Named after the English Avon River Valley, where William Shakespeare was born, Avon, Colorado is perched within the Eagle River Valley, at the base of the Beaver Ski Resort and just nine miles west of Vail. Only 20 years ago the town had a mere 1,500 residents, but due to the wild popularity of skiing in the area, it now is home to over 6,000 full-timers, with the number doubling during peak tourist season.

With its majestic scenery and proximity to two of the major ski areas in the Colorado Rockies, Avon offers visitors lots of things to do. Head over to Gore Creek to enjoy the fishing, rafting, and kayaking; hike or bicycle along the trails leading up up and away; or take your gear over to the mountains where you can ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile as the spirit moves you.

As in the neighboring town of Vail, you can visit many interesting art galleries and attend numerous exhibitions in Avon, Colorado. Whether you’re a snow bunny, a nature enthusiast, or a travel adventurer, there’s something for everyone in Avon, Colorado, known as one of the gems of the Rockies.

Directions:
Avon is 106 miles west of Denver on I-70

Winter Activities in Aspen, Colorado

Skiing
Famous for its four ski mountains, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands, Aspen boasts over 5,203 acres of wildly diverse terrain. As a haven for downhill and cross-country skiers as well as snowboarders, Aspen offers the visitor some of the world’s most exciting tracks and trails. The four mountains are serviced by 44 lifts and include 338 trails, enormous vertical drops, and several cross-country parks that are all located within a 12 mile radius, allowing visitors to go back and forth via free and frequently running shuttle buses.

Aspen Mountain
Aspen Mountain, also known as Ajax, rises directly from the heart of downtown Aspen. With its 673 foot altitude, the mountain is perfect for the intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders who enjoy its steep runs. A hot spot for hobnobbers, Aspen Mountain hosts five restaurants, two of which are located at the bas and three of which are on the mountain. Take the Silver Queen Gondola up to 11,212 feet and enjoy one of the 76 trails the mountain offers.

Not a mountain for beginners, Aspen Mountain boasts a trail rating of 48% for intermediate skiers, 26% for advanced skiers, and 26% for experts.
Vital statistics: 3 mile longest run, 3,267 foot vertical drop, four double chair lifts, comfortable gondola, patrol, ski school, equipment rentals, snowmaking, bars, restaurants.

Snowmass
Snowmass is known as the youngest of the four mountains. With 3,125 acres of exceptional terrain, Snowmass offers everyone the best conditions for a full skiing or snowboarding experience. For the widest open runs in the Colorado Rockies, try the Big Burn. For breathtaking views and superlative steeps, take a turn on Hanging Valley. Snowmass offers twelve on-mountain restaurants as well as a childcare center, making it an ideal destination for families. Scooper Run, a children’s facility, is serviced by a platter-pull lift, a picnic area, and a warming hut. Take the new Village Express Lift, a 9.5 mile lift ride for six passengers that takes you to the top of Sam’s Knob with a mid-way loading station and a Sky Cab to connect Snowmass Village with New Base Village.
Vital statistics: 5.3 mile longest run, 4,406 foot vertical drop, seven quad, two triple chairlifts, six double chairlifts, two magic carpets, four platter pulls, patrol, ski school, equipment rentals, snowmaking, restaurants, bar, nursery.

Buttermilk
Located three miles outside of Aspen, Buttermilk is known as the friendliest mountain for the beginner skier. With its 435 acres of terrain, advanced skiers love Buttermilk as well, taking on the powder stashes on its black-diamond runs and following its many winding trails across the wooded slopes. With the longest terrain park in the world along with a world-class half-pile, Buttermilk is famous for snowboarding. As such, this mountain hosted the extreme ESPN Winter X Games from 2002 to 2007. With nine lifts, 44 trails, three restaurants, and slope-side lodging, Buttermilk skiing makes for a great stay.
Rating: 74% for beginner and intermediate skiers.
Vital statistics: 3 mile longest run, 2,030 vertical drop, two quad chairs, five double chairlifts, two handle tows, patrol, ski school, equipment rentals, snowmaking, cafeteria, restaurants, bar, nursery.

Aspen Highlands
Aspen Highlands offers 130 trails to accommodate all levels of expertise. Spanning 970 acres, with a base of 8,040 feet and a summit of 11,675 feet, Aspen Highlands offers expert trails along with excellent mogul runs. With its four ski lifts and seven restaurants, this mountain is both friendly and accommodating, making it one of the locals’ favorite.

Ratings: 18% for beginner skiers, 30% for intermediate, 16% for advanced, and 6% for expert.
Vital statistics: 3.5 miles longest run, 3,635 foot vertical drop, 3 high speed quads, 2 triple chair lifts, patrol, ski school, equipment rentals, snowmaking, bar, and restaurants.

As the continuing host to the ESPN Winter X Games, Aspen, Colorado will participate once again in 2008, presenting skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers from all over the world. With four days and nights of competition, the event is free and open to the public.

Other Outdoor Activities
Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, guided dog sled tours, snowcats, and horse drawn sleighs are some of the ways visitors can enjoy their stay in Aspen, Colorado. With its dizzying mountain ranges, it wide valleys, its gladed trails, and its pure Colorado Rocky air, any winter activity that you choose will bring you closer to finding the most exquisite natural sights imaginable.

Summer Activities in Aspen, Colorado

Whether its golf, tennis, mountain biking, hiking, camping, rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding, or fly fishing, Aspen has enough to keep the summer visitor well occupied. With the lifts running all year round, it is easy to get to some of the more backcountry trails located at the tops of the mountains. Redolent with alpine wildflowers, dense forests, and some of the most majestic vistas seen anywhere in the world, Aspen is an ideal summer vacation destination in the Colorado Rockies.

Culture in Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado is home to many galleries and concert halls and is famous for its year-round festivals and concerts. Visit the Aspen Institute where business leaders, heads of state, artists, and activists from all over the world gather to participate and enjoy the various programs.

With its amazing restaurants, trendy bars, hip discos, as well as more down-home watering holes, Aspen’s nightlife is one of the most active and exciting. Always peppered with famous faces, paparazzi, and starlets, you can revel in the posh surroundings each night after a full day of outdoor activity.
Inside The Rockies
› Banff National Park
› Banff Vacations
› Canmore Kananaskis
› Waterton Lakes
› Beautiful Lake Louse
› Incredible Jasper National Park
› British Columbia Vacations
› Golden, British Columbia
Montana Vacation
› Peaceful Bay Condominiums
› House of Gables
› Somers Bay Cottage
› The Barrister
› Valley View Home
Colorado Links
› Colorado Resorts
› Colorado Vacation
At A Glance
› Aspen, Colorado: Activities
› Aspen, Colorado: General Information
› Avon, Colorado
› Basalt, Colorado
› Beaver Creek, Colorado
› Black Hawk, Colorado
› Boulder, Colorado
› Breckenridge, Colorado
› Carbondale, Colorado
› Carbondale, Colorado: Activities

›› See all articles
Translator

Colorado Videos

Mile Hi Rafting

Plan your next whitewater rafting trip or ATV tours with Mile Hi Rafting.

Fly Fishing Colorado

Experience the thrill of fly fishing in exotic locations. Click here!

Colorful Colorado

Discover Colorado’s music, art, photography, books, vintage items and products.

Royal Gorge Rafting

Experience the best Rafting in Colorado!

Colorado Trout Hunters

The finest Colorado fly fishing guide service!