Whether you're 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 activities, hikes, bike rides and sites in Snowmass see can be overwhelming but 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

2020 Snowmass Balloon Festival     

The iconic Snowmass Balloon Festival returns to Snowmass Village, Colorado for its 45^th year, September 11-13, 2020. The event will include three days of balloon launches [note: as of Sept 11 at 6am, Friday's balloon launch has been cancelled due to extreme weather], and a Friday evening Balloon Night Glow. While the tradition of the festival carries on, the 2020 event will have to be experienced a little differently to ensure we maintain social distancing standards set by our community. This year, spectators are encouraged to drive in, hike up, or bike around to take in the sights and sounds of the morning balloon launches taking place 7-10am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

After you’ve seen the balloons in all their beauty, stroll the Snowmass Mall or Base Village to enjoy breakfast/brunch and sidewalk sales. On Saturday, live music and entertainment will make for a lively atmosphere during Social Saturday, on the Mall from 5-8pm.

Please click here to download the 2020 Balloon Festival Brochure

To Drive In:

In a year where drive-in style entertainment has made a comeback, this year’s Balloon Festival will follow suit: up to 250 vehicles may register to park around the launch area, at Town Park Station and along Brush Creek Road Reservations are available on a first come-first-served basis at GoSnowmass.com/balloon.

As a reminder, due to COVID restrictions, this year's event will not have vendors or kids play area. Large gatherings are NOT permitted.

To Hike Up and Bike Around:

Here are the places you can hike and bike for the best views of this year’s Snowmass Balloon Festival. To capitalize on the miles of incredible trails around Snowmass, we’ve broken down every possible vantage point for you starting at available parking locations around Snowmass Village so that you, your tribe, and your family can partake in this must-see event. All parking in Snowmass Village lots and at the Brush Creek Park and Ride is free.

*We ask that all guests adhere to the Snowmass mask mandate and social distancing practices while enjoying this event.

From the Intercept Lot/Brush Creek Park and Ride

Mountain bike – The Brush Creek Park and Ride is an awesome jump-off point for mountain bikers looking to access Sky Mountain Park and the West Sky Mountain Park Loop. Follow the Brush Creek Bike Path under Highway 82 to Cozy Line and start your climb. This 9.5 mile loop takes you up to Skyline for a bird’s eye view of all the balloon action and rewards you with a fan favorite single track downhill called Deadline. Seven Star and North Rim Trail can also be accessed from this parking lot after a quick ride up Brush Creek Bike Path to Town Park Station.

Hike – The Brush Creek Bike Path/Trail is a great option for those looking to get some exercise in as the sun and balloons rise. This bike and hike friendly path winds along Brush Creek Road and Sky Mountain Park up to the Rodeo Lot.

Class 1 E-bikes are permitted on paved Snowmass trails like the Brush Creek Bike Path and available to rent from Snowmass Sports and Four Mountain Sports on the Snowmass Village Mall!

From the Rodeo Lot next to the Brush Creek round-about and Town Park Station.

Mountain Bike - Options are endless here! This day use parking lot grants access to Sky Mountain Park to the east and trails like Seven Star and North Rim Trail to the west – behind the Snowmass Rec. Center. These trails all ascend to sweeping views up valley towards Mt Daly and Capital Peak. During the Snowmass Balloon Festival these spots are close to the action during takeoff at Town Park and a perfect place to see the field lift off first thing in the morning.

Hike – From the Rodeo lot you have options galore for just about everyone and every skill level in your tribe. For the avid hiker looking to start the morning with some cardio and a bird’s eye view of the field, Seven Star and North Rim are as challenging as they are beautiful. Please be aware that these trails are mountain bike accessible as well, uphill traffic has the right-of-way, and we encourage you to share the trail. Across Owl Creek is Sky Mountain Park, and Lowline trail. This trail is perfect for a short yet elevated view of Town Park Station that also doesn’t stray too far from the parking lot. The East Brush Creek Nature Trail is a short, beginner trail along the Snowmass Golf Course perfect for families and leashed four-legged friends.

From the Tom Blake Trailhead Parking Lot off Owl Creek Road

Mountain Bike – The Tom Blake Trailhead Parking Lot is another access point to Sky Mountain Park from the south side of the park. Lowline Trail wraps around the park, adjacent to Owl Creek Road, with elevated views of the Snowmass Club Golf Course and Mt. Daly. You can also follow Lowline to the Rodeo Parking Lot for access to Seven Star and Rim Trail or head up Tom Blake trail towards Elk Camp for views down valley.  

Hike – Lowline runs adjacent to Owl Creek Road and meanders back towards Town Park Station and the Rodeo Lot. This path has unobstructed views of Mt Daly and the Snowmass Golf Course, the Rodeo parking lot and the East Brush Creek Nature Trail. Owl Creek Trail can be accessed at the Tom Blake trail head and follows Owl Creek Road along the back of the Snowmass Golf Course. From here, views down valley offer an incredible and accessible vantage for lift off. Cathy Robinson Park and the Little Red School House are perfect resting spots along the way.

From the Little Red School House and Cathy Robinson Playground:

Hike/Walk – Here you have access to the paved trifecta of Owl Creek Trail, Cathy Robinson Playground, and the Snowmass Golf Course loop. Like a drive-in without the driving. The Owl Creek Trail connects with the Brush Creek Trail to circumnavigate the Snowmass Club Golf Course. These trails provide a paved 3-mile loop sure to keep you in the middle of all the action.

Class 1 E-Bikes are permitted on paved trails like Owl Creek Trail and Brush Creek Trail!

From the Snowmass Mall (numbered lots are open and free for the summer) and Snowmass Base Village Parking Garage

Mountain Biking: The Rim Trail South Trailhead is off Upper Divide Road adjacent to the Snowmass Mall. This trail passes the must-see Spiral Point and can be connected to Rim Trail North at Sinclair Road, and Seven Star for an even longer loop across the west boarder of Snowmass. Government Trail and Tom Blake Loop is a classic Snowmass cross country trail that winds along the mountain for views down valley, perfect to watch the balloons in flight and easily accessed from the Base Village parking garage.

Hiking – Spiral Point, also called the Yin Yang, is a Snowmass must see. This point is accessed via the Rim Trail South which makes it onto just about every hiking list because of its versatility and truly breathtaking views of Snowmass and the surrounding peaks like Mt. Daly and the entire Town of Snowmass. Fanny Hill, located at the end of the Snowmass Mall, has picnic tables and early access to breakfast spots so you can watch the balloons then beat everyone to brunch!

BONUS – Buttermilk Parking Lot

Mountain bikers: head back to Sky Mountain via Airline Trail for a ride that ascends the park alongside the balloons and the sunrise! Park at Buttermilk and follow Owl Creek Road along the back of Aspen Airport to meet up with the trail, you will have to turn off the paved sidewalk so keep your eyes peeled for the trailhead!

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