Not just another adult getaway, and not just a winter paradise, Aspen, Colorado and nearby Snowmass also offer children year-round joy.
“Aspen is incredibly kid friendly,” says Julia Theisen, vice president of sales and marketing for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association. “Not only do Aspen’s snowy ski trails and summer hiking trails offer nearly limitless outdoor fun, but our cultural organizations cater to kids with activities and camps.”
For outdoor adventures, Camp Aspen/Snowmass offers daily and weekly programs for children (starting at 2 1/2), teens, adults, families and groups with activities such as mountain boarding, skateboarding, paintballing and early-season snowboarding and skiing.
Aspen Expeditions, an outdoor outfitter, leads guided adventures around Aspen, from rock climbing on Independence Pass to ascending a 14er — one of Colorado’s mountains higher than 14,000 feet. Aspen’s Four Mountain Adventures™ offers visitors guided adventures on a paraglider, fly-fishing in Aspen’s mountain streams, climbing rock faces and kayaking on rafting rapids. And, The Aspen Kayak Academy specializes in river sports such as, new this summer, river surfing with a stand-up paddle board and an oar on the Colorado River.
Environmental education is outstanding in Aspen. “The kids’ programs at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies are truly one of a kind,” Julia says. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, the nonprofit center offers 100-plus summer programs such as free guided nature walks on Aspen Mountain and at the Maroon Bells as well as tours of the historic mining town of Ashcroft. In addition, Camp Eco Camp is a licensed day camp with week-long sessions; it uses the Aspen natural areas as venues for eco games and teaching stewardship. Children will also enjoy the Aspen Science Center.
Finally, children can become culturally enriched in Aspen, too. The Aspen Writer’s Foundation offers summer writing camps for children and teens, and Anderson Ranch is a learning community on five acres in Snowmass Village, with summer art workshops for children, teens and adults. Theatre Aspen, a homegrown company, performs a rotating schedule of productions and offers multi-week summer courses for children and teens.
Before traveling, book accommodations at one of Aspen’s many hospitality venues, including The Gant Condominiums, one- to four-bedroom luxury rooms; the 126-room Limelight Lodge; the 53 room/suite Molly Gibson Lodge, just three blocks from Aspen’s downtown; and, Snowmass Base Village, about 10 miles from Aspen and close to the Treehouse Kid’s Adventure Center.
Says Julia: “From art and nature to skateboarding, horseback riding, river rafting, or even cooking classes, kids will find their days so packed with new friends and adventures in the Aspen area. They might even ask to go to bed a little earlier than usual.”
For more information call the CVB at 800.670.0792 or visit www.aspen chamber.org.
