Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School
Family Friendly Outdoor Aspen Aspen Highlands Buttermilk / Tiehack Snowmass Village
When you and the family hit the slopes in Aspen Snowmass, you want to have an memorable experience. Taking a ski or snowboard lesson from one of the highly skilled Pros at the Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School is a sure way towards that extraordinary experience. During a lesson, Pros work closely with you, giving you personalized tips, so that you build confidence and gain new skills.
The Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School offers lessons for skiers and riders from age 2 and up. Choose a private lesson, an adult group lesson, or a kids and teens group lesson.
Private Ski or Snowboard Lessons
A private ski or snowboard lesson is the best way to have fun on the hill, while also becoming a better skier or rider. When you sign up for a private lesson, you decide how you want your day to go. Want to ski with the entire family, while your Pro supplies each member with personalized tips? With a private ski or snowboard lesson, you have that choice.
Adult Group Lessons
A surefire way to boost confidence is to take an adult group lesson with an Aspen Snowmass Pro. Adult group lessons for skiers and riders are offered at all levels, so whether you are getting on skis for the first time or the thousandth time, you can rest assured that you will be in a group that meets your skill level and needs.
Kids & Teens Group Lessons
The Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School provides skiers and riders as young as 2 and as old as 17 with the opportunity to explore the fun and varied terrain available in Aspen Snowmass. Like adult group lessons, your child is placed in a group where they are comfortable, yet challenged, while still having a blast in the mountains.
Four Mountain Sports
Outdoor Ski Rental Aspen Aspen Highlands Buttermilk / Tiehack Central Core Snowmass Village Base Village Slopeside Mall Two Creeks
For bike rentals, ski and snowboard equipment rentals, outdoor apparel, and Aspen Snowmass gear, visit local retailer Four Mountain Sports. This outdoor gear company rents and sells high quality equipment for all kinds of activities. Plus, Four Mountain Sports has nine locations throughout Aspen and Snowmass, so no matter where you happen to be, you most likely will be able to find a shop. During your next vacation in Aspen and Snowmass, check out Four Mountain Sports for gear to get you going on your mountain adventures.
- ASPEN • 520 E Durant Ave., Aspen • 970-920-2337
- W HOTEL • 550 South Spring Street, Aspen • 970-431-0213
- SNOWMASS VILLAGE MALL • 45 Village Square, Snowmass Village • 970-923-2337
- BASE VILLAGE AT SNOWMASS • 61 Wood Rd., Snowmass Village • 970-923-0430
- ELK CAMP • Top of Elk Camp Gondola at Snowmass • 970-922-2957
- TWO CREEKS • 31 Burnt Mountain Circle, Snowmass Village • 970-923-8740
- VICEROY • 130 Wood Rd., Snowmass Village • 970-923-8000
- ASPEN HIGHLANDS • 0076 Boomerang Road, Aspen • 970-544-3013
- BUTTERMILK • 38700 Highway 82 Aspen • 970-920-0980 (Rental)
Horseback Riding in Aspen & Snowmass
Aspen Aspen Highlands Snowmass Village
A great way to experience the Colorado Rocky Mountains, horseback riding is a fun activity for the entire family. Go on a guided horseback riding trip in Aspen and Snowmass through lush aspen groves, evergreen forests, and colorful alpine meadows. Located along Maroon Creek Road, Maroon Bells Guide and Outfitters located at T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers guided horseback trips for riders of all levels. Because of their excellent location, many of the company's trips take place near the stunning Maroon Bells, two 14,000' peaks set before an alpine lake. Families and groups can enjoy a short one hour trip on a nearby trail, a half day trip along Maroon Creek, a full day ride in the Maroon Bells area, evening rides with a rustic dinner, or overnight trips to Crested Butte via East Maroon Pass.
In Snowmass Village, Snowmass Creek Outfitters offers guided horseback rides in and around Snowmass. They offer an exciting two hour ride in Snowmass Village during which riders pass through areas with stunning mountain views. The outfitter also leads guided rides on private ranches in Old Snowmass. An evening horseback ride followed by a rustic dinner in Old Snowmass supplies a great backdrop for enjoying a summer evening in the Rocky Mountains with family and friends. During the evening dinner rides hosted by Snowmass Creek Outfitters, guests listen to country music, eat a barbecue dinner, roast marshmallows on a campfire for making s'mores, and enjoy spending time together on a private mountain ranch.
