Snow is not a requirement for having fun in Aspen. With the outrageously beautiful Rocky Mountains and White River National Forest in the background, outdoor adventure in Aspen reaches its peak during the summer - making this the ideal time to stay at The Gant and experience the thrill of a Colorado mountain vacation.
Outdoor Recreation
- Biking - Aspen offers some of the greatest road and mountain biking in the world, with backcountry roads and trails traversing the entire Aspen/Snowmass area. Classic alpine road rides include the scenic rides to the Maroon Bells, Ashcroft Ghost Town, and the monster climb up Independence Pass. Aspen also boasts over 70 miles of single-track mountain biking, including the 11-mile Government Trail between Aspen and Snowmass, as well as the Hunter Creek and Four Corners areas. If you're super-adventurous, ride from Aspen to Crested Butte.
- Fly fishing - With two gold-medal rivers in the Aspen Valley - the Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan - Aspen offers great river trout fishing, as well as high-alpine lake trout fishing. You might also do a scenic float trip on the Colorado River and the lower Roaring Fork, fishing along the way.
- Golf - The Aspen area features six golf courses within a 45-minute drive, including the Aspen Municipal Golf Course and the Snowmass Club Golf Course designed by Jim Engh and voted "Best New Course" by Colorado Golf Magazine.
- Hunting - In the majestic high country when the aspen leaves are turning, experience the power of a bull elk bugling at 30 yards. Aspen offers a variety of outfitters specializing in guided archery and black-powder hunts for elk and deer.
- Hiking - The Aspen/Snowmass area offers trails of all types, giving you the opportunity to experience the high country's breathtaking beauty during a casual stroll or a tough uphill climb. Catch the wildflowers in full bloom from mid-July to mid-August.
- Rock climbing - Technical rock climbing opportunities abound throughout the Aspen/Snowmass area, especially in the locals' favorite areas up Independence Pass.
- Tennis - The Gant offers our own tennis courts just for guests. If you want to improve your game, our partnership with Aspen Club & Spa gives you access to their tennis pros - who will come work with you right here. Contact our concierge for additional information and to reserve court times.
- Swimming - The Gant features two beautiful pool areas, one just off the Conference Center and another, more secluded deck surrounded by aspen trees.
- Whitewater rafting - One of Aspen's most popular summer activities, whitewater rafting on the Roaring Fork, Arkansas and Colorado rivers can range from gentle Class I water to powerful and intense Class IV rapids.
- Whitewater Sledging - A little like rafting and a lot like boogie boarding, whitewater sledging is a New Zealand sport that uses a sturdy plastic board specifically designed to help you navigate the rapids.
- Kayaking - The Roaring Fork River offers everything from chilling thrills through the action-packed Slaughterhouse rapids to easy floats through gently moving water in the Northstar Nature Preserve.
- Jeep tours - Take a backcountry, four-wheel drive excursion to wildflower-carpeted alpine meadows where the views seem to go on forever.
- Horseback riding - Explore the Roaring Fork Valley wilderness on horseback, seeing aspen forests and wildflower meadows from a whole new perspective. Half-day, full-day and overnight trips are available through a variety of outfitters.
- Ballooning - Experience panoramic views of the rugged landscape, 14,000-foot peaks and wildlife in the alpine meadows below when you soar over the spectacular Colorado Rocky Mountains in a hot air balloon.
Arts & Cultural Attractions
- Summer events - With warm days and cool nights, summer in Aspen is perfect for special events - such the Food & Wine Magazine Classic, Motherlode Volleyball Classic, Old Fashioned 4th of July, the Aspen Music Festival, Theater in the Park, Jazz Aspen Festivals, and Aspen Film Festival.
- Art galleries - Discover dozens of art galleries, including the Aspen Art Museum, the Western Slope's finest contemporary art museum, housed in a historic brick building.
- Dining - Consistently rated the #1 resort in North America for dining, Aspen/Snowmass has more than 100 restaurants, bars and clubs that offer menus to please every palate and plenty of excitement after the sun goes down.
- Shopping - From antiques and T-shirts to fine jewelry and some of the world's most fashionable clothing boutiques, shopping in Aspen is an experience not to be missed.
- Historical tours and museums - Investigate Aspen's rich and storied past by taking an Aspen Historical Society tour of West End and Downtown, visiting the Ashcroft and Independence ghost towns, touring the Compromise and Smuggler Mines, and seeing the Wheeler-Stallard House Historical Museum and The Wheeler Opera House.
