About Cripple Creek Backcountry
Cripple Creek Backcountry is a specialist ski shop located at the base of Aspen Highlands, one of the four mountains in the Aspen Snowmass resort system. Situated at 133 Prospector Road, the shop serves as the hub of backcountry skiing in the heart of the Elk Mountains — a region renowned for its steep terrain, deep powder, and world-class ski touring. Cripple Creek caters to skiers and riders who venture beyond the ropes, stocking a carefully curated selection of backcountry-specific gear alongside resort rental equipment.
Their rental offerings include alpine ski and snowboard packages for resort skiing at Highlands, plus a dedicated backcountry touring setup with AT skis, skins, and boots for skiers heading into the backcountry. The shop's boot fitting department is among the best in the Roaring Fork Valley, with certified fitters who specialize in performance and touring boot selection. Their tune shop handles full-service edge work, base grinds, skin trimming, and binding mounting with the precision expected by Highlands' expert-level clientele.
What makes Cripple Creek Backcountry a standout is its laser focus on the skiing experience rather than the retail experience. The staff are serious skiers — many hold avalanche certifications and guide in the off-season — and their product knowledge runs deep on touring bindings, beacon systems, and backcountry safety equipment. Whether you're renting resort gear for a day at Highlands or outfitting a spring touring mission into the Elks, Cripple Creek brings an authenticity and technical expertise that few ski shops anywhere can match.
