Aspen began as a mining and ranching town, so it’s only natural that locals and visitors alike are inspired to don cowboy hats and boots. Here are a few suggestions that should help you get back to your western roots.

8 am

Join Aspen Outfitting Company for a half-day clay target shooting trip. Transportation and equipment is provided at the private shooting range, so all you need is a willingness to learn (beginners & never-evers welcome!) and a sense of adventure. Skeet shooting is sometimes jokingly referred to as “golf with guns”.

1 pm

Drive up to Pine Creek Cookhouse for a dining experience to remember. Nestled in the Castle Creek Valley at the base of the Elk Mountains, the restaurants serves up unparalleled vistas with gourmet alpine cuisine.

2:30 pm

After lunch, stop by the nearby Ashcroft Ghost Town, a remnant of the mining days, and now managed by the Aspen Historical Society. In 1883, Ashcroft was a town with a population of 2,000, a school, and 20 saloons. The mines there initially produced close to 14,000 ounces of silver, but quickly the miners realized the mines were just shallow deposits. By 1885 there were only 100 residents.

4 pm

Time to outfit yourself at Kemo Sabe! Located in downtown Aspen, Kemo Sabe has been a retail favorite since 1993, offering cowboy boots from respected names such as Lucchese and Old Gringo, and hats to suit any style, as well as jewelry and accessories to complete your western or everyday look.

5:30 pm

Load up your steed for an unforgettable evening of horseback riding and fine dining with Maroon Bells Guide and Outfitters. This special addition to your trip will begin with a two-hour trail ride along Maroon Creek. Follow the trail to a chef prepared private dinner complete with s’mores for dessert.