20 Under $20

20 THINGS TO DO IN ASPEN/SNOWMASS UNDER $20 …AND BETTER YET - FOR FREE!

Yes, it is possible!  Aspen/Snowmass has something for all budgets and it's easy to live like a king on a pauper"s budget. From food and spirits, to community culture and events, to recreation and pampering, there are many bargains to be found at Aspen/Snowmass.

1. First Tracks at Aspen/Snowmass

With your lift ticket or season pass, be first to ski/ride the fresh powder or down the groomed ski runs for free with the pros of the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The First Tracks program is offered every day at Aspen Mountain and every Wednesday and Friday at Snowmass. Sign-up on a first-come basis at the Aspen Mountain Gondola Ticket office, 970-925-1220 or for Snowmass, call 970-925-1220 x4560.

2. An Aspen Quickie

After a hard day on the slopes, head to the Sundeck Restaurant and lodge on Aspen Mountain and indulge in a well-deserved quickie neck and back massage for just $10.

3. Learn a bit of Aspen History

Pay a visit to the Wheeler/Stallard Museum for a bit of Aspen history. Built in 1888, this Queen Anne-style home sits on the grounds of the Aspen Historical Society and offers rotating exhibits on Aspen's storied past. The museum is located in Aspen's quiet West End neighborhood at 620 West Bleeker Street. Tue. – Sat., 1 – 5pm
Admission is $6 adults, $3 children 12 and under, $5 seniors (admission fee also includes the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum).

4. Outdoor Ice Skating

There's nothing like skating in the outdoors with beautiful Aspen Mountain as your backdrop. The Silver Circle ice rink is right in town and can be enjoyed for just $2-$4 (depending on age) with $2 skate rentals and lessons are only $15.

5. Cutting Edge Events at Aspen/Snowmass

Aspen/Snowmass is the capital of unrivaled events.  And you can check them all out for free!  Don't miss the ESPN Winter X Games, Women's World Cup Slalom/Giant Slalom, Colorado Freeride Series, Bud Light Spring Jam and Après X Concert Series. For a complete event listing, go to http://www.aspensnowmass.com/travelinfo/events.

6. Aspen Recreation Center (ARC)

The ARC at Aspen Highlands is an 83,000-sq. foot recreation facility providing a NHL-sized ice rink, an aquatic area with a two-story water slide, and a 32-foot climbing tower. Join the fun for just $13-$15 a day. Call 970-544-4100 or visit www.aspenrecreation.com

7.  Naturalists Nights

The Aspen Center of Environmental Studies (ACES) offers evening programs each week throughout the winter where adventurers share their tales and encounters during the Potbelly Perspective Lecture Series.  Once a week, participate in Naturalist Nights and learn about current natural history topics Adults are just $3 and children ages 7-17, are only $2! Call 970-925-5756 or visit www.aspennature.org

8. Bar Menus: Eat Out Every Night!

Some of Aspen"s finest restaurants in town offer a bar menu.  Eat at the bar and enjoy similar entrees served in the main dining area for around $12 a plate.

9.  Après: The Mountain Town's Happy Hour!

Aspen/Snowmass was rated #1 in nightlife in SKI Magazine's 2004 Reader's Survey, so you know après and happy hours flourish. Hunker down at Little Annie's for a $2.75 shot and beer. At Mezzaluna, enjoy a beer and pizza for $10. The Cirque Restaurant in Snowmass offers offers live music daily and The Mountain Dragon in Snowmass offers free après appetizers until they're gone!

10.  Ski & Snowboard Overnight Transfer & Storage

Aspen/Snowmass Four Mountain Sports is the only rental shop in town that offers free ski and snowboard overnight transfer and storage at any of the four mountains. The five rental and demo shops are conveniently located throughout Aspen/Snowmass. 

11. Mountain Photo

Buy lift tickets, lessons or equipment rentals online and receive a coupon good for one free 8x10 photo from Mountain Photo with the purchase of an 8x10 photo of the same image. Mountain Photo photographers can take your pictures from locations on all four ski areas.

12. Heritage Aspen & West End Walking Tours

The Aspen Historical Society preserves and communicates the unique history of the Aspen area. Visit the museum for $3-$6 (depending on age). Or, take a West End Walking Tour for $10 with guides who lead you through the historic West End of Aspen. You'll learn about landmark buildings, Victorian architecture and hear fascinating stories of Aspen's past. Call 970-925-3721or visit www.aspenhistoricalsociety.com.

13. Aspen/Snowmass Cross Country Ski Trails

Head to the Snowmass Nordic Center where usage of the groomed trails is free and rentals for a full day costs less than $20. The trails are open to the public 24-hours a day. You can get in a pre-dawn workout or moonlit glide with either skis or snowshoes on trails that rollercoaster over six kilometers of scenic hills, vales, and flats. Call the Nordic Hotline at 970-429-2039.

14. Glenwood Hot Springs

Drive or take the bus down to Glenwood Springs to the Hot Springs Pool where you can soak in the therapy pool, swim laps or cool off in the deep end. There's a family vacation activity for everyone - swimming, diving pool, waterslides and kiddie pool. Rates are from free to $13.50 (depending on time and age).

15. Aspen Art Museum

Visit the Aspen Art Museum on Thursday evenings between 5-7 pm to attend the Art After Hours free reception with refreshments and gallery tour. 970-925-8050 www.aspenartmuseum.com 

16. Aspen/Snowmass Souvenirs

Check out the local souvenir shops in town and pick up items for your friends back home. Be sure to look for the infamous "How's Your Aspen?" t-shirt available for under $20.

17. World Link Café internet access

Get wired at World Link Café in downtown Aspen and enjoy espressos, coffees and some munchies while you log on and check your email or surf the web, for just a few bucks. Call 970-544-0001.

18. Visit the Popcorn Wagon

For a late-night snack or a mid-day pick-me up, visit the Popcorn Wagon in the heart of downtown Aspen for popcorn starting at $1.50, hot crepes for $3.50 and fire dogs (hot, spicy sausages) for $3.75. Open until 2a.m.

19. Rio Grande Skatepark

As long as the skate park bowls aren't filled with snow, it's a skate boarder's paradise even in winter. Grab your skateboard and helmet and launch into the free public skate park located in downtown Aspen. Features include a clover bowl, a pool structure with round side bowls and a square nine-foot deep vert bowl. This park is for all skill levels.

20. Art Gallery Tour

Take a free stroll through Aspen's colorful streets and visit the town's thirty art galleries. With everything from world-renown artists including Dale Chihuly, David LaChapelle, and Robert Mapplethorpe to local artists, you are bound to see something you like.