ASPEN / SNOWMASS NON-SKI ACTIVITIES
January 13-20, 2024
Unique experiences and unparalleled scenery will make your Aspen/Snowmass getaway unforgettable.
No matter the season, there are lots of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Aspen and the surrounding area. In the winter, skip the slopes and consider a snowshoe hike to get that cardio in. Trails abound, and rentals will only run you about $25 a day. If you don’t want to hoof it, a snowcat ride might be more your speed. And there’s no better way to see the town than in a horse-drawn sleigh; many meander down the town’s main streets. Just hail one like you would a cab!
· Alpine Coaster
Have you ever wondered what riding down a luge would be like? Now’s your chance to get that feeling (with the dangerous aspect eliminated!). The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster allows you to experience the sensation of speeding down the track, banking tight curves, and watching the trees whistle by as you ride a tandem coaster car. The mile-long track gets you up to about 28 miles per hour — not quite a luge speed, but fast enough for a thrilling ride.
Ride the Breathtaker at night for an eerie, speedy adventure illuminated only by your coaster car light and the moon.
· Snowshoe
Explore the Aspen/Snowmass area on foot with a guided snowshoe tour. Aspen Center For Environmental Studies’ naturalist guide will take you on a 2.5-mile trek through a peaceful winter wonderland setting while discussing the ecology of the area. It is a fun combination of exercise, education, and entertainment for skiers and non-skiers alike.
· John Denver Sanctuary
The John Denver Sanctuary is a memorial to the legendary country singer, composer, and guitar player. His love for Colorado and the wide-open country was ever-present in his music. This small park is a tribute to Denver’s love for the natural world. It is a nice spot to stop and reflect upon the beauty of the gifts Mother Nature allows us to enjoy.
· Tubing
11 am - 3:30 pm *Daily: Dec 23 - Apr 2 Trade your skis for a snow tube! The multiple tubing lanes are lift served and carved into The Meadows at Elk Camp and fun for all ages.
· Maroon Bells
The Maroon Bells area is one of the most visited and hiked scenic areas in the White River National Forest. The picturesque Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak are two of Colorado’s 58 14ers (mountain peaks that exceed 14,000 feet). Cross-country skiing, snow biking, snowshoeing, or hiking with crampons will get you to Maroon Lake. If you want to ride, the T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers a Maroon Bells snowmobile tour. The 2-hour tour takes you through the breathtaking backwoods scenery of the White River area. Single and tandem snowmobiles are available, and driving instructions are provided.
· Shopping
Enjoy a stroll through the downtown area, where you could easily dine, drink, and shop for days. Aspen’s understated elegance is evident everywhere, particularly in the storefronts.
· Enjoy Some Great Music
Since 1889, the historic and gorgeous Wheeler Opera House has hosted an array of cultural events including concerts, plays, lectures, community events, and even an annual Laugh Festival featuring up-and-coming comedians. The opera house is a great place to take in some terrific music, and it’s as popular with the locals as it is with the tourists.
· Make Time For The Museums
There’s no shortage of wonderful museums to check out in Aspen. Start your cultural tour at the Aspen Art Museum. This former power plant dates to the 1880s. It was transformed in the mid 1970s and is a non-collecting institution, which means that it changes up its exhibits quite often. The exhibits feature contemporary international pieces in a variety of media. Don’t skip the gift shop; it’s got a great selection of jewelry, including couture pieces crafted from precious metals and studded with gemstones! Admission is free, and the museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday.
To get an overview of the history of this fascinating town, consider a guided tour with the Aspen Historical Society. On this coach tour with several stops, you’ll learn how Aspen transformed from a mining outpost to a ski town and ultimately, a world-class resort destination. Tours run Tuesday through Friday and cost $25 per person; they are capped at just five people, so you’ll get plenty of interaction with your guide.
The Aspen Historical Societyalso operates the Wheeler/Stallard Museum. This lovely Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion occupies an entire city block and gives you a feel for how families of the time period lived. The first floor is decorated as a typical Aspen Victorian home, and the second floor features rotating exhibits on the area’s history. The museum is open (with an on-site docent) from Tuesday through Saturday, and admission costs $10 for adults.
