Aspen Activities
The picturesque mountain town of Aspen usually inspires thoughts of fresh snow down lush ski slopes, sitting by a huge fire inside the lodge, maybe spotting the random celebrity or two. And those things are definitely here, but there is so much more to Aspen activities than movie stars and mountains.
Once the snow has melted and the leaves begin to show again, Aspen comes alive with art and culture. The spring and summer months also highlight a more local personality in the bars and restaurants of Aspen. After the resorts draw back and the skiers stop skiing, Aspen is not nearly as crowded, so the denizens can decompress, life returns to a slower pace, and the area becomes home again. Live music in a small bar takes on a cozier and more welcoming feel, and casual chitchat replaces the obligatory din of wintertime crowds.
That certainly does not mean that Aspen turns into a ghost town. Actually, Aspen can do the warmer months as well as it does the colder ones. The music scene in Aspen has long been renowned for the big names and diverse acts that arrive each year.
The historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen has been around since the nineteenth century, hosting celebrated musicians, singers, and performers from the world over. Countless acts have performed under the beamed ceiling and brilliant chandelier of the opera house. This year’s scheduled performers span from Blues great Keb Mo to Christian pop’s Shawn Mullins.
The Wheeler also has a long tradition of hosting comedy acts. There was a long partnership with HBO for the annual US Arts comedy festival, and then it was home to the Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival. Now the Aspen Laff Festival will make its home at the Wheeler, featuring comedians like Chris Titus and Caroline Rhea.
Critics have called the Aspen Shortsfest one of the best film festivals in the world, and it is widely praised for the unique character of the films presented. Showcasing the short-film genre in comedic, animated, dramatic and documentary form, the Aspen Shortsfest is part of Aspen Film, which hosts a festival each year presenting full-length independent films and documentaries.
For more a more intellectual Aspen activity, the Aspen Ideas Festival is always an eclectic promulgation of philosophies concerning significant issues of the day. Organized by the Aspen Institute – an organization dedicated to fostering open-minded dialogue and developing enlightened leaders, the festival draws international thinkers, writers, artists, and business and political leaders who engage in provocative and fascinating discussions over a one-week period.
