Introduction
Beautiful mountains, beautiful people, and policemen in Saabs. Let's cut to the chase: Aspen can be snobby. It's true, but what do you expect, darling, from a place that's crawling with high rollers clad in the latest designer ski wear. Hand-in-hand with Vail, Aspen is the winter playground for the wealthy.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -7
Area: 9
Coordinates: 39.1911 latitude and -106.81754 longitude
Population: 5914
Area codes: 970
Getting There
Colorado's climate is influenced by its semiarid tendencies as well as its mid-continental location, which accounts for a huge variety in daily thermometer readings. The Rocky Mountains act as a barrier intercepting much of the west-born moisture, temperatures plummet with height gains, and weather up in these climes is, for lack of a more helpful word, unpredictable.When to go really depends on why you're going. If you want Aspen for the sheer love of the white stuff, you can usually count on some degree of ski- or snowboard-able terrain from mid-December to early April. Sometimes flakes drop as late as June and as early as September. Summertime isn't any more predictable - in the midst of a pleasant day, violent thunderstorms can sweep through at the turn of a head. July and August temperatures can reach 75-80 ° F (23-26 ° C), but nights are still chilly. However, note that when the sun is out its rays are intense all year-round; arm your skin with sunscreen before heading outdoors.
Getting there and away
Well, ahem, if you don't have your own aircraft, you're still welcome to land in Sardy Field, 6km (4mi) north of Aspen. A little further afield, Eagle County Airport is 113km (70mi) north of Aspen and has increased services during ski season. American, Delta, United and Northwest Airlines use its airstrips, bringing in vacationers from various US destinations.For those flying into or out of Denver International Airport, 335km (208mi) from Aspen, the Colorado Mountain Express will shuttle you. If you're shuttling yourself, reach Aspen via Hwy 82. During the winter, the highway over Independence Pass to Leadville is closed.
Getting around
To get from Sardy Field to Aspen, you can take a free valley bus, which stops every half-hour about two blocks from the Airport Business Centre. For your return leg to the airport in the summer, take advantage of the direct service offered from Rubey Park Transit Centre; it leaves every half-hour during the day. High Mountain Cabs offers meter taxis 24 hours a day and car-rental agencies at Sardy Field are ready to accommodate your needs. However, if you really want to do it right, try a Harley Davidson rental.The Roaring Fork Transit Agency (RFTA) buses cover Snowmass Village and the valley to El Jebel north of Basalt, every half-hour. Free in-town shuttles shuffle around the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, Hunter Creek, Mountain Valley and Snowbunny, as well as the Music School on Castle Creek Rd. During music festivals, buses also cover the grounds to and from the Music Tent.
Weather
The year gets off to a chilly start with January's temperatures ranging from 8 ° F (-13 ° C) to 35 ° F (2 ° C) and annual snowfall averaging up to 15ft (4.6m), although that figure jumps to up to 25ft (7.6m) around the ski resorts. It's not unheard of to see snow as late as June and as early as September in Aspen, and summer isn't any more predictable, with thunderstorms randomly punctuating otherwise pleasant summer days. July and August can reach temperatures of 75-80 ° F (23-26 ° C), but nights are cold.
Beautiful mountains, beautiful people, and policemen in Saabs. Let's cut to the chase: Aspen can be snobby. It's true, but what do you expect, darling, from a place that's crawling with high rollers clad in the latest designer ski wear. Hand-in-hand with Vail, Aspen is the winter playground for the wealthy.
Destination Facts
Time zone: GMT -7
Area: 9
Coordinates: 39.1911 latitude and -106.81754 longitude
Population: 5914
Area codes: 970
Getting There
Colorado's climate is influenced by its semiarid tendencies as well as its mid-continental location, which accounts for a huge variety in daily thermometer readings. The Rocky Mountains act as a barrier intercepting much of the west-born moisture, temperatures plummet with height gains, and weather up in these climes is, for lack of a more helpful word, unpredictable.When to go really depends on why you're going. If you want Aspen for the sheer love of the white stuff, you can usually count on some degree of ski- or snowboard-able terrain from mid-December to early April. Sometimes flakes drop as late as June and as early as September. Summertime isn't any more predictable - in the midst of a pleasant day, violent thunderstorms can sweep through at the turn of a head. July and August temperatures can reach 75-80 ° F (23-26 ° C), but nights are still chilly. However, note that when the sun is out its rays are intense all year-round; arm your skin with sunscreen before heading outdoors.
Getting there and away
Well, ahem, if you don't have your own aircraft, you're still welcome to land in Sardy Field, 6km (4mi) north of Aspen. A little further afield, Eagle County Airport is 113km (70mi) north of Aspen and has increased services during ski season. American, Delta, United and Northwest Airlines use its airstrips, bringing in vacationers from various US destinations.For those flying into or out of Denver International Airport, 335km (208mi) from Aspen, the Colorado Mountain Express will shuttle you. If you're shuttling yourself, reach Aspen via Hwy 82. During the winter, the highway over Independence Pass to Leadville is closed.
Getting around
To get from Sardy Field to Aspen, you can take a free valley bus, which stops every half-hour about two blocks from the Airport Business Centre. For your return leg to the airport in the summer, take advantage of the direct service offered from Rubey Park Transit Centre; it leaves every half-hour during the day. High Mountain Cabs offers meter taxis 24 hours a day and car-rental agencies at Sardy Field are ready to accommodate your needs. However, if you really want to do it right, try a Harley Davidson rental.The Roaring Fork Transit Agency (RFTA) buses cover Snowmass Village and the valley to El Jebel north of Basalt, every half-hour. Free in-town shuttles shuffle around the Aspen Highlands Ski Area, Hunter Creek, Mountain Valley and Snowbunny, as well as the Music School on Castle Creek Rd. During music festivals, buses also cover the grounds to and from the Music Tent.
Weather
The year gets off to a chilly start with January's temperatures ranging from 8 ° F (-13 ° C) to 35 ° F (2 ° C) and annual snowfall averaging up to 15ft (4.6m), although that figure jumps to up to 25ft (7.6m) around the ski resorts. It's not unheard of to see snow as late as June and as early as September in Aspen, and summer isn't any more predictable, with thunderstorms randomly punctuating otherwise pleasant summer days. July and August can reach temperatures of 75-80 ° F (23-26 ° C), but nights are cold.
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