Snowmass Attractions

Winter Activities

Aspen and Snowmass are legendary winter playgrounds for skiers, snowboarders, and winter sports enthusiasts thanks to a surplus of snow and four world-class ski mountains. Aspen Mountain rises out of the heart of downtown Aspen, and is famous for its steeps, bumps, and double-black runs. The largest of the four, Snowmass is known for its variety, boasting nearly 5,200 acres of cruisers, steeps, terrain parks, and half pipes. Aspen Highlands is the locals' favorite, thanks to its extreme terrain, impeccably groomed trails, and breathtaking views. Buttermilk is the best spot for beginners, with a wealth of easy and intermediate trails. The fabulous terrain of these mountains is the reason Aspen is the home of the ESPN Winter X Games through 2010, the world's premier winter extreme sports event. In addition to the skiing and snowboarding action, visitors to Aspen enjoy a wealth of opportunities for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and guided adventure tours via dogsled, horse drawn sleigh, and snowcat.

Top Winter Activities in Snowmass:

Skiing & Snowboarding
	From gentle beginner slopes and steep chutes, to well-groomed Nordic trails, Snowmass offers skiers and snowboarders a wealth of world-class terrain. One ticket unlocks the door to Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands. Together, the four mountains boast 5,203 acres of terrain, 44 lifts, 338 trails, thousands of feet of vertical drop, and several state-of-the art snowboard and cross country parks -- all located within a 12-mile radius.
Snowmobiling
	Snowmobiling enthusiasts find plenty of opportunities to get out and play in Snowmass and nearby Aspen. Well-maintained trails and off-the-beaten-path routes offer adventurous types unbeatable photo-ops of Pyramid Peak, the Maroon Bells, and fascinating ghost towns.
Guided Winter Adventure Tours
	Tours via dogsled, horse-drawn sleigh, snowshoe and snowcat are all great ways to soak in Snowmass' winter scenes. Guided tours often include stops at warming huts and rustic mountain lodges for hearty lunches, hot cocoa and crackling fires.
ESPN Winter X Games
	Expect the annual ESPN Winter X Games to be held in Aspen/Snowmass every winter through 2010. The televised event features athletes from around the world competing in ski, snowboard and snowmobile categories.

More Winter Activities in Snowmass:

Tube Town at Snowmass

Located on Assay Hill on Snowmass, Tube Town offers kids of all ages the chance to zip down snowy slopes on inflated inner tubes.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is the easiest way to explore the Aspen-Snowmass area’s scenic backcountry. Guided nature tours of the area offer curious visitors insights into the area’s history and ecology.

Ice Skating

Rinks at the Aspen Recreation Center and the Aspen Ice Garden allow skaters to take a spin on the ice.

Summer Activities:

In addition to its busy schedule of festivals and events, Snowmass offers nature lovers and sports enthusiasts a nearly endless array of opportunities for outdoor recreation from golfing and tennis to horseback riding and rock-climbing. Hiking and biking fanatics take advantage of the extensive trail system in the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest, as well as a 13-mile bike path that connects Aspen with Snowmass. Avid anglers and rafting enthusiasts hit the banks of the Colorado, Arkansas and Roaring Fork Rivers where prize trout catches can be found around one bend, while raging rapids can be found around the next. In addition, the ski areas at both Snowmass and Aspen Mountain turn into family-friendly adventure zones in the summer, offering everything from bungee trampolines and paintball to climbing walls and skateboarding bowls.

Top Summer Activities in Snowmass:

Fly Fishing
	Snowmass is a playground for avid anglers, thanks to its premier trout fisheries on the Colorado River, Frying Pan River and Roaring Forks River. Gold-medal fisheries in Aspen and Snowmass offer year-round fishing and a variety of water types, from shallow stretches perfect for wading, to deeper stretches better suited to leisurely days of float fishing.
Kayaking & Whitewater Rafting
	Snowmass is a magnet for kayaking and whitewater-rafting enthusiasts. Class II, III, IV and V rapids on the Colorado River, Arkansas River and Roaring Fork River offer both relaxing and exhilarating routes. Aspen's whitewater outfitters guide visitors on both thrill-a-minute routes and family-friendly "float trips" that wind through open meadows at a leisurely pace.
Hiking & Mountain Biking
	Hiking and biking enthusiasts enjoy hundreds of miles of scenic trails in and around Aspen and Snowmass. The 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest boasts an extensive trail system, with a popular 15-mile hike that winds past the Maroon Bells to Crested Butte. Local bike shops and mountain outfitters in Snowmass offer gear, maps and guided tours.
Golf
	Aspen and Snowmass boast an outstanding collection of fine public, private and resort courses offering golfers superior designs and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. High-altitude golfing means that most players will improve the length of their shots in Aspen's high and dry air.
Guided Summer Adventure Tours
	Snowmass is ripe for adventure, from horseback trail rides, jeep tours, whitewater rafting excursions, and hot air balloon trips, to paragliding, camping, and guided fishing trips. Local outfitters in Snowmass offer a wide array of guided adventure tours that allow families and large groups to safely enjoy all the thrills of a backcountry tour without all the hassle of planning and packing.

More Summer Activities in/around Snowmass:

Scenic Gondola & Lift Rides

The Burlingame Lift in Snowmass Village, and the Silver Queen Gondola in Aspen offer breathtaking summer views of the surrounding valley.

Disc Golf

18-hole disc golf courses on both Snowmass Mountain and Aspen Mountain offer players great scenery, rugged terrain, and challenging play.

Horseback Riding

Aspen-area stables offer private riding lessons and guided half day, full day and overnight pack trips to Maroon Bells, Hunter Creek, and Buttermilk ski area.

Tennis

Aspen and Snowmass provide players with a variety of public and private courts, many with player matching, tournaments, and lessons.