Aspen Attractions - Aspen Vacation Packages


	Aspen Attractions Downtown Aspen is easily explored on foot. The Aspen Historical Society puts out a walking-tour brochure. You can spend an afternoon admiring the window displays of the shops in the outdoor pedestrian malls, as well as the graceful Victorian mansions, many of which now house fine boutiques and restaurants. Ashcroft 12 miles south on Castle Creek Road. A good example of the basic structure and layout of the old mining towns. The town was bypassed by the railroad and ceased to exist in 1890. Aspen Art Museum 590 N. Mill St., 970/925-8050 Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat. 10-6, Thurs. noon-8, Sun. noon-6. Admission charged Top local and national artists exhibit their work here. A complimentary gallery tour with wine and cheese is held every Thursday at 5. Aspen Center For Environmental Studies Hallam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, 100 Puppy Smith St., Aspen 970/925-5756. Children and adults alike will enjoy this wildlife sanctuary and research center. The facility sponsors snowshoe walks with naturalist guides in winter, and backyard-wildlife workshops that teach children to create a mini sanctuary in their own yard. In summer there are bird-watching hikes and special Little Naturalist programs for four- to seven-year-olds, which include nature walks and arts and crafts. Independence Ghost Town 15 miles east on SR82 970-925-3721 Guided tours June, July, August 11am and 1pm. Small admission fee for tour this is the remains of the Roaring Fork Valley's mining community. It boomed during the gold discoveries of the 1870's and closed up in the decline of the mines in the late 1890s. Jerome Hotel 330 E. Main St. 970/920-1000. Named after the town's most prominent early citizen, Jerome Wheeler, this enduring landmark was opened in 1889, at the height of Aspen's prosperity. The ornate lobby, bar, and restaurant of the elegant redbrick hotel re-create fashionable turn-of-the-20th-century living. White River National Forest and Maroon Bells 970-925-5756 10 miles south, off State Route 82 Road closed to all but vehicles with camping permits: 8-5 Otherwise, Open for tour buses only Tour leaves downtown Aspen every 20 minutes daily 9-4 mid-June-Labor Day Combination ticket for round trip tour and Silver Queen Gondola available. Maroon Mountain is 14,126 feet high, and is one of the country's most photographed mountains. Maroon Lake has hiking trails, Forest Service tours, picnicking and fishing. A telescope is available at West Maroon Lake. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers 45 minute guided tours there daily from 10-2. Wheeler-Stallard House Museum 620 W. Bleeker St., 970/925-3721 Small admission fee. Jan.-Mar. and mid-June-mid-Sept., Tues.-Fri. 1-4. Built in 1888. Victorian life is the focus of this museum, which displays period memorabilia collected by the Aspen Historical Society. Two hour walking tours of Aspen's west end leave from this museum. There is an additional charge for the walking tour. Skiing Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Aspen and Snowmass are really four ski areas combined into one resort. Aspen or Ajax Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands can all be skied with the same ticket. Aspen Highlands 970/925-1220 or 800/525-6200. Early Dec.-early Apr., 9-4. This ski area is reached off Maroon Creek Road. Until 1993, it was the only area not owned by the Aspen Skiing Company. Though it can no longer play on its independence as the "maverick ski area," locals ski here for other reasons as well, including the best views among the four mountains, comparatively short lift lines, and some thrilling runs. Though not quite as challenging as Aspen Mountain, the Highlands offers steep descents at Steeplechase and Olympic Bowl, as well as the wide-open Thunder Bowl. While you're here, enjoy Aspen Highlands' special events such as the freestyle contests every Friday, and the Ski Patrol Jump, over the deck -- and the heads of startled skiers -- at the Cloud Nine Picnic Hut, every day at noon, weather permitting. Six lifts access 619 acres of terrain with a 3,635-ft vertical drop. Aspen Mountain. 970/925-1220 Late Nov.-mid-Apr., 9-4. Aspen Mountain hosts galleries, museums, international conferences, and events. Offers year round cultural activities that attract visitors from around the world: skiers and non-skiers alike. Aspen Mountain, also known as Ajax, is the standard by which many good skiers test themselves. Aspen is not for beginners. A black diamond here might rank as a double diamond elsewhere. The narrow mountain is laid out as a series of steep ridges with little room for error. Eight lifts, including a high-speed gondola, service the 631 acres of challenging terrain, spanning a vertical drop of 3,267 ft. Buttermilk Buttermilk contains more than 410 acres with 43 trails and a vertical drop of 2,030 ft Off Rte. 82 970/925-1220 Late Nov.-early Apr., 9-4. Accessed by West Buttermilk Road, Buttermilk is known as Aspen's "learning" mountain. With plenty of gentle slopes and an excellent ski school, this is the place for skiing and snowboarding novices. At the same time, the Tiehack section on the east has several advanced cruising runs, as well as sweeping views of Maroon Creek Valley. It also has superb powder. Snowmass Travel southeast on Route 82 to the turnoffs for Brush Creek or Owl Creek roads to Snowmass. 970/925-1220 Late-Nov.-mid-Apr., 9-4. This is the largest of the four ski areas owned by the Aspen Skiing Company. Snowmass Village predominantly caters to families. These differences apply equally to the development and to the mountain itself. Aspen Mountain is a rigorous ski experience, while Snowmass is Aspen Skiing Company's family resort, with 52% of its 2,655 skiable acres designated intermediate Snowmass is four times the size of Aspen Mountain, and has triple the black and double black diamond terrain, including several precipitous gullies. Hanging Valley is accessible by a short hike. With 20 lifts covering the five clearly defined skiing areas with 2,655 acres and a 4,206-ft vertical drop, it can be a good idea to plan your route carefully. The novice and lower-intermediate terrain on the lower part of the mountain makes Snowmass a terrific place for young children. Cross-Country Skiing Ashcroft Ski Touring. Forty km 25 mi of groomed trails in the White River National Forest are available at this nordic ski area. Aspen, 970/925-1971. Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Trail System. This trail system contains 80 km 48 mi of trails through the Roaring Fork Valley. 970/544-9246. Ski Touring Aspen Alpine Guides. These guides will customize multi-day tours along the 10th Mountain Hut and Trail System connecting Aspen and Vail, and through the Alfred A. Braun Hut System connecting Aspen and Crested Butte. 970/925-6618. Hut and Trail Systems Alfred A. Braun Hut System. This system, run by the U.S. Ski Association, explores the backcountry between Aspen and Crested Butte. An exhilarating trek, this is a perfect test of skiing expertise. Box 7937, Aspen 81612, 970/925-6618. 10th Mountain Hut And Trail System. During World War II, hardy soldiers camouflaged in white parkas practiced maneuvers in the stinging cold at Camp Hale, in the Elk Mountain Range between Aspen, Vail, and Leadville. That's where the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division prepared for alpine fighting on hickory skis. Today, strong intermediates and experts can follow in their tracks on the 300 miles of trails crisscrossing the area. The surprisingly comfortable huts accommodating up to 16 people in bunks; bring a sleeping bag are solar-powered and have wood-burning stoves. The huts can be used by mountain bikers and hikers from July to September. Lessons and Programs The Aspen Skiing Company 970/925-1220 or 800/525-6200 gives lessons at all four mountains. Lift Tickets: You'll get some savings on multi-day tickets.