Aspen is a ski resort town and so much more. Aspen is a combination of playground for outdoor enthusiasts with a scene for the cool kids. The historic town offers four great ski areas in the winter and endless activities in the summer. It is one of the few Colorado ski towns that doesn’t completely shut down in the off seasons of spring and fall. In addition to skiing, Aspen offers something for everyone. Check out the Maroon Bells for natural beauty, catch a show at the Wheeler Opera House, get some good exercise and eventually well-deserved relaxation at the Conundrum Hot Springs, or explore some incredible options for shopping and dining. If you are driving to Aspen, you have two very cool options for routes. The first is to take I-70 to Glenwood Springs. Glenwood is another historic town. It has incredible hot springs resorts. The second option is to take Independence Pass, which is only available in the warm weather months. We highly recommend this route as the scenery is like nothing we have ever seen.
Aspen was built around the silver boom of the late 1800s. After the silver bust, the town was rebuilt around phenomenal skiing (more on this later). The town still holds onto much of its historic past. It certainly isn’t cheap, but you can stay in the historic Hotel Jerome, which was built in 1880 and is located in the heart of Aspen. For a more budget-friendly option, simply stop by for a drink at the J Bar on the first floor of the Hotel Jerome. Speaking of drinks, check out the Red Onion, which was established in 1892 and is Aspen’s oldest bar. The Red Onion regularly has live music and always has an amazing whiskey selection.
Aspen easily deserves its reputation for one of the best ski towns in the world. Aspen Mountain, also known as “Ajax” is located in the heart of the town of Aspen. This is one of the very few ski areas where visitors can ski to the bottom of the mountain, and easily walk directly to the closest grocery store, shopping district, or (most likely) bar. Friendly warning, Aspen Mountain is not for beginners. The mountain literally doesn’t have a single green (easy) run. rnrnAspen Highlands is the second ski area. It is known as a local favorite, and it also contains some very difficult terrain with a little more diversity than Ajax. You will find some green runs here. rnrnThe next ski area down the road is Buttermilk. This is the spot for beginners. It is a smaller area, but there is easy access for beginners. Buttermilk also has a world-class terrain park. Consider staying at the Inn at Aspen, which is located right at the bottom of the mountain. Also, grab a bite at the new Home Team BBQ restaurant which is located inside the Inn at Aspen. If you are looking for a party, check out the Winter X Games, which is held at Buttermilk.rnrnLastly, Snowmass is most diverse ski area in Aspen. Snowmass is about 15 minutes outside of Aspen, and has its own village. There are plenty of options for staying and dining.
Aspen is not a sleepy mountain town. It is frequently visited by celebrities, and several have homes in this international ski town. Aspen has major events throughout the year. If you are looking for lodging and you find that everything is booked, it is probably because of a major event that week. This includes events such as Winterskol Aspen Winter Festival in January, the Food & Wine Classic in June, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) in September, and many more.
Aspen is like one of those towns that you see in a movie and may think it doesn’t exist in real life. The town is completely charming and progressive. Aspen leadership is dedicated to preserving the charm of the city. Try not to fall in love with the city (it is hard not to), real estate prices were recently ranked among the most expensive in the world.
Aspen was (obviously) named for the abundance of aspen trees in the area. Visitors flock to the area in September and October to view the crazy cool colors of the aspens changing in the fall.
Winter is the most popular time to visit Aspen, because of the skiing. The best skiing is from January to mid-March. High temps are in the upper 30s to low 40s. Aspen can be incredibly pricey to visit during the winters.
Spring (after ski season) is relatively a slow season for Aspen. April high temps are in the low 50s, with this rising to the low 70s by June. May is one of the slowest months of the year.
Summer is the dry season and the weather is beautifully mild. High temps are in the mid- to upper 70s with plenty of sunshine. Visitors flock to Aspen during the summer months for the beautiful weather and international events.
Whereas most Colorado ski towns shut down in the fall, Aspen shines (literally). Tourists visit to see the colors changing in the aspen trees. Early fall (September and October) is a great time to visit.