Tourists in Aspen are skiing, in the midst of the winter season

There is no wrong time to experience Aspen, Colorado, however most people visit Aspen in the winter because there are the most things to do in Aspen in winter. From skiing to ice skating to sled dog rides, there are many different ways for visitors to get active and take advantage of the alpine climate.

What Are Some Things to Do in Aspen in Winter Besides Ski

Although Aspen, Colorado is a ski-centric town, there are plenty of things to do in Aspen in winter for people who do not ski or snowboard. Visitors to Aspen may enjoy:

Snowshoeing
Ice skating
Dog sled rides
Snowmobiling to see the Maroon Bells
Winter hiking
Fly fishing
Attend a concert at Belly Up
See a performance at the Wheeler Opera House
Attend the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet series
Shopping
Nightclubbing
Going on historical tours
Visiting the Glenwood Springs hot springs
Trying different restaurants

There is something for everyone in Aspen, whether you’re a party animal, an adrenaline junkie, a beginner skier, an arts connoisseur, or a parent with kids. If you have your sights set on Aspen this winter, here is your complete guide for things to do in Aspen winter:

Why Aspen, Colorado is a Perfect Winter Destination

The family is enjoying the winter season in Aspen

During the winter season, Aspen transforms into a wonderland of natural beauty as snow blankets downtown Aspen and the Maroon Bells. While Aspen is a hub of activity year round, everyone knows that winter is the best time to visit due to the variety of snow-based outdoor activities, cozy seasonal restaurant menus, and holiday festivities.

The best time of year to visit Aspen is December to February. Annually, Aspen gets 200 inches of snow, which means constant fresh powder on the slopes. Even if you don’t ski, Aspen comes alive in the winter months; Aspen nightlife is actually comparable to New York or L.A.. There is always a party happening in our little mountain town, whether it’s Gay Ski Week, après-ski, spraying champagne at Cloud 9, rocking out at Belly Up, or turning up at Escobar.

Top 6 Winter Outdoor Activities to do in Aspen

There is no shortage of space or snow for things to do in Aspen in winter. There are 4 mountains in Aspen: Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain for you to explore.

1. Skiing and Snowboarding

When people come to Aspen, it’s usually to ski or snowboard - Aspen is a ski town after all! The official ski season starts in November and runs through April, depending on the weather. No matter your skill level, Aspen is a great place to learn, improve your technique, or challenge yourself. There’s something for everyone on each of Aspen’s 4 mountains:

Buttermilk Mountain is known for being a beginner-friendly place to ski due to the number of green and blue runs. However, Buttermilk also hosts the X Games each year. Main and west Buttermilk are well-maintained and free of obstacles, while the tiehack area is best for uphill skiers. There are 2 options for dining on the mountain: Cliffhouse, which is located at the summit, and Bumps, which is at the base.

Aspen Highlands represents everything special about skiing in Aspen. Highlands is home to Cloud 9, where you can ski in, party, spray champagne, and ski out. The Highland Bowl is a particularly challenging area as you have to hike the bowl to “earn your runs.” However, conquering the bowl is like a rite of passage and an experience you won’t soon forget. Most of the runs on Highland are blues and blacks, with mogul terrain and glades, for an additional challenge.

Aspen Mountain has the most spectacular view of the Elk Mountains. Ajax is known for being the local’s mountain because it has runs that offer a little bit of everything. If you only have 1 day to ski Aspen, hit Aspen Mountain. At the base of the mountain is the legendary Ajax Tavern; halfway up is Bonnie’s, which is known for having the best pancakes in town. At the top of Aspen Mountain is the Sundeck, which has an exceptional view over the Elk Mountains.
Aspen Snowmass Ski Resort has the most vertical area of any ski area, serviced by 17 different ski lifts. Snowmass is best for beginner and intermediate skiers, making it ideal for families. Most of the ski in/ski out accommodations in Aspen give you direct access to Snowmass slopes.

2. Snowshoeing Excursions

Don’t want to ski or snowboard? That’s okay! There are plenty of things to do in Aspen in winter besides ski or snowboard. Snowshoeing is a great way of getting out in nature and experiencing the natural beauty of Aspen. Because snowshoeing is so easy, almost anyone can pick it up relatively quickly. It is also a low-impact form of cardio that burns over 600 calories an hour, so you get a great workout without putting too much strain on your joints.

The team at Aspen Luxury Concierge recommends that snowshoers check out Aspen Golf Course and North Star Loop. The Bernese Boulevard Trail on Aspen Golf Course is dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend along for some exercise. North Star Loop is a 1.6 mile trail that is consistently one of the most well-groomed places to snowshoe.

3. Ice Skating in Aspen, Colorado

Ice skating is one of the quintessential things to do in Aspen winter. The best part is that you don’t even have to be good at it to have a really fun experience. Ice skating is both a great family activity as well as a unique date night idea or a way to spice up cardio. You have a few options for ice skating in Aspen. For the duration of the winter season, Snowmass Base Village has an outdoor ice rink that offers free skate rentals. Since it’s so close to the Limelight Lounge, skaters often warm up by the fire for a gourmet dinner. The other outdoor skating rink is Silver Circle Ice Rink, which is right next to CP Burger - home of the best parmesan truffle fries you’ll ever have and even spiked shakes for the adults.

4. Maroon Bells

You can’t come to Aspen and not see the majesty of the Maroon Bells. While this destination is more of a summer experience, there are still ways to enjoy the view during the winter season. The road to reach Maroon Bells Basecamp is closed until summer, but visitors can cross country ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, or hike there. Locals say that the 12.4 mile round trip hike out to the Maroon Bells is one of the most peaceful Aspen hikes. This is one of the best things to do in Aspen in the winter.

