While Aspen and Snowmass Village are known for their world-class ski resorts, there are plenty of winter activities to do here besides hitting the slopes. We put together a list of our "Aspen Signature Properties-approved" favorites, from snowmobiling to ice skating!
Winter Hiking
Even in winter, there are tons of beautiful hikes in the area. One of our favorites is Smuggler Mountain Road, located right outside of the Aspen Core area! Smuggler is south-facing, so it's usually sunny and dry. And, you get a great view of Aspen and the surrounding area along the entire hike!
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is a must while visiting Aspen/Snowmass in the wintertime. One of our favorite tour operators is T-Lazy-7, a ranch owned by a long-time Aspen family. Their snowmobile tours take you through the White River National Forest, where you'll see stunning views of the Maroon Bells.
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Our favorite tours are the Klondike Lunch Tour and the Independence Pass Tour.
Learn more about Aspen snowmobile tours >
Pine Creek Cookhouse
The Pine Creek Cookhouse is a unique Aspen dining spot, as it can only be reached by cross-country ski, snowshoe, or horse-drawn sleigh in the winter. It's located at the end of the beautiful Castle Creek Valley in the Elk Mountain Range and is perfect for romantic dates and family excursions alike.
Plan your visit to Pine Creek Cookhouse >
10th Mountain Division Huts
If you have a flair for adventure and the wilderness, plan a hut trip — the ultimate getaway for a group of friends or family! Backcountry skiing is the best way to access the 34 remote huts, which are named for the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army, who trained in the area during World war II.
Avalanche safety/emergency medicine is strongly recommended for trippees. (Photo Courtesy of Huts.org.)
Snowshoe Tours
Snowshoeing is another great outdoor activity that will get your heart pumping! ACES, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, is a local organization dedicated to "educating for environmental responsibility."
ACES leads a variety of fun and educational tours, including snowshoe tours in Ashcroft, Snowmass, and on Aspen Mountain.
Explore ACES snowshoes tours >
Ice Skating
There are several options for ice skating in Aspen and Snowmass! The Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena (at the Aspen Rec Center) are both indoor rinks. The Snowmass Village Ice Rink is an outdoor rink, as is the SK8 Rink, located next to CP Burger in downtown Aspen.
Find ice skating rinks in Aspen >
Breathtaker Alpine Coaster
Take the Elk Camp Gondola in Snowmass to the all-new, on-mountain Alpine Coaster! Riders can monitor the speed of their own sled, but can travel at up to 28 mph. Buy a single-run pass, or a purchase a two-hour pass that also includes snow tubing!