Set in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Aspen is a picturesque outdoor playground with hiking in the summer and world-class skiing in the winter. Home to high-end restaurants, upmarket boutiques and luxury spas, this mountain town also throws some of Colorado's top events, including the legendary Aspen Music Festival.

Things to do

One of North America's most iconic mountain resorts, Aspen lures a constant stream of snow sports enthusiasts. There are over 50 hectares of skiable terrain spread across four mountains. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, there's tubing, sledding and snowshoeing excursions.

In summer, the mountains are laced with scenic hiking trails, including the iconic Smuggler Route, which winds up Aspen Mountain and unlocks sweeping views over the resort. You can also go horseback riding through the forest, kayak in Glenwood Canyon and brave a white-water rafting tour down the Colorado River.

From organic fruit and artisan cheese to handmade jewellery and vintage clothes, the Aspen Saturday Market showcases local treasures. If you’re interested in art, head to the Aspen Art Museum. It's housed in a striking modern building and showcases a fantastic collection of contemporary paintings, sculptures, photographs and films.

From rustic wine bars to late-night dance clubs, Aspen serves up a legendary apres-ski scene. Visit the Belly Up live music bar to hear everything from hip-hop to bluegrass. Foodies can head to Snowmass Village to find a string of upmarket restaurants.

Getting around

Pedestrian-friendly streets make Aspen and Snowmass Village easy to explore on foot. There’s also a free shuttle bus or bike rentals during summer. You can fly into Denver Airport, located four hours from Aspen.