Aspen

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During the summer season, guests of Aspen trade in their skis for fishing poles, hiking boots, and more.

Photo by Jeremy Swanson

Aspen’s historic Hotel Jerome.

Cyclists can enjoy long rides with breathtaking scenery

Rugged ❖ Snowy slopes may be Aspen’s foremost attraction, but this renowned Rocky Mountain resort town is more than just a winter getaway. Once the ski lifts come to a halt, Colorado’s most glamorous destination becomes a playground for summertime sports. Cyclists can tackle the 42-mile Rio Grande Trail (a former rail corridor that stretches from Aspen to Glenwood Springs), while hikers of all skill levels can cross subalpine forests and wildflower-choked valleys on the region’s many wilderness routes. The Roaring Fork Valley is home to trout-filled streams, Class-IV rapids, and fourteeners (mountains that rise to 14,000 feet or higher). For the most intrepid adventurers, the Three-Peak Challenge—a fourteener excursion set over a trio of sky-high summits—is a true test of strength and courage. 

Refined ❖ Aspen’s high-adrenaline adventures are matched only by its high-end accommodations. The Hotel Jerome, an Auberge Resort (aubergeresorts.com), was Colorado’s first luxury hotel when it opened in 1889; the 93-room property has returned to top form following a massive restoration and today offers warm-weather excursions ranging from hot-air balloon rides to sunset white-water rafting. Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis Aspen Resort (stregisaspen.com) assembles bespoke excursions that might include sailing on Ruedi Reservoir and clay-target shooting. The Little Nell (thelittlenell.com)—well known for its après-adventure dining scene at Element 47—blends action and indulgence with its Ride & Dine road-biking dinner series.