Aspen

Look closely and you'll see the spirit and passion of Aspen at every turn. Imagine yourself…

Picnicking on a blanket outside the Music Tent, yellow and pink canopies of paragliders floating in the distance against a cobalt sky, the concertmaster cueing the soulful sound of a lone oboe to tune the orchestra.

Chatting with a local sommelier who can tell you about the finer points of the Rhône Valley as much as where to find the best powder stashes on Ajax.

Chaperoning a school field trip to Cathedral Lake.

Working in a town where accountants have powder day rules and close shop for fresh tracks.

Sharing a community table at Poppycock's.

This is Aspen-a place in the high mountains with deep roots, a rich history, and ongoing debates (Oh, do we have debates). A town before it was a resort. A sacred landscape revered by the people of the Uncompahgre Tribe of the Ute Nation.

Settled by Pioneers. Miners. Ranchers. Visionaries.

A place where ski racers, intellectuals, artists, and families call home. A town with a newspaper that dates back to 1881. A high school that ranks in the top 3% of public schools in the United States. A town that gives back to the community in so many ways.

History. Traditions. Nature. Recreations. Soul.

OUR TOWN

Locals' Tradition: An outrageous entry in the Wintersköl parade. Fireworks over Ajax. Where to Meet Them: Bonnie's. Saturday's Farmers Market. Morning workouts on Smuggler. Favorite Evening Diversion: JAS Café at the Aspen Art Museum. The bar at PARC Aspen. Buck. For Body and Soul: Tiehack uphill hike under a full moon. Shakti yoga atop Aspen Mountain. Hallam Lake at ACES. Place to Walk Your Dog: a hike up the Ajax trail from Koch Park. Surprise: Friendly residents, perpetually amused by their snotty reputation.

Aspen Details

Elevation: 7,908 ft. in town. 11,212 ft. at the top of Aspen Mountain.

Climate: In winter (November to March), we receive about 300 inches of annual snowfall. Daytime temperatures average 35-45°F; cooler at night. Surprisingly comfortable. In summer (June to September), very low humidity with daytime 65-85°F temperatures-a near perfect climate. Peak foliage varies by year, but it's safe to say the quaking aspens will be shimmering gold between the third and fourth weeks of September. Highest precipitation months, March and April. Driest month, June.

Population: City of Aspen, 6,612. In peak weeks of ski season and summer, 27,000.

Schools: Aspen School District including public K-8 charter Community School, private K-8 Aspen Country Day School, and numerous preschools. Graduation rate 97%. Ranking: 12th in state. 534 (of 17,655), nationally.

Transportation: Aspen is 197 miles west of Denver via I-70 and Highway 82. Jet service (only 22 minutes in the air) from Denver International Airport (DEN); more than 220 flights arrive at local Sardy Field (ASE) weekly. Carriers: United, Delta, and American. Direct service from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, and Atlanta. Carriers and schedules vary each season. Additional direct flight options out of Eagle airport (EGE), a mere 90-minute drive, all of it on a four-lane highway with no mountain passes. Public bus system with free shuttles to the four ski mountains. Free Downtowner service on demand around the Aspen Core. Free WE-cycle loaner bikes and ebikes up to 30 minutes. Taxi, car rental, limo, and air charter service is available.

Government: City of Aspen. County of Pitkin. Center of Passionate Debate (about everything).

Recreation: Four ski areas, one municipal golf course, private Maroon Creek Club golf course, health clubs, community parks, recreation center and pool, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, kayaking, paragliding, fly fishing, four-wheeling, national forest and wilderness in our backyard (the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area comprises 183,847 acres). Home to a wealth of cultural events including literary, jazz, food and wine festivals, dance, theater, and the summer-long Aspen Music Festival and School.