It was announced in the local paper that Aspen Mountain will be opening the top runs for skiing this weekend. It has been two years since there has been skiing for Memorial Day weekend but with all the snow we have gotten I guess they might as well!

At Lift One Condominiums all the staff is looking forward to the summer months and seeing all of our past guests as well as new faces at the lodge. We are pretty sure warmer weather lies ahead and we plan to take full advantage of it when it gets here!

It is time to get your vacation going so call us for the best accommodations in Aspen. The rest of it will easily fall into place since there is never a lack of things to do!

This doesn’t mean Aspen will quiet down. The very exciting USA Pro Cycling Challenge is coming to town Wednesday, August 22 for the finish of one of the most difficult stages as the bikers conquer Independence Pass. This will be a nationally televised event. If you want a taste of the action, you can line up on the racecourse as the competitors come screaming into town. Quite a thrill to witness! On Thursday, Aspen is host to the start of the next stage. Aspen was the only town chosen to have a finish and a start of this Colorado biking tour. Don’t forget about the women! On August 22, Aspen will also have the Aspen Women’s Pro Challenge taking place downtown before the Pro Cycling racers descend into town.

The annual Motherlode Volleyball Tournament is celebrating their 40th year in Aspen and will feature games throughout the Labor Day weekend. Come out and watch one of the largest beach volleyball tournaments in the country. Did I say Beach? While we all love living in the mountains, it is great fun bringing the beach to us once a year! The “Lode” is considered the social event of the outdoor volleyball season.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass is featuring an excellent lineup of musicians for their concerts at Snowmass August 31-September 3. Please see www.jazzaspensnowmass.org for a list of the exciting talent coming to play.

After August you ask? Leaves, leaves and more leaves changing to brilliant colors as September progresses. Sightseeing alone can fill up your days but special events will still be going on as Aspen does not go to sleep after summer ends. Check back with us next month to see what is new and exciting or go to www.aspenchamber.org for the latest in Aspen events. In the meantime, put on your calendar the Aspen Filmfest October 1-7. You will be able to see movies not available in the theaters along with special appearances by some of the producers and actors.

The Aspen area is looking green all over with gorgeous flowers blooming everywhere! Some days you can just look around and feel so blessed to be here and to experience this beautiful time of year.

Some of the exciting events this month start now with the Aspen Triathlon on June 9. The Ride for the Rockies which is a 6 day, 442 mile event for bikers, has the Carbondale to Leadville stage on June 12. All the riders will be passing through Aspen on their way up to the long grueling ride over Independence Pass making their way to Leadville.

The 30th annual Food and Wine Classic begins June 15 for three days. Our wonderful and expansive Farmers Market starts Saturday, June 16 and will continue every Saturday until October. Saturdays are a great day to head downtown to shop at the market, visit with the locals and purchase some fantastic Colorado vegetables, fruits, crafts and more.

Jazz Aspen starts June 22 in the Benedict Music tent, Theatre Aspen’s first production is June 25, Aspen Ideas June 27, and the famous Aspen Music Festival begins on June 28.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with so much to choose from but as you can see, there is something for everyone in Aspen. And this is just the beginning of the summer! There is much more to come in July, August and September.

Plan your visit as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on whatever your passion might be. For details on summer vacation rentals visit our Aspen Lodging page

Now it is on to warm weather planning. It is fun to see the leaves starting to pop out and flowers blossoming, running into friends on the streets or in their yards on days that are just too nice to be indoors. It’s a peaceful and relaxing month or so before the summer activities start in mid June, mainly the 30th annual Food and Wine Classic which kicks off June 15 with top chefs, representatives from the food and wine industry as well as guests coming to experience this amazing weekend.

A fun and challenging local activity during the month of May is the annual charity/recreational Ride for the Pass on May 19 and then the Aspen Cycling Criterium on May 20, a fast paced bicycle race in the heart of downtown Aspen. These events seem to bring out all the locals.

Also in May, the new plastic bag ban in Aspen grocery stores starts on May 1. Plastic bags will no longer be an option unless you bring your own. Paper bags are available at 20 cents per bag. Most of us in Aspen have been using our own type of grocery bag for some time now.

Starting Memorial Day weekend, lodging at Lift One Condominiums will be in full operation again with the hot tub and pool up and running, the staff back from various vacations, all condos freshened up for the summer and some remodeled as well. Come join us for a great vacation!

Aspen Colorado is a place to experience and enjoy in any season of the year. John Denver once said, “It’s as close to heaven as one can get and still be in Colorado.” Other seasons notwithstanding, Aspen’s peak season is winter thanks to the world-class resorts that offer fabulous skiing. a Fall foliage visit, however, brings the astute vacationer a bevy of advantages. The ski and festival crowds are absent; prices are significantly lower and the widest-possible range of lodging accommodations are available. Perhaps most important, the golden blaze of Aspen foliage mixed with the reds and yellows of other flora is absolutely spectacular.

There’s a lot more to do in this off season too. Hiking trails are plentiful and if you’re so inclined, horseback riding is as well. Fishing is excellent especially for angler purists seeking the native trout that are plentiful before the winter freeze. If photography is your thing, the scenic vistas provided in this Roaring Fork Valley are unending and colorful opportunities to capture vacation memories for posterity.

Closer to town, you can experience the Annual Oktoberfest celebration in both Aspen and Snowmass. This an event for the entire family with plenty of food, drink and German folk dancers in their colorful costumes whirling to lively music. On any day. You can also choose from a variety of restaurants to dine in after visiting the many local shops along the main way in Aspen.

When planning your fall tour to Aspen, you will happily discover that available lodge style accommodations and condo rentals are not in short supply as they are during the winter ski season. Choose from one of the Lift One Aspen Vacation Rentals available in one to three bedrooms and located in the heart of Aspen, Colorado. So will find friendly hosts, locals and shopkeepers with outgoing attitudes towards fall visitors.

The Aspen weather in Fall is warm during the day and cool at night. One might well imagine that it was ordered up especially for outdoor enthusiasts. It couldn’t be more comfortable.

Finally, keep in mind that you will be able to enjoy lots of Aspen attractions if your of such a mind. Things like the Maroon Bells Festival of Color , the Aspen Saturday Market and the Balloon Festival which are all held in September. Once you arrive, you’ll discover enough things to see and do to keep you busy for your entire trip.