Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Tourists are welcome in Aspen, Colo. This iconic ski resort town of almost 6,000 people attracts serious skiers and novices alike with a dizzying array of skiing opportunities and other physically challenging outdoor activities, from snowmobiling to dog sledding. At an elevation of 7,908 feet, Aspen also offers gorgeous vistas and a host of entertaining events year-round that appeal to visitors from all over the world, whether they ski or not.
Skiing in Aspen actually takes place in the four adjacent resorts: Aspen Mountain, a mecca for expert skiiers; Aspen Highlands, with runs suitable for all levels of ski proficiency; Buttermilk, the premier beginners’ mountain and Snowmass, the largest of the ski areas, where mostly intermediate runs can be found. Restaurants are located at all the resorts and ski packages include rentals and lessons. Snowmass has a renowned ski school with over 300 instructors. Cross-country skiing opportunities are also available.
Tourism is still active in Aspen during the comparatively quieter summer season. Prices are significantly lower and Aspen is one of the best destinations in the country for summer music and dance festivals. Outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, camping, golfing and hot-air ballooning. Visit the sheer peaks of Maroon Bells for unforgettable views over alpine lakes and meadows. Summer is also the time to drive to Aspen from Denver over Independence Pass--so dangerously high that it’s only open for three months in the summer.
Aspen is known as the culinary capital of the Rocky Mountains. There are more than 100 restaurants and bars to choose from in this area, where apres-ski is a vibrant scene complete with live music and dancing. Many of the bars serve good food alongside fine wines or microbrews. Aspen has grown into a center of organic growing and the influence of the organic farm-to-table movement is evident in many of the restaurants.
This ski paradise comes into its own as a cultural and culinary capital in the summer off-season, starting with the annual Aspen Food & Wine Classic in June. Hundreds of local and international chefs come together to showcase their food, while more than 300 vintners present their wines. The Aspen Dance Festival takes place in July and August with acts from all over the country and the Janus Jazz Aspen Snowmass festival takes place at the same time. The Aspen Music Festival puts on events through the summer and free bluegrass concerts take place each Sunday on top of Aspen Mountain.
The array of lodging options in Aspen ranges from in-town hotels such as the family-owned Mountain Lodge which offers guest laundry facilities; to exclusive ski-in, ski-out resorts like The Little Nell on the doorstep of the slopes, where all rooms have gas fireplaces. There are also private vacation rentals available ranging from on-slope condos to log cabins. Whatever your choice of accommodation, you should book early for the best options.