Aspen and Snowmass Village offer more than just mountain views. With diverse global cuisine, world-class events, outdoor adventures, and a vibrant arts scene, these towns provide something for everyone. Whether enjoying Michelin-recommended dining, music festivals, or exploring nature and local culture, visitors can experience a unique blend of excitement and relaxation year-round. Discover five reasons why summer in Aspen and Snowmass Village should be on every travel bucket list for 2025.
- The diverse dining scene will have your mouth watering
With over 80 restaurants in Aspen and more than 35 in Snowmass Village, an extremely diverse range of cuisines can be found, with everything from casual mountain bites to refined dining experiences.
In Aspen, enjoy a host of restaurants that take inspiration from flavours around the world. For a classic French fondue head to the cosy French Alpine Bistro, for the best spicy margaritas in town visit Las Montañas and for a taste of Japan, try Matsuhisa, serving fresh seafood and tasting menus by chef Nobu Matsuhisa. In Snowmass Village, head to the Limelight Snowmass for one of its renowned wood-fired pizzas accompanied by live music or pick up a tasty breakfast bagel from Fuel in the Snowmass Mall before heading out into the mountains.
Both Aspen and Snowmass Village, are home to Michelin-recommended restaurants like Element 47 in the iconic five-star, five-diamond Little Nell and Mawita in Snowmass Village, a new restaurant inspired by chef Mawa’s Latin adventures.
- World-class events await
Each summer, a vibrant events calendar draws visitors from across the world to Aspen and Snowmass Village, whether it’s for iconic food festivals, family entertainment or film events.
One of the most anticipated events of the summer, the Snowmass Rodeo showcases a lively slice of Western heritage. Held every Wednesday from June to August, with music, horseback riding and breathtaking mountain vistas, travellers can partake in activities like ‘chicken poop bingo’ or experience the thrill of mutton busting, a local favourite.
For food enthusiasts, the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen in June brings together top chefs, expert sommeliers and top winemakers for a three-day festival offering a series of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings and seminars. In Snowmass Village, don’t miss Heritage Fire in July which unites live-fire cooking, family farms and local chefs who specialise in whole animal cookery for a three-hour tasting event.
- There’s epic outdoor adventure for every type of enthusiast
Aspen and Snowmass Village both offer a wide variety of outdoor adventures that cater to both thrill-seekers and nature enthusiasts. Whether it’s hiking through scenic alpine meadows, biking down rugged mountain trails or learning about local wildlife, both towns are suited to lovers of the outdoors.
Blazing Adventures offers various guided excursions including white water rafting on the Roaring Fork River to guided hikes in the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Those seeking a more educational outdoor experience, the Aspen Centre for Environmental Studies (ACES) offers guided nature walks and hikes. Explore the unique ecosystems of the Rockies while learning about local flora and fauna from expert naturalists.
Mountain bikers will find the Snowmass Bike Park an exhilarating escape into high-altitude adventure. Part of the first Gold-Level IMBA Ride Center in Colorado, the park features over 500 miles of trails, catering to both beginner and expert riders. Aspen and Snowmass Village also host a wide variety of trails that are suitable for road biking and e-biking with the most popular being a scenic ride up to the iconic Maroon Bells.
- The arts and culture scene rivals many major cities
Both towns are culture hotspots, with a rich history and thriving arts scene. From contemporary art exhibitions to historic tours, Aspen and Snowmass Village provide countless ways to get immersed into arts and culture.
At the heart of Aspen’s art scene is the Aspen Art Museum, an internationally recognised institution showcasing contemporary art from emerging and established artists. The striking Shigeru Ban-designed building is a work of art in itself, offering visitors an immersive experience with rotating exhibitions and interactive art installations. For those looking to engage with local artists, the Red Brick Center for the Arts is a vibrant space with rotating exhibits of local and regional artists as well as workshops and classes.
Discover the rich history of Aspen and the surrounding region through local history tours with the Aspen Historical Society. The tours take visitors through historic landmarks like the Wheeler Opera House and Hotel Jerome, providing insights into the town’s transformation from a silver mining boomtown to a world-class destination for arts, culture, and recreation.
- There’s always music to be heard in the mountains
Summer in Aspen and Snowmass Village comes alive with an eclectic mix of live music. From classical concerts and jazz performances to world renowned pop artists playing in iconic venues, both towns provide a multitude of experiences for all kinds of music lovers.
Bringing some of the biggest names in jazz, rock, pop and soul to the mountains, JAS (Jazz Aspen Snowmass) holds two major events, the JAS June Experience – hosted at various venues around town – and the Labor Day Experience, a huge outdoor festival in Snowmass Village with world-renowned headliners. Also taking place in both towns is the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series with free live music throughout the summer at Snowmass’ Fanny Hill and Aspen’s Gondola Plaza.
In Aspen, don’t miss a performance at Belly Up Aspen, an intimate 450-person venue downtown that hosts over 300 live concerts a year including some of the biggest names in the music industry. Or for classical music lovers, the renowned Aspen Music Festival and School – one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in North America – hosts hundreds of events and opera performances throughout the summer.
