Aspen/Snowmass 2008 Official Vacation Planner

Clockwise from top left: Take a plunge into crystal-clear waters, photo by Gregg Adams; bike past aspen trees on Government Trail, photo by Andrew Wilz; ﬂ y-ﬁ sh in placid streams and golf in spectacular surroundings, photos by Gregg Adams. EXHILARATION n all directions of the compass, there are adventures to suit every mood. Head east of Aspen on two wheels for the ultimate challenge: a sweaty grunt of a road ride to 12,095-foot Independence Pass. Or drive up for above-the-trees, wildﬂower-studded hikes in mountain air that’s always crisp and mind-clearing. One of Colorado’s best climbing areas can be found on the way, at a switchback in the road bounded by sheer granite crags, where climbers defy gravity to reach the ultimate high. Back in town, Smuggler Mountain offers a feast of biking trails – from fast and furious to calm and sweet – and the Ute Trail is a real cardio-buster. The steep track takes hikers high above Aspen for impressive views of the valley below. On the south end of Brush Creek Valley, Snowmass Ski Area is a goldmine, from Tom Blake Trail weaving through stands of aspen trees and dappled light to the grueling Government Trail, a 13-mile technical roller coaster. Get your ﬁll of heart-racing thrills as you bike, climb or soar through unspoiled wilderness. any trail – from the top of Sam’s Knob to the bottom of Fanny Hill. Whoever gets the most vertical each day wins. Adventurous souls will want to tackle one of the areas many “fourteeners” – peaks higher than 14,000 feet – and experience the feeling of standing on top of the world. For a day hike, set your sights on 14,265-foot Castle Peak, the pinnacle of a heartbreakingly beautiful valley that washes away any traces of the real world. Or, make an overnight stop at idyllic, calming Capitol Lake before the heart-thumping scramble up the knife-edge ridge to 14,130-foot Capitol Peak. In late spring and early summer, experience the rush of riding snowmelted whitewater when the Roaring Fork River becomes a series of frothing rapids. The constant action and occasional cold splash will make you feel more alive than you’ve ever thought possible. A variety of rafting outﬁts in Aspen, Snowmass and throughout the region can satisfy any level of thrill seeker. There are even more unique thrills to be had: Try paragliding off the top of Aspen Mountain, venturing underground at Glenwood Caverns, or going back in time with a multi-day horseback tour exploring the Elk Mountain Range. I True adrenaline junkies should check out the Snowmass Enduro Gravity Challenge, a downhill mountain bike race that will test the most hard-core rider’s limits. Pick a trail – RECREATION Tennis, golf, ﬂy-ﬁshing and more offer outdoor fun for those who prefer their adventures on the mild side. Other recreational pursuits let you see the area from a perspective like no other. Get right down into the glacier-carved rivers that shaped the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork River valleys. A favorite local pastime, ﬂy-ﬁ shing in Colorado’s largest stretch of Gold Medal waters is the ultimate blend of serenity and sport. Standing in a stream, casting with precision and feeling the timeless ﬂow of water against your legs is an experience that keeps countless enthusiasts coming back every year. For a little more thrill, ride in a kayak, ducky, BEST BET »»»»»» or “sledge” – a specially designed river board that lets you turn and The area’s alpine lifts surf through the rapids. do double-duty in For great mountaintop views from behind the wheel, take a Jeep tour with Blazing Adventures to the top of Snowmass Mountain. summer, carrying hikers up Aspen Mountain and both hikers and bikers to trails atop Snowmass Mountain. he thwack! of hitting a golf ball is much more satisfying when playing one of the oldest games in history in Aspen/Snowmass. Send a ball sailing toward Mount Daly from the Snowmass Club Golf Course or to Pyramid Peak from the Aspen Golf & Tennis Club. The air is thinner so the ball travels farther here, but you’ll still have to work for your score. The 18-hole Snowmass course is as rugged and challenging as the mountains surrounding it, and a day on the Aspen municipal course without a cart doubles as a mild hike. If tennis is your passion, why not play with a beautiful mountain vista as your view? The dramatic slopes of Aspen Highlands seem to rise from the Aspen Recreation Center’s courts, while the surrounding upper Brush Creek Valley provides a comforting backdrop to the Snowmass Club’s 11 outdoor courts. T 1-888-290-1324 19

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Aspen/Snowmass 2008 Official Vacation Planner Contents Welcome What's New Activities Adventures Getting Here/Getting Around Map Special Events Accommodations Property Management Attractions Dining

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