You seemingly know of Aspen, Colorado — the stylish mountain city that’s a favourite amongst visiting celebrities with its chic ski slopes and upscale eating and nightlife. Whereas Aspen typically will get all of the glory — which is warranted — because the hamlet is certainly wealthy in historical past and tradition, whereas providing a plethora of outside actions. Snowmass, nonetheless, its sister resort about 10 miles down the freeway, has a lot to supply guests, as nicely.
The truth is, as somebody who lives lower than half-hour from each of those resort cities, I’d argue that Snowmass makes a wonderful vacation spot in itself, particularly in the summertime months, when the resort city rolls out the crimson carpet for households and hosts various warm-weather annual festivals and weekly occasions. New eating places, a not too long ago renovated mountainside lodge, and quick access to outdoors adventures add to Snowmass’s attract.
In case your journey plans take you to western Colorado this summer season, I extremely advocate you make beautiful, laid-back Snowmass your house base. You’ll have loads of facilities and actions proper outdoors your step. And for those who do need to discover Aspen’s refined scene, it’s only a free bus journey away.
Listed here are my ideas for 16 incredible issues to do in Snowmass this summer season — together with my tips about the place to eat and keep domestically:
(Photograph Credit score: Sam Ferguson)
1. Snowmass Rodeo
Each Wednesday night time from the tip of June by way of mid-August, the Snowmass Rodeo entertains locals and guests with its array of cowboy competitions, together with bull using, barrel racing, and group roping. Visiting kids may even compete in mutton bustin’ and the calf scramble. Earlier than the rodeo, dine on ribs, pulled pork, or burgers with all the edges. There are additionally a number of western-themed distributors on-site so that you can discover the proper memento.
2. Mountain climbing And Biking Trails
Snowmass is dwelling to dozens of mountaineering trails rated simple, reasonable, and troublesome. Wind your method by way of aspen groves, throughout wildflower-strewn meadows, and amid evergreen forests. The upper you climb, the extra fabulous mountain vistas await. The Aspen Middle for Environmental Research gives free guided nature walks on Saturdays and Sundays.
Equally, Snowmass is thought for its number of mountain biking trails for all ranges of expertise. In the summertime, the ski mountain is reworked into Snowmass Bike Park. Entry the bike park trails through the Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp chairlift. Simply load your bike (there are leases accessible), hop off at certainly one of two spots, and benefit from the thrilling journey down the mountain!
3. The Collective
Comedy, Yoga, And Extra
The Collective has been a welcome addition to Snowmass Base Village in recent times. This neighborhood hub is the place locals and guests collect to eat, drink, train, and easily have enjoyable. The house, which is an outside ice rink within the winter, transforms right into a turf-covered play space the place you’ll discover yoga courses, stay music, and garden video games in the summertime. Then there’s the technicolor Recreation Lounge that includes billiards, skeeball, and foosball, plus 12 “selfie stations” for capturing trip images in entrance of inventive backdrops. Seize a wholesome meal at mix6 or loosen up with a drink on the Moxi Bar.
This particular spot is a nifty, upbeat gathering place with some inventive summer season programming that features outside films, stay comedy performances, science middle camps, open mic nights, artwork reveals, and salsa dancing.
(Photograph Credit score: Jeremy Swanson)
4. Annual Festivals
Snowmass likes to have fun — whether or not it’s with meals, artwork, music, or the outside. Likelihood is, each time your trip is scheduled, there might be some kind of particular occasion occurring, such because the Snowmass Artwork Pageant, the Independence Day Neighborhood Celebration, Heritage Hearth culinary demonstrations, Cidermass (celebrating arduous cider), or the beloved Snowmass Balloon Pageant. And that’s simply to call just a few. Verify the Snowmass occasions calendar to see what’s occurring while you’re on the town.
5. The Misplaced Forest
Coaster, Climbing Wall, And Extra
Hop on the Elk Camp Gondola and make your method as much as the outside playground dubbed The Misplaced Forest. Right here, numerous ticket packages embody entry to an alpine coaster, ropes course, climbing wall, and zipline cover tour. Carry your personal gear to toss a line within the Trout Hook Fishing Pond or play a spherical on the Aerial Method Disc Golf course.
For those who merely need to take a scenic gondola journey to benefit from the high-altitude views, then hop off for a chew to eat on the Elk Camp Restaurant or a stroll alongside some mountain trails.
(Photograph Credit score: Shawn O’Connor)
Spas In Snowmass
All this outside exercise at excessive elevation would possibly end in some sore muscle tissue, so why not schedule a while on the spa? Snowmass has a few nice choices.
