What? No snow? Never fear, while Aspen is famous for world-class skiing in winter, you've got to check out the summer and fall outdoor activities that it hosts for both families and adventure sports enthusiasts.
As a former Colorado local, I can tell you that the weather in the summer and fall is sweet, probably one of the best places to be in July. You have warm, sunny days and brisk nights, and the air smells like fresh pine and is tinged with wildflower scents. Folks, you cannot buy air freshener that smells like Aspen in summer and fall, although the can may say so, you just have to experience it for real.
Visiting Aspen in the off-season means you are also going to miss the winter crowds, and have time to really talk with the locals as Aspen is not nearly as crowded in the summer and fall as it is in ski season. Stop into a coffee shop and chat with your barista to find out where she likes to hike, ask your white water raft guide what he likes to do on his off days. Remember that the locals in Colorado are the best guides to insider fun and usually love to share information with visitors if asked.
If you are lucky enough to be in Aspen in early fall when the mountains go gold from the Aspens turning, you'll never forget the experience. I would describe it as the mountain putting on her best jewelry for you, the finest pieces of gold that shimmer in the sunlight like a beautiful lady adorned. The high mountains go gold first, and then over the next week or two the gold slowly moves down the hillsides into Aspen proper. Call ahead and talk to the visitors bureau about the current weather and when the Aspens will turn that year, usually you have a few weeks of window from the first frost nights and the residents will know the trees are ready to turn. With just a bit of flexibility for travel dates, you can plan your trip for the perfect peak timing of fall foliage.
Whitewater Rafting in Colorado
If you are into white water rafting, the Aspen in summer is the place to be! You have a central launching point from Aspen that gives you access to not one or two but three great river rapids: the Roaring Fork, Colorado and Arkansas Rivers.
If you're traveling with munchkins, you're probably going to want to stay on the lower Roaring Fork beginner level rapids, where kids as young as 6 can take half-day tours with you and enjoy class II and III rapids.
If your looking for more extreme whitewater, you are going to want to head to the Arkansas or Colorado Rivers.
The Numbers section of the Arkansas is famous for the class IV rapids, and as a former Colorado resident, I can assure that in high snow melt times these rapids can exceed that. Sorry, no kids are allowed on these trips and you better be in decent physical shape to tackle the Numbers. Your journey is going to end with a waterfall drop that will either thrill you or scare you enough to scream like a baby. I have to say that I was thrilled when I rafted this section two years ago, AND that I also screamed like a baby.
Some insider tips for rafting the Numbers is to take the offer of the wet suit or splash jacket from your tour guide. On my first rafting trip I thought that I would enjoy the sunshine on my skin since it was about 90 degrees that day, and I was sorely mistaken. What I actually got was 50 degree fresh snow melt water constantly splashed onto my shivering goosebumped skin, so don't be arrogant and just put the gear on.
More Mountain Activities in Aspen
You can also add hiking, fly-fishing, horseback riding on mountain trails, paragliding, biking, hot air ballooning, rock-climbing and yoga retreats to the list of great Aspen summer and fall activities, and once you arrive in this lush mountain playground you'll find even more things available. So make Aspen your summer destination this year, and discover why Coloradoans stay and play in Colorado year round.
Wise words of Aspen travel advice by former Coloradan, Erika Louise-Preuss