Save Money and Cash In on Fun in the Heart of the Rockies

ASPEN, Colo. (Spring/Summer 2010) - Despite its reputation for glitz and glam, Aspen is surprisingly affordable during the spring, summer and fall. Visitors are often amazed by the availability of inexpensive dining options and a list of free amenities, offering opportunities to save money while still indulging.

Reducing the up-front travel costs is simple: Aspen lodges offer excellent specials and value-added packages during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall), and the Denver-to-Aspen air service introduced by Frontier Airlines in summer 2008 injected this mountain marker with a little competition, meaning both Frontier and United Airlines offer stunning airfare deals.

Once in Aspen, visitors enjoy an abundance of free and nearly free services, activities and attractions. Downtown Aspen is charming, pedestrian-friendly and impeccably manicured during summer months, and there is no need for a car as Aspen's fleet of free buses connects visitors to every local destination and attraction. Wonderful weather (with more than 300 days of sunshine a year) affords nearly limitless outdoor adventures, all accessible by bus, by bike or on foot.

Aspen's summer calendar is packed with festivals and events that have been internationally lauded as the very best in their genres, from the Aspen Music Festival (July 1 - August 22, 2010) to Jazz Aspen Snowmass music festivals (June 23 - July 3, 2010 and September 3-5, 2010) and Aspen Summer Words Writing Retreat and Literary Festival (June 20-25, 2010). All the festivals offer free or affordable options to enjoy the performances.

The following are some of the less obvious ways to visit Aspen on a budget.

Aspen Summer Pass - With an uncertain economy, the Aspen community came together to provide another reason to visit this mountain town: savings. Hotels, restaurants, retailers, outdoor outfitters and cultural organizations have collaborated to offer several ways to spend less. The Aspen Summer Pass, now in its second year, is offered to any visitor who books a two-night minimum stay at any Aspen lodge. The pass provides discounts on dining and shopping, arts and culture, recreational activities, and even transportation from Denver to Aspen and back. For frequently updated deals and information, visit www.AspenChamber.org/SummerPass.

Affordable Lodging - Without compromising charm and character, the following Aspen hotels offer affordable rates with proximity to Aspen's famous dining, shopping and warm-weather attractions.

   • Limelight Lodge reopened fall 2008 after a complete demolition and reconstruction, and the family-owned, 126-room hotel is moderately priced with off-season rates starting at $149 and rooms during the summer starting at $155 a night. Although it is a limited service inn, the Limelight Lodge offers value-added amenities including complimentary breakfast, kitchenettes in rooms, an unbeatable location, expansive windows and balconies, and a hip outdoor pool and two hot tubs. (355 South Monarch St.; 970.925.3025; www.limelightlodge.com)

   • The Eurpoean-style St. Moritz Lodge, just blocks from the downtown core, rents studios, or one- and two-bedrooms condos for reasonable rates - sometimes starting at less than $100 during the summer. Smaller rooms with shared baths are also available for the economy-minded traveler. (334 West Hyman Ave., 970.925-3220; www.stmoritzlodge.com)

   • Annabelle Inn, originally known as the Christmas Tree Inn, is a family-owned 35-room lodge and was completely renovated and renamed in 2005. Each room was individually decorated with mountain-chic furnishings, and the hotel's charm is best enjoyed with the freshly baked cookies each evening in front of the lobby fireplace or the courtyard firepit. (232 West Main St.; 970.925.3822; www.annabelleinn.com)

   • Mountain House Lodge, a centrally located bed-and-breakfast, combines modern amenities with old-fashioned hospitality and is located a few blocks from downtown Aspen. Hotel rooms start at $139 in the summer. (905 East Hopkins Ave.; 866.920.2550; www.mountainhouselodge.com)

   • Hotel Lenado, a luxurious, architecturally distinctive and friendly bed-and-breakfast, is centrally located and has all the amenities, including a delicious full breakfast and intimate, wood-detailed bar. Rooms start at $145 a night for summer 2010. (200 South Aspen St.; 970.925.6246; www.hotellenado.com)

   • Chalet Lisl, a quaint inn with studios and one-bedroom condos in Aspen's quiet West End, is a block from a free shuttle to the Music Tent. Studios start at $120, and one-bedroom condos start at $140 for summer 2010. (100 East Hyman Ave.; 970.925.3520; www.chaletlisl.com)

