Aspen

Maroon Bells near Aspen

Aspen [14] is a ski resort in the state of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States of America. Its little sister is Snowmass Village, which is about 10 miles from downtown Aspen.

Get in

By plane

• Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, (also known as Sardy Field) (IATA: ASE) (ICAO: KASE)), [15]. Major carriers to Aspen include United Express and American Airlines. ASE is a small airport for small planes only, and traffic tends to stop in any inclement weather. Flying into Denver Airport and driving up to Aspen is more reliable and often cheaper.

By car

The drive to Aspen is about 4 hours from Denver. There are two major routes from Denver - through Glenwood Springs or through Independence Pass. Independence Pass is only open in the summer months, but provides spectacular views and can be a bit faster than the longer route through Glenwood. To take this route, travel south from Copper Mountain exit off I70 through Leadville.

Altitude Sickness For those prone to altitude sickness, it is recommended that you fly into Denver and spend a day or so getting used to being mile-high and then driving the next 3,500 or so feet up.

Get around

Most major car-rental firms are located in Denver and Aspen airports.

Scheduled and chartered services are available from Denver International Airport and Eagle County Regional Airport. Free buses operate within the cities of Aspen and Snowmass Village and many hotels have free shuttle service to and from the airport.

It's all about getting around on skis in the winter and mountain bikes or your own two feet in the summer!

See

John Denver Park

• John Denver Park - this Aspen park is a pleasant place to take your dog or your kids for a splash in the creek in summertime. The park is named after the famous Country and Folk singer who resided in Aspen. Lyrics from his most popular songs are inscribed in the creekside boulders. John Denver Park is on the creek trail on the north side of Aspen, near the Rio Grande Ball Field and park at N. Mill St. and Rio Grande Pl.

• Maroon Bells - a short drive outside of Aspen, the Maroon Bells are one of the most photographed mountain scenes in Colorado. The lake and views of the 14,000 foot peaks are spectacular. In the summer months between 8AM and 5PM, visitors must take a shuttle bus to the Maroon Bells to control traffic. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children. There are some short, non-strenuous hikes around the Maroon Bells that vary from 1 mile to 10. People also like to climb the Maroon Bells; however, it is very dangerous and a guide is highly recommended.

• Independence Pass - In the summer months, this pass is open to vehicular traffic. The drive takes you up to the Continental Divide, and along the way passes some of the most beautiful scenery in the area and a ghost town that is open to visitors.

Do

Winter

• Ski - four ski mountains in the area: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.
• Sleigh rides
• Sledding
• Snowshoeing
• Snowmobiling

Summer

• Mountain bike
• Hike
• Golf
• Gondola rides to the top of Aspen Mountain
• White water rafting
• Fly fishing
• Mine exploration
• Hot air ballooning
• Rodeos
• Paint ball
• Paragliding
• Outdoor concerts

Music

• Belly Up - Small venue hosting some impressive artists, downtown Aspen [16]
• June Festival - June 22nd - 25th, 2006
• Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival - September 1st - 4th, 2006, Snowmass Town Park

Golf

• Aspen Golf Club Phone: (970) 925-2145, [17]. Opened in 1980, the 18-hole Aspen course at the Aspen Golf Club facility features 7,165 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71 . The course rating is 72.1 and it has a slope rating of 124 on Blue grass.

• Maroon Creek Club Phone: (970) 920-4080 [18]. The 18-hole course at the Maroon Creek Club features 7,100 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70 . The course rating is 73.6 and it has a slope rating of 140 on Blue grass. The course opened in 1995.

