Sports/Adventure

Sports/Adventure

• Aspen Skiing Company - Year-round fun for individuals and families.  In Aspen, ride the Silver Queen Gondola to the Sundeck Restaurant at the top of Aspen Mtn.  In summer, take a yoga hike or a guided nature walk at mountaintop.  Bluegrass music on Sundays; "music on the mountain" series during summer festival.  In winter, ski or snowboard on Intermediate and Expert level trails.  The gondola is open daily during summer and winter seasons. 
      1-800-308-6935.    www.aspensnowmass.com
  
• Ballooning From a hot air balloon, experience panoramic views of 14,000 ft peaks and wildlife in meadows below. Flights depart early morning. Unicorn Balloon Co. (970) 925-5752   /   (800) 468-2478
  
• Bicycling / Mt. Biking - Downhill tours, overnight hut trips, half and full-day trips over a various terrains, for all levels of cyclists. Aspen Velo Bike Shop (970) 925-1495 / (800) 423-1495; Blazing Pedals Downhill (970) 923-4544 / (800) 282-7238; Colorado Fat Tracks (970) 925-5405 / (800) 759-3939. - Downhill tours, overnight hut trips, half and full-day trips over a various terrains, for all levels of cyclists. Aspen Velo Bike Shop (970) 925-1495 / (800) 423-1495; Blazing Pedals Downhill (970) 923-4544 / (800) 282-7238; Colorado Fat Tracks (970) 925-5405 / (800) 759-3939.
  
• Camping Choose from the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, Hunter Creek - Frying Pan Wilderness and Lost Man Wilderness areas. Reservations and fees required. National Recreation Reservations Ctr. (800)280-2267 or TTD/TTY (800) 879-4496. Choose from the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, Hunter Creek - Frying Pan Wilderness and Lost Man Wilderness areas. Reservations and fees required. National Recreation Reservations Ctr. (800)280-2267 or TTD/TTY (800) 879-4496.
  
• Carriage Rides - Tour downtown Aspen in a horse-drawn historic carriage.  Aspen Carriage Company  970-927-3334.
  
• Fly Fishing Cast for trout on the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork rivers. Overnight and half day trips available. Aspen Outfitting Co. (970) 925-3406; Oxbow Outfitting Co (970) 925-1505. Cast for trout on the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork rivers. Overnight and half day trips available. Aspen Outfitting Co. (970) 925-3406; Oxbow Outfitting Co (970) 925-1505.
  
• Golf Golf Sophisticated and well-designed golf courses that attract golf enthusiasts of all levels. Rates are subject to change and vary according to season. Aspen Municipal Golf Course (970) 925-2145.

• Jeep Tours Experienced four-wheel-drive guides show you the exceptional splendor of the high country; narrated and well-equipped tours of the wilderness and wildlife, ghost towns, rivers and waterfalls. Aspen Adventures (970) 920-4386 / (800) 920-4386; Blazing Jeep Tours (970) 923-4544 / (800) 282-7238. Experienced four-wheel-drive guides show you the exceptional splendor of the high country; narrated and well-equipped tours of the wilderness and wildlife, ghost towns, rivers and waterfalls. Aspen Adventures (970) 920-4386 / (800) 920-4386; Blazing Jeep Tours (970) 923-4544 / (800) 282-7238.
  
• River Rafting White water season begins in late May and runs through October on the Arkansas, Colorado, and the Roaring Fork rivers. A classic day trip or the ultimate wild white water, expert guides take you safely and merrily down some of Colorado's finest rivers. Aspen Whitewater Adventures (970) 925-5405 / (800) 759-3939; Blazing Paddles Raft Trips (970) 925-5651 / (800) 282-7238; River Runners, Ltd (800) 525-2081 White water season begins in late May and runs through October on the Arkansas, Colorado, and the Roaring Fork rivers. A classic day trip or the ultimate wild white water, expert guides take you safely and merrily down some of Colorado's finest rivers. Aspen Whitewater Adventures (970) 925-5405 / (800) 759-3939; Blazing Paddles Raft Trips (970) 925-5651 / (800) 282-7238; River Runners, Ltd (800) 525-2081
  
• Mine Tours Step back in time and enjoy a walking tour of Smuggler Mine, originally opened in 1880, (970) 925-2049. Step back in time and enjoy a walking tour of Smuggler Mine, originally opened in 1880, (970) 925-2049.
  
