15 Best Things to Do in Snowmass, Colorado

April 3, 2020 - Updated

Snowmass Village, in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, is often overlooked for the much more glamorous and well-known Aspen, which is only a few miles away, but visitors to the area would be remiss if they didn’t check out Snowmass, CO. This small town packs a lot of punch, with amazing and beautiful options for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

1.Aspen Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass is one of the most well known ski destinations in the country, if not the world. This beautiful, world-class resort has four mountains -- Buttermilk, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass, which is the biggest. Ski Magazine recently voted Aspen Snowmass as Resort of the Year for 2019, and with over 50 years of history on its slopes, trails, and in its lodges and facilities, it’s no wonder why. In the winter, visitors can take lessons or buy passes to traverse some of the amazing slopes on skis or snowboards, or take guided tours on cross country skis or with real locals who know the mountains like the backs of their hands. During the summer, the town and resort transform into a family friendly playground of hiking, biking, zip lining, and more.

120 Carriage Way, Snowmass Village, CO 81615

2.Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center

At the Ice Age Discovery Center in Snowmass, visitors of all ages can learn and discover the “Snowmastodon”. The Ice Age Discovery Center showcases the findings from one of the highest-elevation fossil sites in the world when it comes to fossils from the ice age. The bones of ten large mammals and 42 distinct species of small mammals, all extinct, where first discovered in 2010, and excavated in the summer of 2011. Visitors to the Discovery Center can see and learn about the species that lived during the ice age, like the American mastodon, mammoths, the ground sloth, and species of animals like horses, camels, bison, and more that are now completely extinct.

Snowmass Village Mall, 54 B, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-922-2277

3.Krabloonik Dogsled Rides

The Colorado Rocky Mountains are gorgeous, whether you’re exploring them by foot, on skis, by bike, or even just from the car window. But Krabloonik Dogsled Rides offers a truly unique way to see the mountains in the winter. Guests can take a sled, which carries two adults and one child, through the twisting and beautiful trails in the mountain slopes of Aspen and Snowmass, led by a team of eight to ten trained Alaskan huskies, and guided by a ‘musher’, an experienced guide. Krabloonik also offers ATV Safari and Kennel Tours, which will offer guests a chance to see how the dogs are trained, and visit the kennels to spend time with the dogs and puppies who are learning to pull the sleds.

4250 Divide Rd, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-3953

4.Anderson Ranch Arts Center

Anderson Ranch Arts Center has been creating opportunities for emerging and established artists in the Snowmass area for over fifty years. Resident artists have a beautiful space to work and learn, and visitors to Anderson Ranch Arts Center can enjoy some of their many events that they host throughout the year. The 5-acre campus is open to the public, with a cafe that is open for lunch during the summer months. Events hosted at Anderson Ranch Arts Center include an annual art auction, and a yearly series where local and visiting artists host lectures and have deep conversations about the nature of their work.

5263 Owl Creek Rd, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-3181

5.Snowmass Rodeo

From June through August every summer, Wednesday nights in Snowmass Village are Rodeo Nights. Starting with a barbecue at 5pm each week, the rodeo begins at 7, as it has for nearly fifty years. At Snowmass Rodeo, guests can sit in the stands and watch a number of traditional rodeo events, including horse events like barrel racing, bareback riding, cattle roping, and bronco riding, and other cattle events like bull riding. These exciting events make for a fun spectacle, and guests will love watching the talented riders and athletes as they do what they do best.

2735 Brush Creek Rd, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-8898

6.Government Trail

For 13.8 miles, the Government Trail will take mountain bikers from Snowmass to Aspen, and along the way they will see the full glory of the Rockies, complete with groves of aspen trees, wide green meadows bursting with wildflowers, and deep green forests of evergreens. The one way singletrack has over two thousand feet of ascent, and over twenty five hundred feet of descent along the way, with a peak elevation of 9,606 feet above sea level. The track is a ton of fun, but it is one way only, so once riders reach the end of the Government Trail in Aspen, there is a shuttle that will take them back to Snowmass for a $2.00 fee. The trail is open during the summer, once elk calving season has ended.

7.East Snowmass Trail

Anyone looking for a solid workout should take their bike for a ride along the East Snowmass Trail. The trail begins with a steep ascent through alpine forests of evergreen and aspen trees, and throughout the full 7.3 miles of the trail, riders will ascend a full 3,631 feet for a summit elevation of 12,014 feet. This gorgeous ride will be packed with wildflowers during the summer months, and lots of wildlife that can often be spotted from the trail. The East Snowmass Trail is rated as difficult for the sheer level of ascension, and can be used by bike, on foot, or on horseback.

120 Carriage Way, Snowmass Village, CO 81615

8.Above It All Balloon Company

For an incredible bird’s eye view of Snowmass, the Rocky Mountains, and the surrounding region, Above It All Balloon Company has everything to help create an unforgettable experience. For more than 25 years, Bill Hodgden and Bruce and Pam Wood have been bringing their customers to new heights on hot air balloon tours of the Rocky Mountains. Flight reservations can be made at least 36 hours in advance, and private flights can also be booked. Balloons hold anywhere from two to sixteen people, and though the skies can be quite chilly, especially in winter, the views are definitely worth it.

