Aspen is a relaxed, dog-friendly mountain town with plenty of trails and adventures to enjoy alongside your pup. From snow days to summer days, local pup, Kodah, shares his favorite things to do in Aspen.
From Kodah: I was adopted from the Aspen Animal Shelter by my mom and dad in 2009 when I was just 8 weeks old. I have lived with them ever since. They think I am a Border Collie, Lab, Pyrenees mix, but it doesn't really matter since I'm so cute!
Kodah's 5 Favorite Things To Do In The Winter
- I like to walk around town, greet all the guests, and visit my favorite spots that give away dog treats: the visitor center and the bank, just to name a few.
- I love to ski! My parents like to go skinning up Buttermilk. Sometimes we go before work, and sometimes we go at night on a full moon. Dogs are only allowed when the ski hill is closed. I follow them up the mountain on our hike, but the fun part is running fast on the way down and sliding on the snow while they ski behind me.
- I like to hike Smuggler Mountain at any time of year, and winter is especially fun because I can roll around in the snow on the side of the trail. My mom wears her yak-tracks when it's really snowy and slippery.
- Bernese Boulevard isn’t limited to just Bernese Mountain Dogs! I’m a mutt and have tons of fun over there. There are over 90 km of free trails in the Aspen Nordic Trail System and there are 3 dog-friendly trails, so my mom puts on her skis and I just chase after her. It’s probably the only time that I have to run really fast to keep up with her.
- Aspen is one pet-friendly town! Hotels, restaurants, retailers and even local banks all have amenities specific to dogs traveling with their owners, making Aspen a heavenly spot for man's best friend.
Kodah's 5 Favorite Things To Do In The Summer
- I just love walking on the Rio Grande Trail. I have to wear my leash because there are so many bikers. Trust me, it's scary to get tangled up with one of those! As soon as I get to Stein Park at the base of Cemetery Lane, I can run around, play with other dogs, and sniff out the people's picnics!
- I get pretty hot in the summertime, so my parents take me to the John Denver Sanctuary to swim & cool off. There is a great swimming hole there. I love to dry off on the grass while my dad reads his book.
- I also like to hike Smuggler with my friend Nell, who is a Golden Retriever. We don't need to wear our leashes on that hike because we listen to our moms really well. Once we get to the top of Smuggler, we hike back into the Hunter Creek Trail, but as soon as we hit the meadow, we have to put on our leashes - "it's the rule," says mom!
- My family goes to the Saturday Market each week. I usually wait for them under a tree in the shade because walking through the market is hot, hot, hot on my paws!
- It might be scary for some, but I love to ride up Aspen Mountain in the Silver Queen Gondola's dog-friendly cabins. While my parents eat lunch on the patio at the Sundeck, I take a quick nap and rest up for my next adventure. If you are up for the challenge, hike up Aspen Mountain and ride the gondola on the way down. Make sure to bring plenty of water and take breaks- it gets you panting!
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