More Fun for Kids Near Snowmass Village

Only a 15 minute drive away from Snowmass village, Aspen has many activities for young children, in addition to the Aspen/Snowmass youth camps. Families can ride the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of Ajax Mountain, where kids can enjoy several free activities and entertainment, including live animals, juggling, kite building and flying and storytelling. There is also an obstacle course, silver nugget dig, and, for an extra fee, a climbing wall and a Eurobungy Trampoline. If you purchase a week pass for the gondola, it can be used for both the Elk Camp Gondola in Snowmass and the Silver Queen Gondola.

Aspen also hosts the world famous Aspen Music Festival and School, the Aspen Art Museum, the Aspen Theater and the Aspen Ballet, all of which have programs for children. Walking tours of Aspen are available - go to the Historical Society offices to learn more. Bike rentals are located throughout the town. Families can bike to nearby towns and take buses back into Aspen, or just enjoy this picturesque Colorado town.

On rainy days, kids can enjoy activities at the Aspen library. A short drive out of town, the Aspen Recreation Center on Maroon Creek Road is also a perfect destination. It includes an indoor water park with a 2 story water slide and a lazy river and other youth sports and camps, including karate, gymnastics, and ice skating. It's a full fitness center for use by adults as well.

Further up on Maroon Creek Road is Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells. In addition to taking in the breathtaking sites, families can hike, picnic, camp and fish. Because it's in the White Rock National Park, there is a fee for daily parking, and after 8:30 a.m. cars must stop at Aspen Highlands and take a bus in. The bus ride can be an adventure, and the driver often presents interesting information on the area. Did you know that the roots of all the aspen trees are connected?

Other nearby fun sites for families to visit are the Hallam Lake Aspen Center for Environmental Studies and the Frying Pan River in Basalt for fly fishing.  There are hiking spots all over the valley, and lots of other small towns to explore such as Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.

These are only a few of the usual activities in the area. During the summer, special events and functions are held, including music and food and wine festivals. Check out the latest opportunities at www.aspensnowmass.com.