30 Fun Things To Do In Aspen In Winter & Spring (Besides Ski)

Aspen is a highly sought-after winter destination thanks to world-class skiing, incredible scenery, unbeatable après and nightlife, plus fun festivals and events. Not to mention, the luxury shopping, fine dining, and famous visitors. Undoubtably, this is one of the best ski towns in the United States.

Visiting Aspen this winter or spring and wondering what to do? Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, there is plenty to do here. I’ve lived in Colorado most of my life and love visiting Aspen, especially in winter, it’s a really special place.

Read on for the best things to do in Aspen in winter.

Fun Things To Do In Aspen In Winter

Ice Skating

Is there anything more charming than an outdoor skate rink in the heart of the Rocky Mountains? 

Silver Circle Ice Rink in Downtown Aspen and Base Village Ice Rink in Snowmass are great options if you wish to lace up the skates and spend an afternoon (or evening) on the ice!

Even for those who don’t care to skate, both outdoor ice rinks are a great place to grab a hot chocolate and enjoy some people watching.

Prefer to skate inside? Check out Aspen’s indoor rinks, Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena.

Shop In Downtown Aspen

Aspen has a fabulous downtown area with historic buildings and incredible mountain views.

Spend your time browsing luxury shops like Prada, Fendi, and Gucci, plus upscale home goods or Western wear stores.

These are all mixed in with typical souvenir shops, ski shops, bookstores, and so on. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, all mingled together.

Between browsing shops, grab a cocktail or coffee on Mill Street Mall, check out an art gallery, or visit a museum.

Even if you don’t want to shop, this is a great area for walking around and getting to know the town.

Warm Up With Hot Chocolate Or Coffee

Looking to warm up with some hot cocoa, coffee, or sweet treats while exploring town? There are tons of options to choose from.

Some favorites are:

• Louis Swiss Pastry
• Paradise Bakery & Cafe
• Bear Den Aspen
• Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar
• The Little Nell or Hotel Jerome for hot chocolate.

Go Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a fantastic alternative for those who love outdoor winter activities, but aren’t avid skiers or snowboarders.  

Aspen has snowshoeing routes throughout all resorts, within and surrounding town, plus backcountry trails.

In addition to the area ski resorts, check out The Aspen Golf Course & Cross-Country Center, North Star Nature Preserve, Hunter Creek Valley, and trails such as the North Star Loop.

This is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of the mountain wilderness.  

Various companies also offer guided snowshoe tours in Aspen.

Aspen Art Museum

Looking for an indoor activity during your winter visit to Aspen? Consider the Aspen Art Museum.

It’s known for innovative and diverse exhibitions, plus engaging educational programs and events.

They also have a chic rooftop cafe, Swedish Hill, with fabulous views, light bites and wine.

The building is centrally located in downtown Aspen, making it very easy to visit. As for the building itself, you can’t miss it.

The museum’s building is a work of art. The distinctive structure is characterized by a unique woven wooden lattice exterior, designed by architect Shigeru Ban. 

Best of all, the museum is free to all visitors.

Not sure how to piece everything together? Check out my Aspen Winter Weekend Itinerary for a ready-made 3-day plan.

Ride The Silver Queen Gondola

One of the best things to do in Aspen during winter is ride the Silver Queen Gondola. And yes, non-skiers can ride with a foot pass. A ride on the gondola is a unique experience, providing incredible views of the surrounding area.

Once you’ve reached the summit, 11,200 feet above sea level, enjoy lunch, drinks, and all the ski vibes at Sundeck Restaurant. Plus, epic views you can only get from the top of a mountain. Just be sure to stay out of the way of skiers and wear proper shoes, you’ll be walking in snow.

The Silver Queen Gondola departs from the base of Aspen Mountain (Ajax), in the heart of downtown. Pricing and hours vary, be sure to check out Aspen Gondola Rides.

Tip: Another popular scenic gondola ride is the Elk Camp Gondola, departing from Snowmass Village.

As far as Aspen winter activities go, a gondola ride is always a favorite.

Base Village Ice Rink Game Of Stones 

Curling-enthusiast? Or always wanted to try? Check out the Game of Stones curling series in Snowmass.

Teams of two compete in a head to head competitions, with the first team to reach 10 points being crowned the winner.

The event is held on select dates throughout winter and registration is required. Even if you don’t want to join, this is a fun one to watch.

Wheeler Opera House

The Wheeler Opera House is a historic performing arts venue that’s been a cultural cornerstone of the community for over 100 years.

The building was constructed in 1889, when Aspen was a mining town reaping the benefits of the brief Silver Boom.

The venue hosts a variety of shows including opera performances, concerts, theatrical productions, film screenings, and comedy acts, to name a few.

