Aspen and Snowmass Village, two towns nestled in the Colorado Rockies, are often visited together as one amazing destination. They share four mountains and are known for their incredible skiing in the winter and beautiful scenery in the summer and fall. But there’s so much more to do than just outdoor activities! You can enjoy a wide range of experiences, events, and activities any time of year.
Aspen: Shopping, Dining, and Arts
Aspen has a beautiful downtown perfect for strolling, shopping, dining, and enjoying arts and culture, whether you are coming from the slopes or headed there.
- Shopping: Find authentic Western wear, outdoor gear, locally made jewelry and gifts, and art galleries. Visit the Saturday Market (June – October) for local goods.
- Dining: Aspen has over 80 restaurants and bars, some with MICHELIN stars or recommendations. Try BOSQ Aspen (chef-operated) or Prospect (at Hotel Jerome). Mawa’s Kitchen offers a delicious French-inspired tasting menu.
- Arts and Culture: Explore the Aspen Art Museum and the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies. Take a guided tour with the Aspen Historical Society.
- Festivals: Aspen hosts many festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival & School (classical music), the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Ideas Festival, and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass festivals (June and September).
- The Aspen Pledge: The community invites you to take the Aspen Pledge, a promise to help preserve this special place.
Snowmass Village: Mountain Charm and Fun
Just 15 minutes from Aspen, Snowmass is a lively mountain village with restaurants, shops, and activities for all ages.
- Summer: Enjoy Wednesday night rodeos, Thursday night outdoor concerts, and special events. The Anderson Ranch Arts Center offers lectures, exhibitions, and workshops.
- Fall: See the golden leaves and attend the Snowmass Balloon Festival and the JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience music festival.
- On-Mountain Fun: Ride the Elk Camp Gondola to the Lost Forest for an alpine coaster, ropes course, and zip lines.
- Winter: Most lodging in Snowmass is ski-in, ski-out! Snowmass is known for its wide-open slopes for intermediate skiers and riders, but also has plenty of challenging terrain. It’s consistently ranked among the top ski resorts in the USA.
- Winter Activities: Go ice skating, ride the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, try snowshoeing, snow tubing, or cross-country skiing. Enjoy free s’mores every afternoon!
Things to Do in Both Aspen and Snowmass
Besides winter sports, there are many warm-weather activities available from both towns:
- Guided hikes, jeep tours, raft trips, fly-fishing, and horseback riding.
- Hiking and biking: Explore over 144 kilometers of trails around the towns.
- Maroon Bells: Hike the popular 5.7-kilometer Maroon Bells trail to Crater Lake for stunning mountain views. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Colorado!
- Biking in the Roaring Fork Valley: This area is one of only five International Mountain Biking Association Gold-Level Ride Centers in the USA.
Getting There
Fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) or other nearby airports like Eagle (EGE), Grand Junction (GJT), or Denver (DEN). Rent a car or use the free shuttle system that connects the four mountains and the two towns.
Aspen and Snowmass offer an unforgettable experience any time of year. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, delicious food, or simply a relaxing getaway, you’ll find it in these beautiful Rocky Mountain towns.
