Is Old Snowmass, Colorado Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Old Snowmass, Colorado, begin by researching Pitkin County's short-term rental regulations, which require a business license and compliance with zoning restrictions that may limit rentals to certain residential areas. Contact Pitkin County's Community Development Department to obtain the necessary short-term rental license, which typically costs around $200-400 annually and requires proof of insurance, parking plans, and neighbor notification. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Old Snowmass's market, where properties range from $800,000 to $3+ million, or consider partnering with existing property owners who want to rent their homes. Furnish the property with high-quality, durable furniture suitable for mountain living, including ski equipment storage, hot tub maintenance supplies, and winter-appropriate amenities, budgeting approximately $15,000-30,000 for a complete furnishing package. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local platforms like Stay Aspen Snowmass, emphasizing proximity to Snowmass Village (3 miles), Aspen (8 miles), and outdoor activities, with competitive pricing ranging from $300-800+ per night depending on season and property size. Manage the property by either hiring local management companies like Aspen Snowmass Vacation Rentals or RedAwning (charging 20-35% commission) or handling it yourself with reliable local cleaning services, maintenance contractors familiar with mountain properties, and 24/7 guest communication systems to address issues promptly in this remote mountain community.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Old Snowmass, Colorado, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of Snowmass Village and Aspen, prioritizing ski-in/ski-out access or shuttle routes to Snowmass Mountain. Target properties with 3-5 bedrooms, hot tubs, mountain views, updated kitchens, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 8-12 guests, as these command premium rates of $400-800+ per night during peak ski season (December-March) and summer months (June-September). Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 5-mile radius, examining occupancy rates, seasonal pricing fluctuations, and guest reviews to identify gaps in the market. Research competition density using AirDNA and Mashvisor to find areas with strong demand but limited supply, particularly focusing on the Brush Creek Road corridor and areas near the Snowmass Club. Utilize tools like Rabbu, PriceLabs for dynamic pricing, and STR Helper for market analysis, while monitoring Pitkin County's short-term rental regulations and licensing requirements. Consider properties priced 20-30% below market value that need cosmetic updates, as renovation costs can be recouped through higher nightly rates, and factor in the area's average annual revenue potential of $75,000-150,000 for well-positioned properties with 60-70% occupancy rates.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Old Snowmass, Colorado, you must first contact the Pitkin County Planning Department since Old Snowmass falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal government. Begin by submitting a Short-Term Rental License application through Pitkin County's online portal or in-person at 530 E Main Street, Suite 201, Aspen, CO 81611. Required documents include proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plans showing maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking, septic system inspection (if applicable), fire safety inspection certificate, and liability insurance documentation with minimum $1 million coverage. The application fee is approximately $500-750 with annual renewal fees around $300-400. You must also obtain a Colorado state sales tax license and register for local lodging taxes. The approval timeline typically takes 6-8 weeks after submitting a complete application. Specific Old Snowmass requirements include maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and septic capacity, mandatory quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, requirement for a local contact person available 24/7, compliance with parking restrictions (typically 2 spaces per unit), and adherence to the county's cap on total STR permits in the area. Properties must pass health and safety inspections and maintain current business licenses throughout the permit period.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Old Snowmass, Colorado, but operate under Pitkin County's regulations since Old Snowmass is an unincorporated community within the county. As of 2023, Pitkin County requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with specific occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. The county limits the number of guests based on bedroom count and requires a local contact person available 24/7. STRs are prohibited in certain residential zones and must maintain good neighbor policies. Recent changes in 2022-2023 included stricter enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for violations, with the county implementing a complaint-driven system and potential license revocation for repeat offenders. Property owners must also collect and remit local lodging taxes, and some homeowners associations in Old Snowmass may have additional restrictions beyond county requirements.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Old Snowmass, Colorado are the Snowmass Village core area near the base of the mountain, which attracts year-round tourism with peak winter skiing season from December through March and summer activities from June through September, generating consistent rental demand from visitors to Snowmass Ski Area owned by Aspen Skiing Company since the 1960s. The Brush Creek Road corridor offers excellent investment potential due to its proximity to both Snowmass Village and the Snowmass Club, attracting affluent guests attending events at Anderson Ranch Arts Center during summer months and business travelers visiting the area's luxury resorts. The Capitol Peak and Daly Lane neighborhoods provide premium investment opportunities with their ski-in/ski-out access and views of the Elk Mountains, commanding higher nightly rates during Aspen's peak seasons including the X Games in January, Food & Wine Classic in June, and Music Festival in summer. The Wood Road area near the Snowmass Chapel and Snowmass Recreation Center offers strong rental potential due to its central location and appeal to families visiting for both winter sports and summer hiking, with properties typically generating 60-70% occupancy rates annually and average daily rates ranging from $300-800 depending on size and amenities.