   • The Snow Queen Lodge, dubbed "The Jewel of Aspen" by the Aspen Historical Society, is a bed-and-breakfast housed in a lovely Victorian built in 1886 and is easy walking distance to downtown Aspen. Rooms start at $99 a night for summer 2010. (124 East Cooper Ave.; 970.925.8455; www.snowqueenlodge.com)

   • Tenth Mountain Division Hut System caters to the more adventurous visitor with a system of 29 backcountry huts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, many with easy access to Aspen and most accessible by four-wheel drive, mountain bikes or hiking. Huts are equipped with fireplaces, cooking materials and water. Visitors bring bedding and food. (www.huts.org; 970.925.5775)

   • Camping. Sleep under the stars at one of the seven drive-in campgrounds around Aspen including Silver Bell, Difficult and Lincoln Gulch. There are official campsites in many of the most popular backcountry areas, and places where designated sites are mandatory will be marked. Check with the U.S. Forest Service for more information about sites and regulations. Campsite rates start at $15 a night.

Affordable Dining & Nightlife - Aspen's dining scene plays on the world's stage, garnering international attention for the caliber of cuisine served in more than 80 restaurants in downtown Aspen. Visitors on a budget can enjoy Aspen's culinary delights at the following eateries.

   • THE BAR MENU SECRET - Sit in the bar at nearly every restaurant in Aspen, and sample the same fabulous food served from the regular menu at a fraction of the price, in a more relaxed setting.

   • "Happy hour" specials at most of Aspen's eateries offer a big bang for the buck. Fill up on half-off ceviche and boat drinks at Pacifica Seafood & Raw Bar from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and nosh on $7 gourmet pizza chased with $3 Red Stripe beer at Mezzaluna from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day of the week.

   • Johnny McGuire's, a beloved Aspen deli, offers enormous sandwiches, hot or cold, perfect for a picnic or a hike (if you're willing to lug it). (730 East Cooper Ave.; 970.920.9255)

   • Boogie's Diner, a favorite place to feed the "inner-child," is an old-fashioned diner that offers some of the best sandwiches and milkshakes in town. (534 East Cooper Ave.; 970.925.6610)

   • The Hickory House is famous for its baby-back ribs, which made Oprah's list of favorite things. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this Main Street eatery is a must-stop during an Aspen visit. (730 West Main St.; 970.925.2313)

   • Woody Creek Tavern, the famous hangout of Hunter S. Thompson, is a down-home restaurant and bar, famous for its Mexican food, killer margaritas and eclectic décor. (2858 Woody Creek Rd.; 970.923.4585)

   • New York Pizza serves up big thin-crust slices that start at $3, making this Big Apple-style pizzeria hard to beat for the budget-conscious. (409 East Hyman Ave.; 970.920.3088)

   • Little Annie's Eating House boasts "Aspen's Favorite Burger" and serves up a mean drink with its shot-and-a-beer special ($3.50). (517 East Hyman Ave.; 970.925.1098)

   • Bad Billy's, a new restaurant and bar by the owners of Kenichi, replaced locals' favorite Cooper Street Pier in December 2008, but maintains its cheap-burger-and-beer ethos. Join friends for pitchers of premium, domestic beer for $12 plus a plethora of bar games. (508 East Cooper Ave.; 970.925.9225)

   • The Grape Bar, inside the Hyatt, is a great stop for $6 glasses of wine while noshing on cheese plates and fondue. (415 East Dean St.; 970.920.9463)

   • Grab a "To Thai For" wrap or Caesar (or get it naked without the tortilla) from the Big Wrap, or check out the daily specials that often include delicious fish tacos. (520 East Durant Ave.; 970.544.1700)

Affordable Shopping - Aspen may be a town that is recognized for world-class boutiques and designer shopping, and that's exactly what makes its second-hand stores goldmines when it comes to good finds.

   • When Olympians like Aspenite Gretchen Bleiler have an extra snowboard, or local professional mountain bikers upgrade to the upgraded version, they unload their nearly new goods to Replay Sports, which stocks everything from used golf clubs to rain coats. (465 North Mill St.; 970.925.2483)

   • Gently used purses, designer jeans, or the perfect summer dress are just some of the potential goods available at Susie's Limited, a cute shop housed in an old Victorian in the downtown core. Visit Susie's on the Alley for household wares. (623 East Hopkins Ave.; 970-920-2376)

   • When Aspenites clean out their closets, it all goes directly to the Thrift Shop of Aspen. Think Armani, North Face, Ralph Lauren and Patagonia, all kept in a newly completed $1.5 million building connected to the fire station. (422 East Hopkins Ave.; 970.925.3121) Stop by Aspen Home Consignment for antique and gently used furniture from Aspen homes. (202 East Main St.; 970-925-1870)

Free and Nearly Free Activities

   • Test your skills in the Rio Grande Skate Park, named one of the best in the country, boasting accolades from experts like the legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk and ESPN X Games athletes. Kids (or adults) can skate for free on more than 13,000 square feet of paved terrain.

