Aspen Snowmass
Big city features, small town charmOriginally founded as a mining town, Aspen offers all the features of a big city packed into a charming mountain town. It has no lack of gourmet restaurants, shopping, galleries, and nightlife. Every year, big name celebrities and locals alike flock to Aspen for its acclaimed events such as the X-Games and the Aspen Film Festival. Although closest to the expert-class Aspen Mountain, there are three other mountains within minutes of the town, offering something for everyone who stays there.
Four hours west of Denver lies the mecca of winter sports enthusiasts worldwide: Aspen/Snowmass. Originally founded as a mining town, Aspen offers all the features of a big city packed into a charming mountain town. It has no lack of gourmet restaurants, shopping, galleries, and nightlife. Every year, big name celebrities and locals alike flock to Aspen for its acclaimed events such as the X-Games and the Aspen Film Festival. Although closest to the expert-class Aspen Mountain, there are three other mountains within minutes of the town, offering something for everyone who stays there.
For a more tailored, resort-like atmosphere, head to Snowmass Village, a 10-15 minute drive down the road. Offering more variety of terrain than Aspen, the larger Snowmass Mountain is designed more for the whole family, with mostly tamer slopes and a world-class terrain park. The cozy village provides an impressive array of restaurants and shops, but is more focused on the apres ski scene rather than nightlife. Snowmass Village, the town of Aspen, and the four nearby mountains are easily accessible via free transportation offered by the resort.
Aspen
Meat & Cheese: American – Farmhouse with Asian flair, Moderately priced
Creperie du Village: French, Austrian alpine cuisine, Wine, Cocktails
Pyramid Bistro: Contemporary American bistro with Euro twist, Moderately priced
The J-Bar: Historic Aspen restaurant and Bar founded in 1889 with history of famous guests, Moderately priced
Pine Creek Cookhouse: Snowshoe, ski or sleigh ride in local, alpine inspired restaurant, high end
Snowmass
Il Poggio: High end authentic Italian restaurant with variety of wines
The Artisan: Contemporary American with bar, High end experience for moderately price
The Edge: German alpine cuisine at a moderate price
The Stew Pot: Classic Snowmass sandwich shop, Affordable with great reviews
Aspen Brewing Company: Good spot to sample variety of local beers and mingle with locals
Belly Up: Live music venue and bar that hosts some of top artists
Eric’s: Upbeat bar with dancing, billiards, and cigar room
Silver City Mountain Saloon: Cosy, laid back venue with live music on weekends
Nest Public House: Popular Snowmass pub with variety of beers
Venga Venga: Snowmass cantina and tequila bar known for Apres scene
Skiing/Snowboarding
Mountain Biking: Snowmass Bike Park
Hiking, Fishing
Lost Forest: Adventure park at Snowmass with ziplining, ropes course, alpine coaster, paintball
Golfing: Aspen Golf Club
Aspen Art Museum
Summer
- June 16 – October 6: Aspen Farmers’ Market: Saturdays, 9 – 3 pm
- June 15 – 17: Food and Wine Classic
- June 21 – 30: Aspen Jazz Festival – June Experience
- June 20, 27: Wild West Rodeo – Snowmass
- July 28 – 29: Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike and Train Running Race
- Aug. 31 – Sep. 2 : Aspen Jazz Festival – Labor Day Experience
- Oct. 3 – 5: The Meeting – Creative gathering for entrepreneurs and out of the box thinkers
- Oct. 4 – 6: Aspen Film Festival
Winter
- Jan. 25 – 28: X-Games Aspen – World renowned extreme sports and music festival
- Feb. 10 – 17: Bud Light Plaza Sessions: Amateur rail jam series every Saturday in Snowmass
- Jan. 12 – Mar. 31: Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series: Five free concerts at different venues within resort and town of Aspen
- Feb. 22 – 24: Aspen Open: Professional freeskiing competition with slopestyle, halfpipe and rail jam
- March 23 – April 1: Bud Light Spring Jam – Spring festival with free concerts, banked slalom race, and big air competition
- April 7 – 8: Closing Day Parties: End of season festival with music, pond skim and parties