In Old Snowmass, Colorado, Airbnb properties are subject to multiple lodging and occupancy taxes including the Colorado state sales tax of 2.9%, Pitkin County lodging tax of 4.4%, and the Town of Snowmass Village accommodations tax of 2.5%, totaling approximately 9.8% in combined taxes on short-term rental stays. These taxes are typically collected at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though individual hosts remain responsible for ensuring compliance and may need to register with local tax authorities. The Colorado Department of Revenue requires monthly remittance of state sales tax, while Pitkin County and Snowmass Village have their own remittance schedules, generally monthly or quarterly depending on volume. Exemptions are limited and typically apply only to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than short-term accommodations, and certain government or non-profit organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Old Snowmass, Colorado is approximately $2,850,000 to $3,200,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $2,500,000 to $2,800,000 for a median 3-4 bedroom mountain home or condo suitable for vacation rental in this exclusive ski area near Aspen. Furnishing costs range from $75,000 to $125,000 for high-end mountain lodge style furniture, appliances, linens, and decor that meets luxury vacation rental standards. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total approximately $5,000 to $8,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and Pitkin County regulations cost around $2,500 to $4,000 annually. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $8,000 to $12,000 per year. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $1,500 to $2,200 monthly in this mountain climate. First six months operating costs including utilities ($9,000-$13,200), cleaning services ($7,200-$10,800), maintenance ($3,000-$5,000), property management if used (20-30% of revenue), and miscellaneous supplies ($2,000-$3,000) total approximately $25,000 to $40,000, assuming moderate occupancy during the startup period.

Airbnb properties in Old Snowmass, Colorado demonstrate strong profitability potential with average annual revenues ranging from $45,000-$85,000 for well-positioned properties, driven by the area's proximity to Snowmass Ski Area and Aspen's luxury market. Properties typically achieve 65-75% occupancy rates during peak winter months (December-March) commanding $300-$600 per night, while summer rates average $200-$400 with 50-60% occupancy. Operating expenses generally consume 35-45% of gross revenue, including property management fees (20-25%), cleaning costs ($75-$150 per turnover), utilities ($200-$400 monthly), insurance ($2,000-$4,000 annually), and maintenance reserves. Net profit margins typically range from 25-40% for properties managed efficiently, with luxury condos and ski-in/ski-out locations achieving the highest returns. Success factors include professional photography showcasing mountain views, responsive guest communication, premium amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces, strategic pricing during Aspen events, and partnerships with local concierge services. Properties within walking distance of Snowmass Village or offering shuttle access consistently outperform remote locations, with some owners reporting ROI of 8-12% annually when factoring in property appreciation alongside rental income.

Airbnb investments in Old Snowmass, Colorado typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, driven by the area's proximity to Snowmass Village and Aspen's luxury ski market. Properties in this exclusive enclave, with average home values around $3-5 million, can command nightly rates of $800-2,000 during peak ski season (December-March) and $400-800 during summer months, generating gross rental yields of 4-7% annually. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months when factoring in seasonal occupancy rates of 60-75%, though initial capital requirements are substantial with typical down payments of $600,000-1,500,000. The market benefits from consistent demand from affluent travelers seeking luxury accommodations near world-class skiing, with properties like those managed by companies such as RedAwning and Vacasa showing strong performance metrics, though investors should expect 3-5 years to see significant appreciation gains given the area's already premium pricing established since the early 2000s development boom.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Old Snowmass, Colorado. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker Mason Morse in Aspen and Aspen Snowmass Sotheby's International Realty have extensive knowledge of the Old Snowmass market and work with investors seeking vacation rental properties. BNB Calc and AirDNA provide market analysis and revenue projections specifically for Airbnb investments in the Snowmass area. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services for investors who purchase rental properties in Old Snowmass. National companies like Roofstock and Awning (formerly known as RedAwning) help investors identify and purchase turnkey short-term rental properties in Colorado mountain markets. Local property management companies such as Frias Properties and Stay Aspen Snowmass can assist investors with both finding properties and managing them as Airbnb rentals. BiggerPockets marketplace and their STR-focused tools also serve investors looking in the Old Snowmass market, while companies like Mashvisor provide investment property analysis for the area.