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Snowmass locals here have a favorite phrase: “You come for the winter and stay for the summer.” Four days spent in Snowmass in the summer are just as special as the wintertime, with even more opportunities to get outside for different activities, from alpine adventures to horseback riding.
When planning 4 days in Snowmass, remember that Aspen is just a short bus ride away. There’s no reason to just explore one town when you can get the best of both worlds!
Together, they create one of the best Snowmass Colorado weekend getaways you can plan—offering adventure, luxury, value, and local charm all in a single long weekend.
Stay in Snowmass for value, convenience, and trailside access—then ride the free bus or drive into Aspen for dining, culture, and sightseeing.
Snowmass shines its brightest on Wednesday and Thursday nights during the Snowmass Rodeo and the Snowmass Free Concert Series. Our recommendation is to arrive by mid-afternoon on a Wednesday and get settled in your lodging for the next few days. You can grab a bite to eat in Snowmass Base Village or on the Snowmass Mall, or head to the Snowmass Rodeo early for barbecue, as early as 5:00pm.
If you have the kids in tow and are on the early arrival train, you can sign the littles up for Mutton Bustin’ and let the older kids ride the mechanical bull in the vendor village before the rodeo starts at 7:00pm.
Some early dinner options for Base Village:
For parking information and transportation to the Snowmass Rodeo, see here.
Let day two be your true vacation unwind! Enjoy a slow morning, grab a coffee from JUS or Gorsuch Cafe, and soak up the quietude of a summer morning in Snowmass.
Whether you decide to hike in Snowmass or Aspen, you are sure to find plenty of options for all levels of hiking. You can’t go wrong with any that you pick, but these are some of our favorite trails:
South Rim Trail to Spiral Point: A classic Snowmass route, the South Rim Trail to Spiral Point is a moderate hike that offers stunning views of the Snowmass Creek Valley, with Mt. Daly towering over it all. If you’re feeling like more of a workout, you can extend your route across the rest of the South Rim, or head back down the direction you came. You really can’t go wrong!
Tom Blake Trail: If you love aspen trees, birdsong, and wildflowers, this may be the hike for you. The first 1/2 mile or so is a steady incline before the trail mellows out a bit. You’ll wander under a big aspen canopy, and if you time it right, you’ll catch lots of fireweed, sunflowers, and scarlet paintbrush in bloom.
Smuggler Mountain Trail: A local favorite, this trail is a steady, gradual climb up a wide road. It is well-trafficked and used by dog owners, mountain bikers, trail
runners, and hikers. The view is one of the best you’ll find of town: you can look across town to see Aspen Mountain, as well as Buttermilk, Highlands, and Snowmass in the distance. If you do this trail during peak summer, we recommend hiking on the earlier side of morning or in the late afternoon, as it does not have much shade.
Hunter Creek Trail: Hunter Creek connects to Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness, but the lower Hunter Creek trail starts in town in Aspen. As you make your way up through a mix of aspens, gamble oak, and evergreen trees, you cross bridges over Hunter Creek at various sections. If you do the trail earlier in the summer, you can glimpse lots of wildflowers and maybe see some wildlife from a distance, too!
If you’re up for a challenge, you can connect Smuggler Mountain with Hunter Creek and do a loop. Check out AspenRecreation.com to learn more about the Aspen Area trail system.
If you prefer moving through the mountains on a bike, check out Snowmass’ award-winning mountain biking trail network.
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) runs a free public bus from Snowmass to Aspen, complete with a limited number of spots for exterior bike storage. Ride from multiple locations in Snowmass to Rubey Park Transit Center in Aspen, with one quick stop at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot. Please see here for the RFTA bus schedule, and visit the Snowmass Transit website for info getting around Snowmass.
For those who know and love Snowmass, whether a longtime visitor or a local, it is a well-known fact that Thursday nights on Fanny Hill are not to be missed. After a day of outside time, extend the day with live music on the hill! Each Thursday brings fresh music, including Black Pistol Fire and the North Mississippi Allstars.
Our favorite way to enjoy Thursday’s live music is to pack a picnic blanket and grab takeout from The Stew Pot or The Tavern Kitchen & Bar before heading in to claim a spot in the grass. There is alcohol available for purchase inside the venue too, so you won’t go thirsty! Check out this summer’s full lineup here.
Between Aspen and Snowmass, there are many things to do outside, from hiking and biking to fly fishing and jeep touring. Make Day Three your day to explore and make the most of your visit to the Rocky Mountains, a real-life natural playground.
Farmers markets are a staple of summer. Stone fruit is at its peak (nothing beats a juicy Palisade peach!), local artists are selling their incredible work, and there are so many good dogs to pet.
If you’re hungry after walking past vendors with ripe peaches, tomatoes, and other fresh produce, satisfy your cravings at Swedish Hill bakery at the Aspen Art Museum. Their turkey sandwich is to die for, and the matcha latte will keep you caffeinated all day. Grab a spot on the patio and look out at a lush Aspen Mountain!
If you’re tired from a few days of exploring on foot, give your body a well-deserved break and ride the Silver Queen gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain for some of the best views in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Snag an Adirondack chair on the patio of the Sundeck Restaurant and sit back and relax with a cocktail and a snack!
Bonus: Check out one of the free ACES Naturalist-guided tours that leave from the information desk outside of the Sundeck, leaving on the hour between 11:00am and 3:00pm. You can learn about local ecology, identify peaks, and learn a bit about the natural history of Aspen Mountain. If you want to stick closer to your lodging, you can take an ACES tour daily in Snowmass, too: check out the Ice Age Discovery Hike or the Wildflower Walk.
Base yourself conveniently, explore both towns, and experience Snowmass and Aspen like a pro.
Make it official: book 3+ nights at a participating Snowmass property this summer and score a $100 travel credit plus extra savings, perfect for funding some trail snacks and travel expenses along the way. Check out the Summer Road Trip Special here!