   • Commune with nature on free, guided nature walks led by naturalists from the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES). The free 45-minute walks meander along Richmond Ridge atop Aspen Mountain, and participants learn about the native trees, birds and animals that thrive in the high-alpine environment. Tours meet at the top of the gondola daily on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

   • Enjoy free art at the Aspen Art Museum, which houses a rotating high-caliber, contemporary exhibitions and offers free admission through the summer, courtesy of John and Amy Phelan.

   • Catch a flick with SummerFILMS. Aspen Film and Aspen Music Festival and School present a nine-week series of acclaimed independent and foreign-language films, award-winning documentaries and memorable classics screened at Paepcke Auditorium on the Music Festival campus. General admission tickets are $12.

   • Enjoy music in the mountains with Aspen Music Festival and School with free performances by the American Academy of Conducting Orchestra on Tuesdays at 4 p.m., free "High Notes" discussions on Wednesdays at 12 p.m., free pre-concert talks on Sundays at 3 p.m., free classical music atop Aspen Mountain on Saturdays at 1 p.m., and free masters classes, student showcases, family concerts and other events throughout the summer. Any day of the week, do as the locals do, and pack a picnic to enjoy on the lawn outside the open-air Benedict Music Tent while listening to world-class performers.

   • Take the kids to Summer Story Time at Pitkin County Library, with story hour for toddlers and pre-schoolers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays every week during the summer. (www.pitcolib.org; 970.925.4025)

   • Have some family fun at the 82,000-square-foot Aspen Recreation Center (ARC), a multi-use facility featuring a 32-foot climbing tower, a unique aquatic center with slides and grotto, an NHL-sized ice arena, and batting cages. The ARC also offers swim lessons and affordable five-day camps throughout the summer for kids. (www.aspenrecreation.com; 970.544.4100)

   • Snowmass Rodeo, a real, competitive rodeo on Wednesday nights through the summer, is a favorite for kids and adults. Feast on a barbecue dinner and special kids' activities, like learning to rope from real cowboys, panning for gold, pony rides, and getting in on the action at the mutton bustin' at which kids attempt to wrangle bucking sheep. Children 10 and under are free. (www.snowmassrodeo.org; 970.923.8898)

   • Ride the Silver Queen Gondola from downtown Aspen, climbing 2.5 miles and more than 3,000 vertical feet to the 11,212-foot summit of Aspen Mountain. At the top, take in the spectacular panoramic views of Aspen and the Elk Mountain Range, dine at the Sundeck, play a round of Frisbee golf, or meander out along Richmond Ridge for views of the Castle Creek Valley. Tickets can be purchased at the Gondola Office at the base of Aspen Mountain.

   • Let the kids play in the Dancing Fountain. The water fountain on the Hyman Avenue Mall is a bona fide child magnet, with unpredictable vertical jets of water that shoot from the ground, soaking anyone standing in their way. Designed by the late, Aspen-based physicist Nick DeWolfe and sculptor Travis Fulton, the computer-programmed fountain is completely random, with no set pattern.

   • If you left your furry friend at home, or are just simply seeking companionship, borrow a dog through the Aspen Animal Shelter's "Rent-a-Pet" program. Take a canine for a walk, or bring him home overnight - a new family member may come out of it. (www.dogsaspen.com; 970.544.0206)

   • Explore The Grottos, a few miles east of Aspen on Independence Pass. These smoothed-out rock caves and caverns on the Roaring Fork River never fail to thrill little explorers-and their parents, too. The scenic area includes picnic tables, so bring some grub and make a day of it.

   • Climb the Red Brick Climbing Wall. Located in the Red Brick Arts Center in downtown Aspen, this indoor climbing wall is a must-do for aspiring mountaineers. (www.aspenart.org; 970.429.2777)

For media information and images, visit Aspen Chamber Resort Association Media Center at www.aspenchamber.org/media.

For visitor information, visit http://www.aspenchamber.org/, or call 1.888.290.1324 or 970.925.1940.

Media Contact:  

Maureen Poschman • [email protected] • 970.925.8480

Alex de L'Arbre • [email protected]