Whether your a day tripper, weekend warrior or are here for the long haul, there is plenty for you, your family or tribe to do while visiting Snowmass. The volume of events, activities, hikes, bike rides and sites in Snowmass see can be overwhelming, and with a new line-up for the Summer 2020 season, we've narrowed down some of our favorites.

Hikes:

Tom Blake Trail – Tom Blake is a shaded bike, hike, and equestrian friendly trail that winds through some of the prettiest Aspen groves in the valley as its makes its way across Snowmass Ski Area. This trail is a fan favorite in the summer, be sure to stay aware and share the trail!

Government Trail - Government Trail is filled with short up- and downhill sections between forests, meadows, and streams all the way to Buttermilk.

Elk Camp - Arguably the best view in Snowmass, the top of the Elk Camp chairlift offers 360 degree alpine views that include the Maroon Bells. The perks of this hike? Variety! Start from Base Village and follow the Vista Trail to the top of the Elk Camp Gondola where you connect to Summit Trail that takes you to the top. Looking for something shorter? Opt to take the gondola to meet the Summit Trail for a shorter route. Even better? After taking in the view from the top, take the Elk Camp chairlift and/or gondola back to Base Village for a challenging ascent and forgiving descent. 

Snowmass Lake - If you backpack once this summer, make it to a location worth the hike. This 16-mile hike is best enjoyed with a picnic lunch and plenty of water in your pack. This longer hike is the best way to soak in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness’ largest (and perhaps most spectacular) alpine lake will alleviate any sore muscles.

Bike Rides:

Snowmass Bike Park - In Base Village, you can load your bike into the gondola at 8,432 feet, and then on Elk Camp Chairlift to start your ride at 11,325 feet with views of dramatic alpine scenery and 14,000-foot peaks. At almost three miles long, with 1,400 feet in elevation drop, Valhalla is chock-full of dipping berms, thrilling wall rides, and perfectly constructed jump features

Rim Trail – An oldie, but a goodie, Rim Trail climbs up to a ridge that offers true cross-country riding (think climbs and descents) through spruce and aspen groves, then high-desert scrub oak—all with expansive views of the valley. This trail can be shuttled from the trail head on upper divide road to wildcat reserve, or connects to Seven Star for the full Rim Trail Loop. 

Deadline - A downhill flow trail with generous in-sloped berms, rollers, table tops, drops and a couple doubles that can be gapped at speed is a must-ride.

Days:

Day 1 – Start the day with a hike up the Rim Trail to the yin-yang platform overlooking the splendor above Snowmass Village. Grab lunch on the Snowmass Mall, then take the Elk Camp Gondola up to Elk Camp for any number of activities, from climbing walls and the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster of the Lost Forest to miles of hiking trails.

Day 2 –Sky Mountain Park offers the Roaring Fork Valley’s smoothest singletrack, rolling terrain, gradual grades and banked turns designed so riders can carry momentum with minimal peddling and braking. End your ride at the Snowmass Recreation Center, where the salt water pool beckons.

Day 3 – Spend the morning rafting the Roaring Fork River, enjoy lunch on the Snowmass Mall for dine-in or takeout on the new Fanny Hill picnic tables! Spend the afternoon hiking on some of Snowmass’ 80+ miles of trail. 

Evenings:

Tuesdays - Bonus bike nights stretch lift-served biking at the Snowmass Bike Park until dusk every Tuesday beginning at 3pm from June 30 to Aug. 11. (Lost Forest activities like the coaster and climbing wall stay open too.) 

Thursdays - New for the Summer 2020 season, Brews, Bands & Bingo! Wind your way from Snowmass Mall to Base Village for music, restaurant specials and entertainment, ending at The Collective in Base Village with $10 Bingo.

Saturdays- Pack your weekend with time around town for Social Saturdays followed by a uniquely Snowmass experience at Movies Under the Stars hosted outside The Collective in Base Village. Reservations can be made by emailing rsvp@thecollectivesnowmass.com

Picnic dinner and snacks are encouraged!

Explore all things to do in Snowmass

Snowmass is truly a giant outdoor playground, and during the summer months, a myriad of hiking options are all out your front (and back) doors. With endless amounts of trails to choose from, here are a few ways to narrow down your choice of Snowmass hikes for the day:

Sunrise

Start your day right with a gradual climb up Rim Trail South to the summit where you will find 360-degree views and a granite Ying-Yang (Check out Aspen Sojourner's dedicated article on the Yin-Yang here). Start early enough and you’ll most likely catch an unforgettable sunrise. To get to the South Rim Trail, park in the designated parking lot located on Divide Road.

Cardio Challenge

Start along the easy-going, relatively flat Ditch Trail until you reach a bench overlooking views of Mount Daly, East Snowmass, and Snowmass Creek. Then hike about .25 miles uphill until you reach the cut off for the start of the West Government Trail. Hike amongst Aspen groves until you reach the Campground Connector Trail which takes you back down to the Ditch Trail and retrace your steps back to the parking lot. Park at the Divide Parking Lot located at the top of Brush Creek Road.

Sunset

Ascend the scenic Viewline trail and take in expansive views of Snowmass Village that can be enjoyed the entire way up and down. Once you reach the top of the Viewline trail, enjoy the sunset and continue along to the Skyline Ridge trail for a longer hike or simply turn around and see the views from a different perspective. Park at Town Park (known as the Rodeo lot) to access the Viewline trailhead.

