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.




















