The Best Time to Visit Aspen – Don’t Miss These Seasonal Experiences
Some would say the best time to visit Aspen is anytime of the year, and they’d be correct! From a busy ski season to golden fall foliage, you will have a ball no matter when you come to our town.
If narrowing it down to the most popular time to visit Aspen, when should you plan your vacay? The best time to visit Aspen is between December and February. The town is alive with enchanting activities all through the year but is most in its element in the winter. The ski areas have the freshest powder, the slopes look the most inviting, and the community seems its warmest. A winter getaway will fill your life with the Aspen magic you’ve been missing and have you thinking about your next return.
Aspen’s charms shine across the seasons, providing myriad ways to unwind and discover new sides of yourself. Join us on this comparison over seasons, beginning with the wonders of winter. The experts at Aspen Luxury Concierge know all the hidden gems and local hotspots visitors seek, so don’t miss our pro travel recommendations.
Winter Wonderland – December to February
Aspen is like a picture trapped within a snow globe when winter arrives in this bustling town. Snow blankets the landscape, kissing the tops of the mountains and draping its white tapestry across trees and buildings.
The ski resorts have nonstop streams of people, as everyone eagerly congregates to conquer the slopes on snowboards or skis. After a day of fun and excitement, it’s time to retire to an idyllic lodge, nestling cozily in bed only to wake up and do it all over again tomorrow.
Many events punctuate this busy season, making an already desirable time to visit Aspen even more in-demand.
Aspen's Frosty Charms
For example, there’s Aspen Gay Ski Week in January, proving why winter is the best time to visit Aspen. This weeklong party is about more than enjoying the slopes (although there’s plenty of that!), this is also seven days of fundraisers, performances, film screenings, art events, bingo brunches, and themed late-night parties.
You can dance the night away at a hot club like The Snow Lodge, which has housed performances from major names in the DJ scene like Diplo and Zedd. You certainly won’t feel the winter chill!
Switching gears, Aspen at Christmas Time is a wonder to behold. Towering Christmas trees are decorated and lit, ushering in the spirit of the season. Holiday markets, carolers, and sleigh rides come to town, and of course, the skiing and snowboarding never stop. It’s like a holiday movie come to life!
Spring Awakening – March to May
It’s always a bittersweet feeling when the snow begins to melt in Aspen. It means the end of the busiest season but an entry into another that’s just as beautiful in its own way: spring.
As the snow thaws, lush landscapes are revealed. Greenery emerges fresh and renewed, filling the town with intoxicating colors.
Skiing into Spring
The snowbirds don’t retire. Far from it! If anything, the milder weather and longer days creates an even better backdrop for longer hours of skiing, offering sunlit views of the Elk Range and the Maroon Bells from the tops of the Aspen ski areas.
The range of activities you can enjoy on your Aspen luxury vacation expand even further, with biking and hiking becoming viable as spring marches forward. This is also an excellent time to enjoy the best of Colorado's fly fishing.
Summer Adventure – June to August
Those who say the best time to visit Aspen, CO is in the summer are certainly on to something. The weather has warmed, the flowers have bloomed and are now showing their best hues, the sun is out for the most hours all year, and the temperatures are warm but not sweltering.
In other words, the conditions are perfect for getting outside and enjoying the wealth of activities the mountainous terrain of Aspen has in abundance.
Take long hikes under the vivid summer sun, explore the Sunnyside Trail or Hunter Creek on a bike, and continue to put that fishing license to good use at the Roaring Fork River or Frying Pan River.
Make sure you take the time to stop and smell the flowers. So many of them bloom beautifully by July, from the enchanting Colorado columbine to dreamy mountain bluebells, white locoweed (fun fact: it’s also sometimes purple or red!), and breathtakingly vivid Indian paintbrushes.
Summer Is Calling
Locals and visitors meld together to enjoy arts, entertainment, outdoor dining, and the perfect weather. A cultural explosion happens in Aspen over the summer, with art shows like the Downtown Aspen Art Festival and Intersect Aspen coming to town.
Performances are aplenty, with the public concert series Bluegrass on the Mountain and Snowmass Thursday Night Concerts. Beloved venues like The Wheeler Opera House and Belly Up are also especially busy this time of year.
As you take in these alluring sights, why not plan a picnic? ALC’s luxury concierge services can assist with your event, suggesting the best spots, securing lawn game equipment rentals, and booking professionals from DJs to private chef
Fall Foliage – September to November
As the temperatures begin cooling and the days shorten, autumn is in the air in Aspen. While it’s always difficult to let summer go, you won’t feel as brokenhearted about its last vestiges disappearing when Aspen lights up in fiery shades from all the fall foliage.