• Snowmass Club, Phone: +1 970 923-5600, [19]. Ten minutes downvalley in Snowmass Village. The Snowmass Club's new 18-hole, par-72 Snowmass Club Golf Course. The 6,986-yard semi-private course designed by award-winning golf course architect Jim Engh includes a learning center, practice area and new golf clubhouse with Black Saddle Bar & Grille, a full-service restaurant and bar. With five sets of tee boxes at each hole and a truly unique design, golfers of all abilities will enjoy play that is as fun as it is challenging

• River Valley Ranch Golf Club, Phone: +1 970 963-3625, [20]. Eighteen holes, slope 73.2, rating 125, 7,348 yards. 30 minutes downvalley in Carbondale,River Valley Ranch Golf Club. Good bang for buck.

Buy

Downtown Aspen has a plethora of shops for every budget. The downtown area also has two pedestrian-only streets lined with t-shirt and souvenir shops. Of course, Aspen is a great place to buy ski equipment and clothing with an abundance of ski shops and stores. The city also has an open air market in the summer months.

Carl's Pharmacy in Aspen (306 E Main St) sells not only your typical drugstore goods, but their second floor has souvenirs and toys and more than you would imagine.

City Market in Aspen (711 E Cooper) is a good place to pick up groceries to stock up your cabin.

Snowmass Village also has its own shopping precinct, fitted with numerous candy shops, souvenir shops and ski shops.

Equipment Rental

There are many places in Aspen Snowmass where you can rent all types of equipment including skis and snowboards in the winter and bikes in the summer.

Just a few stores that specialize in equipment rentals:

• Aspen Ski Rentals & Snowboard Rentals (http://www.aspenskirentalsnowboardrental.com)
• Aspen Bike Rentals‎ (http://www.aspenbikerentals.com/main.htm)
• Aspen Hyatt Ski Shop‎ (http://www.aspen.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp)
• Aspen Sports‎ (http://www.aspensports.com/index.cfm)
• Aspen Velo ( [21])
• Black Tie Ski Rentals‎ (http://www.blacktieskis.com/)
• Bootech‎ (http://www.bootech.net/)
• Cracks & Racks‎ (http://www.cracksandracks.com/)
• Durrance Sports‎ (http://www.durrancesports.com/)
• Hamilton Sports‎ (http://www.hamiltonsports.com/)
• Hub of Aspen‎ (http://www.hubofaspen.com/)
• Incline Ski Shop‎ (http://www.inclineski.com/)
• Pomery Sports (http://www.pomeroysports.com/)
• Ski Butlers Aspen (http://www.skibutlers.com/aspen-ski-rentals/)
• Ski Butlers Snowmass (http://www.skibutlers.com/snowmass-ski-rentals/)
• Ute Mountaineer‎ (http://www.utemountaineer.com/)

At some places, you can also book your ski or snowboard rentals online which may save money and time.

Eat

• The Artisan Restaurant in Snowmass in the Stone Bridge Inn has a fresh menu [22] and many off-menu options.

• Have lunch at Woody Creek Tavern, in "downtown" Woody Creek. This is the former haunt of the late great Hunter S. Thompson. It's about 15 miles from Aspen.

• Crystal Palace Theatre Restaurant, [23]. Well worth a visit. They serve a gourmet dinner followed by cabaret revue of political satire which is quite a hoot. The Cabaret is fun, even for Dinner Theater Skeptics. Closes forever on April 12th 2008. still open just no show.. only dinner

• The Pine Creek Cookhouse, 20 minutes south of Aspen on Castle Creek Road, [24]. It is worth the trip down a beautiful valley to the elegant log cabinesque building. Their food is very fresh, on the gourmet side, and not overly expensive. Reservations recommended. Highly recommended to stop in for lunch after a morning hike to one of the many great trails in the area such as Cathedral Lake.

• The Hickory House, located on the bend towards the entrance to Aspen on Main Street Tourists are often crowded out by the locals, drawn by fabulous barbecue and huge, hearty breakfasts. If you're lucky enough to be in Aspen for Thanksgiving, turn out for annual Hickory House freebie: turkey, with all the trimmings, and all gratis.