6. Lupine Spa At Viewline Resort Snowmass
The Lupine Spa at Viewline Resort Snowmass is a newcomer, as this slopeside lodge simply opened its doorways in January 2022 after a $40 million renovation. Locker rooms right here function steam rooms, which you should use earlier than or after your remedy. Spa providers embody a personalized CBD therapeutic massage for added therapeutic results from the hemp plant.
7. Spa At Viceroy Snowmass
The Spa at Viceroy Snowmass has a relaxing, dimly lit leisure room with snug lounges set in a circle below a formidable antler chandelier. There are small scorching tubs in every of the boys’s and girls’s locker rooms. Therapies embody soothing and religious rituals impressed by the Ute tribe — the individuals who first settled within the mountains of Snowmass.
(Photograph Credit score: Sam Ferguson)
8. Anderson Ranch Arts Middle
Anderson Ranch Arts Middle is a hidden gem in Snowmass, and for those who’re an artwork aficionado you’ll definitely need to pay this particular spot a go to throughout your trip. Take heed to a lecture by a visiting artist, try the rotating displays within the artwork gallery, and store within the ArtWorks Retailer. Take time to walk by way of the outside sculpture exhibit: (Nonetheless) Sculpturally Distanced.
9. Free Reside Music
Snowmass celebrates 30 years of free, stay music on the mountain in 2022. The Snowmass Free Live performance Sequence, the locals’ favourite, takes place on Fanny Hill each Thursday night from mid-June to mid-August. The lineup consists of every part from pop and funk to R&B and nation. Carry your personal blanket or chairs, in addition to a picnic basket, and settle in for time. (You may’t carry your personal alcohol, however drink distributors are on-site.)
Each Friday, from June by way of the tip of September, brings Music on the Mall. You’ll discover quite a lot of native performers on Tower Stage throughout completely satisfied hour (4:30–6:30pm) for the proper strategy to kick off the weekend.
(Photograph Credit score: Jeremy Swanson)
Finest Eating places In Snowmass
Eating places in Snowmass are particularly inviting in the summertime months, since so many have fabulous patios for eating al fresco within the contemporary mountain air. Listed here are a few of my faves:
10. Limelight Lounge
Limelight Lounge has a spacious outside patio that’s pet-friendly and offers you a entrance seat to all the motion on the outside turf yard at The Collective. I particularly just like the wood-fired pizza and number of small and shareable plates.
11. Aurum Snowmass
Aurum Snowmass additionally has a big and cozy outside seating space. The menu focuses on seasonal new American meals. It doesn’t matter what you order to your most important meal, don’t miss their superb chocolate chip cookies served heat with a facet of whipped cream. Belief me, you’ll need to save room for dessert simply to eat these divine melt-in-your-mouth treats.
12. Venga Venga
Venga Venga is the place for Mexican meals in Snowmass. Its outside deck faces Fanny Hill — proper within the thick of the Snowmass Mall motion. Make sure you begin with the tableside guacamole.
13. New Belgium Ranger Station
New Belgium Ranger Station options the Colorado brewery’s favorites like Fats Tire and Voodoo Ranger IPA. It’s informal eating right here, with menu gadgets served to company on tin cookie sheets. Order the baked pretzel rolls with savory or candy dipping sauces, together with cheese fondue, beer mustard, and hazelnut chocolate.
Finest Lodges In Snowmass
For those who’re on the lookout for a full-service lodge, take into account these choices:
14. Viewline Resort Snowmass
Perched slopeside subsequent to Fanny Hill, Viewline Resort Snowmass is a part of Marriott’s Autograph Assortment. For those who’ve obtained factors to spare, it is a strong alternative not just for its location on the Snowmass Mall, but additionally its on-site spa, seasonal youngsters’ membership, and upbeat foyer lounge. I stayed in a single day right here on a media go to and completely loved my meal at Stark’s Alpine Grill. It’s costly, however for those who’ve obtained an event to have fun, the filet mignon and crab truffles are divine.
15. Limelight Lodge Snowmass
This vigorous property in Snowmass Base Village features a beneficiant breakfast buffet in its room charges. Different facilities embody a pool and scorching tub, electrical charging stations within the storage, and even a climbing wall. For those who’re bringing alongside Fido, the Limelight will present a pet mat and water bowl.
16. Viceroy Snowmass
Lodging listed below are luxurious residences starting from cozy studios with efficiency-style kitchenettes to spacious four-bedroom suites with full kitchens and a washer and dryer. Tremendous-luxe penthouses are additionally an choice. The Viceroy Snowmass is adjoining to Assay Hill, a stone’s throw from the Base Village.
Professional Tip: If you find yourself overnighting in Aspen and need to drive into Snowmass for the day, you possibly can park at no cost within the Snowmass Base Village storage or within the numbered village heaps in the summertime months. Bear in mind, although, that public bus service from Aspen to Snowmass can also be free.
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