A hand-picked starting point — the most welcoming, iconic, or just plain great outdoor groups in Aspen.
Every Thursday evening
Independence Run & Hike, 901 Highway 133, Carbondale
A relaxed 4–5 mile route around Carbondale with drinks and snacks afterward. All paces welcome, from first-timers to veterans; bring a headlamp in the darker months.
Most Wednesdays through the summer (weather permitting), alternating road and mountain bike events
Varies — venues from Aspen to Glenwood Springs
18–20 races a summer, from short mountain time trials to 50-mile road races, with categories for every level. Guests can drop in per race; free for racers under 18. Locations and exact start times rotate weekly — check the schedule.
Open daily in winter, conditions and grooming permitting
Trailheads connecting Aspen, Snowmass, and Basalt (Aspen and Snowmass Cross-Country Centers)
60+ miles of free groomed trails for classic and skate skiing — one of the largest free Nordic systems in North America. Some segments are dog-friendly; check the grooming report.