and a family-friendly vibe, while Highlands and Aspen have no greens. Don’t care to ski? Go to sightsee, ride the gondola or have a bite and a beverage. All have on-mountain food options, ranging from casual cafes to fine dining.
Lessons & Guided Tours
Another highlight of my trip included partaking in two different experiences with guides. One was a much needed ski lesson at Buttermilk to brush up (shout out to Craig Malkmes!), and two, a stunning snowshoe tour atop Aspen mountain with a local naturalist. There are plentiful options for group and solo lessons skiing or snowboarding, and, in addition to the snowshoeing tours, you can book biking, horseback or Jeep tours.
Whether you’re planning a winter ski weekend, a summer hiking escape, or simply your first visit to this iconic Colorado town, the ease of flying nonstop from Charlotte removes a major barrier. From alpine adventures to standout dining and a walkable downtown, Aspen offers an iconic but somehow still approachable getaway. And now, it’s officially within easy reach.
Details:
Flights: From December through April, the American Airlines Charlotte flight runs three times a week.
Cost: Expect to pay anywhere from $350 – $700+ depending on when you book.
