MORNING The Maroon Bells Start off your day with a visit to one of the most scenic destinations in the U.S. Just sixteen miles from Snowmass, the Maroon Bells peaks cast their towering reflection into Maroon Lake. You'll want stroll around the lake with your camera and then check out the interpretive center. Consider bringing a picnic and heading out for a longer hike up to Crater Lake or beyond. Keep an eye out for moose and other wildlife, which are often sighted in the area. Road biking back down from the Bells is a popular way to end the experience. Anderson Ranch Tour and Lunch At Anderson Ranch, you'll find a heady mixture of history and art. Situated on a picturesque 4.5-acre campus, this internationally renowned arts center features state-of-the-art studios housed in the historic buildings of an original Snowmass ranch. Stroll the garden-lined paths between the studios, meet the resident artists at work, peruse the local exhibits and galleries, and imagine what life was like in Snowmass a century ago. When you're done, stop by the Ranch Cafe where artistry of an edible sort is prepared daily. On select Fridays throughout the summer, Anderson Ranch offers lunchtime "Auctionettes" and the chance to bring home an original piece by a visiting artist. Woody Creek Tavern Scenic Drive The renowned Woody Creek Tavern is the perfect destination for a short scenic drive and a meal. Located just seven miles down-valley from Snowmass, the tavern originally opened in the 1980s for the residents of Woody Creek like Hunter S. Thompson. Today this popular and funky restaurant serves everyone from bikers to celebrities. Explore the eclectic decor, which boasts a photo montage of diners, license plates, and original art. Between the eyeful and the plateful, you're guaranteed a great casual meal. Before heading home, drive up the dirt road to the old historic mining site of Lenado to get a feel for life in the valley a century ago. Woody Creek Tavern Scenic Bike Ride The renowned Woody Creek Tavern is the perfect destination for a short scenic bike ride and a meal. Located just seven miles down-valley from Snowmass, the tavern originally opened in the 1980s for the residents of Woody Creek like Hunter S. Thompson and is accessible by the paved Rio Grande Trail. Today this popular and funky restaurant serves everyone from bikers to celebrities. Explore the eclectic decor, which boasts a photo montage of diners, license plates, and original art. Between the eyeful and the plateful, you're guaranteed a great casual meal. Check the Roaring Fork Transit Authority bus schedule and you may be able to catch a bike bus back home. Morning Road Bike Trip In the Roaring Fork Valley, a vast network of paved trails and roads awaits the road biking enthusiast. If you've got a family and want to avoid traffic, the Rio Grande Trail is the ideal route. This scenic paved trail follows the gentle old railroad corridor and extends 80 miles from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. The Roaring Fork Transit Authority bus system offers bike stops along the way to get you back home. If you're looking for a more serious workout, try the Owl Creek Road from Snowmass to Aspen or a ride up to the majestic Maroon Bells, where traffic is limited to mostly shuttle buses. Those seeking seeking a serious climb should head up Independence Pass which tops out at over 12,000 feet at the Continental Divide. Local companies offer guided bike tours throughout the region as well. No matter which option you choose, you're assured of a beautiful morning with mountain scenery all along the route. Mountain Biking The hardest part about mountain biking at Snowmass is choosing which trails to ride. Whether you crave the adrenaline rush of a downhill ride, the tricks and dirt shredding of a Gravity Logic freeride course, the fun of rolling cross country terrain, or a scenic pedal out amidst wildflowers, you've got a network of over 50 miles of trails from which to choose. Many trails are lift-served by the Elk Camp Gondola or you can head out on your own for some jaw-dropping vistas. If you need a refresher on the basics or want to improve your skill, Aspen/Snowmass bike clinics and a new beginner park are available as well. Rock Climbing Whether you're a never-ever or an expert, the rock climbing scene near Snowmass is pitch-perfect. A variety of local areas allow you to test your mettle against Rocky Mountain granite, and you can explore the options independently or with certified local guides who know the best routes by heart. In the Roaring Fork Valley, favorite local destinations include sections along Independence Pass and the newly reopened Gold Butte climbing