Adventures
Roaring Fork Valley

What to do in Aspen in the Summer

We’re not giving away all of our secrets, but we’ll share a few of our favorite things you can do this summer to keep your adrenaline flowing! 

Aspen may be known for luxury, but what makes this valley truly extraordinary is the lifestyle we’ve built around connection, creativity, adventure, wellness, and community. From hiking and mountain biking to gallery openings, live music, culinary events, farmers markets, wellness retreats, and long lunches that turn into evenings with friends, the Roaring Fork Valley is constantly alive with experiences, if you know where to look.

We’re not giving away all of our secrets, but we’ll share a few of our favorite things you can do seasonally to keep your adrenaline flowing! 

Tenth Mountain Division Hut Trips

10th Mountain Division is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that manages a system of 38 backcountry huts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, connected by 350 miles of suggested routes. But often we want guides to help us get to these huts, or to embark on other wilderness adventures.

Aspen Expeditions has incredible guides to take you wherever you want to go whether it's on a hut trip or to  guide you on your first hike or mountain bike ride, or for the daring and more experienced,  climbing a 14er, they will take you there. Once Independence Pass opens in the summer, so does a whole 2nd season, and access to the “really big stuff” says Aspen Expeditions general manager, Dirk Bockelman. They also offer ice climbing and hut trips for any level of skier, any time of winter.

Free Snowmass Thrusday Night Concerts

Each Thursday evening, head to Snowmass for a FREE concert on Fanny Hill. Bring your picnic basket and blanket and enjoy a wide variety of music throughout the summer. At select shows, kids can romp through the Family FunZone, which is complete with a bouncy house, face painting, hula hooping, and more, while mom and dad kick back and enjoy the sunset as acclaimed artists take the stage.

Please utilize public transportation (RFTA & Snowmass’ Free Village Shuttles) when attending the free music series as parking is limited. Free parking is available at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot and at Town Park Station. Snowmass’ Free Village Shuttles pick up & drop off atTown Park approximately every 10 minutes on concert nights. Food and drinks sold on site. No outside alcohol permitted. Non-alcoholic outside beverages must be in a sealed container. Water bottle refill station located inside the venue. No glass. No smoking. No pets. For more information, visit gosnowmass.com.

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding

Popular SUP Locations Near Aspen:

  • North Star Nature Preserve (Stillwater): A calm, gentle section of the Roaring Fork River perfect for beginners and wildlife viewing.
  • Twin Lakes: Located over Independence Pass
  • Ruedi Reservoir
  • Colorado River (near Glenwood): A popular spot for a more active river paddling experience. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Rent stand-up paddle boards:

  • Aspen Whitewater Rafting/SUP: Offers rentals with options to pick up in town or have them delivered; they specialize in trips to the calm North Star Nature Preserve.
  • Elk Mountain Expeditions: Provides SUP and inflatable kayak rentals with shuttle service included to the North Star Nature Preserve, located just 5 minutes from downtown.
  • Shaboomee (Basalt): Located in nearby Basalt, offering daily rentals that include the inflatable SUP, paddle, pump, and PFD.
  • Aspen Kayak & SUP: Located at the Nature Preserve, providing gear for the Roaring Fork River.

Northstar Preserve

One of the most magical summer experiences in Aspen is stand-up paddle boarding through the North Star Nature Preserve, where the Roaring Fork River gently winds through protected wetlands beneath views of Independence Pass. But because North Star is a designated nature preserve, there are important rules designed to protect the wildlife and tranquility of the area. Paddle boarding is strictly a float-through experience, meaning there is no stopping or beaching outside of designated areas, no audible music, no glass, and no dogs allowed within the preserve. Visitors are asked to stay on their watercraft, respect wildlife — especially moose and beavers — and remain quiet as they drift through one of the valley’s most sensitive ecosystems. The preserve is also closed from dusk to dawn, and paddlers should always exit at the designated takeouts before the dangerous downstream section beyond the pedestrian bridge.Go to Pitkin County Open Space & Trails. to be better informed about the impact on our environment and possible dangers.

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Testimonials

Corneliu Fagaraşan
Architect

Aspen Business Connect completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I showed up I felt welcomed into a community of open, curious, and genuinely supportive people. It’s not just networking—it’s real connection. I’ve built friendships, found opportunities, and gained invaluable insight simply by being part of the group. The environment Jillian has created makes it easy to show up, be yourself, and grow both personally and professionally.

Hudson McNamee Osprey Design Studio
Owner

I came along and was immediately connected with a lot of entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. A year and a half later I have gained a plethora of connections and advice from people from all walks of the entrepreneurial journey. This valley works by word of mouth. That is the most effective way, and being a part of this has gained me the most high quality clientele that respect what I do, compensate me fairly and I don't have to go through the entire vetting process every time. I learned so much from so many different types of people. It's been invaluable to my growth as an entrepreneur and a small business owner.

Grayson Rutherford Sinclair Building Architecture Design
Director of Operations

I've been blown away by the professional connections that I've been able to make since joining Aspen Business Connect. I've even had the opportunity to make trade relationships... [and] brought multiple artists onto my company's projects that I wouldn't have otherwise found had I not been a member of ABC.

