Welcome to Aspen & Snowmass

Celebrating its 50th Birthday, the Aspen Historical Society operates four sites and offers weekly adult programming and tours. This summer, AHS welcomes a travelling Smithsonian exhibit, Journey Stories, to the Aspen Fire Station, which explores the migrations and settling of America. In addition, learn about Ute history and culture at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, visit the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum, or take a guided tour in the ghost towns of Independence or Ashcroft. Historic walking tours, electric HISTORY COACH and Hotel Jerome tours are also offered. For more information, visit www.aspenhistory.org or call (970) 925-3721.

The Aspen Institute offers a variety of programs on a range of topics. The Aspen Ideas Festival (June 26 - July 2) is sold out, but tickets will be on sale in mid-June to 50+ public events. The Institute continues its engagement with the community through the McCloskey Speaker Series and Hurst Lecture Series. Past speakers in these programs have included Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Sandra Day O’Connor; Admiral Mike Mullen, and Governor Chris Christie. Presented with Aspen Film, New Views Documentaries & Dialogue launches during the Ideas Festival and continues through July and August. The summer will feature various seminars and the Summer Celebration Gala. All events in Aspen will be listed at www.aspeninstitute.org/aspenevents or phone (970) 544-7970 for info. Tickets are available at www.aspenshowtix.com or call (970) 920-5770.

Join Capitol Peak and Aspen Wilderness Outfitters in the most beautiful backcountry Colorado has to offer. Their horseback, fishing and camping trips take place in the heart of the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness and the Hunter Frying Pan Wilderness areas. Experienced guides offer daily 2, 3, or 4 hour rides, as well as breakfast and dinner rides to their authentic tent camp. For the more adventurous, Capitol Peak offers full day and overnight pack trips, with great cooks, to backcountry western style camps. Ask them about adding spin or fly fishing to your horseback adventure. Non-horseback overnight camping trips to wilderness areas can also be arranged. Take advantage of the best horses, guides and scenery in western Colorado. Phone (970) 928-0723 or visit www.capitolpeak.com for more information.

The Aspen Music Festival and School is the United States’ premier classical music festival, presenting more than 300 musical events during its eight-week summer season, from June 27-August 18. Led by Music Director Robert Spano, the institution brings together 630 pre-professional students from more than 40 countries, joining them with over 200 guest artists and artist-faculty members. This signature mix of uniting education and performance gives Aspen events a special energy that permeates all the Festival offerings including symphonic and chamber music concerts, solo recitals, vocal programs, fully-staged operas, children’s programs, public master classes, lectures, and backstage tours. For thousands of years, art has played a key role in human society. In 2013, the Aspen Music Festival and School will explore the powerful compositions that musicians have penned as social commentary. For concert and ticket information, (970) 925-9042 or www.aspenmusicfestival.com.

Anderson Ranch provides transformative experiences that celebrate artists, art-making, creative dialog and community. Located on a beautiful, historic 5-acre mountain site, the Ranch offers 140 summer workshops, artists residencies, artists lectures, exhibitions and public events. In summer,  Lunchtime Auctionettes (selected Fridays) are a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a barbecue lunch ($10) and purchase original artwork by faculty and visiting artists; the ArtWorks Store features artwork, gifts and art supplies. Top contemporary artists present their works in the Featured Artists Lecture Series. On Saturday, August 10th, enjoy the Annual Art Auction & Community Picnic, over 200 pieces of art by renowned artists in silent and live auctions with a picnic lunch. Starting in June, the Ranch Café is open to the public Monday-Friday for lunch, 12 - 1pm. For information, events, workshop calendars and more, visit www.andersonranch.org, or call (970) 923-3181. Visit/tour, M-F, 9am – 5pm.

