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 Hero's chair. And new for winter 2026–27: the NELL TO BELL chair!
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 for winter in November, earlier if snow arrives, and reopens just before 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 closes for winter in November, sometimes earlier when snow arrives.
Aspen Activities: Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do in Aspen besides skiing?
In winter: 60+ miles of groomed Nordic and snowshoe trails, 10th Mountain Division hut trips and ice climbing. In summer: whitewater rafting, hiking to the Maroon Bells, biking the Rio Grande Trail, horseback riding, Gold Medal fly fishing, rock climbing, paragliding, hot air balloons, golf, free disc golf and Jeep tours.
When do the leaves change in Aspen?
For about three weeks in September and early October. The Maroon Bells hike, a Jeep tour or a round of golf are the best ways to see the color.
When is mud season in Aspen?
Late April and May. Streets are quiet and reservations are easier, rafting builds with the snowmelt, horseback outfitters open in May and the lower trails dry out first.
When is Independence Pass open?
The Colorado Department of Transportation opens Highway 82 over Independence Pass just before Memorial Day (May 21 in 2026) and closes it for winter in November, earlier if snow arrives. In 2025 it closed November 17.
Where can I go whitewater rafting near Aspen?
On the Roaring Fork, Colorado and Arkansas Rivers, from scenic floats to Class V. The biggest water runs in late spring and early summer. Outfitters include Aspen Whitewater Rafting (970-920-3511) and Blazing Adventures (970-923-4544).
Where is the best fly fishing near Aspen?
Gold Medal water on the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers, plus the Crystal and Colorado. Fall is the best season. Local guides include Aspen Fly Fishing, Aspen Outfitting Co. and Aspen Trout Guides.
Is there disc golf on Aspen Mountain?
Yes. A free 18-hole course sits at the top of Aspen Mountain, with two more courses at Snowmass and others in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.
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 susan@susanplummer.com or 970-948-6786.