Wheeler Opera House is open for tours via Aspen Historical Society: Wheeler Opera House Tours. Or check out their event schedule at Wheeler Opera House Events.

Go Tubing Or Sledding

Sledding is a perfect winter activity, it provides snowy fun for the whole family.

The Aspen Recreation Center’s “Whoa Nelly” Sledding Hill is one of the most popular spots. There’s also Snowmass Town Park, plus small hills at various parks throughout the Aspen area.

No matter where you go, the kids are sure to love this one after fresh snow has fallen.

Want to level up your sledding experience? Hit the tubing hill. Snowmass Mountain has lift-served tubing hills, perfect for both kids and adults. The hill is groomed and will receive snowmaking services if necessary, so this is especially great if there’s not much snow in town yet.

Tubing hill passes include unlimited rides, as well as access to the gondola. There’s also packages which include the mountain coaster, which I’ll cover below.

Breathtaker Alpine Coaster

Ever wanted to experience the thrill of an alpine coaster during the winter season? Cue, the Snowmass Breathtaker Alpine Coaster.

Wind through the forest surrounding Elk Camp on the coaster’s elevated tracks. The track runs for just over a mile and reaches speeds up to 28 mph.

This is a really fun one for both kids and adults, albeit quite cold.

Passes include three rides. There’s also the option to bundle the alpine coaster and tubing hill, which is the best value.

Après Ski

You don’t have to ski to après ski. “Après ski” is a French term which literally means “after ski.” In today’s slang, it means social activities (usually drinks) after skiing, and yes, non-skiers can join. In fact, they’re usually the ones to kick off après.

Expect DJ’s, live music, and lots of entertainment at bars throughout Aspen.

My favorite place to grab a drink is right at the base of a mountain. With so many ski resorts in Aspen, that gives you tons of options.

Enjoy a drink and watch the skiers on Aspen Mountain (Ajax) at Ajax Tavern, The Wine Bar, or The Sundeck. And because Downtown Aspen sits right on the edge of Aspen Mountain (Ajax), there are tons of additional spots for après throughout downtown.

The resorts of Buttermilk, Aspen Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands will all have great spots for après as well.

Cross-Country Skiing

Up next is cross-country skiing, also referred to as nordic skiing. Yes, this is skiing, but it’s very different from downhill, and doesn’t require a resort pass. Plus, cross-country skiing is a great way to experience Aspen’s quiet beauty.

There are various places to enjoy nordic skiing, including The Aspen Golf Course & Cross-Country Center, North Star Nature Preserve, Maroon Creek Road, and trails such as Owl Creek.

Additionally, there’s the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System, which features over 60 miles of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails for various skill levels.

If interested in cross-country skiing, you’ve got a great selection of options here in Aspen.

Belly Up

Belly Up is a much-loved live music venue and nightclub in downtown Aspen.

The intimate, 450 person venue is general admission only, which creates a casual atmosphere regardless of how big the night’s performer is.

A few of the big name artists to take the stage here include John Legend, The National, Snoop Dogg, Kacey Musgraves, Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Buffett, Odesza, and Leon Bridges, just to name a few.

If there’s a show at Belly Up while you’re in town, it’s definitely worth stopping by.

For a list of upcoming events, check out: Belly Up Aspen Calendar.

More Live Music

You’ll find quite a bit of live music around Aspen, in addition to concerts found at Belly Up.

Check out the following venues and concert series:

• Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series
• Jas Café at the Little Nell
• The Limelight Lounge
• Wheeler Opera House

Additionally, many bars and hotels throughout Aspen will have live music during winter, be sure to check out their schedules.

Walking Tour Of Aspen 

If you wish to learn a bit more about Aspen’s history, a walking tour is a great way to get to know the town.

Aspen Historical Society and Dean’s Aspen Tours have the best options for walking tours in town.

The Historical Downtown Walking Tour, Highlights of Aspen Tour, and Aspen’s DarkSide Ghost Tour are favorites.

Use the links above for information regarding pricing and availability.

Ullr Nights

Take an evening gondola ride up to Elk Camp for family-friendly winter activities at Aspen Snowmass.

General admission passes give you access to the gondola, bonfire, and some games. From there you can also purchase dinner and s’mores.

If you’re up for more fun, you’ll definitely want to get the Activities Ticket. This gives you unlimited tubing and Breathtaker Alpine Coaster rides. Kids and adults are welcome to play.

Wagner Park

Wagner Park is centrally located in Downtown Aspen and therefore a focal point for events throughout the year.

Wagner Park Festival and Wintersköl are two popular festivals held here during winter.

Even if there’s no event going on while you’re in town, this is still a common meeting point and perfect place to walk around.

