ASPEN SUMMER EVENTS WORTH PLANNING AROUND
The secret is out: Aspen summers are magical. Visitors have access to incredible outdoor adventures, world-renowned festivals and cultural events, exciting dining options, and ideal weather.
With the popularity of the summer season, it's important to plan your Aspen summer vacation early! Once you have secured your vacation rental, use this guide as your timeline for reserving dining experiences, activities, equipment rentals, grocery delivery, and more.
Frias Properties offers Aspen's largest selection of centrally located vacation rentals, ranging from riverfront condos to luxury private homes. Our guests receive complimentary services & amenities including airport pick-up*, housekeeping, concierge services, and 24/7 maintenance support. Start your vacation planning by reserving a Frias Properties rental.
RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS
Aspen restaurants typically start taking reservations 30 days in advance, and it's essential to make reservations for dinner and for some popular lunch spots.
The Frias Properties Concierge is happy to make your restaurant reservations.
Please send the following information to Concierge@FriasProperties.com:
- A list of your preferred restaurants and dates you'd like to dine out
- The number of people in your party
- Your preferred time range (earliest and latest time you would eat)
If you would like to secure your restaurant reservations on your own, here are some tips:
- Check the restaurant's website for reservation information.
- Search Resy.com and OpenTable.com for available reservations at your preferred restaurant.
MAROON BELLS RESERVATIONS
No Aspen summer vacation is complete without a visit to the Maroon Bells — Colorado's most photographed peaks and Aspen's number one summer destination. Shuttle and parking reservations are required May through October and sell out fast, so book as early as possible.
Reservations typically open in February for the full season and are made exclusively online at visitmaroonbells.com. Check the site early in the year for the current season's release dates.
If your desired day or time is sold out, read our guide to visiting the Maroon Bells without a reservation.
ASPEN SUMMER EVENT & CONCERT TICKETS
Aspen's summer calendar is packed with world-class events that sell out quickly — often within days of tickets going on sale. As soon as tickets become available for any of the following, purchase them immediately.
- Food & Wine Classic in Aspen (June) — One of the country's premier culinary events. Tickets sell out fast; check foodandwine.com/classic-aspen for release dates.
- Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Experience (late June) — Four days of world-class live music. Tickets available online at jazzaspensnowmass.org.
- Aspen Ideas Festival (late June–early July) — Passes for this invitation-style ideas summit go quickly. Check aspenideas.org for current pass options.
- Aspen Music Festival (early July–late August) — Nearly 200 events across eight weeks. Tickets go on sale in April at aspenmusicfestival.com.
- Belly Up Aspen (various dates all summer) — Intimate live music venue with shows throughout the season. Tickets at bellyupaspen.com.
- Theatre Aspen (June–August) — Multiple productions each summer ranging from classics to Broadway hits. Tickets available at theatreaspen.org.
- Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience (Labor Day weekend) — Three-day passes available online at jazzaspensnowmass.org.
OUTDOOR GUIDED ACTIVITIES & EQUIPMENT RENTALS
START PLANNING AT LEAST 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE
- Fly fishing – From full-day float trips to shorter excursions on the banks of Gold Medal rivers, visitors can experience exceptional fly-fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley. Browse our trusted outfitters and either reserve your excursion directly with the company or contact our concierge to make arrangements.
- River rafting – Aspen has many options for river rafting, from intense Class IV rapids on the Roaring Fork River to mellow float sections farther down valley. Learn more about what our trusted partners offer, and reserve your trip directly with the company. Alternatively, contact our concierge to make your arrangements.
- Horseback riding – Take a step back in time and discover remote wilderness near the Maroon Bells, Lenado, and Independence Pass. Review our recommended outfitters and either make your reservation with the company directly or contact our concierge.
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding at Northstar – There's nothing better on a hot summer day than floating down the pristine still-water section of Northstar Nature Preserve. We recommend renting an SUP with an outfitter that also provides shuttle service because parking can be tricky. Browse our trusted outfitters or contact our concierge.