5. Dog Sledding Trips

Animal lovers and families won’t want to miss a dog sled ride on their trip to Aspen. This is one of the best things to do in Aspen winter for families with small children. Each sled is pulled by 8-10 well-cared for, friendly huskies. A sled can accommodate up to 600 lbs total, which usually breaks down to 2 adults and 1 older child plus the guide or 2 adults and 2 younger children plus the guide. A trip lasts a little over an hour with time for you to meet the dogs, give them lots of love, and reward them for their hard work with tour-provided treats.

6. Hit the Hot Springs

Glenwood Springs is home to one of the world’s largest mineral hot springs and offers smaller pools at different temperature points with different amenities. Although it isn’t in Aspen proper, Glenwood Springs is only 40 miles away from Aspen, so it only takes about an hour to get there by car. ALC recommends hitting the hotsprings after a long week of skiing in Aspen; the pools can naturally relieve sore muscles, minimize joint pain, and wash away all your stress.

Children are welcome at the hot springs, just not in some of the higher temperature pools. Glenwood Springs welcomes families and is another one of the many fun things to do in Aspen winter with children. The new Upriver additions are 21+ for adults who want to unwind with a glass of wine during their soak.

How to Plan Your Best Vacation Yet!

There are a lot of moving pieces and parts that go into planning the perfect adventure. Vacations should be relaxing, not stressful. This is why ALC offers winter experience packages, which include:

Gear rental
Transportation
Ski in/ski out accommodations
Lift tickets
Lessons (if needed)
Après-ski reservations.

Start planning your vacation today with Aspen Luxury Concierge!

Famous Events in Aspen During the Winter Season

Some things to do in Aspen in winter only come around once a year, so you’d better mark your calendars and start planning your trip! Although most of Aspen’s events are fairly ski-centric, non-skiers still have options for events that do not require them to ski.

Aspen Gay Ski Week

What: AGSW is a completely unique Pride celebration that involves a week of parties, epic ski outfits, snowboarding drag queens, and fundraising for LGBTQIA+ causes.

When: AGSW is normally the 3rd week of January.
Where: Everywhere! The Little Nell and Limelight Hotel are the centers of the festivities, but parties, events, talks, and special menus can be found all over Aspen during AGSW.
How to Join the Party: Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge to plan your trip to Aspen during Gay Ski Week!

X Games Aspen

What: The X Games are an Olympics-level competition of athleticism and achievement for world-class winter athletes. At the end of the day, the skis go away and the rave gear comes out. For the duration of the games, there are nightly free concerts that go from 11pm until 4 in the morning.

When: The last weekend in January.

Where: The events take place on Buttermilk Mountain. The mainstage for nightly concerts is at the base of Buttermilk near the gondolas.
How to Join the Party: Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for exclusive X Games packages, which include accommodations, tickets, transportation, and personalized itineraries.

Wintersköl

What: Wintersköl is a “toast to winter” which celebrates Aspen’s winter season and alpine culture. This celebration is one of the oldest things to do in Aspen in winter because it dates back to 1951. During Wintersköl, visitors and locals can enjoy free concerts, dog fashion shows, parades, night skiing, ice sculpture shows, firework displays, and unique restaurant menus.
When: Middle of January, usually 3-4 days before Aspen Gay Ski Week.
Where: Everywhere! Nearly everyone in Aspen participates in the festivities. In the middle of downtown Aspen there is the annual ice sculpture contest and dog fashion show.
How to Join the Party: Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for exclusive travel packages and effortless booking.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Winter Series

Photo courtesy of aspensantafeballet.com

What: ASFB is a dance program that is based in both Aspen, Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition to ballet, ASFB puts on contemporary performances with unique choreography and Mexican folkloric performances that bolster ethnic pride.

When: Performances take place throughout the winter season. For specific dates, times, and tickets, contact Aspen Luxury Concierge.

Where: All performances take place at the Aspen District Theatre, which is about 10 minutes from downtown Aspen.

Aspen Winternational

What: The Winternational is part of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour for both men and women’s Slalom and Giant Slalom events. The fastest skiers from all over the world compete against the clock to score a medal.

When: Events take place the first week of March.

Where: Courses are located on Aspen Mountain where there is room set aside for spectators.

4 Tips for Planning Your Trip to Aspen in the Winter

Aspen Luxury Concierge guests followed 4 tips before organizing their trip

1. Decide Where You Want to Stay

For accommodations in Aspen, you have 2 options: a hotel or a luxury vacation rental. All the luxury hotels in Aspen Snowmass are ski in/ski out, so it’s easy to hit the slopes in the morning.

2. Make a List of Everything You Want to Do

This will allow your concierge to make your reservations before you arrive, so you are able to do everything you want to do.

3. Be Prepared for the Winter Weather

Most of the things to do in Aspen, Colorado winter are outdoors, so it’s important to dress for the weather. From December to February, Aspen sees lows of 11 degrees and highs in the 30s.

4. Transportation isn’t Reliable, So Plan Accordingly

Uber and Lyft are not reliable in Aspen. ALC usually books clients a private car to take them where they need to go for the duration of their trip.

Experience Aspen’s Winter Wonderland with ALC

With so many amazing things to do in Aspen in winter, you will probably need help pulling together all the small details. That’s where Aspen Luxury Concierge comes in! Our team acts as a single point of contact for all your vacation plans. You tell your concierge what you want and they will make it happen. Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge to start planning your Aspen adventure!

6 Things to Do in Aspen in Winter for Families and Couples