Snowmass Village, Colorado

Aspen’s ski town neighbor, Snowmass Village hosts the largest collection of ski-in/ski-out residences anywhere in Colorado. It’s situated just ten minutes from downtown Aspen and home to Snowmass Mountain, one of the “Power of Four” ski areas.

Recreation is just outside your door in the Pitkin County village. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to visit in Snowmass Village Mall, which sits at an elevation of 8,209 feet with about 2,786 permanent residents as of 2020.

After its peak winter season, it quiets down a lot and most folks head into Aspen for entertainment and supplies. Tourism picks up again each summer, with loads to do around the Roaring Fork Valley, making Snowmass Village a terrific home base.

Main Attractions

Snowmass Mountain Resort Summer Colorado — Snowmass Resort in summer. Photo by: Rob Stanley

Snowmass Resort – The biggest of the four Aspen resort mountains, and offers the largest variety of runs. It features everything from steep bowls and narrow tree skiing, to open cruisers and bunny slopes. There’s also snow tubing available all winter. In the summer, it turns into a high-quality mountain bike park.

Lost Forest Adventure Park – This summer adventure park showcases a myriad of alpine activities from disc golf to an aerial park. Different ages and abilities will find an enjoyable attraction. The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster is open in the winter in addition to it summer season from late June through September.

Recreation

Snowmass Lake Colorado Portrait — Snowmass Lake portrait. Photo by: n_yoder

Biking – Once the snow melts in June, Snowmass becomes a major hub for mountain bikers. There are two lifts that serve the Snowmass Bike Park daily, plus gear rental and private lessons are offered.

Camping –

White River National Forest surrounds the town and has plenty of dispersed camping spots if you prefer something more private and peaceful.
There are 3 campgrounds within the Maroon Bells area: Silver Bar, Silver Queen, and Silver Bell. They have options that range from small, tent-only sites to larger RV spaces.
Read about camping near Aspen, Snowmass Village, and Basalt.

Fishing – Roaring Fork and Fryingpan Rivers run near town and offer Gold Medal Water fishing for large trout. It is a very popular place to fly-fish and there are several outfitters in town to rent gear from.

Hiking – Snowmass has over 80 miles of hiking of all difficulty levels in the surrounding White River National Forest. The village has put together a great comprehensive guide for visitors to use.

The Crater Lake Maroon Bells hike is an iconic route that totals 3.5 miles with minimal elevation change. It starts at the beautiful Maroon Bells Lake and winds through the forest before coming upon another alpine lake.

Accommodations

Hotel room with mountains out the window — Mountain views from a room at the Viewline Resort in Snowmass, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/viewlineresort

Booking.com

Limelight Hotel Snowmass – Upscale hotel with a sister property in Aspen. It boasts 4-star amenities and 99 rooms in the heart of Snowmass Village.

Viceroy Snowmass – Luxurious, 4.5-star hotel within walking distance of Snowmass Village Mall. There are two on-site restaurants so you don’t have to go far to find good food.

Viewline Resort Snowmass – Mountainside lodging at its finest, this 4-season gateway accommodation has a pool and spa, large conference center, a sit-down restaurant, and a coffee shop on the property.

Wildwood Snowmass – Affordable 3-star hotel with upscale amenities, located next to the Viewline Resort. They will connect you with a variety of outdoor activities to make your stay even more enjoyable.

Read about the best hotels in Snowmass Village.

Read about luxury 4-star hotels in Snowmass Village.

Dining

Food on an outdoor firepit — Mexican food spread at Venga Venga in Snowmass Village, CO. Photo by: facebook.com/vengacantina

Venga Venga – Casual Latin eatery with an outdoor seating area and unique dishes.

mix6 – Serving up nutritious plates in a fast-casual setting located inside of The Collective.

iL Poggio – The spot in town for a hearty Italian meal with appetizers and desserts as well. They also have plenty of wine to compliment whatever meal you choose.

Read about the best bars in Snowmass Village.

Special Events

Skier doing a flip — Skier at the annual X Games, held in Aspen/Snowmass each year. Photo by: Zach Dischner

Jan – Winter X Games – The best winter sports athletes in the world descend upon the Roaring Fork Valley every January. It’s a free event to watch, just book your hotel early!

Apr – Elk Camp Surf and Snow Beach Party – A local restaurant hosts this farewell to winter event each year. Grab your beach wear and board to do a pond skim, pedal a Margarita Mixer bike, or simply enjoy the party.

Jun-Jul – Snowmass Free Concert Series – Each Thursday evening, join the community at Fanny Hill to watch great live music with a beautiful alpine backdrop. Many local restaurants offer takeout and there will be drinks served at each event, the perfect combination for a summer picnic.

Jun – Snowmass Rodeo – A long-standing Snowmass tradition, this rodeo also includes a petting zoo, food vendors, and a mechanical bull.