All About Aspen
Guide Sections
Once the snow melts and the mud dries, the valley becomes a Mecca for everything from biking and hiking to camping and fishing. The mountains surrounding Aspen offer endless ways to spend the lazy days of summer. Tourists fill the town for festivals, and Aspen's other cultural offerings, which rival that of most major cities. But without the four ski mountains attracting millions of visitors each year, Aspen would probably have more horses than people. So here is a quick look at the slopes.
Biking
If you did not bring your bike, you can rent one at a number of area shops. Mountain bikers have a number of trail options for all skill levels. Technical nuts can take on the Government Trail or hop on the Burlingame Lift to the top of Snowmass and shoot down the mountain. Those who prefer to take it easy can pedal along the Rio Grande trail or try the Lincoln Creek Road, a four-wheel drive road that ascends to the Ruby ghost town. Guided bike tours are available through Blazing Adventures, and will even transport you up to Maroon Lake so you only have to ride down. Road bikers can test their lungs on Independence Pass or ride up Maroon Creek Road for a look at Colorado's famed Maroon Bells.
A hot air balloon ride is a great way to see the valley, and jeep tours through Blazing Adventures are available for those looking for a bumpy thrill. For the really adventurous Aspen Paragliding provides lessons.
Museums and Theaters
On days when you aren't out in nature, you can check out Aspen's arts and culture side. A plethora of galleries in the Downtown area display everything from modern art to decorative art. The Aspen Art Museum, located in an old hydroelectric plant in lower Downtown, hosts rotating exhibitions from established contemporary artists. The museum also offers classes for aspiring painters. Smaller galleries include the Huntsman Gallery, the Omnibus Gallery and the Joel Soroka Gallery.
During the summer you can catch a number of plays and musicals at Theater in the Park, and the Aspen Stage group presents staged readings of original work at a number of area venues. And you can always deck the fancy duds for a night at the opera when productions are running at the Wheeler Opera House. The Crystal Palace is the place to go for comic relief. You can dine on a gourmet dinner while watching a stage show of biting political satire. History buffs will enjoy exploring how life was in the Victorian age at the Wheeler/Stallard House Museum.
Festivals
Festival-goers will find something going on in Aspen at all times of the year. During the height of ski season, the world's best comedians converge on the town for a laugh-a-thon like no other at the US Comedy Arts Festival. Summer brings the Aspen Music Festival. This celebration of classical music spans nine weeks and most concerts, which consist of both up-and-coming and professional musicians, takes place in the famed Music Tent.
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet hosts the Aspen Dance Festival during July and August of each year. This festival of movement invites dance troupes from across the nation to present productions on everything from ballet to flamenco. The renowned Food & Wine Festival brings together sommeliers, superstar chefs, vintners and gastronomy aficionados for a food fete in the spring. This event was originally started to attract people to town in the off-season, but has now blossomed into one of the food world's premier events that usually sells out.
Perhaps the most popular festival is Jazz Aspen Snowmass. Over Labor Day, some of the biggest names in jazz, rock, blues and reggae perform at the base of the Snowmass slopes. Tickets go fast and hotel rooms are impossible to find, so make sure you reserve well in advance. In the fall, the Aspen Filmfest takes place, bringing out the celebrities. More than 100 independent films, shorts and documentaries roll on area movie screens.
Hiking
A myriad of hiking trails run up the surrounding mountains, and many are easily accessible from Downtown. Both the Ute Trial and the Aspen Mountain Trail reward you with views of Aspen and the surrounding valley. The Rio Grande Trail runs through lower Downtown along the Roaring Fork River and heads downvalley. It is an easy alternative to trails that require serious elevation gains. If you want to hike with the locals, head over to the Smuggler Road Trail, a relatively easy 1,000-foot ascent on a dirt road to a sundeck overlooking Downtown. Or if time is an issue try the Maroon Creek Trail.
More experienced hikers can trek the endless trail system in the surrounding backcountry. For a real challenge, you can set off on an expedition to summit one of the 14,000-foot peaks (fourteeners) towering above the valley, including the most photographed mountains in North America, the Maroon Bells. The Maroon Peak Trail provides great access to the peaks.
Skiing
Aspen Mountain
The original ski mountain presents some of the most challenging terrain in the state. If you are putting on skis for the first time or are still in the beginning phases, go somewhere else, because these trails are unforgiving. Out of Aspen Mountain's 76 trails, 65 percent fall into the advanced or expert category—double black diamonds are everywhere. On the west side of the mountain are several intermediate trails (i.e. Blues), but only a few like Roach Run and International are cruisers. If you want big bumps, almost every steep has them, and the tree skiing is awesome. After years of banning snowboarders, Aspen Mountain finally gave in at the end of the 2001 ski season and opened its slopes to boarders. Aspen Highland
Although developers keep chipping away at Aspen Highland's throwback appeal, the area is still a major draw for backcountry and telemark enthusiasts looking for lots of trees and steeps. The Highland Bowl, with its fan of double black diamond runs, is a true favorite of locals. The 112 trails have terrain suitable for all skill levels, but if you are looking for the cruising runs (minus the Greens), you might choose another mountain, because these slopes are loaded with bumps. You will constantly hear the locals talking about it, especially for spring skiing when the moguls really begin to soften.
Buttermilk
If you are still in the snowplow phase and could use some instructions, spend a few days on this beginner-friendly mountain. Buttermilk has one of the most extensive and thorough ski schools around, and after a few days of lessons, you can cruise with far more confidence. This is also the place to bring the kids. The wee ones have their own lift and hill here. Out of the 43 trails, almost 75 percent are in the beginner and intermediate range.
Snowmass
This mountain has come along way from its early days when it was known as Slowmass. Now, thanks to three terrain parks, the area is a favorite with snowboarders and even attracts the wild two-day Boardfest. In addition, Snowmass, the largest of the four area mountains, boasts incredibly diverse terrain which includes cruising runs, mogul fields and stretching glades. Beginners may be out of luck (only 7 percent of the 83 trails are greens), but intermediate and advanced skiers will find plenty to their liking, especially on the double black steeps off the Black Burn lift. Because this area is tourist heavy the locals tend to avoid it.
Sunlight
If the lift prices in Aspen scare you off, do what a good deal of the locals living paycheck to paycheck do: head to Sunlight. Located 40 miles outside of Aspen the terrain is 75 percent beginner/intermediate, but the 32 dollar lift ticket is the cheapest around.
Winter Sports
Other winter activities include mushing with the Krabloonik Dogsleds and ice-skating at the outdoor Silver Circle Ice Rink, or the indoor Aspen Ice Garden.
Both the Aspen Cross Country Center and the Snowmass Club Cross Country Center offer nordic skiing on over 50 miles of groomed trails. Trail maps are available in the local ski shops and at the Aspen Visitors Center. The Ashcroft Ski Touring Center also has groomed trails, and after cross-country skiing you can refuel at the nearby Pine Creek Cookhouse. Although most locals despise the activity, snowmobile rides are also available in the area. Or, you can strap yourself into a pair of snowshoes and get a new perspective on hiking.
Camping and Fishing
When the seasons change and the weather heats up, Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley transform into havens for outdoor summer activities. Campgrounds, such as the Silver Queen and Difficult, fill with RVs and car campers, and tourists flood the town for the music and foods festivals.
Fishermen wade into the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers gathering new fish tales, while rafters splash through the rapids under the guidance of Riff Raft and Blazing Adventures. Mountain and road bikes adorn the top of sport utility vehicles, and the jet set begins to sweat, except for those opting for a game of high altitude golf at the Aspen Golf Course.
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