Aspen Vacation Guide

Summer months in Aspen bring average high temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s and a refreshing lack of humidity. With evening temps dropping into the 60s, you’ll want to linger outdoors to make the most of the longer days.

Hiking

Aspen hiking destinations include the world-renowned Maroon Bells. Explore Aspen Hiking Trails or search for a trail on the Aspen Trail Finder.

Biking

Aspen in summer is a biking paradise. From mountain bike trails to classic road cycling, bike enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels can find fun and adventure on two wheels. Bring your own bike or rent bikes for every member of the family.

Fishing

The Roaring Fork Valley is one of the best places in Colorado for recreational fishing. It’s a perfect activity for families, especially when you can book fishing trips and guides.

Rafting and Kayaking

Families with children as young as 6 can enjoy Aspen guided rafting trips that come with gear, equipment, and even lunch.

Arts and Culture

Aspen is a premier center for the arts. Set against the backdrop of mountain scenery, you can enjoy opera, jazz, theater, dance, music, contemporary art, and more.

Aspen Music Festival and School

Aspen Music Festival and School One of the leading classical music festivals in the United States. An eight-week season from June to August includes more than 400 events, from concerts to operas and children’s programs.

Colorado Scottish Festival

Colorado Scottish Festival This free festival takes place in Snowmass Village. Three days of events are filled with piping, drumming, dog parades, dance competitions, and kids’ activities.

Snowmass Rodeo

Snowmass Rodeo An annual tradition since 1973. Held every Wednesday evening from early June to mid-August in Snowmass Village.

Biking

From extreme mountain biking to winding road riding, Aspen is a top biking destination for all ages.

Warm Weather

Summer is Aspen’s warmest season. With plenty of sunshine, the days are perfect for outdoor activities.

Performing Arts

The arts come alive during the summer at cultural landmarks like the Wheeler Opera House, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, and Theatre Aspen.

After a long day of exploring, take the gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain for summer apres. To make a visit to the summit even more rewarding, you can hike up Aspen Mountain via Ute Trail and take the gondola down.

Average high temperatures range from 69º in September to 44º in November. Fall color explodes the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October.

Biking

Mountain bike trails and road routes provide a rewarding vantage point to take in the brilliant colors of Aspen in the fall.

Hiking

Hikers and walkers can enjoy crisp autumn days and spectacular fall color.

Aspen Saturday Market

Downtown Aspen is the site of a Saturday farmers’ market that features Colorado-grown produce. From Labor Day to mid-October, the market is open from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Aspen Filmfest

Held in every fall, the Aspen Filmfest is a six-day festival hosted by Aspen Film as its flagship event. Feature films make their premier here and often go on to win Oscars.

Fall Foliage

The Roaring Fork Valley is dressed in golds, oranges, and reds during peak color season from mid-September to mid-October.

Scenic Drives

Fall vacationers can explore Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley behind the wheel of a car.

Golf

Sunny fall days are perfect for teeing off at the Aspen Golf Club, an award-winning public golf course operated by city of Aspen. Peak season extends to early September, with post-season hours through the end of September.

Fall is often regarded as the best time to be in Aspen. With its vibrant colors, cooler temperatures, and a quieter vibe around town, fall is typically a local’s favorite time as well. Make sure to drive up Independence Pass to see the autumn foliage and take some of the many hikes still open before the snow flies.

Aspen provides some of the best winter conditions in the West. Cool winter nights and sunny days, the conditions often can’t be beat. Average monthly snowfall from November to February is 27 inches, with an annual average of 179 inches.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Winter sports take center stage, with Aspen’s four mountains in the starring roles.

Cross-Country Skiing

Over 60 miles of free cross-country ski trails link the towns of Aspen, Basalt, and Snowmass.

Snowshoeing

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) offers daily snowshoeing tours at Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Mountain. Tours are guided by ACES naturalists.

Tubing

Aspen Snowmass tubing runs are open on Snowmass Mountain for the entire winter season.

Ullr Nights

Aspen Snowmass hosts a family-friendly winter party every Friday night during the winter season. Activities include gondola rides to Elk Camp on Snowmass Mountain, dining, live music, bonfires, lighted tubing, and ice skating.

Twelve Days of Aspen

Downtown Aspen celebrates the holidays with 12 days of activities December 20-31. Family-friendly and fun, the annual event ends with New Year’s Eve fireworks over Aspen Mountain.

Wintersköl™

Nordic traditions inspire this free annual event held every January in Aspen. Hosted by the Aspen Chamber Resort Association.

Skiing

The four Aspen ski mountains - Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk - offer top-rated skiing and snowboarding for every skill level.

Off-Slope Activities

Aspen is more than a world-class ski destination. Aspen has a thriving year-round arts scene and top-ranked restaurants and shopping.

Family Adventures

From toddlers to teens, kids of all ages can have a great time at Aspen. Aspen’s four mountains offer ski and snowboard schools for ages 2 to 17.

View Some of the Best Winter Vacation Rentals in Aspen

Before you buckle your boots, grab some of the best breakfast in town at Bear Den Aspen or Shlomo's, located right at the base of Aspen mountain. Nothing kills a good powder day like a grumbling stomach.

Average high temperatures range from 45º in March to 63º in May. Record highs in the spring have hit 87º in May. An average of two feet of snow in March makes spring skiing delightful.

Spring Skiing

With more hours of daylight, Aspen is the perfect spring skiing destination.

Biking

Once the snow melts, bike season begins. Mountain bike trails run downhill in place of ski trails. Road cycling routes take you past aspen groves, rushing streams, and sunny valleys. Bike rentals make it easy to outfit the whole family.

Fishing

Mid-April is the start of fishing season in the Roaring Fork Valley. There are fewer crowds on the riverbanks and once run-off begins to taper, the fish are hungry! Make sure to stop in and see our friends at Taylor Creek Fly Shop to get an up to the minute river report, all the gear you need, and the right flies to land the big one!There are fewer crowds on the riverbanks and more fish in the water once the snow melts and the rivers rise.

Aspen Shortsfest

Aspen Shortsfest Filmmakers from all over the world gather in Aspen every April to present short films. Some selections go on to win Academy Awards at the Oscars. Sponsored by Aspen Film, this festival is one of the top short film festivals in North America.

Fewer Crowds

Late May and early June is known as the “secret season” in Aspen.

Spring Skiing

Late-season skiing means fresh powder on top of winter’s base of snow.

More Time on the Slopes

After daylight savings time, Aspen Mountain keeps runs open until 4 PM, and on certain weekends the Gondola runs until 6 PM.

They say that if you don’t like the weather in Colorado, wait 5 minutes. For those less than “blue bird” Aspen days, make sure you pack extra layers and rain gear just in case!