- eBike / Bike Rentals – Exploring Aspen on two wheels is a great way to extend your mileage and see new areas, whether you're speeding down the Rio Grande Trail, sweating up Smuggler Mountain Road, or just meandering through the West End. Read our Biking Guide to decide which type of bike is right for you, and contact our trusted vendors to reserve a bike.
- Golf – Aspen Golf Club opens in late-April and you can reserve tee times online. We recommend checking availability and reserving your tee times at least two weeks in advance.
ASPEN SNOWMASS ON-MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCES
Aspen Snowmass transforms into a mountain playground each summer, with gondola rides, alpine adventures, and family-friendly activities across both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. Most tickets can be purchased once you arrive, but booking in advance is always recommended for popular dates.
Aspen Snowmass Sightseeing Tickets — Ride the Silver Queen Gondola at Aspen Mountain or the Elk Camp Gondola and Chairlift at Snowmass for stunning summit views, mountaintop dining, hiking trails, and live music. Options include a single-ride ticket, a 3-day ticket valid for any three of seven days, and a full-season sightseeing pass. Tickets can be booked online, by phone, or in person at the base area ticket offices. Sightseeing is free for children ages 6 and under.
Lost Forest at Snowmass — Discover fun for every age at Lost Forest, Snowmass's mid-mountain adventure hub featuring a zipline canopy tour, ropes challenge courses, the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, a climbing wall, hiking trails, a high-mountain fishing pond, and disc golf. Three ticket tiers are available — the Base Ticket, Treeline Ticket, and Canopy Tour Ticket — each unlocking different combinations of activities. Waivers are required for all participants and can be completed online through your Aspen Snowmass Account Portal before you arrive. Lost Forest is typically open from late June through late September; check aspensnowmass.com for current-season hours and dates.
ASPEN IN-CONDO & HOME SERVICES TO ARRANGE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
A little pre-arrival planning goes a long way. Book these in-home services one month to one week before your trip so everything is ready when you walk through the door.
Grocery Delivery — Clark's Market Aspen offers grocery delivery service through their online shopping platform. Frias Properties staff receives your order and delivers it directly to your condominium or home. Order 3–4 days before your arrival date at clarksmarket.com.
Private Chefs — Elevate your stay with a private chef who can handle everything from casual family dinners to special occasion meals. We work with a variety of talented chefs who specialize in a range of culinary styles. Reserve as far in advance as possible — summer availability fills quickly. Contact our concierge team for personalized recommendations.
Childcare Services — Two trusted agencies serve the Aspen area for visitors needing reliable childcare during their stay:
- Aspen Babysitting & Nanny Co. has been the Roaring Fork Valley's most trusted childcare service since 1997 offering CPR-certified, background-checked sitters. Book a minimum of 2–3 weeks in advance at Aspen Babysitting Company.
- Aspen Nannies is a specialty nanny referral agency serving the Aspen, Snowmass, and Roaring Fork Valley area, connecting families with experienced, long-term childcare professionals. A 4-hour booking minimum applies; book early during peak summer season at Aspen Nannies.
FRIAS PROPERTIES' COMPLIMENTARY ASPEN AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
One of the many perks of staying with Frias Properties is complimentary round-trip transportation to and from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport — no rideshare apps, no logistics stress. Reserve your airport transportation in advance by contacting the Frias Properties front desk at (970) 920-2000. Be sure to include your flight details, party size, and rental location when you reach out.
Guests of the Independence Square Hotel do not receive complimentary airport transportation, but our concierge team can assist in booking paid transportation through one of our preferred transportation partners.
STEP 1: BOOK YOUR ASPEN VACATION RENTAL FIRST
Now that you know when and how to reserve all the incredible activities that make an Aspen vacation great, loop back to step-one and reserve your Aspen vacation rental with Frias Properties. Browse our selection online or contact our reservations team for a personalize recommendation on where to stay. See you in Aspen this summer!