Snowmass Village is famous as a ski destination — but if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t ski, or you want a day off the slopes, you won’t run out of things to do. The village has built up a full ecosystem of winter activities that would keep a non-skier happily occupied for an entire week. This guide covers every option we know, from the free and family-friendly to the genuinely thrilling.
Snowshoeing and Nordic Skiing
The Snowmass Cross-Country Ski and Snowshoe Center operates more than 60 miles of groomed Nordic trails — one of the best free cross-country systems in Colorado. Trails range from flat beginner loops to more challenging terrain for experienced skiers and snowshoers. The center has a full rental shop with snowshoes, Nordic skis, and poles, plus a ski school with lessons for all ages.
For guided tours, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) offers naturalist-led snowshoe tours through the Snowmass Wildlife Sanctuary and into the Elk Mountain habitat. ACES guides are excellent at spotting winter wildlife — deer, elk, foxes, and birds — and explaining the ecosystem in a way that’s engaging for kids and adults alike. Tours typically run two hours and are bookable online.
The Rim Trail above the village also welcomes snowshoers in winter when the snow depth is sufficient. Views from the ridge are spectacular in any season, and the trail is accessible directly from the Stonebridge Condominiums area.
Ice Skating
Snowmass Village has two free public ice-skating rinks in winter.
The Snowmass Village Ice Rink at Town Park (Brush Creek Road, near the Recreation Center) is free, open from 9 AM to 9 PM daily, and includes free skate rentals. This is the classic community rink — families, kids learning to skate, and locals using it as a morning workout.
The Rink at Base Village is the more scenic option, centered in the heart of Base Village with shops and restaurants surrounding it. It’s an outdoor rink in a plaza setting, open daily with evening hours, and the perfect place to end a non-skiing day with a lap or two and hot cocoa from one of the nearby cafés.
The BreathTaker Alpine Coaster
The BreathTaker Alpine Coaster at Snowmass is one of the longest alpine coasters in Colorado. You ride a tandem coaster car up the track, then control your own speed on the way down — banking tight curves, watching the trees blur past, reaching up to 28 miles per hour. It’s open in winter (weather permitting) and is one of those attractions that skiers and non-skiers both end up riding multiple times.
The coaster is accessed at the Base Village plaza, and tickets are sold by the ride or in multi-ride packages. Minimum height requirement applies; check the Aspen Snowmass website for current operating hours and rates during your visit.
Snow Tubing
Snowmass offers lift-served snow tubing at Elk Camp, featuring four dedicated lanes running down a groomed pitch. You ride a lift up (no climbing required), pick your lane, and hurtle down on a rubber tube. It’s particularly good for families with kids who are too young or uninterested in ski lessons but want to be out on the snow with everyone else.
Tubing sessions run on timed blocks. Tickets sell out on busy days, so book online in advance. The Elk Camp area is also home to the BreathTaker and the alpine coaster, making it easy to combine both in a single half-day outing.
Snowmobile Tours
For something with more horsepower, several local outfitters run snowmobile tours from Snowmass Village into the White River National Forest. Guided routes travel through open snowfields and forested terrain with panoramic views of the Elk Mountains — country that’s inaccessible any other way in winter.
Tours range from one-hour introductory rides to half-day backcountry adventures. No experience is required for most tours; guides cover basic operation before you leave the trailhead. Groups of all ages participate. Book in advance during the January–March peak window, as popular time slots fill quickly.
Sleigh Rides
Aspen Carriage and Sleigh is a family-owned operation offering private horse-drawn sleigh rides through the Snowmass backcountry. Each ride covers about 45 minutes through winter wilderness, typically at sunset or after dark with the mountains lit by alpenglow or starlight. Blankets are provided; you supply the sense of wonder. Private bookings are available for couples and groups. Reservation required; book well in advance for weekend evenings in peak season.
The Collective and Village Entertainment
The Collective Snowmass at Base Village is Snowmass’s community hub for after-mountain entertainment: a large lounge with live music and DJ events, an interactive music wall, arcade games, ping pong, and a bar. It’s the answer to the question “what do we do at 4 PM when everyone is off the mountain?” — welcoming for all ages, warm and lively, and free to enter.
The Snowmass Mall (the upper village shopping and dining strip) has several independent boutiques, galleries, and ski shops worth browsing. It’s a 10-minute walk from Stonebridge and a pleasant place to spend a slow morning before the rest of the group gets back from first chair.
Spa, Pool, and Recovery Days
If your idea of a non-skiing day involves a heated pool, a hot tub, and doing nothing for several hours — Stonebridge Condominiums has you covered. Our outdoor heated pool and multiple hot tubs are open year-round, tucked against the slope with a mountain view. The on-site sauna and steam rooms round out the recovery toolkit.
Guests who want a formal spa day will find full-service spas at the Viceroy Snowmass and The Limelight Snowmass in Base Village, both offering massage, body treatments, and facials.
Day Trip to Aspen
Aspen is 6 miles and 15 minutes from Snowmass Village — an easy trip on the free RFTA bus or a quick drive. Spend a morning at the Aspen Art Museum (free admission), browse the boutiques and galleries on the pedestrian mall, have lunch at a world-class restaurant, and be back at Stonebridge before the slopes close. Aspen has four ski mountains of its own, but as a non-ski day-trip destination it’s one of the best small mountain towns in the United States.
Glenwood Hot Springs
For a full soaking day, Glenwood Hot Springs is about 45 minutes north on Highway 82. The facility has two outdoor pools fed by natural geothermal springs — the world’s largest outdoor hot springs pool, at over 400 feet. A full day at Glenwood is a perfect way to rest sore ski legs or fill a non-ski day with something unique to Colorado. Bring your suit and sandals; they’re open year-round regardless of weather.
A Week Without Skis
If you arrived in Snowmass planning to do nothing but ski and you end up spending a day doing everything above instead, you won’t feel cheated. The village is genuinely well-designed for guests who want the mountain atmosphere without the mountain athleticism. And if you’re in the right condo — one with a balcony, a pool, and someone bringing you a cup of coffee — watching the mountain turn pink at sunset from the hot tub might just be the best thing you do all week.
Stonebridge Condominiums is the perfect base for skiers and non-skiers alike. Our central location, on-site amenities, and range of condo sizes from one to four bedrooms make it easy to accommodate a mixed group. Reserve your condo here or call us at 1-800-323-2577.
