What’s New in Snowmass this Summer

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2010 SUMMER SEASON

Elk Camp Gondola and Lift Takes Guests Up More Than 11,000 feet
New this summer, Snowmass will be running the Elk Camp Gondola and Elk Camp Lift taking guests up to more than 11,000 feet for breathtaking scenic mountain ridge views and an on-mountain restaurant.  Mountain bikers and hikers will enjoy 25 miles of newly developed trails (totaling more than 45 miles of trails to explore) on the west side of Snowmass ski area all part of an overall summer activities plan that has been in the works since the mid-1990s. The new trails coupled with activities such as a climbing wall, children’s play area, bungee trampoline, fishing pond and an extensive disc golf course, will provide summer visitors and locals alike with a memorable experience. The gondola will operate daily from June 20 through Labor Day weekend.

Yoga Rocks the Mountains – July 16-18
This three day inaugural festival will begin Friday evening and commence on Sunday afternoon taking place at the new Viceroy Snowmass. The main components will be yoga, music, and organic food and spirits all taking place in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains featuring some of the world’s best yoga teachers to leave you inspired and rejuvenated. There will be classes and workshops in a variety of yoga styles and levels to offer to all yoga enthusiasts a class to enjoy.  A wide variety of music; jam band, indie rock, reggae, psychedelic, new world, and experimental music will compliment various yoga workshops. A main paid concert will be Saturday night on Fanny Hill.

Snowmass Culinary & Arts Fest – August 13-15
The inaugural Snowmass Culinary & Arts Festival brings foodies, wine connoisseurs, and art lovers alike together in a premiere visual and delectable feast.  It features celebrity chefs, a juried art exhibit with regionally and nationally recognized artists, food & presentation expert panels, and a Palette of Pairings featuring specialty foods with wines & spirits, all set in the scenic mountain splendor of Snowmass Village, Colorado. 

Snowmass Half and Half 10K Run – August 8
A new 10K race that combines half path, half alpine loop trail including steep climbs and sharp descents for a challenging mountain walk or run.

Viceroy Snowmass
The new Viceroy Snowmass opened Thanksgiving 2009 offering 173 guest rooms in a premier ski-in/ski-out location adjacent to Snowmass' Assay Hill Lift.  Rooms range from stylish studios to expansive four-bedroom residences, with galley or full kitchens, stunning mountain views and contemporary alpine décor. Guests can enjoy slopeside ski valet services; a dramatically designed, fine-dining restaurant; an 87-foot-long, glass-topped, après-ski bar and plush lounge; a full-service 7,000-square foot spa; fitness room; and a Kelly Wearstler-designed pool café and slopeside pool experience.
 
The Perfect Summer Card
With this summer card guests get significant deals in Snowmass along with neighboring Aspen (just nine miles away) on arts and cultural events, outdoor adventures, family fun, dining and nightlife which also includes world class shopping in Aspen. Go to www.snowmasstourism.com for more information.

2009 SUMMER SEASON

Event News (2009)

  • Take 5 in Snowmass Village. Multiple festivals celebrated five year anniversaries in 2008, including St. Paddy’s Day (March 17), Chili Pepper & Brew Fest (June 6-8), Massive Music (July 5 & August 2), The Snowmass Wellness Experience (August 16-17), and Octoberfest (September 6). Drawing crowds by the thousands, these events and Snowmass’ summers have come a long way in five short years.
  • The NEW 12 Hours of Snowmass kept riders pedaling the golden trails from dawn until dusk as part of a fundraiser for local youth organizations Aspen Youth Center and Extreme Sports Camp and featured Lance Armstrong’s three-person team, which won in 2008.
  • Blast the Mass (July 11-13) offered UCI Level 1 downhill and mountain cross races, the highest ranked courses in the nation. Lance Armstrong won in 2009.

New Dining

  • Hickory House began serving its famous and award-winning ribs at the Snowmass Rodeo BBQ tent.

Getting Here: Transportation (2009)

  • Free Bus Service to Aspen. Aspen/Snowmass announced on February 14, 2008, that the Roaring Fork Transit Authority will run free buses between Aspen and Snowmass this summer and fall, and possibly next winter, making it easier than ever to get around the Aspen/Snowmass area.
  • New Air Service. Frontier airlines began new service to Aspen/Snowmass starting May 15, 2008, with five daily departures from the Aspen/Snowmass airport. The airport is served by the 70-seat Bombardier Q400 turboprop, which is quieter than other aircraft and burns 40 percent less fuel than comparable aircraft, in addition to being more reliable for such mountain destinations. Frontier flies to 63 destinations, including 53 U.S. cities, six cities in Mexico, two in Canada and one in Costa Rica.

New Amenities

  • The award-winning and environmentally-friendly Snowmass Recreation Center more than doubles its state-of-the-art facilities. This completed 18,000-square-foot indoor facility now includes a state-of-the-art Matrix cardio and weight room, a gymnasium with a full-size basketball and volleyball court, a 1,000-square-foot aerobics room, and a climbing wall and bouldering cave. Outdoors, visitors will find four heated pools (with water features and slide), four new tennis courts, a basketball court, two sand volleyball courts, and a new 10,000-square-foot concrete skate park. For more information, CLICK HERE
  • The Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center is the new home of Snowmass’ popular Camp Aspen/Snowmass and is like no other children’s center in the mountains. In addition to offering day programs such as mountainboarding and skateboarding, this unique 25,000-square-foot, nature-themed facility also offers childcare, afternoon and evening activities for the whole family and new drop-in programs for children ages three to eight in cooking, art, and science. For more information, CLICK HERE

The Arts

  • Anderson Ranch Arts Center offers over 140 summer classes for adults and children, free lectures, art auctions and a cozy cafe to dine with the artists. Its 2008 distinguished faculty included Enrique Martinez Celaya, Holly Roberts, Laura McPhee, Robin Lasser and Richard Notkin. The center is collaborating on new programs with the Aspen Institute, Aspen Music Festival, and Aspen Film. Look for a retrospective exhibit on Anderson Ranch at the Aspen Art Museum opening October, 2008.

Accolades

  • Environmental Stewardship. The Snowmass Club has achieved designation as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program. The Snowmass Club is the 30th course in Colorado and the 665th in the world to receive the honor.