Best Time to Visit Aspen: Winter Ski Season (Dec to March), Summer Wildflowers & Golden September

Many outsiders think of Aspen strictly as a winter ski resort, yet locals have a famous saying that visitors come to Aspen for the winter and end up staying for the summer. Blessed with 300 days of high-altitude Colorado sunshine a year and low humidity, Aspen has three distinct peak seasons and two quiet shoulder-season bargain windows.

1. Summer Alpine & Festival Season (Mid-June to Early September, Best Weather & Hiking)

• Why Summer Is So Popular (24°C to 27°C / 75°F to 81°F Days & Low Humidity): while much of the country swelters in summer heat, Aspen's 2,400-metre elevation delivers crisp 10°C mornings and sunny 26°C (79°F) afternoons.
  • Mid-June: the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen and the Aspen Ideas Festival kick off summer; Independence Pass and the Maroon Bells are wide open with roaring snowmelt waterfalls.
  • Late June through Late August: the 8-week Aspen Music Festival fills town with daily classical concerts, wildflowers peak in July, and Thursday nights host free outdoor Snowmass Concerts on the Hill.

2. Golden Autumn Foliage (Mid-September to Early October, Short & Sweeping)

As detailed in our foliage guide, the final two weeks of September (18 Sept to 2 Oct) turn the entire Roaring Fork Valley into a sea of glowing 24-karat gold quaking aspen leaves with sunny 18°C to 21°C (65°F to 70°F) hiking afternoons. Book Maroon Bells shuttles and hotels 2 to 3 months ahead for these two weeks.

3. Winter Ski Season (Thanksgiving to Mid-April) vs 'Off-Season' Bargains (May & Late Oct/Nov)

• Prime Ski Season (Late December through March): January brings cold, dry powder and the Winter X Games; February and March bring the deepest snowpack (300+ inches) and sunny 'bluebird' spring skiing days across all four mountains.
• Note on 'Mud Season / Off-Season' (Late April to Mid-May & Late Oct to Mid-Nov): between ski closing in mid-April and Memorial Day (and in November), the gondolas close and many restaurants take a 3-week break, while open spots offer local dining specials and up to 50% lower hotel rates. Check what to wear in Aspen.