Leaf peeping is a time-honored tradition here that will surely put you in an autumnal mood. Scenic drives, best experienced with the windows down to feel the crisp air, fill locals and tourists alike with excitement and anticipation of the kickoff to skiing season.
While Aspen is busy preparing for its busiest months ahead, our town falls into a period of introspection. That’s all the better to appreciate the quietude of the falling leaves.
Shop 'Til You Drop
That’s not to say you’ll be without anything to do when you visit. Shopping in Aspen is popular throughout the year but ramps up in the autumn. You can buy your way into the Aspen lifestyle with luxury shopping at Moncler, ASPENX, Aether Apparel, and Gorsuch.
Events like the Aspen Saturday Market and Snowmass Balloon Festival will fill up your travel itinerary and your heart with good cheer.
Best Time to Visit Aspen According To…
With Aspen a playground of indoor and outdoor attractions all year long, it’s unsurprising that the definition of when the best time to visit Aspen, Colorado varies, even among the locals!
If you’re visiting primarily for events or climate, here are some suggestions for when to plan your luxury vacation.
Events
Aspen’s event calendar is always evolving, so when you should come see us depends on the type of event you’re interested in.
For example, if you love music festivals and arts/cultural events, those are more prevalent in the summer. You can experience a dose of the vibrant culture here, taking it with you when you go.
Wintertime also has its fair share of performances and DJ events, although tucked away in warm clubs to combat the chill.
Prices
While many premier destinations are most inexpensive during the winter, the opposite is true in Aspen. Prices peak at Christmastime, as everyone wants to see the frosty-tipped lighted trees and ride around the snowy town in a carriage pulled by horses.
The price escalation continues through January. Although the holidays have passed by then, snowboarding and skiing are at their most popular. In February, the costs stay high through President's Day weekend (this is the second most expensive weekend of the year to visit Aspen), and don't buckle much through March which continues through the spring.
Another period when travel costs in Aspen pick back up is in the summer, usually around June. The price highs continue through August, as the perfect weather here attracts many visitors eager for music festivals, mountain biking, and exploring Roaring Fork Valley or Aspen Mountain.
Climate
The four seasons of Aspen deliver variable weather changes. The ski season is cold, with highs between 20 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the locals don’t mind braving the winter chill, and most tourists don’t either if it means an opportunity for snowboarding or skiing at Aspen Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Ajax or Buttermilk Ski Resort.
Autumn is another period of cold, although milder than the winter. You will need a jacket by day and a coat at night, as temperatures can plummet into the 20s by November.
The spring and summer, with their milder but warmer temps and longer hours of daylight, are most people’s favorites for outdoor activities in Aspen outside of ski season.
Seasonal Attractions
The attractions on Aspen’s annual calendar will envelope you in the moods and moments of the season. Although it’s hard to choose between spring flower-viewing, summer hiking, and autumn leaf-peeping, Aspen at Christmastime is too special not to experience at least once in your lifetime.
Insider Tips for Visiting Aspen
You’ve already chosen the best time to visit Aspen. Now, live like the locals with this trove of ultra-exclusive travel tips.
Get Your Cowboy Hat at Kemo Sabe
Aspen style is winter chic, but one staple that might surprise you is cowboy hats. They’re everywhere regardless of the season, enough so that if you’re walking around with nothing on your head, you can begin to feel self-conscious.
Make a beeline for Kemo Sabe, which specializes in luxury Western apparel from boots to hats. You will walk out feeling more like the locals!
Party It Up at the Aspen Art Museum
Whether eager to retreat from the summer warmth or the winter chill, the Aspen Art Museum is always a great stop to add to your itinerary. Between its rotating art exhibits, rooftop dining at its exclusive cafe, and Saturday apres parties on the roof, this is more than your average art museum.
Use a Luxury Concierge Service
Planning a vacation should be enjoyable, but with so many sights to see, foods to try, activities to do, and places to visit, it can seem tough to get it all in at once. We’re masters of Aspen living at ALC. You can rely on our services to connect you to the best experiences Aspen has to offer!
Conclusion
While many agree the best time to visit Aspen is during the winter, you should explore it across seasons to discover which version of Aspen you love best. Perhaps you fall in love with its ski season like millions, or you enjoy its live music, fall foliage, and varied outdoor activities.
Aspen is calling, and ALC can help you build a vacation tailored to your needs and interests. Begin planning your getaway today.
BY: RACHEL NAIDUS
Rachel is the Principal & Founder of Aspen Luxury Concierge. For over a decade, she has cut her teeth in the luxury hospitality services business. Since 2019, she has led ALC’s premier staff in creating luxury, effortless experiences for its clients. With her ever growing network of partners, vendors, and clientele, Rachel leads the pack in providing expert services to Aspen luxury travelers and locals.