The world’s largest hot springs pool celebrates its 125th birthday this summer! Whether you play for a day or stay for awhile, there’s a wide array of amenities to enjoy. Lodging includes unlimited pool access, complimentary full breakfast and discounts to the Athletic Club and our award-winning Spa of the Rockies. Family fun includes two water slides, 18 holes of mini-golf and a kiddie pool. Their Sport Shop offers the largest selection of swimwear on the Western Slope, while The Grill dishes up poolside favorites from ice cream and burgers to healthy salads. Visit www.hotspringspool.com for special packages. Call (800) 537-7946 (SWIM).

A non-collecting institution presenting the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. Exhibitions: Rob Pruitt: An American Folk Artist (May 3 – July 14), Thea Djordjadze (May 3 – July 14), Old-Fashioned Fourth of July: Machine Project (July 4 parade & AAM at 1:30pm), Jane and Marc Nathanson Distinguished Artist in Residence Lorna Simpson: Works on Paper (July 26 – September 22), Hayley Tompkins (July 26 – September 22), 2013 Roaring Fork Open (October 4 – 27). Series: 2013 AAM Architecture Lecture Series (June 20, July 24 and August 26, 6pm at Limelight Lodge) Special Event: ArtCrush (summer benefit), August 2. Museum Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-7pm, Sunday, noon-6pm. Admission is FREE courtesy of Amy and John Phelan. Located at 590 North Mill Street, (970) 925-8050, www.aspenartmuseum.org

One stop shopping for the Valley’s most popular activities. Whitewater Rafting • Inflatable Kayaks • Downhill/Single-track Bicycle Tours • Backcountry Jeep/Scenic Tours • Hikes • Mountain Sunset Dinners • Flyfishing • Ballooning  • Horseback Riding and more. Professionally guided tours offered daily. The largest selection of raft and outdoor adventures catering to all levels. Outstanding guides and fully catered meal options. Locals’ Choice Award: Favorite Rafting 2011 - Aspen Times. Bundle activities and save $$. The Valley’s original rafting company since 1973. Located at the base of the gondola in Aspen and on the Snowmass Village Mall. (970) 923-4544 or (800) 282-RAFT (7238), www.blazingadventures.com

Are you tired of long security lines, airline delays and/or cancellations? If so, contact Air Denver for your charter needs.  Call for great Aspen “one-way” rates to or from anywhere in North America. With over 18,000 aircraft to choose from, Air Denver can easily accommodate your needs. As a “Charter Referral Service”, they make chartering affordable and easy. When the Aspen airport closes for night ops or weather, Air Denver has options for you.  Fractional Owners, Air Denver provides all services you are accustomed to plus more, but without any of the associated costs of ownership.  (800) 333-4057 or (303) 333-3332 – Always live for immediate needs www.airdenver.com, email: sales@airdenver.com  Proudly celebrating 32 accident free years of operation!  

Explore the backcountry with a four-wheel-drive all-terrain vehicle, an off-road dirt bike motorcycle, or side by side. Guide yourself with maps and outlines to popular destinations such as Marble, the Frying Pan, Redstone, Woody Creek or Independence Pass for a fun family adventure. Western Adventures supplies you with all you need for a scenic tour of your choice. Private lands are also available. You can pick up the vehicles at their yard (2” ball required) or rent a truck from them. Delivery available (some restrictions apply). Weekend service available by advance reservations. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. Contact Western Adventures at (970) 923-3337 for more information and reservations. Visa, Mastercard, Amex accepted.

#1 Best Colorado Municipal Course - Golfweek magazine. In the midst of Aspen’s beauty and tranquility, this 18-hole championship course offers an outstanding golf experience for all levels of play, and has an elegant clubhouse, featuring a golf shop, driving range, chipping and putting greens, cart rentals, lessons, 6 clay tennis courts, and restaurant. www.aspengolf.com or (970) 429-1949.

