Aspen 2022 Summer Kicks Off - Here’s What’s New and Notable

Arts, Events, Sustainability, and Dining News

ASPEN, Colo. (June 29, 2022) – With its historic mining town ambiance, access to pristine outdoors experiences, a renowned arts and culture scene, and stunning weather, Aspen is the ultimate summer destination.

New and notable summer happenings: 

• For a complete roundup of the 2022 arts and culture season, here is our summer 2022 arts and culture update or visit ArtsAspen.com
• For information visit www.aspenchamber.org or (970) 925-1940. 
• For media updates, visit http://aspenchamber.org/media

HOW TO ASPEN & ASPEN PLEDGE

Aspen is one of the most cherished destinations in the world. By taking the Aspen Pledge, Aspen locals and visitors are committing themselves to be responsible citizens and ensuring that Aspen remains protected for generations. ACRA’s How To information helps visitors and locals alike experience Aspen responsibly including Hiking and Biking Best Practices to Bring your Dog tips to Wildlife Safety tips.

MAROON BELLS

The Maroon Bells are one of Aspen’s treasures and the most photographed site in Colorado. For the 2022 season, reservations are required for parking and for the shuttle buses that access the Maroon Bells, which run daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bikes and e-bikes are allowed without reservations, but all cyclists are encouraged to wear helmets and to respect rules-of-the-road when cycling to the Maroon Bells. 

Visit ACRA’s How to e-bike for more information. Here is detailed information on visiting Maroon Bells and Reservations for shuttles and parking.

ART AND CULTURE NEWS

The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies (“The Bayer Center”) will open June 26 with the inaugural exhibition Herbert Bayer: An Introduction. The new Center will allow the Institute to preserve the art, legacy, and expanded contexts of the artist and designer who designed the Institute’s historic campus and whose work represents the consummate expression of the Bauhaus movement in America. The Center will showcase and exhibit its Bayer collection, will borrow from major cultural institutions, and will create new exhibitions that will educate the public about Bayer’s legacy in Aspen and in America. The Bayer Center honors Bayer’s interdisciplinary perspective by promoting public understanding of art, design, and media through exhibitions, public programming, community engagement, and educational initiatives. Upon opening, the Center will offer free admission to the public.

NEW & NOTABLE SPECIAL EVENTS

(For more arts and culture events, check out the summer arts and culture release here)

• NEW Raizado Festival  (Aug. 30 - Sept. 1) - Coming to Aspen in late August celebrating Latin culture and organized by LatinX House, the festival seeks to bring together artists, creators, activists, and leaders to engage with the community through panels, talks, art exhibitions, live music, film screenings and food.
• Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) (Sept. 2 – 4, 2022) Back for its 31st season, the Labor Day Experience will celebrate the end of summer with an outdoor festival at Snowmass showcasing the legendary Stevie Nicks, blues singer-songwriter Leon Bridges, and country star Chris Stapleton. 

DINING NEWS

Aspen is known for its remarkable dining scene with dozens of fine dining restaurants, brewpubs, and cafes. Following are notable openings this summer:

• NEW: Aspen Country, a food and beverage experience by Harper & Hudson has launched in the garden patio facing the iconic Shephard Fairey mural. Serving breakfast, lunch, and après-whatever with local-friendly pricing including guac toast, breakfast burrito, grilled cheese, coffees, wine, and cocktails; 409 S. Hunter St. (970.429.8369)
• NEW: Aspen Art Museum Rooftop Café – Building on the success of its winter après-ski gatherings, the Rooftop Café has launched Sunday Sunset Dance parties every Sunday from 5 – 9 p.m. featuring cocktails from The Slippery Slope, snacks and music by summer resident DJ Golden. The Rooftop Café serves breakfast, lunch, and après Tuesdays – Sundays from 10a.m. –  6p.m.
• NEW: The Summer Lodge, located in the St. Regis Resort Aspen serves seasonal cuisine, innovative cocktails, and live entertainment in an intimate setting featuring a mix of art from local Aspen galleries as well as custom commissions by renowned artists. The Summer Lodge will debut a brunch menu and a wellness component. in partnership with local fitness studios, including CycleBar, Higher Terrain, and O2 Aspen hosting public classes on the courtyard Saturday mornings.
• NEW: Taikun Sushi opened June 16 at the Aspen Mountain Residences with partner Marble Distillery. The New York-based Japanese restaurant will offer a premium 16-course omakase tasting experience. (415 E Dean St.)
• OPENING AUGUST 2022:  Parc Aspen opens in the former L’Hostaria space, bringing a locally sourced, modern farm-to-table concept to the Aspen dining scene. Owners Maryanne and Harley Sefton along with Executive Chef Mark Connell plan to offer three levels of dining: an affordably priced local’s bar, a contemporary fine dining room, and an experiential 12-person private dining space. (620 E. Hyman Ave.)
• COMING SOON: Las Montañas, a new Mexican-concept restaurant opens in late July in the former Jimmy’s space. Operated by McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality group, owners of Clark’s restaurant in Aspen, Las Montañas marks MMLH’s latest local venture. (205 S Mill St.)
• COMING SOON to the former 7908 space is a Japanese steakhouse, bar, and nightclub operated by DJ Cedric Gervais and Wei Chen, former chef de cuisine at Nakazawa Aspen. 
• COMING SOON: The Red Onion, an Aspen icon, will open in late fall 2022 operated by Craig & Samantha Cordts Pearce, who operate Steakhouse 316, Monarch Steakhouse, Woody Creek Tavern, and CP Burger. 
• COMING SOON: Sant Ambroeus will open a location this fall, with indoor and outdoor seating, offering refined Italian classics. (520 E. Hyman Ave.)
• NEW LOCATION: The Wild Fig is moving to a new location and will reopen for the 2022/23 winter season.

