Located in the Elk Mountains within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of the White River National Forest, it lies along the border between Pitkin and Gunnison counties, west of Aspen and southwest of the town of Snowmass Village.

Snowmass Mountain is named for the large snowfield that lies on its eastern slopes.

Most people hike to the lake, camp the night and then proceed to the top.

From that point there are climbers' trails which proceed on the opposite (west) side of the ridge to the summit.

A different and much less used route climbs the west side of Snowmass Mountain from Geneva Lake, which is accessed from the North Fork of the Crystal River.