· Raven Gallery
Raven Gallery in Aspen, Colorado strives to blend the creative efforts of the human hand with the art of nature. On two floors, we represent top glass artists of the world, a select group of painters and sculptors, and an extraordinary array of globally sourced mineral specimens.
· Holden Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum
In 1891, the Holden Lixiviation Mill sprawled over 22 acres at the edge of Aspen, boasting state-of-the-art technology and industrial design. Just 14 months after the new plant opened, Congress demonetized silver and the mill went bankrupt. Mike Marolt purchased the property for a dollar
· Hit The Spa
Of course, folks hitting the slopes need to soothe their sore muscles. Even if you’re not skiing, you can indulge in some of the best spa experiences of your life in Aspen. All of the town’s high-rent hotels have equally luxe spa facilities — you’ll just want to make your reservations in advance.
· Snowmass Luminescence
We could all use a little more light in our lives these days. And now, when the lifts close at Snowmass, things really brighten up. Snowmass Luminescence, an interactive art and light display brought to you by Snowmass Tourism and Aspen Snowmass, will immerse you and your family in a dazzling world of light and art. Skip the Skittles Gondola ride between the Snowmass Mall and Base Village and, instead, stroll through an interactive series of LED illuminated walkways and arches that will ignite your senses. In addition, you can experience a large-scale interactive LED installations by acclaimed artists, Evolution Field by Matt McConnel, Lumiverse Transporter and Electric Dandelion by Liquid PLX.
· Aspen's Ghost Towns.
Cross Country Ski! Snowshoe! Walk through the ghost town of Ashcroft located at the end of Castle Creek Road or stop at the Independence Ghost Town.
CHECK IT OUT!
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Articles-ltbYU10014rc-Aspen_colorado_in_winter.html
HTTPS://www.aspensnowmass.com.
Anyone who has been to Aspen Snowmass and has any suggestions or recommendations please reach out, Harold and I would love to hear them!!
Karen Robinson 610-509-9003 Karenerobinson1@verizon.net
Harold Lamb 484-431-0653 HJLamb1979@gmail.com
Breckenridge Activities for Non-Skiers (and for Skiers Taking a rest day!)
FEBRUARY 3 -10, 2024
Breckenridge Welcome Center - Breckenridge, Colorado (gobreck.com)
Breckenridge History Home (breckhistory.org) Breckenridge History Tours
Snowcat Adventures - Breckenridge Nordic Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling Tours | Dog Sledding Tours | Breckenridge, Colorado (goodtimesadventures.com)
Breckenridge Sledding & Tubing - Breckenridge, Colorado (gobreck.com)
Breckenridge Recreation | Home – Rec Center, Ice Arena, Tennis Center, Nordic Center
Blue Sage Spa, Massage, Facials, Waxing & Tinting, Best Spa in Breckenridge
Breckenridge Wellness Spa | Relaxing Massage, Oxygen & Skin Services (harmonyhealthmassage.com)
Breck Create • Breckenridge, Colorado Creative Arts, Exhibitions, River Walk Center
Best Breckenridge Beer Bike Tours by Ridden (breckenridgebiketours.com) – Year Around Fat Tire Biking
Breckenridge Alpine Coaster | Breckenridge Resort Take the free Gondola from Park Ave.
Dining, Nightlife & Shopping - Breckenridge, Colorado (gobreck.com)
Barney Ford Museum (breckhistory.org) Home of the enslaved person turned entrepreneur and prominent Colorado businessman
The Gold Pan Saloon Carboy Winery and Tasting Room
Escape Room Breckenridge
Meta Yoga Studios
Winter Sleigh Rides and Dinner Theater in Breckenridge Colorado (coloradosleighrides.com)
Trip Leaders
Linda Peduto – Linda@1stcapdesign.com 610-331-6670
Bob Renken – Rarenken@outlook.com 484-544-9215
MUST READ
MORE INFORMATION FOR SKIERS!