Visit A Local Brewery

Colorado is well known for its breweries, so grabbing a local craft beer will be on the to-do list of many visitors.

Surprisingly, Aspen only has one brewery, Aspen Brewing Company. But luckily, it’s a good one!

In addition to their long lineup of beers, from light pilsners to hoppy IPA’s, they also offer wine and cocktails. Not to mention, a legit food menu.

Do be aware, this brewery gets quite busy.

If you’re willing to venture outside the immediate Aspen area, there are more breweries available and even distilleries. In Carbondale you’ll find Carbondale Beer Works and Marble Distilling Co. In Basalt, Woody Creek Distillers.

Aspen Recreation Center

The Aspen Recreation Center offers a ton of activities for both locals and visitors.

You’ll find typical rec center amenities such as a gym, fitness classes, saunas, hot tubs, indoor courts, and indoor track.

But you’ll also find a large rock climbing wall and NHL-sized ice rink, both indoors.

Plus, one of their most popular features, the Aquatic Center which has a 6 lane lap pool, lazy river, and 2-story water slide.

Snowmobile 

Check out Aspen’s epic vista views and backcountry wilderness by going for a snowmobiling tour.  Aspen has miles of trails to explore, this will be an experience you won’t forget!

For those who want to join a guided tour, Blazing Adventures, T-Lazy-7, and Western Adventures have the best options.

Interested in sleigh rides instead? Check out Aspen Carriage & Sleigh.

See The Maroon Bells

The stunning Maroon Bells are one of the most iconic attractions in Aspen.

Seeing them in winter, though, isn’t the easiest.

The final few miles of Maroon Creek Road, leading up to Maroon Lake, are not maintained in winter.

Meaning, the only way to see the Maroon Bells during the cold months is by snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, fat biking, or snowmobiling.

Each option offers advantages, but snowmobiling is the most popular way to go.

T-Lazy-7 Ranch, located just a few miles from the Maroon Bells, offers snowmobiling tours. In my opinion, this is one of the best tours in Aspen.

Check out pricing and availability at T-Lazy-7 Ranch Maroon Bells Snowmobiling.

Red Brick Center For The Arts

The Red Brick Center For The Arts is a community art space located in Downtown Aspen.

They host special exhibitions throughout the year, adult art classes, kids programs, and events.

Pop in to view their current exhibition or reserve a spot in one of their classes, information for both can be found at: Red Brick Center.

John Denver Sanctuary

The John Denver Sanctuary is a peaceful outdoor tribute to the famous American singer-songwriter, John Denver.

The “Rocky Mountain High” singer had a home in Aspen, and was an advocate for environmental conservation.

The public park is located in a quiet part of downtown, just off the Roaring Fork River. It’s a great spot to relax and enjoy the quiet.

Snowmass Village 

Aspen has four ski areas, with Snowmass being the largest. At the base of this massive mountain is the Town of Snowmass Village.

The village has tons of entertainment options, especially in the winter months.

I’ve previously mentioned tubing, the alpine coaster, the Game of Stones curling event, and Ullr Nights, but that’s not all there is to do here.

There’s also lots of fun events, shopping, bars and entertainment, in addition to delicious dining options.

The village is located just 10 miles from Downtown Aspen. Aspen’s excellent (and free) public transportation system makes it extremely easy to navigate between the two.

Fat Biking

Aspen has some wonderful mountain biking trails popular in the summer months, but did you know you can bike here in winter too?

Fat biking is an off-road bicycle with oversized tires which allow for extra traction and grip, perfect for biking in the snow!

Aspen Fat Bike Loop — which includes portions of Aspen Golf Course, Marolt Open Space, and Maroon Creek Trail — is a great route to try out.

There are also a number of trails in Aspen and the White River National Forest.

If needed, there are various places to rent fat bikes throughout Aspen.

Spa Day

With ample outdoor activities in Aspen, you’ll soon be craving some rest and relaxation! 

Luckily, there’s plenty of excellent spas in the area.

Spend a relaxing afternoon (or full day) pampering yourself with a deep tissue massage, full body wrap, facial, or some quiet sauna time.

There are many great spas to choose from in Aspen, among the most popular are:

• RAKxa Wellness Spa
• Aspen Alps Spa
• Yarrow, Auberge Spa
• The Spa at The Little Nell
• True Nature Healing Arts

Pine Creek Cookhouse

Dining at Pine Creek Cookhouse is a special experience in Aspen.

The rustic restaurant is surrounded by stunning mountain views in the Ashcroft Valley, providing a secluded and serene winter setting.

The lunch and dinner menus feature gourmet cuisine, with an emphasis on locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.

