Aspen, Colorado

1. Aspen Mountain

It is difficult to say whether it is better to come to Aspen Mountain (also called Ajax) in the summer or wait for the winter snow.

Skiers flock to Ajax year after year for the mountain’s famous slopes, steeps, and glades that challenge even the most experienced skiers – let’s not forget that these slopes are challenging enough for World Cup contestants.

During the summers, you can hit one of the dozens of trails, join the yoga group on the mountaintop, take a naturalist tour to learn about the wildlife and plants, or you can enjoy the view from a gondola.

After an action-packed day on the mountains, relax at the Ajax Tavern or sit on the Sundeck and appreciate the breathtaking views of Elk Mountain.

2. Maroon Bells

The Maroon Bells, two peaks of Elk Mountain, are the most photographed mountains in the world and with their majestic image reflected across the still waters of Maroon Lake, it’s no wonder.

The rising sun colors them golden, creating an unbelievably beautiful vista.

You can get the best view from Maroon Lake, which you can reach by taking a public bus that leaves from Aspen Highlands.

Traffic by car is limited.

During the winter, you can also get to the peaks by cross-country skis or by a snowmobile. T-Lazy 7 Ranch organizes fun and informative tours.

If you are wondering what to do in Aspen this summer, this is a beautiful place to visit.

A trip to Maroon Bells can turn into an incredible adventure for those who like high adrenaline thrills.

The lake is only 12 miles from Aspen, and taking a trip there is something all visitors to Aspen make a point of doing.

3. Aspen Highlands

Aspen Highlands is not a mountain for the timid. This terrain found in Colorado is rugged and offers a great challenge. If you are looking for steep, big-mountain skiing, you can find it at Olympic Bowl, Highland Bowl, and Steeplechase.

The runs are wide-open, the views are spectacular, and there is something for any skill level.

Stop to catch your breath and take in the magnificent view of the Pyramid Peak and Maroon Bells.

If you want to take your skiing or snowboarding to the next level, you can take advantage of the excellent Ski & Snowboard School, where you will not only get instructions from experienced pros, but will get tips on navigating terrain, weather, and the general area.

If you will be visiting during the summer, get ready for some steep hiking, rock climbing, ridgeline trekking in the high-country, or you can just take a hot air balloon and admire the scenery from bird’s-eye view.

When you get back, rest your tired bones and indulge in a tasty raclette at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, which has a warm and inviting atmosphere.

4. Buttermilk Mountain

Buttermilk Mountain is best known for serving as the location of the Winter X Games for the last 13 years. Naturally, the terrain park challenges are legendary.

Buttermilk also has easier, beginner runs for families and children, which include easy, long blue and green runs that go all the way from the top to the bottom.

Experienced instructors from the Ski & Snowboard School can help you make the most of your trip, allowing you to truly enjoy Buttermilk’s terrain park.

Those in the know say that all of Buttermilk is one terrain park after another, so you’ll never get bored. Enjoy the after-ski time at the Cliffhouse with some delicious spring rolls and Mongolian barbecue. If you brought the kids, take them to the Hideout, the new kids’ center.

5. Snowmass

Snowmass is enormous; it has 3,362 acres of skiable terrain, including superb expert terrains in Hanging Valley, Burnt Mountain Glades, and the Cirque. Don’t worry if you’re not an expert – there are terrains for skiers of all abilities. You’re guaranteed to have a good time at Snowmass Park & Superpipe, and both you and the kids will love the Treehouse Kids Adventure Center, which provides ski lessons as well as childcare.

With its endless scenic bike and hiking trails and diverting gondola rides, Snowmass has just as many engaging activities in the summer. Foodies will love the location’s nine restaurants, especially the Lynn Britt Cabin and the famous Elk Camp Restaurant.

6. Silver Queen Gondola

There are many things you can do in Aspen during the summer, but seeing the mountains with their high snow-covered peaks, the lively town, the majestic slopes, and tall trees as the birds see them is a stunning experience. The Silver Queen Gondola provides you with a comfortable, 14-minute ride from bustling Aspen to the 11,000-foot tall peaceful summit of Ajax Mountain.

Once you’re there, take in the vista from the Sundeck, join the yoga crowd for some free exercises, play golf at the highest golf course in the country, or hit one of many bike or hiking trails.

If you come on Sunday, you can oftentimes enjoy live bluegrass music concerts.

Kids will love the climbing wall and the Eurobungy trampoline. The Silver Queen Gondola operates daily in the summer from June to September, and on weekends in May and October.

7. Wheeler Opera House

From the day it opened its doors in 1889, the Wheeler Opera House followed the same path as the city; it witnessed everything from enormous riches to bankruptcies, from booms to busts. However, while so much of the pioneer silver and gold mining world perished, the Wheeler Opera House continued to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, showing that culture is resilient and a vital component of Aspen.

The theatre features Moroccan leather seats, a blue ceiling embedded with silver stars, and a rather impressive proscenium stage.

It introduced the community to traveling Shakespeare troops, vaudeville, minstrel shows, concerts, burlesques, lectures, and the occasional boxing match. Times have changed, but not too terribly much. The Opera House still serves as the community’s first and foremost performance venue for concerts, festivals, movies, Oprah Winfrey, The Eagles, school theatre productions, lectures, and much more.

320 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 866-449-0464, Wheeler Opera House Video

8. The John Denver Sanctuary

Many people have the fortune of stumbling upon The John Denver Sanctuary while hiking the Rio Grande Trail. Located on the banks of Roaring Fork River, this lovely, serene park is one of several memorials to John Denver, who lived in Aspen for a while. He absolutely loved the area, which provided inspiration for many of the songs he wrote.

One of the park’s most stunning features is the grouping of giant boulders engraved with Denver’s lyrics. The park also has the largest collection of perennials in the area, as well as the water-filtering wetlands system. The park comes alive during the summer when Theater Aspen provides a stage for compelling live performances.

The park has many benches where you can relax, watch the passing river and bees moving from flower to flower, or contemplate the lyrics of John Denver. Perhaps you will discover what he meant by Rocky Mountain High during your trip to Aspen.

9. Aspen Art Museum

Located in the stunning former Hunter Creek Power Plant built in 1888, the Aspen Art Museum plays an interesting role in the community. It provides space for the latest, most important developments in worldwide contemporary art.

The Museum does not collect art, it merely creates a link between modern artists and the community, challenging viewers’ conceptions and provoking deeper thought.

Numerous free exhibitions every year focus on unrecognized and underappreciated artists and artistic output, while public programs and community activities invite local audiences to view modern art with open eyes and minds.

637 East Hyman Avenue, Aspen, Colorado, Phone: 970-925-8050