• Hiking and Climbing   To preserve and protect our abundant wilderness trails, please educate yourself about wilderness ethics and regulations. Trails for all abilities. Aspen Ranger District (970) 920-3246; Blazing Trails (970) 923-4544. To preserve and protect our abundant wilderness trails, please educate yourself about wilderness ethics and regulations. Trails for all abilities. Aspen Ranger District (970) 920-3246; Blazing Trails (970) 923-4544.
  
• Horseback Riding One or two hour trail rides, breakfast, lunch or evening hay wagon rides as well as overnight pack trips and cattle drives. Rocky Mtn. Cattle Moo-vers (970) 963--9666; T-Lazy 7 Ranch (970) 925-4614. One or two hour trail rides, breakfast, lunch or evening hay wagon rides as well as overnight pack trips and cattle drives. Rocky Mtn. Cattle Moo-vers (970) 963--9666; T-Lazy 7 Ranch (970) 925-4614.
  
• Rafting - White water season runs late May to October.  Roaring Fork River, Colorado River, Arkansas River.  Expert guides can take you on a classic day trip or the ultimate wild white water.  Aspen Whitewater Adventures  970-925-5405 / 800-759-3939.  Blazing Paddles Raft Trips  970-925-5651 / 800-282-7238.  River Runers, Ltd.  800-525-2081.
  
• Shopping - Refined boutiques, luxury items (furs, jewelry) recreational stores, home decorating, skin care, hair care, children's clothing and toys, funky stuff, art galleries, fine art shops… Aspen has something for everyone.  Also, check out the local menu guide for various eateries, from coffee bars and sidewalk cafés to world-class restaurants.

Arts/Culture

• Anderson Ranch Arts Center is known for its summer workshops in painting, woodworking, ceramics, photography and more. Led by top artists. (970) 923-3181
• Aspen Art Museum  Founded in 1979. Exhibitions, lectures, educational programs and special events. Features highly acclaimed artists and exhibitors. (970) 925-8050
• Aspen Historical Society  Public and private tours of Aspen's historic West End and downtown. The Wheeler/Stallard House Museum is open Tue-Fri, 1-4pm. (970) 925-3721
• Aspen Institute  Cornerstone of Aspen's identity, fostering communication and understanding among the world's leaders. Summer lecture series. (970) 925-7010.
• Music Festival and School  Symphonies, chamber music, choral, opera, jazz events. Tickets range in price from $8 to $40,  (970) 925-9042.
• Aspen Theatre in the Park  Experience intimate live theatre in an open-air tent. Tickets can be purchased at the Wheeler Box Office (970) 925-9313.
• Dance Aspen  Highly acclaimed dance companies from around the world. (970) 925-7718
• Wheeler Opera House, opened in 1889, has always played a central role in Aspen's cultural life. (970) 920-5770

Touring/Outdoors

• Ashcroft Ghost Town, 13 miles from Aspen up the Castle Creek Valley, was an active mining camp in the 1880's with a population of 2,500. Visit the Toklat Gallery, enjoy a picnic lunch or dine at the Pine Creek Cookhouse. (970) 925-3721. , 13 miles from Aspen up the Castle Creek Valley, was an active mining camp in the 1880's with a population of 2,500. Visit the Toklat Gallery, enjoy a picnic lunch or dine at the Pine Creek Cookhouse. (970) 925-3721.
  
• Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) - Located at the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, where you can visit the resident eagle.  ACES offers naturalist programs and guided walks, both at Hallam Lake and the top of Aspen Mountain.  970-925-5756.
  
• Aspen Youth Center provides healthy and unique programs in a safe, supervised environment for local and visiting kids. Activities emphasize an active lifestyle,  providing challenges for young adults. (970) 925-7091 provides healthy and unique programs in a safe, supervised environment for local and visiting kids. Activities emphasize an active lifestyle,  providing challenges for young adults. (970) 925-7091
  
• Independence Ghost Town Independence Ghost Town Located 16 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82.  Had a population of 1,000 people in 1882. Independence Pass (the summit) is another four miles east, spectacular mountain views. The first heavy snowfall closes the pass for winter until Memorial Day Weekend.

     Ghost Towns - Ashcroft was an active mining camp in the 1880s.  Also visit nearby Toklat Gallery, and have a picnic lunch or eat dinner at the Pinecreek Cookhouse.  Located 13 miles from Aspen, in Castle Creek Valley.  970-925-3721.  Independence is located 16 miles east of Aspen on Hwy. 82 (road closed in winter).  Spectacular mountain views from this historic place that had a population of 1,000 in 1882.

    Maroon Bells   Probably the most photographed peaks in North America. For viewing, take a  Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) shuttle to the base of the mountains  (970) 8484.