The most up-to-date information for the Roaring Fork Valley
The Golden Key Concierge Guide has been helping visitors to Aspen, Snowmass Village and the Roaring Fork Valley
plan their vacation since 1991. Find recommendations for lodging, dining, shopping and activities neatly organized
and easy to find here. Let the Golden Key be your guide!
Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado On-Mountain Activities To Do
No matter what season you plan to visit the Roaring Fork Valley, you will find plenty of on-mountain activities to keep you busy. Aspen and Snowmass are home to both skiing and hiking on-mountain activities and there are plenty of chances to have fun while you are staying in the scenic and historic Roaring Fork Valley area. See where your next adventure will take you!
Summer: Visit the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, a wild place in the heart of Aspen, featuring an environmental learning center, resident birds of prey, an indoor trout stream, self-guided trail, bird watching, and a naturalist on site to answer questions. The preserve encompasses lush riparian ecosystems including woodland, meadow, pond, and marsh communities. ACES offers programs for children and adults through its Naturalist Field School, as well as free naturalist-guided walks on Aspen Mountain, at the Maroon Bells and in Snowmass. Open Monday – Saturday, 9am-5pm. Also, check out Rock Bottom Ranch in Basalt for its organic garden and farm animals! (970) 925-5756. aces@aspennature.org. www.aspennature.org.
Photo by Anda Rojs Smalls
Winter: Observe and feel the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains while skiing or snowshoeing with a naturalist from ACES. Daily snowshoe walks leave from the top of Aspen and Snowmass Mountains and from the Ashcroft Ski Touring Center. Free downhill skiing tours are offered at Snowmass. Snowshoe walks and bird watching can be enjoyed at the center. Evening programs include the Potbelly Perspective Lecture Series and Naturalist Nights. Open daily, ACES is located on the 25-acre Hallam Lake Nature Preserve in the heart of Aspen. Phone (970) 925-5756. aces@aspennature.org. www.aspennature.org.
Summer: Ride the Silver Queen Gondola on Aspen Mountain, AND NEW THIS YEAR, ride the new Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp lift on Snowmass and enjoy the spectacular views of the Elk Mountains and surrounding valley. At the top, you'll find a wide variety of activities - mountain biking, hiking and nature tours, music performances and yoga, disc golf, a climbing wall, 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 Kid's Corner). Work up an appetite and treat yourself to lunch at the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain, Café Suzanne on Snowmass or Sneaky’s Tavern in base village at Snowmass. (877) 282-7736, (970) 923-1227 or www.aspensnowmass.com Winter: On-Mountain Highlights this season include hiking to the 12,392-foot summit of Highland Bowl for Colorado's ultimate in-bounds backcountry rush, FREE First Tracks with pros from Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass, Lynn Britt Cabin for lunch and snowcat dinner rides, Burlingame Cabin on Snowmass, the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain and Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro on Aspen Highlands. There are also eight terrain parks and Powder Tours where luxury snowcats take you to prime, untracked stashes on the backside of Aspen Mountain. As always, kids ages six & under ski/ride for FREE at all four Aspen/Snowmass mountains. NEW This Season is the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center at Snowmass, Elk Camp Meadows learning area on Snowmass and Snow Park Technologies which are designed terrain parks at Snowmass and Buttermilk.
Snowmass 
P.O. Box 6750