Aspen and Snowmass may generally be thought of as beloved winter wonderlands that offer exciting powdery pursuits, but those of us who have had the pleasure of living in the area know it’s just as spectacular when the snow melts.
“Spring and summer in Aspen are equally as fun and inspiring as the winter ski season,” says Sarah Reynolds, director of sales for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. “The mountain setting encourages attendees to get outside and explore.”
Fred Brodsky, group sales director for Snowmass Tourism, agrees, and adds the majority of group business in Snowmass is booked during the summer.
“It’s approximately 60 versus 40 percent in winter,” he says. “Summer is the most popular time for groups to come to Snowmass, mainly due to the variety of activities and events.”
From picturesque gondola rides and alfresco dining to bird watching and horseback riding, these two popular mountain hamlets are certain to pleasantly surprise groups who are only familiar with their wintertime charms.
Aspen
“Groups enjoy arts and culture, outdoor activities and lively nightlife in spring and summer in Aspen,” Reynolds says, adding mid-May through early June is an affordable time for groups. “This ‘Secret Season’ can offer great value to groups with lower room rates and booking incentives to entice planners to consider the destination.”
Reynolds explains, depending on winter’s snowfall, skiing may be extended through early May some years.
“With nine golf courses in a 60-mile range, groups can ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon in the spring,” she says, also citing white-water rafting as a popular group activity in late-May and early June.
“The Secret Season is ideal for white-water enthusiasts,” Reynolds says. “The snow has just started to melt, and the rivers are ready to take guests on a wild ride.”
Fly-fishing is another springtime waterborne pursuit that groups will appreciate. Local outfitters, including Aspen Flyfishing and Aspen Trout Guides, are available to facilitate outings.
“Our fish in the valley are year-round residents, and they are ready to bite come mid-April,” Reynolds says. “As the snow is melting, the river is rising and the fish are feeding like crazy in the deep pools. It’s a great time to get out and enjoy the local rivers without the crowds that will inevitably come in the summer months.”
Birding, a year-round activity offered via the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), is especially interesting in spring.
“Spring migratory species make May one of the most exciting months for birding in the Aspen area,” Reynolds says, adding birders of all levels in the group can join ACES naturalist Rebecca Weiss on her weekly Tuesday outings.
Before exploring various other activities that keep groups entertained during the summer, it’s worth mentioning a major highlight of this season is the beautiful weather.
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“Summer weather in Aspen is a welcome change for many groups coming from hot and humid climates,” Reynolds says.
Whereas alfresco dining might be uncomfortable during the summer in hotter destinations, an outdoor meal in Aspen is sure to delight hungry groups.
“Ask a local where you can find the No. 1 classic alfresco dining spot and you’ll most likely always hear the same answer: Ajax Tavern,” Reynolds says, adding truffle fries and cocktails on its outdoor patio are always a big hit with groups.
Among Aspen’s other recommended summertime alfresco options are HOPS Culture’s beer garden, which features over 200 domestic and imported craft beers and an upscale American comfort food menu; and Grey Lady, where attendees can relax on the outdoor patio and dine on lobster rolls and Moscow mules stirred with vodka and ginger beer made on-site.
A must-visit in Aspen during the summer is the John Denver Sanctuary, one of the town’s loveliest and most welcoming public spaces that features perennial blooms and boulders inscribed with Denver’s lyrics and selected quotes by other luminaries, including Leonardo da Vinci, John Muir and Henry David Thoreau.
Snowmass
In an effort to give tourists and groups alike one point of sale for many of the activities that are available in Snowmass over the summer, Snowmass Tourism recently launched its new ’mass pass, an activity voucher available in three-day and five-day increments.
According to Snowmass Tourism’s Brodsky, the ’mass pass can buy a full-day or a morning and an afternoon activity each day of the pass. Options include gondola rides at Aspen and Snowmass mountains, a backcountry sunset dinner, Jeep tours, tickets to the Snowmass Rodeo, and various bicycling and rafting outings.
As well as white-water rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are fun options for an afternoon on the Roaring Fork River.
Snowmass also hosts a summertime concert series totaling 12 concerts.
“Each concert has a VIP area designated just for groups, allowing access to the backstage and close to the bands,” Brodsky says, adding appetizers, wine and beer are served at the VIP tent. “The VIP area allows fantastic networking opportunities.”
Snowmass is just as picturesque during the summer as in the winter, and visiting groups are encouraged to visit the top of Elk Camp via the Elk Camp Gondola and Chairlift.
“It runs in the summer, allowing guests to experience spectacular views of the Elk Mountain Range at over 12,000 feet,” Brodsky says, adding another photo-friendly outing that groups like is the easy one-hour Rim Trail hike. “The Rim Trail offers spectacular views overlooking the entire Snowmass Valley, and it takes hikers to the Yin Yang symbol, a black and white marble labyrinth meant for meditation.”
Well-known for having Gold Medal waters that ensure the likelihood of catching a trout, the Roaring Fork Valley is the perfect setting for springtime fly-fishing.
“From the Frying Pan River, Roaring Fork, Colorado and Crystal rivers, meeting attendees can experience everything from a small, intimate stream to a brawling run of the best fishing spots around with instructors,” Brodsky says.
And springtime may be the best time to visit Maroon Bells, the most photographed peaks in North America, from either Aspen or Snowmass.
At this time of year, groups can visit via horseback, on foot or on bicycles.
“At Maroon Lake, bikers are led on a nature walk to get acquainted with some of the local wildflowers and trees,” Brodsky says. “After a short walk around Maroon Lake, bikers begin a 12-mile paved, mainly downhill descent.”
