Aspen Travel Guide

 

172 miles W of Denver, at an elevation of 7,908 feet, Aspen is a destination that everyone would like to visit at least once in their lifetime.

Aspen's reputation precedes it and plenty of Hollywood stars and wannabe stars hang out here. But Aspen is not only about showing off, if you take the time to see beyond the surface you’ll find that it’s a town with a fascinating history, some great old buildings, spectacular mountain scenery and excellent slopes for serious skiers and not only.

Aspen hosted some world skiing championships of which we could mention the one in 1950.

You might have believed this elite ski resort only admits film stars and the super-rich, but it can be an affordable and very appealing place for anyone visit in summer. You’ll find forests teeming with great trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, The Roaring Fork River is excellent for kayaking and rafting. If you fancy walking in the mountains, the Silver Queen gondola climbs from 601 Dean St to the summit of Ajax where guided nature walks set off on the hour. There is also the advantage that in this period the resort is less crowded.

Despite the virtually limitless recreation opportunities in the surrounding mountains, there’re other ways of spending your time: taking the walking tours of Aspen and nearby ghost towns, sitting around the town's leafy pedestrianzed streets, watching the world go by, or browsing in stores and galleries. You could also explore The Aspen Art Museum that holds changing exhibits, lectures and special events; Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.

Aspen's four mountains are run by the Aspen Ski Co. The Aspen Mountain is for experienced skiers only; Buttermilk is great for beginners, for intermediate skiers the wide-open runs of Snowmass. Aspen Highlands has some new high-speed lifts and offers excellent extreme skiing terrain. Rental of skis, boots and poles, snowshoes in which to trek up and down the mountains is also on offer.

Whether you want to relax and enjoy the scenery, take in all the major museums and attractions, practice skiing, cycling, rafting or just want to seek adventure, this city can satisfy your every request.