We promise you that there is nothing more enticing than the prospect of an Aspen summer. The weather here in summer is consistently good — not too hot during the day (no humidity) and pleasantly cool at night. We hope you’ll leave plenty of time for strolling in the warm sunshine with an ice cream from Paradise Bakery, stopping on the way to listen to the music students playing in the streets.
Summer here is about the outdoors, and with the White River National Forest in our backyard there is plenty of it to go around. Check out all our parks and trails for a gentle approach or talk to a firm of outfitters for climbing, fly-fishing, hunting and other more demanding pursuits. Visit Aspen Expeditions or Aspen Outfitting as a great first step. For horseback riding you can’t beat the folks at T-Lazy 7 Ranch and for the best and most exciting view of Aspen and beyond, there’s paragliding.
Locals will all tell you that one of the biggest treats of the summer is to while away the hours at the Aspen Music Festival. Insider tip — relax outside on your picnic blanket for free or attend the Sunday morning rehearsal for the big afternoon concert that takes place that day. You’ll get the same music, more dependable weather, none of the crowds and no line for coffee and muffins!
Just to add to your list, please don’t leave without visiting our pride and joy, the sumptuous landscapes of the Maroon Bells (you’ll have to take the shuttle bus in — we limit traffic to preserve the beauty of this famous spot) and make sure your camera battery is fully charged. You may not want to bike up there (it’s strenuous) but you can bike down, courtesy of the people at Blazing Adventures (they’ll also take you rafting).
And as ever, check the Aspen calendars we’ve directed you too — there’s a festival of some kind almost every week, and events every day from the annual Food and Wine Classic, to theatre and opera, master classes and lectures, antiques and art and so much more. Our annual old-fashioned 4th July with parade, fireworks and parties is famous throughout the West and surely there is no better time to feel like a local than in a small town on the greatest American holiday.
Aspen Alpine Guides
970-925-6618
aspenalpine.com
Aspen Expeditions
877-790-2777
aspenexpeditions.com
Aspen Music Festival
970-925-9042
aspenmusicfestival.com
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
jazzaspensnowmass.org
Aspen Paragliding
970-925-6975
aspenparagliding.com
Aspen Parks and Recreation
aspenrecreation.com/parks-trails-and-open-space
Aspen Outfitting
970-925-3406
aspenoutfitting.com
Aspen Skiing Company
970-925-1220
aspensnowmass.com
Aspen Sports
970-925-6331
aspensports.com
Aspen Whitewater Rafting
970-920-3511
aspenwhitewater.com
Blazing Adventures
970-923-4544
blazingadventures.com
Food and Wine Classic
970-923-4544
foodandwine.com/promo/events/aspen-classic/classic-main
T-Lazy 7 RanchHorseback Riding
970-920-4677
maroonbellsaspen.com
Taylor Creek Fly Fishing
970-920-1128
taylorcreek.com
Aspen Bicycles
970-429-8053
aspenbicycles.com
Hub of Aspen
970-925-7970
hubofaspen.com
Basalt Bike and Ski
970-925-7662
basaltbikeandski.com
Aspen Velo Bicycle
970-925-1495
aspenvelo.com