Best for the family

Easily access the trailhead for the Nature Trail in lot #7 just above the Snowmass Village Mall. This hike is very gradual and offers lots of excitement to keep the little ones entertained, including a nice flowing stream for rock throwing and large beaver dams for viewing. For a longer hike, continue along to the Sleigh Ride Trail down towards Fanny Hill back to the Snowmass Village Mall, or turn around and head back the way you came. Parking is free in the numbered lots.

Best with your furry friend

The Ditch Trail offers shade, water, and views for you and your pup. The Ditch Trail follows along an old irrigation ditch, which gives your pup the opportunity to take a drink whenever they get hot or tired. Once you reach Snowmass Creek, you have the opportunity to continue on up the East Snowmass Trail or stop for a quick look at the rushing water, and then retrace your steps back to the Divide Parking Lot. Make sure to take a minute about halfway through your hike to enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount Daly and Snowmass Creek, best viewed from the solo bench overhanging the valley. Depending on the time of year, you may also enjoy the sounds of a running waterfall flowing into the creek from this viewpoint. Park at the Divide Parking Lot located at the top of Brush Creek Road.

Best hiking-only trail:

The Vista Trail, located within Snowmass Ski Area, is a nice gradual climb that runs adjacent to the Elk Camp Gondola, ending at the Elk Camp Restaurant. The hike does not allow bikers so you can enjoy the uphill challenge without worrying about downhill traffic. Reach the top of the Elk Camp Gondola, and enjoy a delicious lunch from the Elk Camp Restaurant, you’ve earned it! Start hiking from Snowmass Base Village, free parking is available in the Base Village Parking Garage.

Always remember to bring:

A hat, sunscreen, rain jacket, snacks, plenty of water and a map. If you are going alone, ensure that someone else knows where you are going and when you are coming back!

No matter where you stand in Snowmass, there are truly endless views offered in all directions. Here, we've detailed the 5 most iconic views in Snowmass that you can't leave without seeing. 

#1 Zen Views

The views reveal themselves gradually as you ascend the switchbacking Rim Trail. Then, upon reaching the marble yin-yang platform at Spiral Point, the Elk Mountains spread themselves in front of you in all their glory. Nearly 360-degree views include Mount Daly with its distinct diagonal stripe, the pointed cap of 14,137-foot Capitol Peak, and a panorama of Snowmass Ski Area. Click here for more information about the Rim Trail.

#2 Heaven's Bells 

There’s nothing more iconic to Aspen Snowmass than the Maroon Bells — and a unique perspective on them can be found at the top of the Elk Camp chairlift. Presiding over the upper end of a glacier-carved valley like royalty, the twin 14,000-foot peaks top off a panoramic alpine view that also includes jagged summits, steep cirques and Snowmass’ rugged Hanging Valley.

#3 Mountain Magic

The lookout point, just one mile into the flat and easy Ditch Trail offers major rewards for minor effort. Looking into the magical Snowmass Creek Valley, you’ll see a mosaic of aspen and evergreen trees dominated by majestic Mount Daly. It’s like you’ve discovered a natural fairy tale kingdom that begs further exploration. Click here for more information about the Ditch Trail.

#4 The Ice Age

While it’s fun to point out landmarks from a mountaintop, the view from Snowmass’ Sam’s Knob includes perhaps the most interesting story of all. Ringed by aspen trees and perched on a ridgeline, the nearly perfectly round lake below you is Ziegler Reservoir. Ziegler is the repository for thousands of perfectly preserved fossils of Ice Age animals, including mastodons and ancient camels, accidentally discovered by a bulldozer operator in 2010.

#5 Western Skyline

Between Snowmass and Aspen, Owl Creek Road winds up and over rolling hills and through a massive pasture with many sights to see. From the red barn, to the horses, elk and other animals that frequent the area, this is the picturesque western skyline you've been dreaming about. 

Perfect wedding photos don't just happen by chance. But, with a bit of preparation and the right photographer, you can set yourself up to have a perfectly captured wedding day with photos that will leave you breathless for a lifetime. Here are a few tips from former Aspen Snowmass wedding photographer, Michele Cardamone, to make sure you get the kind of images you will forever cherish from your photographer on your wedding day:

• When choosing your photographer make sure that you actually really like them. In a big way, they are a part of your wedding day. You want to feel confident that you can both relax and be playful around them. If you trust them and feel comfortable then this will be reflected in the photos. Make sure that they are creative, have vision and can surprise you with new perspectives.

• Another important thing is to be super organized before-hand so that you can just relax and have fun on your big day. That means making sure that you give your photographer a shot list and a timeline so that he/she knows what is important to you and how and when it is all going to unfold. Then, you can trust that it will all be captured in a unique and magical way since you’ve already done all the work to prepare your photographer the best you can in advance.

• Make sure that you’ve hired someone who will be unobtrusive but will speak up when they need you for a certain shot. I would always tap the couple on the shoulder just before that magical time at sunset (which is usually after a few drinks!) to get what usually turned out to be the magical standout photos that they ultimately loved most!

• Remember to go with the flow! If it rains simply bring out the umbrellas and go with it! A romantic image with umbrellas in the rain will rival that coveted sunset shot. 

Written by Michele Cardamone, Photographer