Aspen Intel
Local Life · Adventures & Activities
Things to Do in Aspen: A Local’s Guide by Season
Aspen is famous for skiing — but the real Aspen/Snowmass lifestyle runs far beyond the slopes, in every season. Here’s how I’d spend the year.
Winter
Skiing is the whole reason many if not most of us are here — so let’s start there. Then keep reading for everything winter has once you’re ready to look past the lifts.
Skiing
Skiing is what brought me here and mi amore Casey Puckett is an elite-level race coach (and a 5-time olympic ski racer). I spent my first nine years in town as a ski pro at Aspen Highlands — still my favorite mountain, hands down. For a while I kept up a little tradition of five laps on Highland Bowl in a day, and I somehow made it (barely) through the Power of Four ski-mountaineering race in one piece. These days I’m happy to leave the suffering to younger legs.
Now you’ll mostly find me on Ajax. I’m lucky enough to bring clients up to the Aspen Mountain Club — yes, it’s a touch bougie, but the membership runs deep with VERY interesting people. I’ve been a member since it opened and it’s fabulous watching friends whose families grow and expand. One perk of the club is that I can also treat clients to First Tracks for perfect, freshly groomed and very quiet early turns before the mountain opens. I then go on to bank plenty of vertical and be at work by 9:45am daily. Of course a powder day is a different animal: those mornings are spent doing laps on the 4.5 minute Heros chair. And new for winter 2026,27 -- the NELL TO BELL chair! /p>
Chasing turns? Don’t miss the mountain’s hidden shrines — read my Aspen shrine guide →
Cross-Country Skiing
60+ miles of groomed Nordic and snowshoe trails link Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt — plus Ashcroft Ski Touring and the Pine Creek Cookhouse up Castle Creek.
Ashcroft / Pine Creek Cookhouse — 970-925-1044
Backcountry Hut Trips
Skin or snowshoe to the 10th Mountain Division huts — 20 huts across roughly 350 miles of routes. Solo or guided.
10th Mountain Hut Assoc. — 970-925-5775
Aspen Expeditions — 970-925-7625
Ice Climbing
Beginner-to-intermediate ice minutes from town, with harder routes at Redstone and Marble. AMGA-certified guiding available.
Aspen Expeditions — 970-925-7625
Spring — Mud Season
Late April and May are Aspen’s best-kept secret: quiet streets, easier reservations, and a valley catching its breath. The big adventures are just waking up — rafting season builds with the snowmelt, horseback outfitters open in May, and the lower trails dry out first. Consider it a head start on the summer list below.
Summer
Long days, high alpine access, and more to do than any one summer can hold.
Whitewater Rafting
From scenic floats to Class V, on the Roaring Fork, Colorado, and Arkansas Rivers — biggest water in late spring and early summer.
Full disclosure: my daughter Abigail guides the Roaring Fork with Aspen Whitewater Rafting, so I’m a little biased — but they’re the real deal. Ask for her.
Aspen Whitewater Rafting — 970-920-3511
Also rafting: Blazing Adventures — 970-923-4544
Hiking
From the iconic Maroon Bells to alpine Independence Pass and Glenwood Canyon’s Hanging Lake. (The Pass closes mid-October to Memorial Day.)
Biking
Cruise the Rio Grande Trail or chase single-track like Hunter Creek and Government Trail. Guided tours available.
Blazing Adventures — 970-923-4544
Horseback Riding
Ride through aspen groves and meadows, generally May through September.
Capitol Peak Outfitters — 970-928-0723
T Lazy 7 Ranch — 970-920-4677
Fly Fishing
Gold Medal water on the Fryingpan, Roaring Fork, Crystal, and Colorado Rivers.
Aspen Fly Fishing — 970-920-6886
Aspen Outfitting Co. — 970-925-3406
Aspen Trout Guides — 970-379-7963
Rock Climbing
Routes for every level on Independence Pass, 15 minutes from town. AMGA-certified guiding available.
Aspen Expeditions — 970-925-7625
Paragliding
Soar tandem above Aspen or Snowmass — no experience needed.
Adventure Paragliding — 970-274-1619
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Drift over the Elk Mountains, spring through fall.
Blazing Adventures — 970-923-4544
Golf
Mountain-view rounds from public tracks to private clubs, spring through fall.
