Aspen Easter Weekend Guide: Sunrise Service, Egg Hunts, and Little Nell

Can you really find peace at the top of a ski mountain before the lifts even open for the day? That’s the question hanging over Aspen’s Easter weekend, where the ritual of waking up before dawn to catch the light on the snow has become as much a part of the holiday as the chocolate eggs buried in the grass.

If you’re looking for the traditional, quiet moment of reflection, the answer lies on Aspen Mountain. The Sunrise Service returns for its 52nd year, marking a deep commitment to the continuity of the community’s own history. Minister Nicholas Vesey leads the non-denominational service at 8:30 a.m., right at the summit. It’s not just about the prayer; it’s about the climb, or rather, the gondola ride up. The Silver Queen Gondola starts loading at 7:30 a.m., and you’ll need a valid lift ticket or foot pass to get up there. For adults, that’s $31; for kids and seniors, $21. If you’ve got little ones under six, they ride free, which is a small mercy when you’re already paying for the privilege of watching the sun hit the Maroon Bells.

There’s a warmth to the idea of gathering at the top of the world, but let’s be clear about the logistics. The Sundeck Restaurant will be serving breakfast and beverages after the service, so you can warm up with coffee and food while the rest of the town is still hitting the snooze button. Music will be provided by Jan Garrett, JD Martin, and Ellen Stapenhorst, adding a layer of acoustic intimacy to the cold air. It’s a specific kind of privilege, this early morning access, reserved for those willing to pay the toll and brave the chill.

But if the mountain feels too high or too expensive, the valley floor offers its own brand of celebration. The Aspen Recreation Center is hosting its 2026 Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4, at 0861 Maroon Creek Rd. It’s free, which makes it a stark contrast to the paid exclusivity of the mountain. The event is structured by age, a careful choreography to keep the chaos manageable. Under-three-year-olds get the courtyard at 10 a.m., followed by ages 4 to 6 at 10:30 a.m., then 7 to 10 at 11 a.m., and finally 11 to 14 at 11:30 a.m. Over 3,000 eggs will be hidden in either the courtyard or Iselin field. You’ll need to bring your own basket, and after the hunt, there’s crafts, coloring, a bunny hop diving competition, and a visit from the Easter Bunny from noon to 2:30 p.m. It’s a lot of activity for a Saturday morning, but it’s accessible, grounded, and open to everyone.

For those who prefer a more traditional religious service, Aspen Chapel is holding its own at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 5, with music by Susan Nicholson. Just down the road, the Aspen Community Church at 200 E. Bleeker St. is hosting a progressive service at 9:30 a.m., welcoming all as a Reconciling Congregation of The United Methodist Church.

And then there’s the Little Nell, because of course there is. On Sunday, April 5, at 10 a.m., their pool courtyard will be transformed. Over 1,000 eggs will be hidden among spring blooms from the Aspen Branch florist and baby animals from ACES’ Rock Bottom Ranch. It’s Easter charm, dressed up. A complimentary coffee bar runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and if you want to tip your hat to the season with a mimosa, that’ll set you back $16. It’s less about the hunt and more about the spectacle, the curated beauty of it all.

You can feel the shift in the air, the way the light gets longer, the way the snow starts to turn to mud at the edges. Whether you’re standing on the Sundeck waiting for the minister, or kneeling in the grass at the Rec Center searching for the last plastic egg, you’re participating in the same ancient rhythm. The eggs are buried, the gondolas are loading, and the sun is rising. It’s just a matter of where you choose to be when it does.