Location and Programming Snapshot
Festival sessions are held at venues on the Institute’s Aspen Meadows 40-acre campus, 1000 North Third Street, Aspen, CO 81611. Pass pick-up is on campus.
From expert panel discussions to debates to one-on-one interviews and more, days are filled from early morning to evening. Attendees have exceptional opportunities to interact with public officials, artists, scientists, authors, business executives, scholars, economists, foreign policy specialists, entrepreneurs, and leaders of all kinds — on footpaths and sidewalks, over lunch on the lawn or coffee at the espresso bar. The intimacy of Festival gatherings renders the experience unique and unforgettable.
The Festival is broken up into two sections.
*Festival 1: June 24 - 27, 2023
*Festival 2: June 27 - June 30, 2023
Aspen Ideas: Health opens the Festival, June 21 - 24, 2023.
Where to Stay
We encourage attendees to book lodging early for the 2023 Festival. Aspen's lodging properties are experiencing increased demand, so finding available lodging is more challenging than in past years. Booking early allows you to take advantage of special rates and secure a space that meets your needs.
We're pleased to work with specialists at Ski.com and Stay Aspen Snowmass. For assistance in finding accommodations, contact Marcie Cutler with Ski.com at marcie@ski.com or (970) 900-8827 or Pam Urig with Stay Aspen Snowmass at purig@aspensnowmass.com or (855) 203-4942.
Hotels
Aspen Mountain Lodge | 311 W. Main Street | 970.925.7650 or email aml@aspenmountainlodge.com
Aspen Square | 617 E. Cooper Avenue | 800.862.7736
The Gant | 610 S. West End | 800.549.0530
Hearthstone House | 134 E. Hyman Avenue | 888.925.7632 or email info@hearthstonehouse.com
Hotel Jerome | 330 E. Main Street | 855.331.7213
The Aspen Mountain Residences | 415 E. Dean Street | 970.429.9100 | for reservations contact Tim Car at 970.379.9935 or Tami Brown at 585.205.8732
The Little Nell | 675 E. Durant Avenue| 855.920.4600
Independence Square Hotel and Frias Properties of Aspen | 404 South Galena Street | 970.920.2010 or email Reservations@FriasProperties.com
The Inn at Aspen | 38750 CO Highway 82 | 970.925.1500
Limelight Aspen | 355 S. Monarch Street | 855.925.3025
Limelight Snowmass | 65 Wood Rd, Snowmass Village | 855.369.2460
The St. Regis Aspen Resort | 315 E. Dean Street | 970.429.9543
W Aspen | 550 S. Spring Street | 970.431.0800
[Please Note: Lodging at the Aspen Meadows Resort on the Aspen Institute’s campus is reserved for speakers during the Festival.]
Rentals Homes and Condos
The following agencies can assist you in finding a rental property during the Festival.
Aspen Signature Properties | Contact: Tracy Sutton | call 970.544.8001 or email tracy@aspensignatureproperties.com
Slifer, Smith, & Frampton Real Estate | Contact: Ann Wilkinson Smith | call 970.618.8591 or email awilkinson@sliferrfv.com
Aspen Luxury Vacation Rentals | call 970.205.9960 or email info@aspenluxuryvacationrentals.com
Whitman Fine Properties | Contact: Wendalin Whitman | call 970.544.3771 or email wendalin@whitmanaspen.com
Stay Aspen: Snowmass House Rentals | call 970.429.5046 or email info@stayaspensnowmass.com
Frias Properties | call 970.429.2441 or email erin@friasproperties.com
Alpine Property Rentals | call 866.208.2407 or email info@alpineproperty.com
Lift One Condos | call 970.925.1670 or email info@liftone.com
Getting to Aspen
Flying
We recommend flying into Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), which is approximately 10-15 minutes from the Aspen Institute’s campus and hotels throughout Aspen. During the summer, direct flights to Aspen are available from Denver, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Complimentary airport transportation is included at many hotels and should be coordinated directly with the property.
Driving
The drive from Denver to Aspen is approximately 4 hours depending on traffic and weather with two routes available either over Independence Pass (via Highway 82) or on Highway I-70 via Glenwood Canyon and Glenwood Springs. Check cotrip.org for up-to-date information and any road closures.
From Grand Junction, Aspen is an easy 2 hours. Take I-70 East to Glenwood Springs. From Glenwood Springs, take Highway 82 to Aspen.
From Eagle/Vail, Aspen is about 1.5 hours, first on I-70 West to Glenwood Springs, and then connecting with Highway 82 to Aspen.
Getting Around Town
Downtown Aspen is very walkable and the WE-cycle bikeshare program makes quick trips across town easy and fun. Additionally, complimentary shuttles will operate during the Festival to bring attendees from hotels in downtown Aspen to campus (less than 1 mile). The shuttles will make continuous loops between campus and downtown hotels during key event hours. A shuttle schedule will be available at registration.
The City of Aspen also has a free, city-wide bus system. The cross-town shuttle runs every 30 minutes to and from downtown Aspen to the Aspen Institute campus and the Benedict Music Tent, between 7:54 am and 9:00 pmdaily. For more details about public transportation, visit the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s website.
There is no parking on the Aspen Institute campus (this includes the Benedict Music Tent parking lot) during the event. Attendees are encouraged to park at the Rio Grande Parking Garage and take the Parking Garage Shuttle.
If you have special transportation needs, our event services team will be available to assist you.
Weather and Altitude
Weather
Daytime highs in the summer are typically in the high-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (21-26 C). Evenings are in the 40s F (5-10 C). The weather in Aspen changes quickly and summer rainstorms are common. Sunscreen is encouraged.
High Altitude
Aspen is situated at nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. Oxygen levels are lower at high altitudes. That coupled with the dry climate can contribute to symptoms of altitude sickness. Avoid altitude sickness by staying well-hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and keeping physical exertion to a minimum. Check out the Aspen Chamber’s Tips for Getting Adjusted to the Altitude to help you acclimate.
Activities in Aspen
Bike from Aspen to Woody Creek Tavern
Bike from Aspen to Woody Creek Tavern on the Rio Grande Trail. It is a flat gravel path. Woody Creek Tavern is a historic Aspen restaurant that Hunter S. Thompson frequented. The restaurant has outdoor seating. Take the bus and bikes back to Aspen to avoid the ride back!
Gondola Rides to the Top of Aspen Mountain
Ride the Silver Queen Gondola to 11,212 ft. to the Sundeck. Grab lunch, go for a quick hike, or just enjoy the view! It's quite spectacular.
Bike Riding with Blazing Adventures
More Activities
For activities such as hot air balloon rides, horse back riding, paragliding, rafting, jeep tours, rock climbing, road biking, etc., take a look at the Aspen Chamber's website.
For information about the surrounding mountains, visit the White River National Forest website.
Childcare and Babysitters - Aspen Nannies: 970.376.4054 or A Mom's Day Off: 970.963.8558.
Health and Safety
The Aspen Institute regards the health and safety of Festival staff and attendees as our highest priority. Please review our current COVID-19 protocols.
The Aspen Institute is also monitoring the latest CDC and local public health guidances and will keep attendees updated on any necessary changes to our event protocols.
Attendee Guide
For more details about attending the Aspen Ideas Festival — from where to pick up your pass and how to get around campus, to where to eat and what to wear — check out the Attendee Guide.