Aspen swells with talent during spring and summer, as world-class athletes move to town to train on local trails and cultural organisations call in the big shots for art exhibitions, lecture series, special events and festivals.

2014 is a particularly exciting year. The Aspen Art Museum will be opening its new 30,000-square-foot Shigeru Ban-designed building to the public on 9th August with a free, 24-hour celebration. Founded in 1979, the Aspen Art Museum (AAM) is at the forefront of the International contemporary art scene, its central mission is to programme the most innovative, intriguing, and important art of our time. The meteoric growth of AAM, a non-collecting institution, in recent years has seen a 110% increase in annual visitor and its re-opening will be a major highlight in the Contemporary Art calendar internationally. 

In hotel news, just in time for the 2014 summer season, renowned designer Holly Hunt has renovated four suites at the iconic The Little Nell taking inspiration from the West and featuring stone fireplaces with blackened metal as well as bronze chandeliers. Aspen's historic landmark hotel, Hotel Jerome continues to win plaudits following its extensive renovation last year and The Sky Hotel remains at the centre of Aspen's see-and-be-seen scene. 

Other notable highlights from Aspen's Summer 2014 events calendar include: 

Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival June 19-July 28

The Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Festival is a two-week-long event with music at the Benedict Music Tent, JAS Café at the Little Nell and music festival grounds. The exciting line-up of music includes: June 19: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and John Boutte. June 20: Diana Krall; June 21: Steve Winwood; and June 28: Tony Bennett with special guests Antonia Bennett.

Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, June 20-22

The nation's premier culinary event returns to Aspen with world renowned celebrity chefs and wine experts. The three-day weekend includes tasting events, cooking classes, cooking demos, wine and interactive seminars, and the daily grand tastings. 

Aspen Institute Aspen Ideas Festival 2014 June 24-July 3

The Aspen Idea Festival will celebrate their 10th anniversary by adding a third session to the festival with this year's theme “Imagining 2024.” Traditional daily forums will combine with a new presentation and discussion format including a change for guests to take a design workshop with speakers. The festival will continue to gather some of the most interesting thinkers and leaders from around the U.S. and abroad to present their ideas, showcase their work, and engage and inspire audiences. 

USA Pro Challenge Official Start & Stage 2 Aug 18-19

The most prestigious cycling race in America will begin in Aspen with the first two of seven stages. Ten cities across Colorado will host stages in the race, ending in Denver. Competitors will race on the Maroon Creek Bridge and grind up towards Snowmass Village, loop through downtown and take another lap. Stage two begins with a battle towards Crested Butte. 

Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival Aug 29-Aug 31

The Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival will take place in the Snowmass Town Park. Acts for this year's festival will be announced soon. 

Aspen Filmfest Sept. 2014

Aspen Film's 36th annual FilmFest is a six-day-long festival with a focus on documentaries. Aspen Film “strives to enlighten, enrich, educate and entertain through film”. 

For outdoor enthusiasts, Aspen has long had a reputation as a premier destination for on-mountain pursuits From hiking through lush aspen forests to summiting one of several 14,000-foot peaks; from charging down adrenaline-pumping mountain biking trails to serene road rides to places like the famed Maroon Bells; from kayaking or rafting through class IV and V rapids, to paragliding from Aspen Mountain to the centre of town; from rock climbing on Independence Pass to stand-up paddle boarding on nature preserves, the list is endless. 

Now, a new climbing area has been added to offer even more. Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) acquired Gold Butte as open space and, in conjunction with an enthusiastic steering committee of local climbers, has developed a climbing area that is now easily accessible to the public from town. 

To book your Aspen holiday this Summer visit www.blacktomato.com

or call 0207 426 9888 

Black Tomato can arrange a bespoke seven night luxury family summer holiday to Aspen, Colorado from £2,675 per person based on a family of four travelling. Activities include a hot air balloon ride, and tickets to the Theatre Aspen festival.  Package also includes flights from London to Denver flying with British Airways, accommodation at Hotel Jerome and The Sky Hotel Aspen, and car hire. 

-Ends-

For further information please contact:

Charlotte Fraser

Tel: 44 (0)7930 370175

Email: charlotte@pilot-pr.com