Aspen
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General Information
Other Name: -, District: Colorado, State: West, United States of America
Area: 3.5 sq mi
Languages Spoken: English
Long Distance Code: +1(970)
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: December to March and June to late August
International Access: -Description
Aspen has long been a haven for the rich and famous who fly in to ski and socialize. The area is also popular for its year-round array of outdoor adventure activities. Mountains from Buttermilk, ideal for beginners, to Ajax, better for experts looking for a challenge, attract winter skiers from around the world. In the summer, scenic hiking and biking trails abound. Indoor types can shop the fashionable boutiques or head to any of the town`s fine museums. No matter what your interests, Aspen is sure to deliver a top-notch vacation. Every summer from late June to late August, Aspen is host to the Aspen Music Festival with more than 100 classical music performances.Location
Aspen is located in west-central Colorado, about 90 miles east of Grand Junction.Climate
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This family-friendly environmental center is an ideal place for those who are outdoor curious, but backcountry shy. Located in the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, which is right in town, it is a perfect introduction to the great outdoors. A self-guided nature trail snakes around the preserve''s 25 acres and is a favorite with bird-watchers. You can also check out its resident birds of prey, which include golden eagles and screech owls. The visitor center features an indoor trout stream swarming with native cutthroats, as well as an environmental library and a gift shop full of books, gifts and toys.
If you need a bit of color to spice up the drab, gray Aspen winter, head over to the Aspen Fine Art Gallery. The small gallery, located on the Hyman Avenue Mall, specializes in avant-garde, post-Impressionism, and masterworks from a wealth of contemporary artists, including 14-year-old sensation, Alexandra Nechita.
The biggest challenge with this course is trying to keep focus on golf and not the spectacular views of the famed Maroon Bells . For a mountain course it is surprisingly flat and thin of trees. With the exception of a few ponds and some patches of native grass it is easy to avoid trouble. Be aware that the thin air will alter your shots by one or two club lengths.
The jewel of Aspen''s four ski mountains, Aspen Mountain spills right into the streets, making it very convenient for in-town lodgers. Eight lifts, including the Silver Queen Gondola , service 76 trails, most of which cater to experts and intermediates;this is not a mountain for beginners. If you ski down Little Nell, the main finishing run, make sure to bring your A-game for the whole town will be watching. Three on-mountain restaurants can handle hunger needs, or opt for the Tavern at the base for a prime people watching seat. Lessons are available.
If time is limited, but you still want to fit in a hike that gives you some hint of Aspen''s famed backcountry, wander down this popular path. It is only 1.8 miles long, but offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country. The trail, which gains less than 500 feet in elevation, begins at Maroon Lake and winds through stands of aspens and pines before dropping down to Crater Lake which glistens at the foot of the famed Maroon Bells .
This three-level gallery couples as a working studio for owner and sculptor, Don Huntsman. Locals are always stopping by to check out Huntsman''s latest work in progress and to discuss his collection. While most of Aspen''s galleries represent the latest trends in art, this gallery keeps to the typical mountain motifs. So you will find landscape, wildlife and sporting paintings, as well as American Impression. The works of more than 40 artists adorn the walls and are perfect for both the beginning and established collector.
The spectacular Rocky Mountains create an unforgettable backdrop to Aspen''s Independence Day festivities. Tens of thousands of locals and visitors alike converge on the town to enjoy such goings-on as a charity run & walk, a US Air Force fly-by, a children''s bicycle rodeo and more. Don''t miss the traditional parade down Main Street with its creative floats, marching bands and a variety of other innovative participants.
At 12,095 feet, this pass ranks as one of the highest paved roads in North America. The views from up top are stunning and border on the kind normally only reserved for National Geographic photographers. The drive from Aspen is equally stunning as the highway zigzags past thick stands of pine, towering cliffs, streams and Independence Ghost Town . Hairpin turns with precarious drop-offs add to the driving drama.
Santa Fe may be the artisan center of the region, but when it comes to art sought after by established collectors, only a handful of places can compete with Aspen. The Joel Soroka Gallery is a fine example of the important art you find around town. And this gallery only deals in photography. From the dynamic works of Man Ray to the emotional black and whites from Sally Mann, the gallery displays a diverse range of renowned photographers.
For over 60 years, this family ranch has been leading vacationers into the pristine Colorado backcountry via horseback. Located only five minutes from Aspen, it offers guided day trips, including one to the famed Maroon Bells . The truly adventurous can arrange for two to three day pack trips, which include cooked meals by the staff. During the winter, jingle through the snow on a sleigh ride pulled by a Belgian draft horse; laughing all the way is optional.
If you have to choose one outdoor related activity while in Aspen, put a visit to Maroon Bells at the top of your list. Its three prominent and sharply defined peaks are some of the most photographed mountains in North America. Hike the trail around Maroon Lake, which is easy and offers spectacular views of the mountains reflecting off the shimmering water. Due to heavy traffic, this area is accessible only by bus during the summer, unless you prefer to hike or bike in.
Since 1990, this upscale gallery has been showing some of the biggest names in contemporary art. From the celebrity photos of Annie Leibovitz to the pop culture meanderings of Andy Warhol and the surreal works of Joan Miro, if it is hip, it is here. You will also find original works from Picasso, Juan Kelly and the popular expressionist, Paul Pascarella.
Despite all of Aspen''s boundless natural attractions of mountains and streams, nothing captures a kid''s attention more than this simple fountain. Streams of water geyser out of a street-level grate at alternating intervals making it a huge public sprinkler for kids to run through. On hot days, the fountain is full of kids, many who bring balloons and balls to balance on the geysers of water.
If you want to summit a mountain, but do not want to huff-and-puff up a hiking trail to do so, this gondola ride provides a muscle-happy alternative. It silently glides above tall stands of pine and affords spectacular mountain views as it ascends to the summit of Ajax Mountain at 11,212 feet. The views from up top are stunning, especially during late July when the optic-amazing wildflowers bloom.