During winter the only way to access this restaurant is by snowshoe, cross-country ski, or sleigh ride.

This is part of what makes Pine Creek Cookhouse so incredible, you’re literally dining in a winter wonderland.

And don’t worry, there are tour guides who will take you up here, if you’re not comfortable going at it on your own.

For example, Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers guided snowshoe tours to Ashcroft Ghost Town, which can include stops at Pine Creek Cookhouse.

Check out Pine Creek Cookhouse Snowshoe Tours for more information.

Day Trip To Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Up for soaking in some hot springs? Then a great day trip from Aspen is Glenwood Springs.

The neighboring city is best known for gorgeous Glenwood Canyon and, of course, the hot springs. 

A mineral soak is the perfect way to unwind and support your body after enjoying outdoor winter sports.

The most popular springs here are Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs Pool, and Yampa Spa & Vapor Caves.

While here, also consider exploring the shops and restaurants throughout downtown Glenwood Springs.

Looking for more hot springs nearby? Check out The Best Hot Springs Near Aspen.

Winter Events In Aspen

Winter in Aspen has an unmatched energy, and there’s no shortage of exciting festivals and celebrations to go with that!

It’d be impossible to list out all winter events, but below are a few of the town’s most well-known:

• Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series – various dates throughout winter and spring.
• Town Race Series – various dates throughout winter and spring.
• Aspen Gay Ski Week – January 11 – 18, 2026
• Aspen Winter X Games – January 23 – 25, 2026
• Toyota U.S. Grand Prix – January 5 -10, 2026
• Ullrhof Games – March 17, 2026
• Bud Light Spring Jam – March 27 – 29, 2026
• Closing Day – various dates, usually in April.

For more events, head over to Aspen Snowmass Events.

Planning to attend the X Games? Check out my guide: X Games Aspen: What To Know Before You Go.

Where To Eat & Drink In Aspen

Aspen Restaurants

Dining in Aspen is a whole experience. There’s a reason a town with barely 6,000 residents earned a visit from the Michelin Guide — the restaurant scene here seriously delivers.

For an upscale option, check out some of these favorites:

• Element 47: an upscale, fine-dining experience with a holiday-inspired menu. You’ll see this one on just about every “must-try during the holidays” list — and for good reason.
• Bosq: a Michelin-starred choice when you want something extra memorable.
• PARC Aspen: offers refined, seasonally inspired cuisine in a sophisticated dining room, complete with an award-winning wine list.
• Aurum Food & Wine (Snowmass Base Village): sleek but relaxed, this elevated New-American spot delivers seasonal fare in a stylish yet welcoming setting.
• Velvet Buck (at The St. Regis Aspen): known for its festive holiday dinners and comfortable luxury ambiance.
• Matsuhisa – Chef Nobu’s Aspen outpost blends Japanese-Peruvian imagination with sushi and refined plates in a historic Victorian house.

Don’t forget reservations!

For more casual and relatively-budget-friendly options, spots like White House Tavern, Aspen Public House, Clark’s Oyster Bar, Meat & Cheese, and Aspen Brewing Company offer solid meals without the fine-dining price tag.

Check out all of Michelin’s Aspen recommendations at: Michelin Guide.

Aspen Nightlife

Aspen is not known to shy away from a party. In fact, it’s got quite the notorious nightlife scene. 

There will be no shortage of watering hole options during your visit to Aspen.

Day drinking? Stop by Ajax Tavern or W Aspen WET Deck.

For a cocktial, grab a drink at The J-Bar at Hotel Jerome, Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge, Bad Harriet, or Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar.

If you prefer something a little more low key, I’d recommend Aspen Public House, Zane’s Tavern, or Aspen Brewing Company. 

Out late? The Sterling, GALA Aspen, Ponyboy, and Escobar Aspen are always a good time. And be sure to check out Belly Up if you’re up for live music.

As you can see, there’s so many great things to do in Aspen in winter! I hope you have the best time!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media!

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Aspen and Colorado guides, or head on over to Aspen Snowmass!

More Information For Your Winter Vacation In Aspen:

• Aspen Winter Weekend (3-Day Itinerary)
• Best Hot Springs Near Aspen
• Best Hotels In Aspen, CO
• X Games Aspen: What To Know Before You Go
• Christmas In Aspen: Top Things To Do
• What To Wear In Colorado In Winter (For Mountain Towns & Ski Trips)
• All Aspen Guides

More Information For Your Colorado Vacation:

• Best Winter Destinations In Colorado
• Spring Break Destinations In Colorado
• Best Luxurious Colorado Mountain Towns
• Best Colorado Mountain Towns For First-Time Visitors
• Colorado Travel Guide (how to plan your trip!)
• All Colorado Guides