Hot Air Balloon Rides in Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass Village
Take off into the skies in a colorful hot air balloon for a dazzling bird’s-eye view of Aspen Snowmass and the Elk Mountain Range. One local company offering hot air balloon rides is Above It All Balloon Company. Their trips last an hour, and they offer a lovely brunch afterwards.
Hot air balloon rides are an experience you can enjoy year-round. And we highly recommend going up for a ride during all four seasons. In the winter, view the snow-covered landscape. In the spring, witness the Roaring Fork Valley come to life; and in the summer, view the lush, green mountains. In the fall, gaze out at the golden aspen trees.
Mountain Biking in Aspen Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass Village
With 25 miles of purpose built downhill trails extending almost 3000 vertical feet from the top of the Elk Camp Chairlift down to Snowmass Base Village, the Snowmass Bike park offers a full complement of trail offerings to every level and style of mountain bike rider. From the smooth and gentle banks of the Verde trail to the technical singletrack of Animal Crackers, Snowmass Bike Park delivers all your favorite aspects of a winter ski experience, except for the snow. Join us for a free flowing adventure through our high elevation evergreen forests and moderately pitched Aspen tree groves and see for yourself.
The Roaring Fork Valley, home to Aspen and Snowmass, is now designated an IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center, one of only 7 in the world and the only Gold-Level Ride Center in Colorado!
Mountain bike rentals are available at Four Mountain Sports in the Snowmass Village Mall and in the Snowmass Base Village near the Elk Camp Gondola. However, mountain bikes are also available for rent at any of the other Four Mountain Sports locations in Aspen and at Aspen Highlands. Four Mountain Sports rents out downhill and cross country mountain bikes for adults and children.
Mountain bikers can also register for downhill and freeride mountain biking clinics in Snowmass to learn the art of maneuvering on a mountain bike over rocks and along tight switchbacks. Mountain bikers ages 16 and older are welcome to sign up for these daily group mountain bike clinics held throughout the summer season. Mountain bikers must register for group lessons.
For the younger set, Camp Aspen Snowmass offers kids' mountain biking lessons for kids ages 8 – 15. Kids will learn the essential skills of downhill riding from a trained and professional mountain biking guide, and explore Snowmass Mountain biking trails suitable for their skill level.
Owl Creek Chase
Outdoor Aspen Snowmass Village Owl Creek
The Owl Creek Chase is a cross-country ski race in Snowmass Village, CO. The first race took place in 1985. The race starts at the Snowmass Cross Country Center and ends at the Aspen Cross Country Center. The Owl Creek Chase course is 21 kilometers of fun skiing and beautiful views.
Owl Creek Chase offers a classic race and a skate race, with prize money awarded for the classic race.
If you don’t want to race, you can sign up for the Owl Creek Chase Tour. It’s the same course, but without the competitive element. You get to enjoy all of the race amenities, like aid stations and a free shuttle from Aspen to Snowmass after the race.
Rafting in Aspen and Snowmass
Aspen Snowmass Village Basalt Carbondale Mid-Valley / El Jebel Glenwood Rifle
Though a landlocked state, water sports are still a popular outdoor activity in Colorado, especially whitewater rafting. In Aspen and Snowmass, there are a handful of rafting companies that offer guided rafting trips on the Roaring Fork River, Colorado River, and Arkansas River.
Find out which guided raft trip is best for you and your group. The Pine Creek/Numbers sections on the Arkansas River offers the chance for expert paddlers to tackle Class IV and V rapids. For a great family-friendly rafting trip, the Class II and III whitewater rapids on the Colorado River, called the Shoshone run, offers lots of fun. Floating on a raft through Glenwood Canyon right outside of Glenwood Springs lets you soak up some sunshine, take in the amazing views of the Canyon walls, and enjoy stretches of exhilarating rapids followed by intermittent sections of quiet, calm waters.
Getting outfitted with the appropriate rafting gear will make for an enjoyable time on the river. It's never fun to lose a favorite pair of sunglasses, so make sure they stay in place with a sunglasses strap. The same goes for footwear. If rafting in the summer, wear sandals that can be securely strapped to the feet, especially around the heel. During colder weather rafting trips, rafting guides provide neoprene booties. As for clothing, it's best to wear layers of quick dry clothing. For summer rafting, wear a bathing suit underneath a layer or two of quick dry clothing. For cold weather rafting trips, the most comfortable clothing to wear is a wetsuit and a splash jacket, both of which are provided by rafting companies. Top everything off with a hat and sunscreen, and you're ready to hit the river.
Interested in booking an Aspen rafting trip? Contact the Alpine Property concierge team by calling 1-866-209-1540.