RETAIL NEWS 

• NEW: Studio5 - A collective space shared by three local Aspen creatives that is part workspace and part community space, Studio5 aims to grow as a place for Aspenites to gather. Initial events range from photography club and poetry workshops to breathwork and meditation sessions, mocktail-making classes, and weekly movie nights. (465 N Mill St.)
• NEW: HUMANITY, the Aspen outpost of the Citizen of Humanity brand, is now open with denim, apparel, home, beauty and accessories. (520 E. Hyman Ave.)
• NEW: Arhaus has opened a retail space and showroom offering its signature designer furnishings and home goods. (625 E Hyman Ave.)
• NEW OWNERSHIP: Local boutique Souchi is under new ownership and will now be called Four One Nine. They will carry the same lines, including Souchi handmade sweaters.
• COMING SOON: Away Luggage will be opening a new retail space this summer. (406 E Hopkins Ave.)
• COMING SOON: Banana Republic will be moving into the Hyman Avenue Mall.
• COMING SOON: Alo Yoga will be opening a retail space offering athleisure and yoga apparel and goods in the corner of the Victorian Square building on Hunter & Hyman streets. (601 E Hyman Ave.)
• OPENING WINTER 2022/23: Hermès will open In the Benton building, next to Clark’s Oyster Bar. (​​521 E. Hyman Ave.)
• COMING SOON: John Elliot, men’s and women’s clothing will open in the Stein Building on Hyman and Hunter.
• COMING SOON: Re/Done is opening in the Hyman Mall.
• COMING SOON: Fusalp, luxury French ski wear brand, will open an Aspen location in November. 

ON MOUNTAIN/BIKING/GUIDED HIKING NEWS

• Aspen Snowmass will launch a new trail at the Snowmass Bike Park for the summer 2022 season. To finalize their circuit, they are adding the advanced trail “Lemon Squeezy” to the progression of the beginner trail Easy, and the intermediate trail Peasy. 
• Coal Basin, a public-private partnership with the goal of environmental restoration will be open for its first full summer season. Built on private land, Coal Basin operates as a public five-mile system of singletracks trails for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running.
• Aspen History Hikes: The Aspen Historical Society will be offering two new history hikes:
  • The Midland Railbed Trail Hike takes guests to explore Aspen’s mining and transportation history on an easy walk to the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum alongside Aspen’s lesser-known railroad corridor. 
  • The Hunter Creek History Hike is a moderate hike to the Hunter Creek Valley above Aspen exploring several historical mining-era buildings.

About Aspen, Colorado – Aspen, Colorado is an authentic, historic mountain town renowned for its year-round outdoor lifestyle, cosmopolitan cultural calendar, and charming downtown ambiance. Aspen is defined by an urbane feel that belies its small-town charm. An Aspen vacation is an experience that energizes the mind, body, spirit, whether soaking in mountain beauty and over 200 days of annual sunshine learning a new skill, feeding a fascination, or simply absorbing the mountain spirit. Located 18 miles west of Independence Pass, Aspen is nestled in the heart of the White River National Forest at the confluence of the Roaring Fork River, Hunter Creek, Maroon Creek and Castle Creek. It is encircled by the peaks of the Elk Mountain Range in the central Rocky Mountains. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is conveniently located three miles from downtown Aspen. For visitor information, a complete calendar of events, or to book an Aspen vacation, visit www.aspenchamber.org, or call 1.888.290.1324 or 970.925.1940.