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Save the dates! Next year's Aspen Ideas Festival will be held June 25 – July 1, 2025. Join us on our art-filled campus in Aspen, Colorado.

How to Attend

The Aspen Ideas Festival is held in unique venues spread across the art-filled, 40-acre Aspen Institute campus in Aspen, Colorado. 

The Festival is divided into two sections. Passholders select either Festival 1 (June 25 - 28, 2025) or Festival 2 (June 28 - July 1, 2025) and are invited to attend the community picnic and Afternoon of Conversation on June 28, 2025.

If you would like to attend both Festival 1 and 2, consider becoming an Aspen Ideas Patron

The Aspen Ideas Festival programming follows themes that are consistent through Festival 1 and Festival 2. The Festival Agenda is not announced until June, so passholders choose which section to attend based on their own scheduling preference.

Where to Stay

We encourage attendees to book their travel arrangements as soon as possible as Aspen lodging reaches capacity during the Festival. 

For complete travel planning assistance, we recommend contacting Pam Urig with Stay Aspen Snowmass (purig@aspensnowmass.com or 888-649-5982) or Marcie Cutler at Ski.com (marcie@ski.com or 970-900-8827). 

Hotels and Condo-Hotels

Annabelle Inn | 232 W. Main St. | (877) 266-2466

Aspen Mountain Lodge | 311 W. Main St. | (888) 261-0092

Aspen Square | 617 E. Cooper Ave. | (970) 925-1000

The Gant | 610 S. West End St. | (800) 549-0530

Hearthstone House | 134 E. Hyman Ave. | (970) 925-7635

Hotel Jerome | 330 E. Main St. | (855) 331-7213

Independence Square Hotel managed by Frias Properties | 404 S. Galena St. | (970) 428-2441

Limelight Aspen | 355 S. Monarch St.| (855) 925-3025

Limelight Snowmass | 65 Wood Rd. | (855) 369-2460

MOLLIE Aspen | 111 S. Garmist St. | (317) 753-6979

St. Regis Aspen Resort | 315 E. Dean St. | (970) 920-3300

The Little Nell | 675 E. Durant Ave. | (855) 920-4600

W Aspen | 550 S. Spring St. | (970) 431-0800

Viceroy Snowmass | 130 Wood Rd. | (877) 235-7577

Viewline Resort Snowmass | 100 Elbert Ln. | (970) 923-8200

Please Note: Lodging at the Aspen Meadows Resort on the Aspen Institute’s campus is reserved for speakers during the Festival.

Vacation Rentals

These local property management companies and brokers specialize in Aspen and Snowmass vacation rentals and can help you find a property that meets your group’s size and budget.

Recommended Rental Brokers:

Brittanie Rockhill | (970) 366-0891 or Brittanie@BrittanieRockhill.com

Rentals:

Alpine Property Rentals | (866) 209-1540 or info@alpineproperty.com

Aspen Luxury Vacation Rentals | (970) 205-9960 or info@aspenluxuryvacationrentals.com

Aspen Signature Vacation Rentals | (970) 544-8001 or info@aspensignatureproperties.com

Destination Residences Snowmass | (970) 923-7096 or Todd.Heintz@DestinationHotels.com

Frias Properties of Aspen Snowmass | (970) 429-2441 or email erin@friasproperties.com

Slifer, Smith, & Frampton Real Estate | (970) 618-8591 or awilkinson@sliferrfv.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 offered by 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 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 two-hour drive. 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 pm daily. For more details about public transportation, visit the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority’s website.

There is no parking on the Aspen Institute campus (including 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.

Tips for First-Time Attendees

Plan Your Schedule

• Step outside of your comfort zone and take full advantage of the Festival’s multi- disciplinary programming. In addition to attending sessions related to your work, branch out and join sessions on topics that expand your thinking into new fields.

• Download the mobile app in June; it’s easy to use and always the most up-to-date source of information. Star your favorite must-see speakers and sessions to create a personalized agenda.

• Don’t miss the interactive workshops, breakouts, and roundtables on the agenda. These offerings allow attendees to dive deeper on select topics and take part in hands-on learning in more intimate settings. Some may require advance sign-up, so keep an eye on your inbox for details. 

Make Connections

• The Festival is an unparalleled networking opportunity, so come eager and ready to meet fellow changemakers working across disciplines. Introduce yourself and feel empowered to start a conversation with anyone, from fellow attendees to speakers.

• Embrace the formal and informal opportunities to connect with others. Attend the opening reception. Strike up a conversation on the walking paths across campus. Sit with someone new during meals. Meet a new contact at the espresso bar. Bond with others during guided nature hikes. The possibilities are endless.

• What happens in Aspen, shouldn’t stay in Aspen. Commit to staying in touch with your new connections after you return home. Through collaboration, we can find new ways to turn ideas into action. 

Keep An Open Mind

• Lead with curiosity as you attend sessions. Come with an open mind and collaborative spirit. Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions during Q&As and challenge your own thinking by exploring new topics and perspectives. 

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

Hiking

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

Shopping in Aspen

Remede Spa - St. Regis Aspen

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.

Attendee Guide

From where to pick up your event pass and how to get around campus, to where to eat and what to wear, the Attendee Guide is your go-to resource for answers about attending the Aspen Ideas Festival.

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