Getting Around

Going out in Aspen, the capital of après-ski , is fun year-round and need not be expensive. Check the free papers for special offers. In summer, downtown hosts several top-notch festivals. The flagship event is the nine-week-long Aspen Music Festival , between late June and late August, when orchestras and operas feature well-known international performers, as well as promising students who come to learn from musical masters (tel 970/925-9042); July and early August see the DanceAspen festival (tel 970/925-7718), which showcases reliably good contemporary shows.

Double Diamond 450 S Galena St tel 970/920-6905. Aspen's top live rock music venue, occasionally featuring nationally known acts. Usually free before 10pm and the drink prices are reasonable.
J-Bar 330 E Main St, in the Hotel Jerome tel 970/920-1000. This grand bar is a good place to soak in the hotel's atmosphere and rub elbows with well-heeled hotel guests.

Red Onion Cooper St Mall tel 970/925-9043. Aspen's oldest bar, serving big portions of Mexican food and good burgers. A popular après-ski spot, especially for its lethal line in jello shots.

Shooters 220 S Galena St tel 970/925-4567. Swinging Country and Western bar that also holds a popular Tuesday night non-Country disco.

Woody Creek Tavern Upper River Rd, Woody Creek tel 970/923-4585. Unpretentious local bar, where ranch hands and rock stars shoot pool, guzzle fresh lime-juice margaritas and eat good Tex-Mex. The bar is in tiny Woody Creek - seven miles north of Aspen along Hwy-82, right on River Road, and then first left.