Smart Meetings

While Aspen and Snowmass have seen the rise of many worthy competitors—including Sun Valley, Telluride, Vail, and other upstarts—the town still holds its own as one of the world's elite destinations for skiing and conferences.

The town of Aspen is located about 165 miles west of Denver on I-70, and 40 miles south on Hwy 82. Most of the county's 15,000 year-round residents live in or around the town of Aspen, home to about 160 retail shops, including plenty of boutique stores as well as 30 art galleries.

Aspen does not actually have a civic convention and visitors office. Instead, the local chamber of commerce formed the Aspen Groups ( www.aspenchamber.org), formerly the Aspen Group Sales Alliance, which encompasses the Aspen Lodging Association (ALA), the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA), and Stay Aspen Snowmass Central Reservations (SAS). The organization handles marketing, promotion and, of course, on-the-ground hookups for meeting planners.

Aspen not only functions without a CVB, but also without a central conference center. Instead, most meetings take place at the nearby lodges and hotels, many of which provide the top tier of quality (at commensurate prices).

One great choice for a gathering is the recently renovated Sun Deck, at the Aspen Mountain Club, at the Little Nell (thelittlenell.com).  A private and ultra-exclusive lunch club during the day, this beautiful room is available for private parties all day during the summertime and for evenings in the winter. Attendees cruise up (and back) via gondola to 11,200 feet in altitude, where the 7,000 square-foot Club includes a full bar and fire-lit living room, as well as a dining room for up to 125. The adjoining wedding deck and large terrace have full mountain views.

Another interesting place to meet is the Lynn Britt Cabin (aspensnowmass.com), which can accommodate up to 60 people. During the winter, groups can be taken up to the cabin in a snowcat or be pulled in a sled. And during the summer, groups can walk around on the mountain outside the cabin.

Another option is the smaller Burlingame Cabin (aspensnowmass.com), which is primarily used for outdoor meetings (and cowboy-style meals and sing-alongs) around the campfire, complete with marshmallows, smores, and star-gazing in the clear winter air.

For an event closer to town, contact the City of Aspen Special Events Department (aspenrecreation.com), which can help with organizing festivals, balls, tournaments, races, private parties and even birthday parties. Facilities managed by the city include the Aspen Golf and Tennis Club, the Aspen Recreation Center, the Ice Garden, Wheeler Opera House, and parks such as Wagner and Rio Grande Skate Park.

Getting There

Aspen - Sardy Field (Pitkin County) Airport (ASE aspenairport.com), about three miles from Aspen and five miles from Snowmass Village, is directly served by flights from several western cities, including Salt Lake City (Delta), Los Angeles (United), Phoenix (America West), Minneapolis and Memphis (Northwest, winter only), and Denver (multiple carriers).

2007 Aspen Airport Closure Notice: The Aspen-Sardy (Pitkin County) Airport will be closed to all air traffic 4/9 –6/7 for runway replacement.

Other airports in the area include Eagle County Regional Airport, about 70 miles away, and Junction/Walker Field (www. walkerfield.com), about 130 miles away.

Not To Be Missed

Maroon Bells - Tucked into the Rocky Mountains, Aspen and Snowmass are synonymous with the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Area (Colorado's fourth largest), which encompasses nine passes above 12,000 feet and multiple mountains taller than 14,000 feet. It's a virtually endless bounty of lakes, wildflowers, pine forests and aspen groves.

Golf - Aspen and Snowmass have some mind-blowing mountain golf courses (aspenrecreaton.com). The Snowmass Club's new James Engh-designed course was voted "Best New Course" by Colorado Golf Magazine in 2004. The 6,500-yard Aspen Golf Club is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Hiking - A cool, adventurous team-building activity for a small group might be a backpacking trip along the 10th Mountain Huts (huts.org), a system of 29 backcountry huts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, connected by 350 miles of suggested routes.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center (andersonranch.org)- A nationally recognized visual arts center in a rustic old ranch house, with a focus on crafts and fine arts, Anderson Ranch offers more than 100 one- to three-week workshops every year. In addition to a permanent gallery, the ranch offers exhibitions, lectures and studio walks.

Festivals - Pair your meeting with an already happening event, such as the Chili Pepper & Brew Fest, the Snowmass Wellness Experience, National Off Road Biking Association competitions, US Open Mountain-boarding Championships, the Snowmass Balloon Festival, the Snowmass Wine & Jazz Festival, and more.