Aspen Happenings
 Aspen has a lot to offer. Vacationing here opens up a lot of activities. This is a mall selection of what one can do and probably
a good reason why real estate in the Aspen area is so desirable
Airport
The Aspen airport is the life line of this town. The relative seclusion of Aspen ads to it appeal. Best reached by jet into Aspen airport, it
guarantees that we do not receive day visitors from places like Denver.
This is why Vail is overcrowded on weekend, they receive a lot of visitors that live in the Front Range (Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs).
Looking at the top ski resorts in the USA there is not a single case where the airport allows for large business aircraft and is within 5
minutes of town. This makes Aspen unique amongst luxury resort towns.
Aspen can receive private aircraft as large as a Gulf Stream G5 (Boeing Business Jets and 737s are not permitted)
Aspen 5 minutes Private Jet terminal, more private jets then commercial jets use this airport
Park City Utah 35 minutes Salt Lake City
Vail 40 minutes Eagle/Vail
Deer Valley Utah 36 miles from Salt Lake City
Sun Valley, Idaho 28 minutes Friedman Memorial Airport
Telluride 15 minutes Tricky airport to fly into
ASPEN SCHOOL SYSTEM
The Aspen school system is rated “excellent” by all standards. I have heard parents commenting that it is the equivalent of attending private
schools.
I have attached a file with parent reviews for the elementary school
Aspen Elementary School Info
Aspen Middle School Info
Aspen High School Info
SAMPLE OF FACILITIES
The Aspen Recreation Center, known as ARC
Here a link to a video describing what is offered there.
Here a link to a virtual tour of the facility:
Red Brick Recreation Center
This facility is right in the town of Aspen.
It offer activities like indoor rock climbing, fitness classes, youth sports, adult sports, yoga and pilates, gymnastics etc…
Aspen Golf & Tennis Club
The club offers a children program. It is 2 minutes from town. Great alternative to a private club
Here a video also talking about the youth program towards the end of the clip:
An overview of a lot of the programs offered can be found
when clicking on the YOUTH ACTIVITIES tab:
The offer includes: Camps, Rocket & Technokids, Organic Cooking Classes, Ceramics Classes, Golf, Tennis, Ice Skating, Basketball, Soccer, Tee
Ball, Girls Softball, Track, Gymnastics, Climbing, Sailing, Aquatics, Skateboard Park, and more....
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Skiing Aspen
4 mountains that offer some of the best skiing in the world.
Ski School
Offers lessons for kids of all ages
Nordic Skiing:
Over 60 kilometers of groomed trails through beautiful sceneries.
Snowmobile Tours
The t-Lazy 7 ranch offers world renown snowmobile tours:
Dog Sled Rides
A scenic and exciting sled trip through the surrounding wilderness of the Snowmass/Aspen area.
Guided Snowshoe Tours
Experience the quietness and solitude of the Aspen backcountry
World Snow Polo Championship
Fun to watch, amazing skills
FIS World CUP ski races
Annual even where the best women skiers of the world gather for competition on Aspen Mountain
X-Games
A week of modern winters-ports, fun to watch, extreme winter-sport, don’t try this at home
Academy Awards Film Screenings
Shows films that will be nominated for the Oscars, sometimes way before they hit the big screen
YEAR ROUND ACTIVITIES
Treehouse Kids Adventure Center
A new 25,000 square foot facility just for kids. Located in the new Snowmass Base Village
Spa
Aspen is home to a whole range of world class spas. Here just one example. Link to nice video about Aspen and the St. Regis
Aspen Club & Spa
One of the established institutions in Aspen. A must visit. Here a video on it.
Aspen Writers Foundation
Offers courses for young and old (kid starting at age 8),
Aspen Youth Center
Fun activities, kids interact with kids their same age in a variety of programs and activities
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
A non-profits art organization offering hand-on experience in the arts. Offers some children programs
The Aspen Mountain Club
Dining at the top of Aspen Mountain. 15,000 bottle wine cellar, private parties, ski lockers at the Little Nell..... etc… Currently a 2 year or
so waiting list to become a member. Here a great article describing the club:
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
The Aspen Pedestrian Malls
Must see Video. This is Aspen at its best in the Summer
The Aspen Dancing Fountain
Great for kids on a hot summer day. Here a video
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Spectacular Scenery, an unforgettable experience
Horse Back Riding
There are many facilities around aspen. One of the best ones is at the T-Lazy 7 ranch
Tandem Paragliding
See Aspen from a whole new perspective
Whitewater Rafting
Take a raft trip in calm waters or roaring whitewater. The Aspen area offers a wide variety of rafting opportunities. Here a little advertising video.
Guided hiking trips
From a day trip to a multi hut adventure, the backcountry is waiting to be explored
Mountain Biking Tours
For young and old, there is always something to discover
Jeep Tours
Discover that dirt roads lead to stunning vistas and explore the back country in a different way.
GOLF
The public Aspen Gold Course
Or the private Maroon Creek Club
Snowmass Rodeo
This is fun to watch
Fly Fishing
World Class Gold Medal trout streams. Also for kids starting age 6. Here is also a video to explain things.
Aspen Short Film Festival
Watch a wide variety of short films by the up and coming film producers and directors
Aspen Ideas Festival
The brightest minds come together in Aspen and the public is invited, very stimulating to get involved
Video Clip of Richard Branson speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
Aspen Food & Wine Festival
Everything about food. The best chefs in the world and a full Aspen
Park of dining and culinary experiences
Aspen Arts Festival
Wagner Park turns into an art gallery. Here a video on it:
Aspen Saturday Market
Anything from food to art. Fun to just stroll through. Watch for the schokolade brownies
Aspen Center For Environmental Studies
Offers things to do for kids starting age 4
Great Video about the nature preserve
here:
Motherlode Volleyball Tournament
A fun event to watch. Volleyball takes over the Aspen parks
Video with some volleyball action:
Snowmass Free Saturday Concert Series
Have a picnic out on the slopes while having fun and hearing an interesting mix of music
Video of the concert atmosphere:
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Aspen might be a small town but it has the cultural activities and events of a larger city. The philanthropic generosity of past and present
residents enables Aspen to be home to world class performances of classical concerts and other activities normally only reserved for places like
New York or London.
The Wheeler Opera House
More than just offering Operas. Is home to activities like movies, live music performances, comedy shows.... and much much more.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Great performances throughout the summer
Aspen Art Museum
With a rotation of fine art displays
Jazz Aspen Snomwass
Offers world class Jazz and other performances
Theater Aspen
Offers a variety of performances over the summer months.
Aspen Music Festival
World class classical music in world class facilities. As there is also a music school program in Aspen over the summer, the streets are filled
with students performing classical music in an impromptu setting.
DINING
Consistently rated the #1 resort in North America for dining.
Aspen offers over 100 restaurants of all facets. For a town with a population of about
7000 resident that is an unbelievable variety of offerings.
To put it in perspective. If one spends 3 week per year in Aspen one can visit a different restaurant every night for 5 years.
Western Dinner Dance
For a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the spectacular Maroon Creek valley with live music and dancing…
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