Mountain Beauty, Adventure & Relaxation in Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

Before or after the slopes, Aspen boasts a beautiful downtown to stroll, shop, dine and enjoy arts and culture. Step into boutiques, where you’ll find authentic Western hats and boots, gear for outdoor recreation, locally made jewelry and gifts, and art galleries representing local and international artists. For hyper-local shopping, check out the Saturday Market held downtown from June through October. Relish more than 80 restaurants and bars, some of them MICHELIN starred or recommended. Consider BOSQ Aspen, an intimate, family-owned and chef-operated establishment, and Prospect, a stylish option at Hotel Jerome. Get the local spin on French cuisine at Mawa’s Kitchen where you’ll find a crave-worthy tasting menu.

Appreciate arts and culture all year long at the Aspen Art Museum and at the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies exhibition space at the Aspen Institute. Guided tours led by the Aspen Historical Society are available year-round as well. Aspen’s annual festival lineup includes the Aspen Music Festival & School, featuring more than 400 performances by renowned classical musicians; the Aspen Institute's Aspen Ideas Festival and the Jazz Aspen Snowmass festivals held in June and September. Whenever you visit, the community welcomes you to sign the Aspen Pledge – a promise shared by residents and visitors to preserve the magic of this destination for years to come.

Tucked into the mountainside, just 15 minutes from Aspen, Snowmass is a vibrant village brimming with restaurants, shops and outdoor activities for all ages. In summer, the robust event lineup includes Wednesday night rodeos, open-air concerts on Thursdays and special events showcasing everything from culinary feasts to athletic feats. The Anderson Ranch Arts Center hosts artist lectures, exhibitions and workshops for all ages. Don’t miss fall in Snowmass, when the leaves turn gold and the Village hosts the Snowmass Balloon Festival and the three-day music festival JAS Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience. For on-mountain fun in Snowmass, take the Elk Camp Gondola to the Lost Forest to experience the alpine coaster, ropes course and zip lines.

In the wintertime, ski enthusiasts will rejoice to find that most Snowmass lodging is ski-in, ski-out, so you can enjoy the slopes right at your doorstep. Beloved for its wide-open slopes for intermediate skiers and riders, Snowmass also boasts a bounty of double-black diamond terrain. Snowmass Ski Resort is consistently ranked among the top ski resorts in the USA, with abundant winter activities in addition to skiing. Go ice skating on the complimentary rink in Base Village, and wind your way through 1.6 kilometers of forest on the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, an elevated track with speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour. Try a guided snowshoe tour, snow tubing and cross-country skiing. Whatever activity you choose, be sure to enjoy complimentary slopeside s’mores available every afternoon all winter long.

In addition to the array of winter sports, many warmer weather excursions are available from both communities, including guided hikes, jeep tours, raft trips, fly-fishing and horseback riding. Go hiking and biking on more than 144 kilometers of trails surrounding the communities. One favorite hike is the Maroon Bells trail, a 5.7-kilometer route leading to breathtaking views of Crater Lake framed by towering mountains. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Colorado. For an outing on two wheels, bike throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, one of only five International Mountain Biking Association Gold-Level Ride Centers in the USA.

Fly into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) or other nearby airports including Eagle (EGE), Grand Junction (GJT) and Denver (DEN). Rent a car to begin your Aspen Snowmass adventure, or use the free shuttle system that takes you to the four mountains and between the two towns.