The moment I stepped foot into Aspen for the first time, I could tell that it was like being in a snow globe. So fresh was the air that it was pinching my cheeks, like the air that causes you to see little clouds in your breath.
Mountains had everywhere been mantled with white, the roof tops were dusted with snow, and the people were to be met walking about, with hot cups of cocoa in their hands.
I had heard of photos, but in Aspen in winter? Whole different story.
If you’re wondering what the best things to do in Aspen in winter really are, let me tell you it’s not just about skiing (though, trust me, you’ll want to ski).
It is the beat of this small mountain town, the crunch of the boots on the snow, the fire pits, the laughter spilling out of apres bars at sunset.
This is all I liked doing, and what you should not miss at all, when you go to Aspen this winter.
And honestly, after a while, it felt like I was creating my own little Aspen winter guide without even realizing it.
Aspen Winter Activities
Aspen in winter is pure magic. You need to come here and ski, snowshoe, or simply warm up by a fire; either way, you will find something to do.
On my first day of arrival, I went to the streets to take a stroll. Downtown Aspen has this charming energy, high-end shops mixed with old school bakeries, all framed by snowy peaks.
I watched people going up to the mountains on their shoulders with skiing gear, and others enjoying a cup of espresso under the heat lamps.
My first morning was spent in window shopping, visiting coffee shops after coffee shops, trying to decide what mountain to climb first. This is when I knew Aspen is not only a ski town. It’s a feeling.
If you’re planning your Aspen winter itinerary, start slow, breathe it in, and then decide where your day will take you.
Aspen Snowmass
The point is that Aspen is not only a mountain. It’s four. And all of them seem like their own miniature.
When I first hit Aspen Snowmass, I realized why people fall in love with skiing here. Snowmass is massive broad laps, less traffic, that I could do this all day peace. The wind is gentler, the snow is almost radiant, and each turn presents you with another postcard.
Then there’s Aspen Mountain, right in town. It is also expensive, it is quick and this is where you will see locals who were born to ski on snow.
I made one attempt to keep pace, which took five minutes before I came on to admire the view (and get my breath).
Buttermilk Mountain is for families and beginners. It was the place I saw children laughing their way down bunny slopes as parents cheered out of the lifts.
It is one of the friendliest places in Aspen, even when you are a novice skier.
And then Aspen Highlands is my favorite. Challenging, quiet, and raw. One morning, I was on the lift with a guy who informed me that it is the place where you fall in love with snow again. He wasn’t lying.
Local knowledge: When you grab the first chair after new snow, you will think it is your mountain. No noise other than the rustle of your skis.
Towards evening, I had earned that apres drink, and Aspen gave it to me.
AspenAprès-Ski
The lifts are no longer humming, and the mountains have turned to gold, and Aspen switches to party mode. This is the place where the magic takes place, the Aspen apres-ski scene.
The initial location was a bar in one of the rows of fairy lights. There were cheery-cheeked people indoors, and laughing, with their boots still dusted with snow. Some fellow who was sitting beside me clinked his mug and said, Welcome to Aspen, where we ski hard, laugh harder.
He wasn’t wrong.
These were three apres spots that I enjoyed:
Ajax Tavern – a bustling, fancy, and delicious place, with excellent truffle fries. Perfect for people-watching.
Cloud nine Alpine Bistro party in the mountains. Dream of dancing in your ski boots as the snow falls.
Aspen Brewing Company quaint, non-fancy, and local in nature.
Even if you don’t drink, just walk through downtown Aspen around sunset. The radiance, the noise, the delight, it is contagious.
Maroon Bells Winter
There is something I want to tell you: Maroon Bells in winter is unreal.
One snowless day, I put on snowshoes and walked to the Bells. Nothing moved up and down the trail, but snow under my feet.
The mountains were frozen giants, and the pink light went off the mountains. It was as much like a painting as it could be.
This was my first real taste of Aspen Colorado snowshoeing peaceful, quiet, and honestly one of the most beautiful mountain moments I’ve ever had.
And if you love taking pictures, this area is easily one of the top Aspen winter photography spots.
Maroon Bells is rated as one of the most photographed destinations in America by the Colorado Tourism Office, and I completely understand the reasons.
But that is what those photos cannot tell, the sound, the sound of how the air whistles in that silence.
If you want peace, go early. If you want a little thrill, try snowmobiling in the White River National Forest. One afternoon, I took part in a guided ride, and each turn revealed another postcard image.
Aspen Sleigh Rides
One night, I booked one of those Aspen sleigh rides, and honestly? It was almost like a holiday film.