Maroon Creek Club — Private · 970-920-1533
Snowmass Club — Semi-Private · 970-923-5600
Aspen Golf Club — Public · 970-429-1949
See all 10 valley courses in my golf guide →
Disc Golf
Free 18 holes atop Aspen Mountain, two courses at Snowmass, plus Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.
Tennis & Pickleball
Courts up and down the valley, from the Snowmass Club to the Smuggler Racquet Club.
Jeep Tours
Guided 4x4 trips over Castle Creek, Independence Pass, and the back of Aspen Mountain.
Blazing Adventures — 970-923-4544
Fall
For about three golden weeks each September and early October, the hillsides turn and the whole valley shows off. Most of summer’s adventures are still going — fly fishing is at its best, the hike to the Maroon Bells is unforgettable against the color, and a Jeep tour or round of golf under gold aspens is hard to beat. Time it right: horseback outfitters wrap up in September, and Independence Pass typically closes by mid-October.
Whatever season you land in, there’s a version of Aspen waiting that has nothing to do with a chairlift. Pick one, and go. — Susan
Curious about living in the middle of all this? That’s my other specialty. Reach me anytime at susanplummeraspen@gmail.com or 970-948-6786.
What to do in the Aspen area: a guide to ADVENTURES and ACTIVITIES
Aspen Activities
Aspen is famous for skiing, but the Aspen/Snowmass lifestyle extends far beyond the slopes. Year-round, the Roaring Fork Valley offers an extraordinary range of ways to reconnect, recharge, and explore — from hot yoga, guided meditation, spa treatments, and hot springs to hiking, biking, fly fishing, rafting, golf, paragliding, and backcountry adventures.
How about a cozy evening at Avalanche Ranch hot springs? A summer ride on the Rio Grande Trail? A round of golf with mountain views? Or a guided climb on Independence Pass?
Keep reading for a few of my favorite ways to enjoy Aspen/Snowmass in every season.
Ice Climbing
Located just minutes from Aspen, the area offers excellent ice climbing for beginner and intermediate climbers. For more advanced climbs, Redstone and Marble provide several beautiful options. Aspen Expeditions offers AMGA-certified guided climbs.
Aspen Expeditions
970-925-7625
www.aspenexpeditions.com
Cross-Country Skiing
The Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System includes more than 60 miles of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails connecting Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt.
The Aspen Cross Country Center, located at the Aspen Golf Club just west of town on Highway 82, offers rentals, lessons, and trail information.
A few miles outside Aspen, the Ashcroft Ski Touring Area at the base of the Elk Mountains offers approximately 20 miles of groomed trails, along with the beloved Pine Creek Cookhouse experience.
Ashcroft Ski Touring / Pine Creek Cookhouse
970-925-1044
Backcountry Hut Trips
Experience Colorado’s backcountry by skinning or snowshoeing to one of the 10th Mountain Division huts. The system includes 20 backcountry huts connected by roughly 350 miles of suggested routes. Reservations are handled through the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association.
For those who prefer a guided experience, Aspen Expeditions also offers backcountry guiding.
10th Mountain Division Hut Association
970-925-5775
www.huts.org
Aspen Expeditions
970-925-7625
www.aspenexpeditions.com
Tennis & Pickleball
Aspen/Snowmass offers several options for tennis and pickleball, including the Aspen Golf & Tennis Club, Aspen Recreation Center, Aspen Meadows, Snowmass Club, and Smuggler Racquet Club.
Downvalley options include River Valley Ranch, the Ranch at Roaring Fork, and Aspen Glen.
Jeep Tours
For a scenic mountain adventure, Blazing Adventures offers guided Jeep tours through some of the valley’s most beautiful terrain, including Castle Creek Valley, Independence Pass, Watson Divide, Snowmass Creek Valley, Red Mountain, McLain Flats, and the backside of Aspen Mountain.
Blazing Adventures
970-923-4544
www.blazingadventures.com
Biking
Aspen/Snowmass offers outstanding biking for all levels.
For beginner and intermediate riders, the Rio Grande Trail is a favorite scenic route from Aspen to Woody Creek — and, for ambitious riders, all the way to Glenwood Springs. More experienced mountain bikers can explore classic single-track trails such as Sunnyside, Hunter Creek, and Government Trail.
Blazing Adventures also offers guided road and mountain biking tours, including rides to Maroon Bells, Woody Creek, the Rio Grande Trail, and more.