area above Aspen. Rifle Mountain Park, a renowned sport climbing area for advanced climbers, is a little over an hour away. Snowmass Hike Beginner: The Ditch Trail If you're just getting acclimated to the altitude and want to stretch your legs on a gentle trail, the Ditch Trail offers the perfect combination of ease and mountain vistas. Paralleling an old irrigation ditch on the back side of Snowmass, the trail crosses meadows filled with wildflowers and takes you through serene aspen groves. Gorgeous views of Snowmass' Mt Daily line the route, and if you're feeling up to it, the trail connects to additional trails for a longer jaunt into the Snowmass Creek Valley. Snowmass Hike Intermediate: The Rim Trail One of the locals' favorite trails, the Rim Trail provides an excellent workout with panoramic views of Snowmass Village and the Elk Mountains as your reward. You'll start off with a steep climb to the top of a ridge that parallels the Snowmass ski area. The trail then follows the ridgeline for several miles before dropping down to the Brush Creek Road near the rodeo lot again. Be sure to pack snacks or a picnic for the top, where you'll find a 25-foot Yin/Yang marble platform on which to relax and stretch before continuing on. Half Day Jeep Tour If you want to access the back country by wheels that aren't human-powered, the mountains around Snowmass are filled with 4-wheel drive and forest service roads to explore. Guided adventures head out for morning excursions to the top of Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Independence Pass, and more remote destinations like Taylor Pass. If you've got some 4-wheel drive experience under your belt, try renting a jeep and heading out on your own for a few hours. Favorite local drives include up to the Ashcroft Ghost Town, across Aspen Mountain, and down past Woody Creek to the historic Lenado townsite. Half Day Raft Trip From roaring rapids to gentle floats, the region's waterways offer a variety of places to put in and get wet. If you're feeling adventurous, sign up for a trip to Class IV rapids on the Arkansas River over Independence Pass or on the aptly named Slaughterhouse Falls on the upper stretch of the Roaring Fork River. Float trips on milder stretches of the Roaring Fork and the nearby Colorado River take you through lazy, winding sections with spectacular canyon views and the chance for wildlife sightings. If you're interested in fly fishing, a float trip down one of the nearby Gold Medal rivers offers the ideal way to spend a part of your day. Half Day Horseback Ride Saddle up and head into them thar hills for a taste of what mountain travel used to entail. Many guided trail ride options are available. No matter your skill level, you'll get to journey through pristine forests and across meadows stirrups-deep with wildflowers, while taking in gorgeous views of the surrounding Elk mountains. Knowledgeable local cowboys lead the way, sharing stories of the mining, ranching, and natural history of the region. Half Day Kayak, Ducky, or SUP trip If you're seeking to captain your own ship on the local rivers, kayaks, duckies, or stand up paddle boarding (SUP) are the way to go. Sign on with a local outfitter for a half-day tour or rent the gear from local shops and head out on your own. In addition to the nearby Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers where tours are run, the Northstar Nature Preserve above Aspen offers a beautiful, winding waterway for smaller craft. In Glenwood Springs (40 minutes away), a whitewater park provides the chance to ride large standing waves as well. AFTERNOON Shopping in Aspen Whatever your retail pleasure, you're sure to find it in Aspen, which offers a heady combination of high fashion retail, casual flair, outdoorsman goods, and everything in between. On Saturdays in the summer, you can stroll Aspen's Saturday Market, picking up fresh local produce and artisan crafts. You can easily while away an afternoon strolling the tree-lined pedestrian mall, where Aspen Music Festival students often serenade shoppers with impromptu concerts. Stores in Aspen boast everything from art galleries and books to designers like Prada and Christian Dior to antiques and custom crafts. A few favorite stops include Carl's Pharmacy, Explore Booksellers, Boogie's, Pitkin County Dry Goods, and Ute Mountaineer. Shopping & Exploring Snowmass Retail therapy is the best way to spend a few extra hours, and Snowmass offers several different locations to explore for that perfect vacation memento or splurge. Stroll along the Snowmass Village Mall and you'll find everything from sporting goods & apparel shops to chocolates and picnic supplies.