Ashcroft is the premiere cross-country area in the nation with miles of groomed trails. The towering 14,000-foot peaks of the Elk Mountains surround this pristine valley. Spectacular ski terrain offers something for everybody with dedicated trails for snowshoers. Phone the King Cabin for information, rentals, and lessons, (970) 925-1971. The legendary Pine Creek Cookhouse has been recreated in a spectacular new log cabin. This renowned restaurant serves gourmet lunches and dinners. Enjoy an Aspen winter tradition with a guided cross-country ski or snowshoe tour by miner's lamp or a romantic sleigh ride to the Cookhouse. Lunches begin at noon. Dinner tours begin at 6:30pm. Luxury backcountry cabin rental also available. Reservations (970) 925-1044.

The Aspen Art Museum is a globally preeminent non-collecting institution that presents the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. Exhibitions: ARAC @AAM: Anderson Ranch at the Aspen Art Museum (October 30 – December 7, 2008), Now You See It (December 18, 2008 – February 1, 2009), Jim Hodges and Mai-Thu Perret (February 12 – April 12, 2009), Silent Spring (April 30- May 14, 2009) and Convocation (May 23-July 19, 2009). Special Event: Winter Benefit, DENNIS BASSO Freestyle sponsored by ASPEN Magazine (après-ski party/fashion show), Sunday, December 28, 4:30-7:00 pm, Museum Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, Thursday 10am-7pm, Sunday, noon-6pm. Thursdays free 5-7pm. Admission is free courtesy of John and Amy Phelan. 590 North Mill Street, (970) 925-8050, www.aspenartmuseum.org PHOTO: Jim Hodges, The Dark Gate (detail), 2008 . Image courtesy of the artist and CRG Gallery, New York.

Add variety to your Aspen experience and discover one of the defining characteristics that make Aspen unique among Western America's world class ski resorts: our colorful and intriguing history. Take a guided tour of Aspen's historic downtown core and visit the Aspen Historical Society's two museums on the Society's brand new electric HISTORY COACH tour vehicle or perhaps take a West End Walking Tour of Aspen's 19th century Victorian homes. And don’t miss '"Go West, Young Man! But Park at the Intercept Lot," a new exhibit at the Wheeler/Stallard Museum about transportation into and around Aspen from the Ute Nation to the jet age. Call (970) 925-3721 or visit www.aspenhistory.org for museum hours, program and event information. 620 West Bleeker St., Aspen. Tour Reservations: (970) 925-3721, ext. 104. Fax (970) 925-5347, e-mail info@aspenhistory.org.

Summer: America’s premier music festival continues its tradition of offering a winter concert series showcasing world-renowned artists. The 2009 season, scheduled from February through March, includes performances by Jeffrey Kahane, piano (February 9); Joshua Bell, violin (February 16); Andreas Haefliger, piano, Marina Piccinini, flute (February 25); and Julian Rachlin, violin, Itamar Golan, piano (March 14). All concerts are held in the acclaimed 500-seat Harris Concert Hall. For concert and ticket information call (970) 925-9042 or visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com. Mark your calendar! Summer Festival 2009 will take place June 18 - August 16, 2009.

Winter: June 18 - August 16, 2009 - For nine weeks every summer, conductors, composers, seasoned performers, artist-faculty, gifted students, and audience members from around the world come together in the staggering beauty of Aspen to share their love of music. Their mutual passion creates something rare and marvelous in music. The festival includes symphonic and chamber music concerts, solo recitals, vocal programs, fully-staged operas, children’s programs, public master classes, lectures, and backstage tours. For concert and ticket information, (970) 925-9042 or www.aspenmusicfestival.com.

The Red Brick Center is a renovated elementary school located in the heart of Aspen, housing ten artist studios, the Red Brick Gallery, ten non profit organizations and the Recreation Department. Visit the artist’s studios, walk through the Gallery, and take an exercise class. Special events: Art receptions on first Thursdays of each month, 5-7pm. The Center is open Monday thru Friday 10am till 6pm. 110 East Hallam Street, Aspen. Two blocks north of Aspen and Main. (970) 429-2777, info@aspenart.org, www.aspenart.org

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC and Aspen, Colorado and has an international network of partners. The Institute hosts programs for the Aspen community and visitors year round. For more information please visit www.aspeninstitute.org/community or call (970) 544-7914.

A Whole New Snowmass Dining Experience Begins This Winter!! New condominiums. New restaurants. New retail shops. All of those amenities and more await you in Snowmass this winter. The unveiling of Snowmass Village's billon-dollar transformation begins this ski season with the first significant residential, restaurant and retail openings in Base Village.There will also be more than $20 million in on-mountain improvements including a high-speed quad chairlift and a new mountaintop restaurant, Sam's Smokehouse. At least five new restaurants will be open for service this winter in Base Village: Buchi, Sweet Life, Junk, Liquid Sky and Sneaky's Tavern, and look for additional restaurant announcements.