SNOWMASS / ASPEN January 2024
BRECKENRIDGE February 2024
SNOWMASS/ASPEN:
Ambassador Tours: Get to know the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass inside and out with our community ambassadors. In addition to FREE orientation tours, they offer information on terrain and facilities, and goodies like coffee and apple cider in the morning. If you have any questions, our ambassadors can provide information about Aspen, Snowmass and the Roaring Fork Valley on and off the slopes. Special programs also available such as history of the mountain Snowmass: 11:00am (meet at the top of Sam's Knob) Aspen Mountain: 11:00am (Meet at the top of the mountain at Guest Services Center) Aspen Highlands: 10:30am & 1:00pm (Meet at the Guests Services Cabin next to the Merry-Go-Round Restaurant) Buttermilk: 10:30am & 1:30pm (Meet at Guest Services at the top of the Summit Express Lift)
Learn more at: aspensnowmass.com/we-are-different/ambassador-program
First Tracks: Be the first to enjoy newly groomed or fresh powder before the mountain officially opens for the day. Complimentary and available to upper-level intermediate skiers and snowboarders, ages 11 and up on Snowmass. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning in mid-December at the bottom of the Elk Camp Gondola. To reserve, call 970-923-0560, reservations must be made in advance and space is limited.
Learn more at aspensnowmass.com/our-mountains/snowmass/mountain-tours
Four Mountain Sports Book in advance and Save 35% off the walk-in rate!
STORE & TRANSFER YOUR EQUIPMENT! We’ll look after your skis and snowboards so you don't have to. Simply drop off equipment at the corral located at the base of each mountain. Looking to ski a different mountain the next day? We’ll transfer your ski and snowboard equipment to any of our four mountains for free, which eliminates the hassle of carrying your equipment. This service is available for a fee if you don't rent your equipment through Four Mountain Sports.
For more information on rentals, locations, equipment and group rental services, Contact us at: fourmountainsports@aspensnowmass.com
IKON PASS INFORMATION:
IKON Base Plus is needed for Aspen/Snowmass Mountains Jan 13 – 20, 2024
Ikon Base Plus: Ski up to 5 days each at 34 destinations worldwide.
Cost Before May 1st from BVSA/JP Tours - $989.00 - Online cost $1,149.00 (4.22.23)
Renewal Rate Before May 1st from BVSA/JP Tours - $949.00
Ikon Base Plus +1 day (covers blacked out Sunday Jan 14th) $1,058.00
Full Ikon Pass: Unlimited access to 15 destinations, Up to 7 days each at 56 destinations.
Cost Before May 1st from BVSA/JP Tours - New $1,009.00 Renewal $949.00
Pass Insurance is available at the time of purchase. Should a pass holder wish to purchase insurance after purchase, they may do so for an additional fee by calling the Contact Center at 888-365-IKON or (303) 729-3174 by October 31, 2023. Pass Insurance provides coverage for circumstances that may prevent a pass holder from using their pass. Ikon Pass partners with Spot Insurance. For more details visit https://www.partnerships.getspot.com/ikon-pass-injury
EPIC PASS INFORMATION:
Epic Pass is needed for Breckenridge Trip Feb 3 – 10, 2024
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Ski costs (as of March 28,2023-subject to change)
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EPIC pass - full, no restrictions
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$909
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EPIC local pass (holidays excluded)
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$767
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EPIC Day Passes -up to 65% off compared to resort lift tix
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EPIC Day pass - 6
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$530
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EPIC Day pass - 5
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$455
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EPIC Day pass - 4
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$375
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EPIC Day pass - 3
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$289
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EPIC Day pass - 2
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$198
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EPIC Day pass - 1
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$101
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Purchase of a full or local Epic pass through https://go.tripstorm.app/#!/23epicBrandywineBreckenridge to reduce room rate by $50.
Epic day passes may also be bought directly from SandyMoguls@aol.com or from the Epic website. Prices are expected to go up in two months.
Trip Leaders
Linda Peduto – Linda@1stcapdesign.com 610-331-6670
Bob Renken – Rarenken@outlook.com 484-544-9215
