Taking the Kids: Aspen/Snowmass is especially affordable in the summer and fall

By Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on Aug 4, 2016

EXPLORE THE Maroon Bells, surrounded by National Forest lands, and the most photographed peaks in all of North America. Explore the glacial valley while surrounded by mountain peak, walk through fields of wildflowers and around Maroon Lake. Just make sure to bring rain jackets, as afternoon thunderstorms are common.

BIKE ALONG THE RIO GRANDE RAIL TRAIL, a rails-to-trails project built in the Aspen Branch of the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. That stretches 42 miles from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. A lot of families stop at Woody Creek Tavern for tacos, salads or burgers and arrange to shuttle back the eight miles to Aspen. "You can't go wrong at Woody Creek Tavern," said Chicagoan Tom Smithburg, the father of twin boys.

CHECK OUT THE ICE CAVES (GROTTOS), a long cavern where small pools of water freeze and create an ice cave along the .Grottos TrailGRAB A PICNIC AND GO TO A FREE CONCERT that's part of the Snowmass Summer of Free Music Series The Kid's Zone keeps little concert-goers happy with a bouncy house, hula-hooping, face-painting and more. Head to the top of Aspen Mountain on Sunday afternoons for Bluegrass Sundays where the kids have plenty of lawn games to keep them busy.

GO OUT FOR PIZZA to Brunelleschi’s in Aspen where kids can make their own pizza; Slice in Snowmass Village is another favorite because they can build their own flatbread, pizza or calzone.

On a recent Sunday, the top of Aspen Mountain was packed with families -- the kids hula-hooping, playing lawn games, checking out the trails and listening to the bluegrass music.

Maria Karsner was at the top of Aspen Mountain on a recent Sunday playing cards with her four daughters, who range in age from 5 to 14. The family is about to move to Northern California from the East Coast.

"Everyone is happy," she reported, adding that's not always easy to accomplish on vacation with four kids. "This place is really special," she said.

I think so, too.

========

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and follow @takingthekids on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Check out Eileen's Kid's Guide to Denver and Colorado Ski Country and the other kid's guides to major American Cities.)