Pitkin County REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Pitkin County

Pitkin County is home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world. For decades, the uber-luxurious mountain hamlet of Aspen has greeted the world's elite: writers, philosophers, politicians, international royalty, pro athletes, and captains of industry. The county is home to four of the finest ski resorts in North America - each with its own village, backcountry, groomed trails, and vibe. But most of Pitkin County is more laid back and rural, with several smaller communities with real estate for sale that is appealing to those seeking country living in the mountains.

Pitkin County's ski resorts - Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass - have condos for sale in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. There are smaller studio or one-bedroom condos that are more affordable and often inhabited by residents who work at one of the nearby resorts. Two- and three-bedroom condos are good for families who live and work there. Aspen has a good amount of affordable housing for the town and resort employees, so more of the larger condos are vacation homes, second homes, or rented by the owner during the summer and winter season to generate additional income.
There are lots of larger condos, townhouses, and single-family homes in Aspen that are ideal for ski vacations and summertime getaways. In addition to being a world-class ski resort, Aspen and the surrounding communities offer excellent summer adventures like hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, paddleboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, Jeeping, golf, and fly-fishing. The county is surrounded by the White River National Forest and various national protected areas, like the American Discovery Trail, Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Holy Cross Wilderness, Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, and the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway. Pitkin County is peppered with condos and homes near wonderful trails, the river, or right on the golf course. Whatever your love of the outdoors is, there's a good chance there's an unbelievable property not far from that activity's epicenter.

Pitkin County has about 17,000 residents, and the median income is about $60,000 per year, so not everyone is a millionaire! Aspen is certainly a luxury community, and an average, two-bedroom, single-family home in Aspen will cost you around $3 million, or more if you choose an exceptionally affluent neighborhood like the West End or Red Mountain. But, not far from Aspen - in neighboring communities like Woody Creek, Snowmass, Basalt, El Jebel - real estate is much more affordable. All those communities, except for El Jebel, are in Pitkin County.

Neighborhood Highlights:
Woody Creek is a proud community of locals about five miles from Aspen. It's the former stomping grounds of Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, and the community still has a bit of the counterculture vibe. Woody Creek has older homes, some condos, a few trailers, and cabins.
Basalt, about 20 miles down-valley from Aspen, sits at the confluence of two awesome fishing rivers, the Fryingpan River and the Roaring Fork River. Both rivers have Gold Medal fishing sections that stretch for miles that are an angler's dream. The town has a quaint, walkable downtown core with a lively restaurant scene.

For more remote living, homeowners can purchase big lots with sweeping panoramic views near communities like Ashcroft, Missouri Heights, Redstone, and Lenado. Here, you'll find large ranches that have been worked by the same families for generations. There are working ranches with horses, cattle, and sheep, and some farming that epitomizes the rural lifestyle that many seek. It's not all about ski resorts, apres-ski, and trendy nightlife. Sometimes, it's more about relaxed, high-alpine living amid the simple majesty of the Rocky Mountains.