During the summer months, the scenic mountain towns of Aspen and Snowmass Village in Colorado offer an unforgettable experience for all ages. With a world-class events calendar ranging from free music series to a true Western rodeo, and an endless list of outdoor adventures from rafting and horseback riding to hiking and hot air ballooning, families can enjoy a summer of adventure in Aspen and Snowmass.

Aspen

1. Raft or paddle down the Roaring Fork River: Flowing north through Aspen to Glenwood Springs, the Roaring Fork River is a crystal clear waterway that is perfect for whitewater rafting, kayaking and paddleboarding. The entire area’s watershed is impressive, as the Roaring Fork gains power from several tributaries before spilling into the Colorado River. The Fork is one of the best places for families to enjoy the power of nature, and younger children can also enjoy a float down the river in an inflatable duck.

2. Catch a show at Theatre Aspen: Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, nationally acclaimed Theatre Aspen hosts a rotating schedule of productions suitable for adults and families. Performed under a tent during the summer in Rio Grande Park, 2023 mainstage productions include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (22 June – 08 July), Doubt, a Parable (14 – 29 July), and Rent (04 – 26 August). These productions are complemented by an assortment of community events, including late-night cabarets, educational programmes and performances as well as collaborations with other Aspen arts organisations.

3. Hike around the Maroon Bells: Located ten miles from Aspen, the Maroon Bells are two bell-shaped peaks in the Elk Mountains providing some of the most spectacular views in the world. A must-see for any visitor to Aspen and a great activity for the whole family, explore one of many hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the peaks, which are best seen from Maroon Lake. The Maroon Lake Scenic Trail is one of the easiest and doable for children of any age, whilst older kids and teens can hike up to Crater Lake, about a two hour round trip.

4. Join a tour with Aspen Center for Environmental Studies: Families can join one of many nature programmes during the summer months with Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) to learn all about wildflowers, tracking animals and observing birds. ACES offers day-long and week-long summer camps for children ages four to 18 at the Hallam Lake and Rock Bottom Ranch locations, as well as free 45-minute walks with an ACES naturalist along Richmond Ridge from the top of Aspen Mountain.

5. Aspen Art Museum: Aspen Art Museum exhibits some of the newest and most important artworks and it is a must for any art lover visiting the region and a great place to take the family. It features innovative and timely exhibitions, educational programmes, immersive activities and community events that actively engage audiences in thought-provoking experiences of art, culture and society. The museum also offers artist talks, screenings,  performances and family-friendly events.

Snowmass

1. Snowmass Rodeo: The Snowmass Rodeo celebrates 49 years of operations this summer, starting 21 June and running until 16 August, taking place every Wednesday at 7:00pm. This long-standing Western tradition is a Snowmass summer staple and fun for the whole family, complete with music, horses, cowboys and cowgirls, and livestock. Visitors wanting their own Wild West experience on horseback can book half-day, full-day and overnight trips to explore the beauty of more than 23 miles of equestrian trails in Snowmass. Accommodating all ages and experience levels, this is a perfect way for families to explore the area’s serene beauty and fully immerse themselves in the pioneering spirit.

2. Downhill Mountain Bike: Roaring Fork IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center: Snowmass, along with the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the first IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center™ in Colorado.  The IMBA Gold-Level designation, the top award for mountain biking destinations, offers mountain bike lovers more than 300 miles of high quality singletrack from Aspen and Snowmass to the nearby regions of  Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs. Bikers in Snowmass and the Roaring Fork Valley can choose from lift-served gravity trails in the Snowmass Bike Park and expert-only long rides, to family-friendly trails and backcountry adventures.

3. Snowmass Free Concert Series: A long-standing summer tradition and family favourite, the Snowmass Free Concert Series returns for its 31st year this summer to Fanny Hill, a popular amphitheatre venue in Snowmass, every Thursday evening at 6:30pm from 16 June to 25 August. The weekly outdoor series will feature music genres to suit all tastes including soul, pop, funk, rock & roll, country, bluegrass and more. Additionally,  there will be many free live music events throughout the season at different restaurants and venues around the Snowmass Village.

4. Hot air ballooning: For the adventurous, hot air ballooning is one of the most exciting activities families can experience during the summer months in Snowmass. At sunrise,  riders are taken nearly 2,500-feet in altitude over the beautiful landscape, providing expansive views of Mount Daly, Capitol Peak and the Elk Mountains, as well as local wildlife including elk, deer and fox. Visitors float with a knowledgeable FAA-licensed commercial balloon pilot for about an hour before returning to the ground for a brunch. Visitors in Snowmass during 22-24 Septembercan experience the Snowmass Balloon Festival which celebrates its 48th anniversary this year. The long-standing Rocky Mountain tradition features three days of more than 30 festive balloons launching into the air from 7:30am until 9:00 am amidst the sunrise and the spectacular background of Snowmass.

5. Elk Camp and the Lost Forest: Nestled in the pines at Elk Camp on Snowmass, Lost Forest is a dynamic playground for adventurers of any age. Families can take a spin on the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster and explore the numerous ropes courses, thrilling zip line, climbing wall, fishing ponds and disc golf course, as well as the varied hiking trails. Tickets can be purchased from the Snowmass Lift Ticket Office, starting from £60 for adults and £45 for children aged 12 and under.