Blazing Adventures
970-923-4544
www.blazingadventures.com
Hiking
Aspen is surrounded by spectacular hiking.
The Maroon Bells, one of Colorado’s most iconic landscapes, attract hikers from around the world. Independence Pass offers breathtaking alpine terrain and access to high-country trails, while Hanging Lake and Spouting Rock in Glenwood Canyon are unforgettable day-trip options.
Independence Pass rises to 12,095 feet and is typically closed from mid-October until Memorial Day, depending on snow conditions.
Horseback Riding
Take in the beauty of Aspen and Snowmass on horseback, riding through aspen groves, meadows, and evergreen forests. Outfitters typically operate from May through September, depending on trail conditions.
Capitol Peak Outfitters
970-928-0723
www.capitolpeakoutfitters.com
T Lazy 7 Ranch
970-920-4677
www.tlazy7.com
Paragliding
With no prior experience required, you can soar above Aspen or Snowmass with a USHPA-certified tandem pilot.
Adventure Paragliding
970-274-1619
www.adventureparagliding.com
Hot Air Balloon Rides
A hot air balloon ride offers unforgettable views of the Elk Mountains and the chance to spot local wildlife from above. Ballooning is generally available from spring through fall, depending on weather.
Blazing Adventures
970-923-4544
www.blazingadventures.com
Fly Fishing
The Roaring Fork Valley is home to some of Colorado’s best Gold Medal fly fishing, with access to the Fryingpan, Roaring Fork, Crystal, and Colorado Rivers.
Aspen Fly Fishing
970-920-6886
www.aspenflyfishing.com
Aspen Outfitting Company
970-925-3406
www.aspenoutfitting.com
Aspen Trout Guides
970-379-7963
www.aspentroutguides.com
Whitewater Rafting
Whether you want a scenic float, a Class V rapid, or something in between, whitewater rafting is a classic Roaring Fork Valley experience. Trips are offered on the Roaring Fork, Colorado, and Arkansas Rivers.
Blazing Adventures
970-923-4544
www.blazingadventures.com
Aspen Whitewater Rafting
970-920-3511
www.aspenwhitewater.com
Rock Climbing
Independence Pass, located about 15 minutes from Aspen, offers rock climbing for a range of experience levels. Aspen Expeditions offers AMGA-certified guided climbs near Aspen.
Aspen Expeditions
970-925-7625
www.aspenexpeditions.com
Golf
Golf in the Aspen/Roaring Fork Valley is spectacular, with mountain views, challenging layouts, and options ranging from public courses to private clubs. Most courses are open seasonally, generally from spring through fall.
For more detail, read my Aspen/Snowmass golf guide here: [Insert Susan’s golf blog link]
Aspen/Snowmass Courses
The Maroon Creek Club — Private
970-920-1533
www.mccaspen.com
Because this private course is partially owned by the City of Aspen, non-members who are Pitkin County residents may be able to play a limited number of times per season. Restrictions apply.
The Snowmass Club — Semi-Private
970-923-5600
www.snowmassclub.com
Aspen Golf Club — Public
970-429-1949
www.aspengolf.com
In Aspen, CP Burger also offers miniature golf in the summer and an outdoor skating rink in the winter.
Downvalley Golf Options
The Roaring Fork Club — Private
970-927-9000
www.roaringforkclub.com
Aspen Glen Club — Private
970-704-1905
www.invitedclubs.com
Ironbridge Golf Club — Semi-Private
970-384-5025
www.ironbridgeclub.com
River Valley Ranch — Public
970-963-3625
www.rvrgolf.com
Ranch at Roaring Fork — Public
970-963-4410
www.ranchatroaringforkgolfcourse.com
Glenwood Springs Golf Club — Public
970-945-7086
www.glenwoodspringsgolf.com
Lakota Links — Public
800-613-2946
www.lakotalinks.com
Disc Golf
Aspen Mountain offers a free 18-hole disc golf course at the top of the mountain. A lift ticket is required unless you hike to the top.
Snowmass has two 18-hole courses stretching from the top of the Elk Camp Gondola to Base Village. A lift ticket is required for gondola access unless you hike to the course.
Carbondale offers a free course at Bert & Ernie Park, and Glenwood Springs has an 18-hole professionally designed course at Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley Campus.
