With four mountains for skiing, a full slate of annual festivals, and the ever-present possibility of spotting some celebs enjoying their après-ski, Aspen offers an elegant version of the Rocky Mountain High. And while prices can be loftier in Aspen than in other Colorado resort towns, you have excellent access to gorgeous hotels, top-notch dining and, come summer, great hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. In fact, coming here during the off-season, when prices dip nicely, offers one of the best values in the Rockies. Read on in this Aspen travel guide to plan your trip here:
Things Not to Miss in Aspen
• Skiing one of the slopes: Buttermilk if you’re a beginner, and Snowmass or Aspen if you want more of a challenge
• Going to one of the town’s great festivals, such as summer’s Aspen Music Festival and the Aspen Ideas Festival
• Browsing the Aspen Saturday Market, from June through October
• Hiking the “Grottoes,” the caves on Independence Pass, along the Roaring Fork River
• If you’re feeling bold, check out nearby Conundrum Hot Springs, known for clothing-optional swimmers
When to Go to Aspen
The prime times for Aspen travel, in terms of crowds and prices, are in ski season—mainly from December to March—and then in the summer during the festival season. The payoff if you visit Aspen in the summer, though, is getting to experience the mountain bliss with temperatures are in the high 70s. If you want to go rafting, you’ll get the best snowmelt-fueled rapids in June. For the best deals, travel to Aspen in September, when prices are the lowest, the crowds thin and the foliage pops with color. Aspen travel during the summer is wonderful as well. It isn’t too hot. The beautiful leaves in the fall make people want to visit Aspen.
-
World’s Best Après-Ski Bars
Après-ski, the time-tested tradition of grabbing a beer with your buds following a mountain session, is nearly as old as the sport of skiing itself.... Read More
-
This Aspen Hotel Has Ski-in, Ski-out Spa Treatments so You Can Relax Without Wasting Any Time on the Slopes
Hitting the slopes is one of the best parts of winter but a full day of skiing or snowboarding can also be hard on your body.Cue the spa at the... Read More
-
How to Get Tickets to the 2020 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
Every year, Food & Wine heads to Colorado for the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, a weekend full of cooking demos, wine tastings, and panel... Read More
-
You Can Now Have Rent the Runway Delivered to Your W Hotel Room
W Hotels and Rent the Runway want you to leave all your clothes at home and use their closet instead.The two iconic brands introduced a new... Read More
-
9 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado That Everyone Can Enjoy This Winter
Skiing and snowboarding in Colorado is a special experience, thanks to the impressive Rocky Mountains and plentiful snowfall. While each resort has... Read More
-
10 U.S. Ski Resorts Every Snowbird Needs to Visit in Their Lifetime
When it comes to choosing the best ski resort in the U.S. for an unforgettable winter vacation, there are plenty of choices.The best resorts have... Read More
-
The St. Regis in Aspen Is Hiring a Dog Lover to Take Care of Their Fluffy Mascot, Kitty
If you’d prefer a boss with four legs and fur, then the job of your dreams is waiting for you at the St. Regis Aspen Resort, where a new hotel dog named... Read More
-
The Top 10 Resort Hotels in the American West
Unspoiled natural settings, crisp air, and a plethora of outdoor activities were among Travel + Leisure readers’ top considerations when voting for the... Read More
-
The Best Place for a Last-minute July 4th Trip, Based on Where You Live
It might be difficult (and expensive) to book a week-long last-minute 4th of July vacation, but it’s not too late to plan a quick trip to somewhere... Read More
-
10 Memorial Day Destinations for People Who Still Don’t Have Plans (Video)
If you haven’t already planned your Memorial Day getaway, it’s not too late. You can still get out of town for a perfect weekend escape.Yelp has... Read More
-
The St. Regis Aspen Got a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy and His Instagram Is Truly Winter Magic (Video)
Instagram, meet your new pet obsession.Plenty of hotels opt for animal mascots to represent their brands both on the property and on social media. For... Read More
-
10 Perfect Last-minute Labor Day Weekend Destinations
If you haven't yet planned a trip for Labor Day, don’t despair. You still have plenty of options. Whether you’re craving a quiet day on a pink-sand... Read More
-
The Top 10 Resort Hotels in the American West in 2018
A vacation out West should be all about engaging with the great outdoors, according to Travel + Leisure readers. The 10 resort hotels that our audience... Read More
-
The World's Most Romantic Cities
This past month, Paris Hilton had the surprise of a lifetime when her boyfriend, actor Chris Zylka, bent down on one knee and popped the question while... Read More
-
Goldie Hawn's Family Has the Best Aspen Vacation Every Year and We Want an Invite
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are without question the definition of couple goals, and their annual family trip to Aspen is further proof of their... Read More
