Aspen Only about eight miles from Snowmass Village is Aspen, Colorado. While Aspen is known as a travel destination frequented by the rich and famous, many of Aspen's visitors know this beautiful Colorado mountain town for its extensive mix of arts programs, cultural events, and cosmopolitan dining and nightlife. Aspen places an emphasis on preserving the environment, its silver mining heritage, and the promotion of arts, culture, and non-profits in the area. The dining opportunities would tempt even the most demanding gourmand. An eclectic selection of restaurants, from the divine to simple sandwiches, offers flavors and prices for every taste. The shopping covers the same spectrum, from kitschy t-shirts to world-famous jewelry and clothing to art galleries blazing with creativity. Enjoy a great laugh at Aspen's Crystal Palace dinner theater or catch a concert at the historic Wheeler Opera House. Check out the Aspen Art Museum for a cultural fix. Visit the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) to learn about the area's natural history or learn about Aspen's human history at the Aspen Historical Society's Wheeler/Stallard Museum. A seemingly endless number of festivals and athletic events keep the town humming and the parties and nightlife aren't legendary without good reason. Aspen is easy to reach on the Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) buses that arrive and depart from the western end of the Snowmass Village Mall and stops throughout the Village. Fare is currently $3 per person, one way, and the ride usually takes 20 -30 minutes. (Insider’s Tip: If you have a large group or are planning on using the bus system extensively, then purchase a multiple punch pass, available from several local merchants, such as Village Liquor on the Mall. They cost less per ride than paying as you go.) Taxi and limousine service is also readily available. Parking can be problematic in Aspen, but that's why you're staying in Snowmass; you don't need a car here!