Snowmass is one of the most popular ski destinations in the world, but you may not know that there is so much more to this beautiful part of Colorado than snow, cold, and skis. Just a visit in the summer can be an unexpected adventure filled with fun and excitement, and when you choose Timberline Condominiums for your vacation accommodations, you can expect a world of comfort and luxury. Today, we want to focus on the unusual, the unique. This guide to five unique things to do in Snowmass will give you a new outlook on a place that is primarily known for its winter adventures!
5 Unique Things to Do in Snowmass
Although there were some ranches and mining activity, Snowmass wasn’t considered a Wild West town; our close friend and dear neighbor Aspen certainly was, and our Snowmass Rodeo pays homage to those wild and wooly days. Offering an authentic Wild West experience, the rodeo begins with a delicious barbecue at 5 PM, with the rodeo itself starting at 7 PM, so bring your appetite for food and adventure. Plan on purchasing tickets in advance. The rodeo is a popular one, and even though there are many seats, it has been known to sell out. We would hate for you to miss out on bronco riding, barrel racing, and bull riding, in addition to all the other activities and events that make a rodeo fun for all!
John Denver Sanctuary, 470 Rio Grande Place in Aspen
Snowmass and Aspen are just 7 miles away from each other, so of course, we are going to include unexpected adventures in Aspen on this itinerary of surprising or unusual things to do, and a visit to the John Denver Sanctuary tops the list. The singer was a resident of Aspen for the final 26 years of his life, and his presence is greatly missed. No one could make us want to live the country life more than this man, and his sanctuary celebrates his love for nature and music. Formerly an industrial site and parking lot, today it is a garden of boulders, plants, a small creek, and trees. The words to his songs have been carved into the boulders, and with one of the blue spruces serving as a reminder of the man’s spirit, we can assure you that there isn’t a more tranquil spot in the state.
Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center, 130 Kearns Road in Snowmass Village
History comes alive at the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center, and while you may think it shouldn’t be considered that unusual to have Ice Age experiences in a place known for its snow and ice, the discovery of a mammoth bone in 2010 opened up a new—or should we say ancient—world to explore. Ziegler’s pond had been a tranquil spot that attracted wildlife since Doug Ziegler decided it needed to exist in 1958, and in 2008, Snowmass decided it needed a reservoir to serve our rapidly growing population, leading to that first mammoth bone, and over the next year (with a brief break during our own ice age, otherwise known as winter), the bones of a mastodon, sloth, prehistoric bison were excavated from the earth and the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center was born!
Maroon Bells, Maroon-Snowmass Trail in Aspen
The Maroon Bells are the most photographed mountains in the Rockies, and chances are you have seen photos without realizing that you would soon get to see them in real life. Popular with skilled rock climbers (they are not something we advise amateur climbers to attempt), it’s a layer of red mudstone that gives them their beautiful maroon color, especially when the light hits just right. Take a bus trip up Maroon Bells Road (tickets can be purchased at the Aspen Highlands Resort Gift Shop) to get to the best viewing spot and take your own pictures of the majestic peaks, but if your photography skills fail you, idyllic pictures can be purchased in nearly every gift shop in the area.
Discover Love at First Sight Is Real
We at Timberline Condominiums offer our own unexpected qualities, and perhaps the top one will be the discovery that love at first sight is real—at least the love you can feel for a vacation retreat that is comfortable, luxurious, and destined to be the highlight of your vacation experience! In a world where making money often outranks providing comfort, we try to be the difference, giving guests a place to rest, relax, and prepare for new days of Rocky Mountain adventures. Contact us to reserve your favorite Timberline retreat today and discover just how easy it is to fall in love with all the luxuries and comforts found within!
