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About Aspen
About Aspen
Aspen is one of the best-known mountain destinations in the world, with about 7,000 residents and a reputation that reaches well past Colorado. It turned into a global draw without giving up the mountain character it started with, which is harder than it sounds and rarer than it should be.
Four mountains serve the town: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Together they hold more than 5,500 acres of terrain that will challenge skiers and snowboarders at any level. What the resort puts into the skiing it also puts into the dining, the shopping, and the cultural attractions, which stack up against what you would find in a major city.
The cultural side is not an afterthought. The Aspen Music Festival and School runs through the summer, the Aspen Institute brings in speakers and policy people, and the galleries and museums around town cover both contemporary work and traditional mountain culture. The historic Wheeler Opera House and the Aspen Art Museum sit on either side of that, one holding onto the town's heritage and one making room for what comes next.
Summer changes the mix. Hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing take over across the surrounding Elk Mountains, and the trail systems run from flat nature walks to alpine routes that will take a full day. The Maroon Bells, often called the most photographed peaks in Colorado, are the backdrop most people come away with.
Aspen has committed to environmental preservation and sustainable tourism, and that is a large part of why the surroundings still look the way they do. The arts community and the amenities in town give the place a second gear on days when the weather does not cooperate.
- Population
- 7,000
- Elevation
- 7,908 ft
- Best time
- Summer & Winter
- Known for
- Luxury Ski Resort
What's Aspen actually like?
Aspen is a high-end ski town that hasn't lost its mountain bones. You get four ski mountains, the Elk Mountains right out the door, and a downtown where the dining and the gallery scene draw people who never clip into a ski. It's pricey, and locals won't pretend otherwise, but the setting earns it.
When should I visit Aspen?
Winter is the obvious draw for the skiing, but plenty of people prefer summer. The elevation keeps things cool while the rest of the Western Slope bakes, and that's when the Aspen Music Festival and School fills the calendar. Spring and fall are quieter and cheaper if crowds aren't your thing.
What is there to do outdoors around Aspen?
The four ski mountains get the headlines in winter. The rest of the year you've got hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and fishing across the Elk Mountains. If you only do one thing, drive or ride up to the Maroon Bells. They're the most photographed peaks in Colorado for a reason.
Is there much to do in Aspen besides skiing?
More than most ski towns. The Aspen Institute brings in thinkers and policy types, the Aspen Music Festival runs all summer, and the Wheeler Opera House and Aspen Art Museum stay busy. The food scene is serious too, and priced accordingly.
How do I get to Aspen?
Most people drive in on Highway 82. You can also fly into the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, which sits right outside town, or take a shuttle up from Denver. Once you're here the core is small enough to walk, so you can park the car and leave it.
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