Aspen is a year-round destination. While many immediately picture skiing or snowboarding down the snow-covered Rocky Mountain slopes when they think of Aspen, winter downhilling isn’t the only draw.
In the winter, Aspen boasts miles of groomed Nordic trails, guided snowshoeing and backcountry tours, popular hikes with spectacular views, and ongoing festivals and events.
In the spring, you can still ski (in warmer temps and with smaller crowds), hike, rock climb, drive or cycle to the Maroon Bells, and tour the Continental Divide and Independence Pass. Depending on the snowmelt and water levels, you may find yourself fishing and whitewater rafting. You will also experience events like the Annual KickAspen Big Air Invitational, the Bud Light Spring Jam, and Aspen Shortsfest.
When summer arrives, the wildflowers will bloom, and the slopes will be covered with hikers, bikers, and trail runners. You can dine outside with an incredible view, visit the Aspen Saturday Market, and take a yoga class atop AJAX. Off-roading and standup paddleboarding are two more popular activities for dirt- and water- lovers, respectively.
You can only imagine the glory of Aspen in the autumn until you have visited the valley during peak season.  Climb some local peaks, see the leaves at the Maroon Bells or on Independence Pass, paraglide off AJAX, and hit the mountain bike trails until the snow comes. You can also catch Aspen’s annual classic outdoor fall events like the Snowmass Balloon Festival, the Golden Leaf Half Marathon, and Aspen Ruggerfest.