2835 Brush Creek Rd, Aspen, CO 81611, Phone: 970-963-6148

9.Jazz Aspen Snowmass

Jazz Aspen Snowmass, or JAS as it is often referred, is a group that dedicates its time and effort to performing and preserving the jazz music genre and the associated culture. This not for profit organization puts on many events and performances throughout the year, from artists both big and small. A look at their lineup list shows many easily recognizable names of nationally and internationally known stars as well as from local groups and student bands. Throughout the summer season, JAS is a great destination for music lovers and anyone looking for a fun experience.

110 E Hallam St # 104, Aspen, CO 81611, Phone: 970-920-4996

10.Lost Forest

During the summer, the Aspen Snowmass resort turns into a family friendly entertainment wonderland, and the Lost Forest is a huge part of the fun. Located on Snowmass Mountain, Lost Forest is part of Elk Camp, and features an alpine coaster called the Breathtaker, where guests can zip down the side of the mountain for gorgeous views at exhilarating speeds. There’s also the Canopy Run Zipline Course, with seven fun zip lines up to 90 feet off the ground, and the 14-lane Rugged Ascent Climbing Wall. Guests can also challenge their minds and bodies with the Treeline Trial Challenge Course, which has five different levels of difficulty in its obstacle courses up in the sky.

Phone: 800-525-6200

11.Snowmass Club Golf Course

The 18 holes that make up Snowmass Club Golf Course are much more than a golf course that happens to be on a mountain; they are part of a spectacular, world class golfing experience that was designed to be as unique, challenging, beautiful, and varied as the mountain terrain upon which is stands. At Snowmass Club Golf Course, guests can play a round of golf to see exactly what makes this course special, or choose from thirteen indoor and outdoor tennis courts. There is also an Athletic Club, with pools, fitness equipment, and classes, as well as a spa which offers massages, facials, body peels, and other treatments. There are different programs and events based on the season, and even programs and facilities for kids.

239 Snowmass Club Cir, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-5600

12.Il Poggio

For a taste of Italy while staying in Colorado, Il Poggio has a diverse and delicious menu ready to serve you. The marble tables and stone pizza oven set the scene for an enjoyable time, and people looking for more formality or romance can sit in the back dining room, with its white tablecloths and intimate lighting. Il Poggio’s wine list includes spectacular favorites hand picked from Californian and Italian vineyards, and popular menu items include veal and truffle gnocchi as well as sweet potato ravioli. Pizzas are made on site in a stone oven and feature a wide variety of toppings, and gluten free customers can even enjoy special gluten free pasta and pizza crusts for their meal.

57 Elbert Ln, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-4292

13.Gwyn's High Alpine Restaurant

Gwyn’s High Alpine Restaurant has been a fixture in Snowmass Village for years, but in 2017 it underwent a huge makeover, and the new Gwyn’s is even more worth a visit than ever. This gorgeous fine dining establishment is located on Snowmass Mountain itself, at 10,500 feet elevation, which provides amazing views and vistas of the slopes and the Rockies. The restaurant is accessible via the Alpine Springs Ski Lift, and the menu features local ingredients like game from within the region, as well as fish from all over the world, and an extensive wine list. For skiers looking to get a quick meal before getting back out onto the slopes, Gwyn’s also has a marketplace cafe.

100 High Alpine Lift Rd, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-5188

14.The Artisan at Stonebridge Inn

The Stonebridge Inn, only a short walk from the slopes, is a beautiful accommodation perfect for visitors, but even if you’re not staying there, the bar and restaurant located in the lobby makes for an excellent place for a special evening out. The atmosphere at The Artisan is comfortable and inviting, with warm crackling fires in the huge stone fireplaces, and large windows where guests can look out at the beautiful scenery. In the summer, there is patio seating, but all year round, The Artisan serves delicious, gourmet food in an upscale casual setting, with a huge wine menu, great cocktails, and some of the best local craft beers out there.

300 Carriage Way, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-2427

15.Taster's

This quaint and homey pizza parlor invites guests with its red and white checkered tablecloths, friendly staff, and of course, great food. At Taster’s, which refers to itself as the best kept secret in the Snowmass community, customers can try amazing appetizers like eggplant rolantini and chicken wings, spectacular pasta dishes like meaty lasagna, pasta alfredo, and chicken parm, and a wide variety of delicious salads. Sandwiches, paninis, and hot subs are served from the best of deli ingredients, and then, of course, there’s the pizza and calzones. Taster’s has plenty of pizzas on their menu, ranging from a traditional cheese and pepperoni to a more adventurous jalapeno popper pizza, and customers can choose to build their own as well.

16 Kearns Rd #116A, Snowmass Village, CO 81615, Phone: 970-923-5250