• Ajax Tavern, Base of Aspen Mountain, ☎ 970-920-6334. Great apres ski complete with the whos who of Aspen. Fantastic deck perfect for watching skiiers come down the mountain while you enjoy people watching of the rich and famous. Order the Ajax Double Double, the best burger in town.
• J-Bar, 330 E Main St, ☎ (970) 920-1000, [1]. The J-Bar is one of Aspen's favorite watering holes. Located at the luxurious Hotel Jerome
• Garden Terrace, 330 East Main Street, ☎ (970) 920-1000, [2]. The Garden Terrace at the Hotel Jerome features a relaxed ambiance and unique cuisine and breathtaking views of Aspen Mountain.
• Jacob's, 330 East Main St, ☎ (970) 920-1000, [3]. Jacob’s offers diverse Colorado cuisine with alpine influence that is prepared from wholesome natural ingredients professionally executed from scratch.
• SkiCountryGrocer.com, Aspen/Snowmass, [4]. Offers grocery delivery to your vacation home or condo in Aspen and Snowmass prior to your arrival.
• Syzygy 520 E Hyman Ave,(970) 925-3700‎. A trendy, favorite for many visitors.
• Matsuhisia. Amazing and award winning japanese food along with some of the best sushi in the country.
• Cache Cache. Excellent French restaurant is the trendy place to see and be seen. Their bar menu is excellent and offers a less expensive alternative (~$20 per entree) than the restaurant section. The bar starts to fill up around 6pm.
• Pinions. Expensive, exquisite cuisine popular with celebrities and socialites.
• Campo De Fiori. Great Italian food that makes you feel like you're in Italy. Also has a great bar, scene.
• Mezzaluna. Great Italian-American style food in a trendy establishment. Best place for lunch and late at night.
• Boogies Diner. Centrally located over-priced diner located in an over-priced jeans store.
• Paradise Bakery. Best ice cream in town, along with amazing baked goods and coffees. Located in central Aspen.
• Lulu Wilson.
• Cloud-9 Bistro. Excellent European food on Aspen Highlands. Very well priced. Perfect for a ski day lunch break. Frequently visited by celebrities.
• Caribou Club. Insanely expensive and fancy private dining club for snobby locals.
• bb's kitchen, 525 E Cooper Ave, ☎ 9704298284, [5]. Classy but casual restaurant known for brunch, but also serves excellent dinner. Also has balcony seating.
• L'Hostaria, 620 E Hyman, ☎ 9709259022, [6]. Well known Italian restaurant serving handmade pasta. Their bar features a bar menu with less expensive alternatives to the restaurant menu (in the bar menu, pasta entrees start around $12, and meat entrees start around $15).
• Grateful Deli, 233 E Main St, ☎ 9709256647. Good sandwiches, good-size portions for about $8 per sandwich
• Annette's Mountain Bake Shop, 420 E Hyman. Baked goods and good sandwiches
• Peach's Corner Cafe, 121 S Galena St, ☎ 9705449866, [7]. A busy place for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, featuring fresh and local food.
• Johnny McGuire's, 730 E Cooper, ☎ 9709209255, [8]. Sandwich shop that also delivers
• Butcher's Block Deli, 424 S Spring St, ☎ 9709257554. Good deli also known for its soup

Drink

• Little Annies (http://www.littleannies.com/)
• The Regal (http://www.regalaspen.com/)
• Zane's Tavern - Locations in Aspen and Snowmass Village
• Jimmy's (http://www.jimmysaspen.com/)
• Aspen Brewing Company (http://aspenbrewingcompany.com/). The tasting room also serves lunch & dinner (food from the restaurant Aspen Over Easy).
• Creperie du Village, 400 E. Hopkins Ave (corner of Hopkins Ave. & Mill St.), ☎ (970) 925-1566. 11:30 AM - 2 AM. The Creperie serves sweet & savory crepes, Raclette, and Fondue. Ecclectic and cozy, laid back atmosphere. Full bar, open late. affordable.