Imagine this: horses clattering in the snow, a thick blanket thrown around you, stars in the sky, and the low moaning laughter in town. The air was smelling of pine and woodsmoke.
At a small lodge in the mountains was my ride, where dinner awaited me: elk stew, warm bread, and apple cider that would not cure anything.
Do this if you are going to Aspen with friends or as a couple. It is romantic, nostalgic, and it will last with you even after the trip has been completed.
Aspen Food Scene
Food in Aspen? Oh, it’s a whole mood.
My mornings were initiated at the Paradise Bakery, where I took croissants that crunch well and coffee that is strong enough to make anyone alert. The scent of espresso with the chilly air of the outside heaven.
Lunches were informal, sandwiches at Jour de Fete, or bowls of hugging soups.
Evenings, that is where Aspen is glittering. You may be gourmet-ish, think of elk tenderloin and a glass of wine, or you may be plain. Woody Creek Tavern is my kind of place: locals, laughter, and a fire that never dies down.
Budget hint: Do not want to spend too much, use happy hour menus. It happens that many of the best restaurants lower the prices between 4-6 PM, and you can eat like a king without ruining your wallet.
Aspen demonstrates that there is no need to make good food formal; it just needs to be warm.
Aspen Art Museum & Wheeler Opera House
When I wasn’t outdoors, I wandered into the Aspen Art Museum, and it was like stepping into quiet sunlight. The exhibits in the exhibition are frequently switched, something one week is sculpture, the next, winter photography.
The rooftop cafe is ideal in heating up and seeing snowfall snow falling in the streets.
Then there is the Wheeler Opera House. Constructed at the end of the nineteenth century, it is one of those sites that breathe history.
I saw a comedy performance there, and when snow was falling outside of the tall windows, I could not help but think, ” This is how winter should be.
Aspen Winter Wellness
Aspen not only gives you an adrenaline rush, but it can also make you relax.
I went to the Remede Spa at The St. Regis Aspen after spending quite a few days on the slopes. Just fantasize about taking a dip in a hot tub when snow flies in the air, it is surreal.
There is also this stone massage which literally melts off winter on your skin.
If you prefer something lighter, try O2 Aspen for yoga. There was one time when I attended a morning lesson, the sun was shining, and the windows were open, and the mats were toward the mountains, and I tell you it was like breathing the peace.
Relaxing is an adventure in Aspen.
Aspen Nightlife
Aspen does not sleep when the sun goes down. It merely replaces snowshoes with dancing shoes.
I spent a night at Belly Up Aspen, where live music shakes the walls, jazz, pop, and even rock bands.
Other nights were more leisurely: a glass of wine in the Ajax Tavern of The Little Nell, soft jazz in the background, people in their ski gear, flushed cheeks of the cold.
Other times, I would simply be walking the streets and watching the lights shine on the snow, hearing laughter spill out of the restaurants. Winter in Aspen has this way of feeling alive even in silence.
Aspen Hidden Gems
Here is where the other people do not tell you about, the winter gems in Aspen.
Locals whispered to me about Grottos Trail, a frozen wonderland of ice caves that glow under thin sunlight. One morning, I got there early, and it truly seemed like I was entering the world of crystals.
Another spot? Independence Pass. Visit there when there has been fresh snow, and you will see the mountains grow gold at daylight. It’s unreal.
And then there is Difficult Creek, and there is a frozen waterfall behind some trees, and there is no crowd there, just a quiet magic.
These are the times that you do not schedule. You simply bump into them, and they turn into the ones to be remembered the most.
FAQ: Planning Your Aspen Winter Trip
When is the best time to visit Aspen for winter activities?
Late November to April. The months of January and February have the best snow.
Do I need a car in Aspen?
Nope. Shuttles, local buses, and most of the hotels provide rides to the slopes.
Are there things to do in Aspen without skiing?
Definitely – snowshoeing, sleigh ride, skating, art museum, and food tours.
What is the dress code in Aspen in winter?
Layers. A thermal base, a waterproof jacket, Insulated boots, and gloves you will really wear.
Where should I stay in Aspen?
Snowmass to ski-in nighttime, downtown to nightlife.
Conclusion: Why Aspen Winter Stays With You.
I would stroll back to my room in Aspen every night, with aching cheeks and a bursting heart. It does not merely show you winter in this town. It makes you feel it.
There is no skiing or sleigh rides, no hot toddies or secret trails; at all times, one senses that they are in a storybook.
In case the idea of having a snowy retreat and at the same time a kind of adventure and relaxation is in your dreams, Aspen is waiting. Take your boots, your curiosity, and perhaps a bit of appetite to magic.
Because trust me, once you experience the best things to do in Aspen in winter, you’ll never look at snow the same way again.
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