Aspen Offers Plenty to Do Beyond Skiing This Winter

From art museums to après ski parties, the Colorado mountain town has activities for every visitor.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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With a lack of snow this winter, Aspen, Colorado is offering a variety of non-skiing activities for visitors, including art exhibits at the Aspen Art Museum, concerts and events at The Snow Lodge, shopping at new boutiques like Chanel and FoundRae, and dining at popular restaurants like Casa Tua, Matsuhisa, and Marea.

Why it matters

Aspen is known as a premier ski destination, but this winter's snow drought has forced the town to get creative with its offerings to attract visitors. By highlighting the town's vibrant arts and culture scene, luxury shopping, and diverse dining options, Aspen is showing it has much more to offer than just skiing.

The details

The Aspen Art Museum is hosting several notable exhibitions this season, while The Snow Lodge is bringing in big-name DJs like Kaytranada and PAWSA for après ski parties. Chanel and FoundRae have opened new seasonal boutiques in town, joining a slew of other luxury brands. On the dining front, Aspen has welcomed several high-profile restaurants from other cities, including Casa Tua, Matsuhisa, Clark's Oyster Bar, and Marea.

  • This winter has seen a lack of snow in Aspen and other Colorado ski towns.
  • The Aspen Art Museum's current exhibitions run through the 2026 season.
  • The Snow Lodge is hosting concerts and events throughout the winter.
  • Chanel and FoundRae recently opened new seasonal boutiques in Aspen.
  • Many of Aspen's new restaurants have opened within the past year.

The players

Aspen Art Museum

A modern art museum in Aspen, Colorado, designed by architect Shigeru Ban.

The Snow Lodge

A popular après ski venue in Aspen that hosts concerts and events, including a new collaboration with Caviar Kaspia.

Chanel

The luxury fashion brand has opened a new 2,693 square-foot seasonal boutique in Aspen.

FoundRae

A jewelry brand that has opened a new store in Aspen, modeled after a library.

Casa Tua

An Italian restaurant that has opened a location in Aspen, expanding from its original outposts in Miami and New York.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

With its vibrant arts and culture scene, luxury shopping, and diverse dining options, Aspen is proving it has much more to offer visitors than just skiing this winter, making it an appealing destination even without the snow.