It's unmatched and unrivaled by anything else in the valley and such a special meeting and connecting place for professionals of all different backgrounds. Jillian does an incredible job making her network ours and she's the most well-connected woman in the valley, always bringing in new people from different places who have different experiences and backgrounds to share. Overall it's one of my favorite things to be part of in the valley, from our socializing events and specialized dinners to our more professional focused events , it's given me the opportunity to make great friends in the valley and even professional relationships. All of us are better off for it.

Jeremy Joseph
Jeremy Joseph Photography

I opened a gallery called Jeremy Joseph Photography, which was a place to display my fine art prints of the Colorado Wilderness and Wildlife. Shortly after opening that space, I started to realize the need for me to be more  integrated into the local community. After a short meeting with Jillian, I realized really quickly how valuable her network could be to get more integrated into the community. The amount of people and relationship building you can do is pretty impressive. Every time that I show up  I always have a bit of a vibrationally tingly inspiration because of everyone's stories and what they're doing. Just a great place to be a part of the community and get inspired for your small business.

Derron Cloud, State Farm Agent in Basalt and Aspen.
Agent

What I have enjoyed from Jillian's group, Aspen Business Connect, is I've met lots of different people, different individuals. There's great events. I have probably not only gained clients but I’ve also been able to provide clients to those other folks that I've met. I've also made friends. Several people that I met in the first meeting that I went to, I've played golf with and our families hang out together. I have also had many, many referrals from those people. This group has been fantastic for networking and learning and just meeting lots of great and wonderful, interesting people.

Dominic Del Signore Homestead Circus Productions
Founder

Being a member hasn't just grown my business; it has fundamentally changed my life in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Jillian is a master at the art of connection, and her dedication to this community is nothing short of brilliant. She understands that when you connect local businesses as genuine resources for one another, you aren't just facilitating 'transactions', you are proliferating a culture of friendship, growth, and playful engagement that makes our community thrive... Great organizations only succeed with great leaders, and Jillian’s mission to foster an environment where we all succeed together is incredibly effective.

Marisa de Lempicka Tamara de Lempicka Estate Foundation
Owner

I've been a member with Aspen Business Connect for about five years now and it's been wonderful. Jillian does an amazing job at connecting people. I always leave the events inspired, empowered, with new ideas. It's really really been a great addition to my life here in Aspen, and it's a great reason to hear what other people are doing in the community, to feel part of this amazing community. The people in this group are amazing. I've /made some really lifelong friendships.

Shari Havroud of Aetio Health
Nutritionist
I am so grateful for Jillian and Aspen Business Connect, for introducing my work to the team at Aspen Strong where we created a successful Food/Mood kids series.  From there, I have been given the opportunity to work with the Aspen Youth Center, Aspen Family Connections and the City of Aspen!” 
All of these engagements have helped me expand awareness about the benefits of medical nutrition therapy.  Just one introduction led to many more.  I would highly recommend joining the Aspen Business Connect network!"
Diane Utz, ESQ Ferguson Shindler Law Firm
Construction Litigation

Thank you once again! You’ve created something really special and have done an amazing job pulling together the movers and shakers in this Valley. I’ve lived all over the country but have never witnessed a network like the one you’ve built and are continuing to build. You are such an inspiration!

Eric Amyot Keystone Species CO
Instigator of Change | Generative Community Builder

ABC makes networking easy. More than that, the intention and energy, mood, and support for every entrepreneur and business regardless of their scale or industry, is always positive.

Harry Teague - Harry Teague Architects
Owner

Thank you Aspen Real Life and your team. Very informative and well organized panel discussion. Wonderful to network with such smart, fun crowd. Keep up the good work.

Jerome Osentowski Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute
Founder & Director

Last week Jerome, Eden, and Brook melted our minds with their wisdom on the state of our food systems, what they're doing about it, and what we can all do to improve the health of ourselves and the Earth. Thanks Aspen Business Connect for organizing this great event!

Thanks so much Jillian for putting these together. We were glad to see so many people who care about their food, we got so many business cards! Amazing

Rose LeVan Sustainable Settings
Co-Founder & Office Manager

Thank you Jillian for giving us the opportunity to talk with our community via Aspen Business Connect! Your crew is amazing.

Michele Cardamone - Michele Cardamone Photography
Owner

I just went to Jillian's Aspen Business Connect meeting at Aspen Kitchen with a panel discussing the importance of eating local and nutritious food without pesticides. There was so much positive energy in the room and such an eclectic mix of local business representatives. It was such a perfect way to connect with members of our community. Bravo, Jillian! I can't wait for more!

Molly Dodge Bosque Aspen

Such an amazing event, Jillian!! Thank you for including us and for everything that you're doing for this community and beyond. You're an inspiration and connecting people is the most satisfying thing. Xoxox

Bill Infante, Hangai Mountain Textiles, Co-Founder & President at Breakthrough Communications, Basalt Town Council Member.
Principal & Co-Founder

Great evening. Great initiative. Great connections. Thanks Jillian Livingston for bringing the business community together!

Marisa Hallsted The Mindful Vine
Founder

We thought you’d love that we all connected over a fabulous dinner. Turned into a blog post, a mastermind group, a newly designed ring from gems from my ancestors and who knows great collaborations between some of us in the future! Thanks for being our connector and for all you do!!