Spring has sprung in Aspen. Yes, a Colorado Spring is settling into our valley and that means rivers are running. Fog is rolling in, the temperatures are warming slightly, and the air has a faint hint of fresh grass. Every year when spring rolls around the locals breathe a sigh of relief. As much as we count on winter’s endless snowfall to keep us entertained during all seasons, we look forward to the warming summer months and all the activities that come along with sunny days. For us here at Aspen Whitewater, that means since the rivers are running, we begin countless hours spent on the river doing what we love and sharing that experience with the guests that choose to raft with us. For those of you visiting, Aspen has a wide variety of options.
We can’t wait to take you out on the river and if you need other ideas for your vacation since Spring has sprung in Aspen, check out the list below. Held in mid-May is the annual Ride for the Pass where bike riders, either recreational or competitive, have the opportunity to experience the views of the pass before it’s opened to vehicles. This is an especially exciting milestone for us because once the pass opens, the rivers are running and we will begin rafting our full day Class III trip, Browns Canyon.
Right as summer begins in full force in mid-June, Aspen will be alive with the Food & Wine Classic. Not only does the event feature delicious and delectable wines and small plate samples, but it takes place at the base of Aspen Mountain which is a must-see in the summer months. Summer brings back routine; bike rides on the Rio Grande Trail, lunches at White House Tavern, and Saturday markets will start on June 16th. The market features homemade artisan goods from the area and there’s something special about perusing the artistry of Aspen with a bag of fresh popcorn in hand. Town will be filled with visitors for the Aspen Ideas Festival towards the end of June. This event coordinates leaders from all different disciplines to engage in discussions and debates on varying topics. If you can make it to Aspen, come and experience the discussion for yourself.
Summer brings back familiar traditions. We look forward to the 4th of July parade through Aspen’s downtown district. It’s a chance for each of the rafting companies to decorate floats and celebrate together while the fire company sprays us with fire hoses – meaning more than the rivers are running on this day! We look forward to traditions and new activities alike. Our winter guests may have already been able to enjoy the new Alpine Coaster, Breathtaker, which opened at the top of the Elk Camp gondola earlier this season. With the warm weather, additional features of the Lost Forest will begin their debut, including a brand new zip line, bike trails, a ropes course and climbing walls.
The Lost Forest is sure to be an incredible new adventure, and all of us are looking forward to experiencing it for the first time this summer. We will be offering combined packages for rafting and Lost Forest exploration, so check out our website soon for those new promotional details. From all of us at Aspen Whitewater, we’d like to thank you for returning to raft with us summer after summer. We feel incredibly lucky to share our rivers with you. We look forward to making your summer vacation here in Aspen even more enjoyable.