Top 4 Reasons to Take an Aspen Weekend Breakaway

If ever there was a tailor-made venue for a guy’s or gal’s buddy trip, it’s Aspen. Here, winter has its own steep and deep allure — yet when the summertime mercury climbs into the 90s, few destinations offer a more compelling and enriching respite than the Roaring Fork Valley.

Nestled within the White River National Forest, Aspen’s high-altitude landscape is ideal for doing practically anything outdoors. Premier golf heads the list, followed by fly-fishing, paddle boarding, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, four wheeling, mountaineering, hot air ballooning and more, all of which is underscored by a world-renowned catalog of events, attractions, lodgings and restaurants.

What’s amazing about Aspen? Here are four great reasons to visit now:

1. Golf is World-Class: Although many courses are members-only — including Aspen Glen, Maroon Creek and Roaring Fork Club — daily-fee feasts are available at highly rated Aspen Golf Club, Glenwood Springs Golf Club, Glenwood Springs’ Ironbridge Golf Club, Carbondale’s River Valley Ranch and New Castle’s Lakota Canyon Ranch. Stay-and-play insider’s tip: The Jim Engh-designed Snowmass Golf Club is strictly private, however a limited number of rounds are available to the public and overnight guests of the Viceroy Snowmass, Ritz-Carlton Aspen Highlands and the Westin Snowmass Resort.

2. Events Calendar is Hot: Among the many summer must-attends are the celebrated Aspen Music Festival (through Aug. 21), Snowmass Rodeo (Wednesdays through Aug. 17), Theatre Aspen (through Aug. 20), Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (through Aug. 27), free-admission Bluegrass Sundays (through Sept. 4), 49^th Annual Aspen Ruggerfest (Sept. 15-18), 38^th Annual Aspen Filmfest (Sept. 21-15) and the Aspen Institute Speaker Series (various topics and dates).

3. Bike, Float, Hike and Ride: Satiate your two-wheel bliss on the thrilling Rio Grande Trail, a 20-mile paved and unpaved pathway to Emma. Canoe or paddleboard Ruedi Reservoir and cast a line for an elusive Rocky Mountain rainbow trout. Horseback ride or hike the Capitol Creek Trail, a breathtaking 6.4-mile ascent into the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness that climaxes at Capitol Lake. At the superlative Snowmass Bike Park, adrenaline rushes come fast and furious on the 3,000-foot descent from Elk Camp Chairlift to the base of Snowmass Village.

4. Shopping Gone Wild: Though relatively compact, downtown Aspen features more than 200 shops ranging from consignment to selections for designer-inclined divas. Spend an afternoon strolling the pedestrian malls and browsing vintage apparel, fashion trends, accessories, art, home goods and unique gifts. Saturday Market (through Oct. 8) is another popular draw that showcases locally grown produce and artisans.

 

 

 

RELATED LINKS

Colorado Getaways: Aspen

Is it Time For a Santa Fe Buddy Trip?

Lodging in Aspen and Vail

2016 CAGGYs: Instruction Winners

Chris Duthie is a Durango-based contributor to Colorado AvidGolfer, the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.