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Vamoose is a terrific resource for those looking for Aspen vacation rentals, Aspen condos, and Aspen condo rentals. Throughout its fascinating history, the elite ski resort city of Aspen Colorado, has seen its rise, fall, and revival predicated on three S's -- silver, snow, and society. Aspen ski resorts and Aspen hotels were an unimagined possibility in the distant future when prospectors first arrived in 1879 to what was then known as the town of Ute and established a silver mining settlement at the foot of Aspen Mountain. Within the ten years that followed the renaming of Ute to Aspen Colorado in 1880, the silver mining town's population exploded from 360 to 12,000 and became the first town in Colorado to provide electricity to its entire population. But the fortunes of Aspen Colorado reversed just as quickly after the 1893 silver crash sent many of its settlers packing for greener pastures.

It took a small group of entrepreneurs and visionaries to realize the value of Aspen's other, inexhaustible resource -- snow -- and transform Aspen Colorado from a sleepy mining town to a bustling, recreational hub. Austrian entrepreneur Friedl Pfeifer partnered with Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke and his wife Elizabeth to establish what would be the first of many Aspen ski resorts and opened what was then the world's longest chairlift in the winter of 1947. Soon, more Aspen ski resorts were opened, and it wasn't long before Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen hotels followed.

Today, Aspen ski resorts and Aspen vacation rentals embrace their reputation as the favorite alpine hideaway. Additionally, Aspen ski resorts and Aspen vacation rentals can be surprisingly affordable and enjoyable, especially for those visiting in the summer. Aspen ski resorts and downtown Aspen Colorado play host to a variety of summer music and dance festivals, and rates for Aspen vacation rentals are generally lower during the warm season. There are also spectacular trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Travelers will generally see overall costs increase when visiting Aspen ski resorts and while staying at Aspen vacation rentals in the winter. Aspen Colorado is still, after all, a snow-capped alpine paradise, and snow season is when demand for Aspen ski resorts and Aspen vacation rentals peaks.

The alpine resort community of Aspen Colorado occupies 3.5 square miles in the southeast end of the Roaring Fork Valley, surrounded by the Elk Mountain Range, the Independence Pass, and the Aspen/Snowmass Wilderness Area. Rising at an elevation of 7908 feet, Aspen Colorado affords guests a breathtaking view of the natural beauty that frames it. Deep canyons, aspen forests, and scenic mountains form the varied alpine terrain that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to Aspen Colorado annually. Aspen vacation rentals guests will find inexhaustible options for outdoor recreation and indoor entertainment. The city's long association with celebrity and culture may have left its approximately 5,914 permanent residents less star-struck than the average Aspen vacation rentals guest, but they remain a warm and hospitable people who are proud of their city's rich history and unique charms.

Because of its high altitude, the climate in Aspen Colorado is generally characterized by low humidity and intense sunshine. The sun can be very intense when it's up, so guests of Aspen hotels are advised to bring adequate sun protection, no matter what time of year they come to Aspen Colorado. Summer temperatures hover around 68 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and drop to 50 degrees below at night. In winter, daytime temperatures average in the 20- to 40-degree range and nighttime temperatures plummet to an average of 30 to 40 degrees. Brief afternoon showers in the summer and cold spells in the winter mean chilly evenings for guests of Aspen hotels. Warm clothing is recommended for all visitors of Aspen hotels and Aspen ski resorts. The city receives an average of 15 feet of snow annually, but Aspen ski resorts can sometimes get buried in as much as 25 feet of snow.

Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen hotels provide the most luxurious and comfortable accommodations to travelers visiting Aspen Colorado at any time of the year. Offering spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and scenic vistas of inviting trails, Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen hotels create a perfect environment for a relaxing weekend with the family or a romantic getaway for two. Conveniently located near ski resorts and the downtown area, Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen hotels offer ski-in and ski-out access in winter and nearby hiking and biking in summer.

Only the finest furnishings and amenities can be found inside Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen hotels, where strict attention to detail is observed and guest comfort is of utmost priority. Guests will immediately feel at home in Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen hotels with handcrafted decor and state-of-the-art facilities such as a whirlpool spa, Jacuzzi, swimming pool, and tennis courts. For the ultimate in exclusive luxury and convenience, many Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen hotels feature business centers, members' lounges, gourmet restaurants and gift shops.

