Aspen and Snowmass shift into summer with daily operations on both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass to begin June 20. Additionally, Aspen Snowmass is scheduled to debut new summer enhancements and offerings. The top of Aspen Mountain is slated to undergo a summer landscape and activities improvement project while Snowmass will continue to improve Bike Snowmass trails including the Vapor Trail as well as adding new farm to table dinners.

Summer Operations

Daily summer operations will officially kick-off Jun. 20-Sept. 7 with fall weekend operations continuing Sept. 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 and Oct. 3-4. Silver Queen Gondola operation hours will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with the last ride down at 4:30 p.m.

Snowmass summer operations on both the Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp Chairlift will take place daily Jun. 20-Sept. 7 and then continue on weekends throughout September. Elk Camp Gondola operation hours will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with the last ride down at 4:15 p.m. and the Elk Camp Chairlift will operate from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with the last ride down at 3:15 p.m. 

Aspen Mountain Summer Enhancement Plan

Scheduled to be a multi-phase project beginning this summer, Aspen Skiing Company plans to enhance the top of Aspen Mountain for visitors and locals to enjoy the surrounding beauty and outdoors year-round. This summer, Phase I will consist of a landscaping project including Rocky Mountain flower gardens, picnic areas, new signage and kid's play features including hay bales, sand and water play, bean bag toss, a tree house, lawn games and more. Also part of Phase I, and to begin this fall, a complete renovation of the welcome plaza in between the Gondola Building and the Sundeck will take place and include an expanded observation deck for viewing the Elk Mountain Range. Phase II will consist of future enhancements meant to inspire mind, body and spirit in the great outdoors.

Expanded Bike Snowmass Trails

With over 50 miles of trails, Bike Snowmass offers everything from a gravity-defying rush along a world-class downhill trail to a gentle single-track through meadows bursting with wildflowers. New as of the end of last summer, more trails were created or enhanced at Bike Snowmass including the brand new Verde Beginner Trail and the improved Viking Trail (formerly Easy Rider).  The new Verde beginner flow trail, designed by Gravity Logic, is perfect for new riders as well as for intermediates working on cornering and fundamental skills. The trail offers 3.5 miles of fun, flowing terrain.

Viking Trail is the perfect next step after tackling the Verde Trail for downhill mountain bikers to continue progressing forward. Running for 2.7 miles, the trail takes riders from the top of Elk Camp Gondola down to Snowmass Base Village through evergreen forests, aspen trees and wide-open meadows for a scenic experience. The trail has been re-routed into the woods and offers intermediate features that are aimed at skills progression to prepare riders for Valhalla Trail. 

Farm to Table Dinners

Elk Camp

On-mountain at Snowmass, the Elk Camp restaurant is introducing new farm-to-table dinners that will take place Tuesday evenings throughout the month of August. Guests will enjoy a free gondola ride to the restaurant, live entertainment, family friendly activities as well as a farm fresh dinner highlighted with local produce and organic meats.

The Little Nell

The Ride & Dine Series features four cycling excursions to Roaring Fork Valley ranches for a farm-to-table feast.  Emma Farms and Home Run Ranch, both local purveyors of The Little Nell's Food & Beverage program, will host the first three events. Guests will ride to each destination where a Little Nell-prepared dinner awaits with personal wine selections from their award-winning cellar. The series culminates in a community barbeque bash at Rock Bottom Ranch to benefit the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies for up to 200 guests, with biking slots limited to the first 30 reservations. Shuttle transportation for each dinner will be provided as a return trip to The Little Nell. 

Lynn Britt Cabin

Lynn Britt Cabin located mid-mountain on Snowmass will open its doors for two special farm-to-table dinners with the option to hike to the cabin. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a cash bar on the deck followed by live entertainment and a family style dinner highlighted with ingredients and products from various local farms. Guests who do not wish to hike can simply hop on a van to the cabin. All guests will be transported via the van post-dinner.

Bikes & Beer

The Limelight Hotel introduces the new BIKES AND BEER RIDE SERIES- Kick-off the summer cycling season with a guided bike ride led by Limelight team members followed by happy hour featuring local beers and post-ride appetizers in the lounge. 

For more information and a complete calendar of events visit www.aspenchamber.org and www.gosnowmass.com

ABOUT ASPEN

Aspen, Colorado is a world-class year-round destination with outdoor adventure from skiing to biking, with a flair for arts and culture, but still maintains enough small-town charm for year-round residents to call it home. Aspen truly is a unique diamond nestled in the rough of the Rocky Mountains that has a reputation for bringing major city features to visitors in a way that defies ordinary. www.aspenchamber.org 

ABOUT SNOWMASS

Snowmass, a charming town tucked away in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, just nine miles from downtown Aspen, consistently ranks as one of the best ski resorts in the world. Snowmass offers unmatched year-round natural splendor and beauty, small-town friendliness, breathtaking backdrops and 300 days of annual sunshine.  Snowmass summer adventures are just as impressive and unforgettable—from premier fly-fishing, white-water rafting and kayaking to summer festivals and weekly rodeos. Within this 25-square-mile town, visitors will discover more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, an 18-hole, Jim Engh-designed golf course and an 18-hole disc golf course. The Summer of Free Music Night concert series draws thousands to picnic, lounge or dance the evening away. www.gosnowmass.com

For a selection of Best of Summer 2015 photos click here: https://aspensnowmass.imagerelay.com/fl/59625c24b42f41158d753c0a197265ad

Photo credit goes to the photographer listed.