Sleep

• Aspen Square, 617 East Cooper Ave, ☎ +1 877 538 7389 ([email protected]), [9]. checkin: 4:00pm; checkout: 10:00am. A full service condominium hotel with sixty-four steps to the Silver Queen Gondola. Around $200. (39.18698,-106.813637)

• Aspen Meadows Resort 845 Meadows Road, 970.925.4240 [25]. In Aspen's West End and home to the Aspen Institute. The Music Tent is on the hotel's immense 42 acres. Features tennis courts and a health club with great views and recently refurbished guest rooms.

• Hotel Lenado, 200 South Aspen Street, ☎ 970-925-6246 ([email protected]), [10]. The Hotel Lenado is just steps away from Aspen's renowned shops, restaurants and world class skiing.

• Silvertree Hotel, Phone: +1 970 923-3520, [26]. Downtown Snowmass Village hotel and conference center. Self-contained and central in Snowmass.

• St. Regis, Phone (970) 920-3300, [27]. Outstanding luxury hotel in the heart of Aspen from which you can directly debark Ajax lifts.

• Sky Hotel, 709 East Durant Avenue, Phone: +1 970 925-6760, [28].
• Hotel Jerome, 330 East Main St, ☎ (970) 920-1000, [11]. Hotel Jerome, Aspen's crown jewel since 1889, combines elegant accommodations and relaxed ambiance. Located in the heart of Aspen, the AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel features 93 rooms and suites and several celebrated restaurants and bars.

• The Gant, 610 West End, Toll free: +1 800 549-0530, [29]. An upscale condominium resort, The Gant offers 2-4 bedroom condominium rentals with a variety of resort features and a convenient location near downtown Aspen.

• The Little Nell. Luxurious AAA 5 Diamond hotel footsteps away from the Aspen Mountain gondola. Very popular with celebrities. also hosts its own lavish restaurant, Element 47
• The Mountain Chalet Aspen, 333 E. Durant Avenue, ☎ +1-970-925-7797, [12]. Since 1954 this lodge has been run by the Melville family, and the owners and staff of the Mountain Chalet focus on a casual, friendly environment which allows guests to interact with each other in their lobby. from $70 - $440.
• Tyrolean Lodge, 200 W Main St, ☎ 9709254595, [13]. Quaint but clean and affordable lodge (rooms feature kitchenettes), a five to ten minute walk to downtown Aspen. The queen beds are on the smaller side

Get out

Colorado is home to over 70 wineries and its own indigenous vineyards. Wine lovers can enjoy several scenic day trips from Aspen to many of the small towns that are a part of Colorado's Wine Country. These lovely little communities include Montrose, Palisade, Paonia and Hotchkiss, as well as the city of Grand Junction.

• Glenwood Springs - Home to a quaint, historic downtown and the largest hot spring pool in the USA.

• Carbondale - About 40 minutes down the valley from Aspen, Carbondale is a nice, eclectic mix of artsy, outdoorsy and earthy/hippie. It has art galleries with offerings much more affordable than you will find in Aspen, plus an astonishing range of restaurants from Chinese, Salvadoran, Mexican, Italian, Thai and Asian/Fusion. Restaurant 689, located at 689 Main Street, rivals Aspen's best offerings. During mid-summer, Carbondale's Mountain Fair is a 3-day (free!) music extravaganza and art fair. Artisans come from all over the US to exhibit and sell hand-made clothing, jewelry, toys, paintings, sculpture and home decor. The home town police - who are very low-key and friendly - wear tie-dye for this event.

• Denver - A 4 hour drive away, Denver is Colorado's capital and largest city. Denver boasts historic buildings and modernistic skyscrapers, abundant shopping and incredible dining. Located where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, Denver has some of the best views a city can have. It is also home to one of the last downtown amusement parks, Elitch Gardens.

Routes through Aspen

Glenwood Springs ← Carbondale ←

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This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!