As far as ski resorts go, Aspen is undoubtedly one of North America’s premier ski locations, and it’s not hard to see why. The former historic mining town has blossomed into one of the most visually beautiful towns in America, attracting a variety of visitors, from the world’s most famous celebrities to incredible athletes.

With fantastic art galleries, dining spots, and accommodations, Aspen is a haven for social butterflies and culture enthusiasts. It is home to some of the world’s most desirable hotels, exclusive members-only clubs and bars, and restaurants – each entirely unique. 

But the heart of the city still lies in its mountains, which provide unrivaled skiing and snowboarding terrain during winter, and world-class hiking trails during summer. The entire town is surrounded by the Colorado Rockies, blanketed in iconic Aspen trees, which change color with the seasons. As you might expect, most of the best things to do in Aspen typically take place in the beautiful outdoors.

The region is an outdoor lover’s paradise, surrounded by four monumental ski areas under one ski pass. While many think of the resort as a playground for the rich and famous, the town is a mecca for families and anyone who appreciates good food, sunny weather, and skiing.

Why I Love Aspen / Things to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning a Colorado ski trip, Aspen would definitely be the first place I recommend you visit. I’ve visited numerous ski resorts worldwide and can confidently say that Aspen is one of the best ski resorts in North America, if not the world. 

With the Aspen Pitkin County Airport (ASE) just outside the border of the town, traveling to Aspen can be super convenient, yet pricey. This is one of the more expensive airports to fly into, with limited flights and airlines offering routes from Denver and across the country. Since it’s in the mountains, it’s also quick to close and cancel flights when the weather gets iffy. 

Because of this, I recommend flying into Denver International Airport (DIA) and traveling by car or bus to Denver. There are a few shuttle companies that will drive the four-hour journey for you for a steep price. The first time I visited with my family, we rented a car from DIA for a day, drove it to Aspen, and returned it the following day at ASE. This was the perfect option for a large group of us, who would have otherwise spent hundreds of dollars each on the transit. 

Another option is to take the Bustang – a bus service that runs from Denver through Colorado’s ski resorts and drops you off in the nearby town of Glenwood Springs. 

Once in Aspen, getting around is super easy, not to mention entirely FREE. You heard right – there are free shuttle buses that depart the main town square (Rubey Park) every 30 minutes to an hour and travel to Snowmass Village, Buttermilk Mountain, and Aspen Highlands.

One thing you should know about this town (and probably already guessed at) is that it’s one of the more expensive ski resorts in America. Ski passes are costly, accommodation is hard to come by, and restaurants typically serve high-end food requiring you to dig relatively deep in your pockets. 

I’ve found the resort to be on par with European resorts like St. Moritz and Zermatt when it comes to budgeting. That being said, every penny spent is entirely worth it when you’re cruising down a well-groomed slope after a boozy lunch overlooking the Colorado Rockies!

My next piece of advice would be to plan your trip and book reservations well in advance. The resort fills up quickly during peak seasons, and finding accommodation or a restaurant that isn’t fully booked during these times can be tricky. Don’t leave it to the last minute!

Now that you know what to expect when you arrive, let’s take a look at some of the best Aspen activities that the town has to offer:

Downtown Aspen is a dream. Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

Explore Downtown Aspen on Foot

The first thing I like to do when I visit any new town or city is to explore the center of downtown on foot. It is the best way to gather your bearings and get a feel for a place without missing the small details you would otherwise not spot when driving.

Aspen is no exception. With a small town center and walkable streets, it’s easily one of the best towns to walk around. Downtown Aspen is organized in a convenient grid format, with gorgeous historic red-brick buildings lining the streets. There are a couple of pedestrian-only alleyways, which are dotted with boutique shops, high-end retailers, and restaurants and bars.

One thing you’ll quickly notice is the sheer number of art and sculpture galleries in the town. Whether in the market for art or not, these galleries are great to browse through. If you’re unsure where to start, why not join a walking tour like this historical one or this city highlights one?

Exterior of historic Hotel Jerome in Downtown Aspen. jenlo8/Shutterstock

Indulge in a treatment at the Yarrow Spa at Hotel Jerome

If you have the budget for a bit of a splurge, there is no better way to relax and recuperate than with a day at the Yarrow Spa at Hotel Jerome. Hotel Jerome is one of the town’s most exclusive hotels, run and operated by Auberge Resorts Collection. 

Yarrow offers a selection of treatments, from massages to facials to body treatments.

The spa is nothing short of spectacular, oozing with beauty through its sleek interiors, dim lighting, and relaxing atmosphere. The boutique spa arranges private treatments inspired by the elements and botanicals found in the surrounding Rocky Mountains, with delicious-smelling products selected from high-quality local ingredients as well as hand-blended herbal teas for you to enjoy on your arrival and after your treatments. 

The spa is open daily from 10 am until 6 pm and asks guests to arrive 45 minutes before your booked treatment. However, this time won’t be wasted, and you will be treated to a complimentary 30-minute foot soak while sipping on delicious healthy waters and teas to prepare you for your treatment. 

Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake. Sean Xu/Shutterstock

Hike around the Maroon Bells

If you’re anything like me, you’re visiting Aspen for its highly acclaimed adventurous side. One of many hiking trails in the area, the trails around Maroon Bells are one of my personal favorites for many reasons.

The area is just a ten-mile drive from the town along the gorgeous Maroon Creek Road. The focal point of the hike is Maroon Lake, an alpine lake with pristine blue water. The best time of year to do these hikes are during spring, when the meadows around the lake are covered in a blanket of colorful wildflowers.

There are various hikes in the area, but the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail will take you directly to the gorgeous lake. The walk is relatively easy, with an elevation of between 9500 and 10000 feet and a distance of 1.3 miles in each direction.

For a more moderate hiking experience, venture towards Crater Lake, which begins at Maroon Lake, climbing through the aspens towards a second lake. The trail follows a scenic river and is best experienced during fall when the aspen trees are a hue of golden yellows.

Snowmass Aspen Ski Resort. David A Litman/Shutterstock

Ski and Snowboard the Four Mountains

For most (myself included), a trip to Aspen would only be complete with a day on the slopes. In fact, most winter visitors flock to the resort to spend days on end summiting the alpine peaks and skiing down the groomers and backcountry runs. 

Aspen is a legendary ski resort with over 5500 acres worth of terrain to explore. The area has a total of four different mountains or ski areas; Aspen Mountain (sometimes referred to as Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. When you purchase a ski pass with the resort, you will be able to access all four mountains, making this one of the most extensive ski resort areas in the world.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or novice, Aspen is crawling with snow trails perfect for all skill levels. The resort has numerous ski rental shops and lessons, which usually take place at the Snowmass or Buttermilk Mountains. 

The more advanced riders will enjoy Ajax, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass, which offer slightly more progressive trails and runs for more confident skiers and snowboarders. 

Aspen is also the host of the anticipated Aspen Winter X-Games, which takes place at a snow park created at the bottom of Buttermilk Mountain towards the end of winter. If you visit during this event, you’ll likely run into a few famous athletes and could even watch your favorite band play live at one of the impressive outdoor stages.