Aspen Colorado offers much more than skiing to guests of Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen ski resorts. The cultural legacy of William and Elizabeth Paepcke is kept alive by prominent music, dance, film, and cultural festivals that are hosted by the elite alpine resort city.

Guests of Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen condos visiting in January will be in for a treat at the annual Winterskol celebration, the city's tribute to the season of cold and snow. This grand party is hosted by four of Aspen's most prestigious ski resorts and features various snow activities, a parade, a canine fashion show, amazing fireworks displays, an ice sculpting competition, and more.

Founded in 1949, the Aspen Music Festival and School is the Rockies' biggest homage to classical music. Guests of Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen ski resorts should not miss this summer musical extravaganza, which features both world-class classical musicians and promising musical students' 250 live performances.

Reels roll in September when Aspen Colorado hosts the revered Aspen Filmfest, a five-day festival that celebrates the artistry and innovation of international filmmaking and avant-garde cinema. Guests of Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen ski resorts will be exposed to a wide variety of filmed art, including feature films, documentaries, foreign films, retrospectives, and others.

Arguably the most popular dining destination in Aspen, Renaissance & R-Bar Bistro is where guests of Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen ski resorts can go if they want elegance and refinement served with their dinner. Chef Charles Dale offers an innovative menu that changes every night, so guests of Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen ski resorts will find every meal a treat.

French-Mediterranean fare is the specialty at Cache Cache Bistro, a popular, inexpensive venue for a relaxing meal with friends and family. Grilled polenta, striploin au poivre, and pork tenderloin make this Provencal restaurant a favorite both among locals and visitors.

The apre-ski scene at the 39 Degrees Lounge in the Sky Hotel is hip and stylish, but unpretentious. Guests of Aspen vacation rentals and Aspen ski resorts will be delighted by its reasonably priced cocktails, mod furniture, and old ski lodge feel.

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is a nonprofit environmental education center and wildlife sanctuary located within the Hallam Lake Natural Preserve. Guests of Aspen ski resorts who visit in the summer can expect naturalist-guided walks, eagle demonstrations and interpretive campground programs. Guests of Aspen ski resorts who come in winter can participate in various programs that include naturalist-guided ski and snowshoe tours and weekly slide shows.

Guests of Aspen ski resorts with an appreciation for contemporary art should visit the Aspen Art Museum. Housed in a historic brick building located along the scenic Rio Grande Trail, the museum offers year-round programs including art workshops for children, free public lectures, docent tours, and site rentals. Guests of Aspen ski resorts will be delighted to know that the museum also hosts a complimentary wine and cheese reception every Thursday.

Touted as the one of the most photographed scenes in Colorado, the Maroon Bells consist of twin sharply defined peaks that are part of the majestic Elk Mountain Range. Guests of Aspen ski resorts can hike challenging trails leading over nine passes above 12,000 feet in elevation. Maroon Creek Road has a picnic stop and is great for all-day sightseeing for guests of Aspen ski resorts.

Whether Aspen vacation rentals guests drop in for the winter or visit in the summer, they will find a myriad of possibilities for outdoor recreation in Aspen Colorado.

Summer activities that Aspen vacation rentals guests can try include hiking, walking, rock-climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, and camping. The East Maroon Trail is a 21-mile roundtrip scenic wilderness trail near the Maroon Bells. Aspen vacation rentals guests who hike this trail will encounter sparkling streams, lush scenery, and scenic vistas of Pyramid Peak. The Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers offer excellent trout fishing for both amateur and expert anglers. Guests of Aspen vacation rentals will enjoy dropping their lines into these gold-medal streams.

Wintertime creates plenty of opportunities for snow sports and activities. Aspen vacation rentals guests can hit the slopes for a variety of snow-related activities, including cross-country skiing, dog-sledding, downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sleigh riding. Aspen vacation rentals guests can ski the four ski areas of Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, and Snowmass with a single ticket. Long ridge trails and expert terrain characterize the slopes at Aspen Highlands. Aspen vacation rentals guests who consider themselves novice skiers should probably avoid Aspen Mountain, where more than half of the trails are rated advanced or expert. Buttermilk, on the other hand, is more suited for intermediate skiers and children. Snowmass is a sprawling ski area that features both expert and lower to intermediate runs for Aspen vacation rentals guests and their children. So when you are looking for Aspen vacation rentals, Aspen condos, or Aspen condo rentals, come to Vamoose!