Fancy Aspen? Don’t miss Aspen Snowmass. *jealous face*
Ever fancied winter in Colorado?
Yes. ME TOO!!
And that was before I’d even heard about Aspen Snowmass. *sighs happily*
So – planning is underway for an Aspen / Snowmass ski holiday (though sadly it’ll be NEXT winter…). It’s one of the most complete mountain resorts – Snowmass Village, Colorado is a former ranching community turned destination resort. This quaint village nestled in the Brush Creek valley features an astounding array of recreation opportunities for a town of such modest size.
Snowmass ski area is the largest of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, bigger than the other three mountains combined! Snowmass is characterized by abundant ski-in/ski-out accommodations (and extensive and well-maintained hiking, biking and walking trails for the summer season too!).
Image of Aspen Snowmass courtesy of Shutterstock
The event and activity schedule in Snowmass is packed year round and sure to provide something of interest to every traveler. Locals and visitors mingle comfortably on the slopes, trails, and bars and restaurants of this unique Colorado mountain town.
And Aspen Snowmass unveiled their newest attraction in late-December, the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster. And while Aspen has been on my must-see list forever, it’s now feeling WAY more urgent. I want to go and ride it, dammit! *stamps foot*
Riders travel through a mile of forest on an elevated track at speeds of up to 28mph! The Coaster is open every day until April this year, and activities passes are available for $49 per person, which include a two-hour session with access to tubing and the new alpine coaster.
And there’s LOADS of Family Friendly Activities –
1) Tubing: Tubing at Snowmass opened in late-December, and will be open every day until early April 2018. The multiple tubing lanes are lift served and carved into The Meadows at Elk Camp.
2) Ullr Nights: Take an evening gondola ride up to Elk Camp for outdoor winter activities such as tubing, new coaster, snow biking, toasting s’mores and drinking hot chocolate by the bonfire. Dance to music, whilst enjoying the a la carte culinary celebration. Fun family activities are then held downstairs in the warm tent. This winter wonderland experience is hosted every Friday night December 22nd-April 8th, 5-9pm.
3) Snowshoe tours: Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) offers daily snowshoe tours on Aspen Mountain and Snowmass Mountain. Experience tours along mountain streams, whilst learning about mountain ecology. Tours cost $45 for youth, and $65 for adult.
4) Very Important Kids (V.I.K.) Snowmass: Very Important Kids Snowmass is designed to create daily programming for children and families, providing fun and entertaining free activities. This includes visiting s’mores carts by the fire pits, colouring activities, cookie decorating, and storytelling at the Ice Age Discovery Center.
5) Snowcat Dinner Rides: Take a snowcat up the mountain to experience a cosy, family-friendly dinner on the mountain, at both Snowmass’ Lynn Britt Cabin and Aspen Highlands’ Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro. Four course New American cuisine dinners will be served whilst live music plays throughout the evening. Dinners cost from $125 per person, and $85 for children aged 3-11.
6) NASTAR: Developed in 1968, NASTAR provides a fun, competitive and easily accessible ski racing program for skiers of all ages and abilities. NASTAR courses are available in either Snowmass or Aspen Mountain.
For three runs, tickets for children under 12 cost $12, and adults $15.
Snowmass Village By Night – so pretty! – image courtesy of Shutterstock
Aspen Snowmass are currently offering kids ski free winter package deal between January 1st – April 15th. Select lodging partners giving complimentary kids’ lift tickets (aged 7-12) with the purchase of their rentals from Four Mountain Sports. Please note: kids age 6 and under always ski free.
(A quick snoop at Skyscanner showed me return flights for an adult in March, London to Aspen, come to a little over £600)