Balloon the Rockies! with the area's only year-round balloon company. See the spectacular Rocky Mountains and their wildlife from a bird's-eye perspective that you would never have on the ground. Beginning at sunrise, flights average about an hour and the total trip time is around three hours. Your flight includes a souvenir balloon pin, a flight certificate and a delightful champagne brunch. Call today to plan your family adventure or romantic escapade. Group rates and private flights are available. Local transportation is provided.

A Whole New Snowmass Experience Begins This Winter!! New condominiums. New restaurants. New retail shops. All of those amenities and more await you in Snowmass this winter. The unveiling of Snowmass Village's billon-dollar transformation begins this ski season with the first significant residential, restaurant and retail openings in Base Village.There will also be more than $20 million in on-mountain improvements including a high-speed quad chairlift and a new mountaintop restaurant, Sam's Smokehouse. Approximately 90 condominiums will have new residents and rental guests in the heart of the new Base Village in Hayden Lodge and the three buildings of Capitol Peak Lodge. Aspen/Snowmass Hospitality, owned by Base Village developer Related WestPac, is managing the operations and rentals in Hayden Lodge and Capitol Peak Lodge. An extensive menu of services are offered including pre-arrival assistance, concierge, daily housekeeping, a 24-hour front desk attendant, as well as lift and ski rental packages.

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!

Winter: 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!

Aspen Recreation Center is fun for the whole family! There is no better way to cool off this summer than by taking a few laps around the ice rink followed by a dip in the pool. The kids will love to feel the rush as they zoom down the two-story water slide, race through the water spray features, or take a lap around the lazy river. If that just isn’t enough visit their 32-foot, three-dimensional climbing tower, cardio and weight rooms, fitness classes, tennis courts, batting cages and more! Visit www.aspenrecreation.com for costs, schedules and more information or call (970) 544-4100!

Summer: The Aspen Recreation Department has found the cure for kids with summer vacation boredom! Summer camp is here for kids ages 5 to 14. Go on field trips to places like the Maroon Bells, go sailing, rock climbing, golfing, play tennis, swim, skateboard, ice skate and so much more! Camp is open to all visitors and guests in the Aspen Valley for a minimal daily fee. Register at least 24 hours in advance. They also offer activities for the whole family - rock climbing, adult fitness classes, sports leagues, gymnastics and more! Visit www.aspenrecreation.com for more information or call (970) 920-5140.

Winter: Classes and programs include soccer, volleyball, basketball, intramurals, gymnastics and Winter Holiday Day Camp! Enjoy fitness and wellness classes in aerobics, Pilates, Tae-Bo, yoga and more at the Red Brick Gym. Youth rock climbing classes are available on their 3,200-sq./ft. climbing wall. Take a private lesson with a trained professional and experienced instructor. They also offer tots gymnastics and a tot's playhouse for indoor playtime. Public ice-skating is offered at the Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena (Aspen Recreation Center). Aspen Recreation Department (Red Brick) is located at 110 East Hallam Street, at Aspen Street just off Main Street. (970) 544-4100 ARC (Aspen Recreation Center). (970) 920-4117 Lewis Ice Arena. (970) 920-5141 Aspen Ice Garden.

Aspen’s premier snowmobiling tour operator. The T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers frequent two-hour snowmobile tours to the world-famous Maroon Bells as well as popular lunch tours to the Klondike Cabin or up Independence Pass. Hot refreshments are served at the Maroon Bells and lunch tours include naturally raised beef hamburgers. The Klondike Lunch Tour leaves twice a day and takes you to a small, cozy cabin offering stunning views of 14,000-ft. Pyramid Peak. Independence Pass Lunch Tour is a scenic wonder as you wind up the western side of the Continental Divide. Hot lunch is served at a rustic log cabin. No experience necessary. Call early for reservations. Closed on Sunday and Monday. Phone (970) 925-4614. www.tlazy7.com

Winter in Snowmass is a season long, action packed adventure both on and off the slopes. From the free daily activities such as campfire sing-a-longs to the diverse 3,100 acres of massive mountain terrain, Snowmass Village boasts something for everyone. Don't miss the new Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center, Sheer Bliss lift and new nightspots and restaurants. Season highlights range from holiday extravaganzas around Christmas, Mardi Gras and St. Paddy’s Day to the Colorado Free Ride Series, one of the foremost extreme skiing competitions (February and March) to weekly Friday Big Air competitions with some of the nation’s hottest athletics. Visit snowmassvillage.com to find out more.

A Whole New Snowmass Shopping Experience Begins This Winter!! New condominiums. New restaurants. New retail shops. All of those amenities and more await you in Snowmass this winter. The unveiling of Snowmass Village's billon-dollar transformation begins this ski season with the first significant residential, restaurant and retail openings in Base Village.There will also be more than $20 million in on-mountain improvements including a high-speed quad chairlift and a new mountaintop restaurant, Sam's Smokehouse. Several new shops will be open this ski season in Base Village including Performance Ski, Snowmass Style and Generation Snowmass. They join Four-Mountain Sports and other retailers in the new village.