Aspen, Colorado
How will you make use of the mountains this summer? After the ski runs close on April 5th for Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk and April 12th for Aspen Mountain and Snowmass, it's time to start planning for your summer vacation. Nearly as popular during the warm summer as during the snowy winter season, the same lovely boutique shops and classy restaurants reopen for another season of fun and indulgence.
The arts come alive with a whole bundle of events throughout the season. Check out the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival in June, the Aspen Arts Festival in July, the Aspen Filmfest in September or any of the other incredible events in-between. Every Sunday brings a bluegrass concert that takes place on top of the mountain. Sports enthusiasts flock to Aspen for its exhilarating downhill biking along many of the same runs used by skiers in the winter. Get up the mountain by foot or on gondola and you'll be rewarded by fantastic views of the entire region. Go rafting, hit a round of golf, play a paintball game and more: Aspen has it all.
Renting a home or condominium provides the best experience of the mountain town, but for those who prefer hotel stays, the Little Nell hotel is one of Aspen's preeminent guest lodgings, with its ski-in ski-out location providing ideal mountain access. Another luxury hotel option is the St. Regis Resort Aspen, which provides the height of luxury and comfort in its convenient location in the heart of the village.
Aspen is located about 20 miles south of Interstate 70 along Colorado 82. It's much easier to travel by car in the summer, though the drive is still long from Denver. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) regularly runs flights from and to Denver International Airport (DEN).
