Are you ready to experience an “elevated” spring season in Aspen at 8,000 feet? You’ll find abundant sunshine and longer ski days thanks to Daylight Savings Time, plus plenty of snow will still be on the slopes, since snow continues to fall throughout the spring at high altitude. Locals call late spring the “Secret Season” in Aspen because the crowds are gone, snow sports are still going strong, and warmer weather activities are available at the same time.
Why Visit Aspen in the Spring?
You won’t find the large summer and winter crowds in Aspen during the spring, so our town generally has fewer scheduled events. You’ll even find that some of Aspen’s restaurants have closed temporarily, although most closures occur after spring ski season ends. Spring is your chance to visit the peaceful, sunshine-abundant Aspen that locals hold so dear. If you can wait for late spring, you’ll find the most affordable deals for lodging become available from mid-April until Memorial Day. And you may even find it difficult to leave, since many guests discover the joys of a quieter Aspen, and come back every spring.
Spring Fun for Shoulder Season
The spring season in Aspen can be fickle, either be sunny or snowy, depending on the day. Since March is historically Colorado’s snowiest month, you might find valley floor snowfall totaling 29 inches (or 20” during April). Sometimes you can ski , golf and cycle on the same day while wearing a simple hoodie or a tee.
Let the Spring Hikes Begin
The warmer afternoon temperatures of an Aspen spring dry out many local roads and trails, meaning spring is the perfect time for day hikes. Two local staples for hiking are Smuggler Mountain Road and the Sunnyside Trail. Smuggler tends to get busy depending on the time of day you hike, but the 850-foot elevation gain gives an iconic view of Aspen Mountain and the Elk Mountain range.
Spring Programs by ACES
Spring in Aspen is perfect for taking advantage of all the ongoing nature programs and tours at the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES). You can go birding, take a farm tour at Rock Bottom Ranch, join ski and snowshoe tours led by ACES Naturalists, collect eggs, taste lingering winter vegetables, and more.
Spring Skiing Until Sunset
Of the four mountains in Aspen Snowmass, both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass stay open well into April. Once the time springs forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time, lift hours are extended until 4 pm and sometimes even 6 pm at the end of the season! Skiing in Aspen in the spring offers clear blue skies, soft snow on the slopes, and empty lift lines — we guarantee you’ll feel like a VIP. Beginners to the sport will especially enjoy the softer, easier turns in springtime snow.
A Springtime Dose of Culture
Every year in early April, Aspen Film presents Shortsfest, an Oscar®-qualifying festival described as “a weeklong cinematic showcase of comedy, drama, documentary, and animated films that encapsulate humanistic storytelling.” Stop by the Wheeler Opera House during your spring vacation for one of many award-winning short films. We have found the best casino signup bonus for you. Use 1xslots promo code when creating an account and you will get 100 free spins with a wager of x25. This is one of the most generous no deposit bonuses. You can also sign up for screenwriting masterclasses, kid-friendly film selections, and more.
Don’t Forget Bacon Day
Aspen Snowmass traditionally celebrates the closing day of Buttermilk Mountain in early April with a Bacon Appreciation Day. Help yourself to bacon waffles at the top, and watch uphillers compete for awards like Fastest Time, Best Costume, and Center Cut. Make sure you’ve left a little space in your stomach when you arrive because you’ll find bacon donuts and other samplers all around the mountain. Bumps hosts kid-friendly activities prior to hosting an annual bacon and beer happy hour.
Spring Lodging at Aspen Square
If you’re thinking about visiting Aspen in the spring, you’ll have access to terrific lodging options, due to fewer valley visitors at this time of year. Explore our Aspen condo rentals for details on rates and availability. Our Aspen Square guests will have access to our concierge desk for their activity and transportation needs, along with the best locals’ advice. Call our concierge at 970-925-1000, ext. 3515 for assistance.