Theatre Aspen’s Summer 2013 repertory season is already in the planning stages and an what an exciting season it will be! This year marks the theater’s 30th Anniversary season, and to celebrate, Theatre Aspen is going BIG with the epic musical Les Misérables! This new production of one of the most successful all-time shows (and now a film) will open in the newly-renovated Hurst Theatre in Rio Grande Park on June 25th, followed by You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and the hilarious comedy Fully Committed. For the first time, Theatre Aspen will host the Aspen Food & Wine Classic and additional activities will be offered through September. For more info, for group rates or to book an event, visit www.theatreaspen.org or call (970) 925–9313. Photo:  Brands & Kribbs Architectural Photography

Ride the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain or ride the Elk Camp Gondola and chairlift on Snowmass and enjoy spectacular views of the Elk Mountains and surrounding valleys. At the top, you’ll experience a wide variety of activities – mountain biking, hiking and nature tours, music performances and yoga, disc golf, climbing walls, an obstacle course, paintball and more. There’s something for the whole family. Kids are sure to enjoy a variety of exciting activities with Camp Aspen/Snowmass (See Kids’ Corner). Work up an appetite and treat yourself to lunch at the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain or Elk Camp at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola. (877) 282-7736, (970) 923-1227 or www.aspensnowmass.com

Aspen Whitewater Rafting is owned and operated by longtime local guides who have a professional staff that has been guiding Colorado rivers for over 25 years. They offer amazing whitewater rafting and inflatable kayak (ducky) adventures on the Roaring Fork, Arkansas and Colorado rivers. Aspen Whitewater provides an outstanding whitewater experience for individuals, families, and groups. They run a variety of river trips from mild class II / III trips, which are perfect for families, to class IV / V adventures for those looking for more excitement. They provide top-notch service, professional guides, new equipment, delicious riverside lunches, and all the gear needed for the river. Phone (866)-37-RIVER or (970) 920-3511, or visit www.aspenwhitewater.com. Photo by Arkansas Valley Digital Imaging.

Snow Limo offers one-of-a-kind Roaring Fork adventures and tours. Hop on their daily biking shuttles along the Rio Grand Trail, enjoy scenic tours to Maroon Bells, Ashcroft, Glenwood Springs, Independence Pass, and the Crystal River Valley, or reserve your activity transfers for all of the areas best adventures, including horseback rides, golf outings, and hot pools. Stylish SUV’s and coaches and knowledgeable drivers make your trip relaxed and fun. With decades of Rocky Mountain driving experience, well-maintained vehicles, and unsurpassed knowledge of the area, their team is dedicated to helping you create your most memorable Colorado experience. Whether you are looking for private services, family excursions, or group and wedding coordination, you can count on Snow Limo. Call (970) 544-6475 to reserve space today. www.snowlimo.net

ACES offers various classes and camps for children and adults throughout the summer, as well as free naturalist-guided walks on Aspen Mountain, at the Maroon Bells and in Snowmass. Explore Castle Creek valley with lunch at Pine Creek Cookhouse on Green World Day Hike or River Run Sunset Hike, or, hire an ACES guide for a customized private adventure. Visit the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve in the heart of Aspen, featuring an environmental learning center, resident birds of prey and indoor animals, a self-guided trail, bird watching, and more. Don’t forget to check out Rock Bottom Ranch in Basalt for its organic garden and farm animals! (970) 925-5756. aces@aspennature.org. www.aspennature.org.

Located at the base of spectacular 14,000-foot peaks in Aspen’s Castle Creek Valley, the legendary Pine Creek Cookhouse serves gourmet lunches and dinners in a log lodge or outside patio. Ashcroft Adventure activities include guided tours on scenic trails and fishing the numerous beaver ponds. Visit the historic ghost town of Ashcroft…then hike to lunch & dinner along Castle Creek, an adventure for all ages. Sunset children’s activities include guided wildlife viewing, fishing lessons, and wagon rides. Reservations are suggested, for lunch and dinner. (970) 925-1044 or www.pinecreekcookhouse.com