Smart Meetings

Even better, there are complimentary shuttles to take your group from mountain to mountain and town to town once they’ve arrived.

Aside from Aspen’s well-known reputation as an upscale skiing locale, it’s also filled with a deep history. “We are not a contrived ski resort,” says Joanna Eisler, national sales manager for Aspen Groups. “We are a historic, authentic western Colorado mining town, and when you look at the destination we stand out in a rich cultural identity and a rich arts community.” But the town also provides a great value for groups. “We don’t have resort fees, we are walkable and [meeting planners] are often surprised by the value of the destination,” she says.

Snowmass, just a short shuttle ride away, also provides groups with value as nearly all of the properties have ski-in/ski-out access and upscale, resort-style amenities. However, even if your attendees aren’t exactly snow bunnies, there is still plenty to do within steps of each hotel and resort. With the accessibility of Snowmass Village, the town’s center, groups can enjoy 29 restaurants and numerous shops and boutiques. Although lesser-known and generally more laid-back, Snowmass actually has a smaller year-round population (approximately 2,300) than Aspen (6,000-plus residents), and it’s meetings-friendly, as it’s home to the 25,000-square-foot Snowmass Conference Center—ideal for larger groups.

Together, Aspen and Snowmass offer outdoor activities no matter the season, on what they refer to as “the power of four,” which refers to the four mountains (Snowmass, Aspen, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk) that surround both towns and lend themselves to adventurous open-air options. Although each has its own different and distinct attitude, both provide visitors with the convenience of the nearby Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, just 3 miles from Aspen and 6 miles from Snowmass.

With their convenient partnership, Aspen and Snowmass have something for every attendee, every day of the year. Summer and winter are the busiest times for both towns, as summer is filled with numerous music and art festivals, and winter is the ideal time for skiers and snow sports enthusiasts. It’s not that you can’t hold a meeting here during busy months, but be aware that your meeting venue and property options will be a bit more limited. “Spring and fall are often overlooked,” Eisler says. But they shouldn’t be, as Aspen and Snowmass have natural beauty and a unique location with plenty of offerings for groups. “There are amazing wildflowers in spring, and we’re known for Aspen leaves that turn a golden yellow from mid-September through October, and [both are] absolutely stunning,” she says. (A hint before you start booking: “Spring and fall weather span a wide spectrum with temperatures [generally] between 60 and 70 degrees during the day. The daytime usually offers sunshine, but you’ll definitely need to bring a jacket for evenings,” Eisler says.)

MAJOR MEETING VENUES

In Aspen, a major meetings property is the all-suite Aspen Meadows Resort, which stretches across a 40-acre meadow. The resort features 98 suites and 20,000 sq. ft. of function space, including 15 meeting rooms. Another option is the St. Regis Aspen, with 179 guest rooms and more than 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space.

Smaller in size, but no less impressive, is Kimpton’s 90-room Sky Hotel, with 3,300 sq. ft. of meeting space, including the 1,200-square-foot Aspen Mountain Room, which features a balcony that overlooks Aspen Mountain. A great small- to mid-size group option is Aspen’s only ski-in/ski-out access property, The Little Nell, which features 92 guest rooms and nine different meeting spaces.

In the 25-square-mile town of Snowmass, most meeting space is offered within the scenic Snowmass Village. With 95 percent of the properties featuring slope-side accommodations, Snowmass lodging offers more than 75,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space and over 6,800 guest rooms.

Adding to the village is the brand-new 173-room Viceroy Snowmass, which is scheduled to open this November. Along with 9,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, the property will also feature an outdoor terrace.

UNIQUE VENUES

In Aspen you can literally take your meeting higher at the 22,000-square-foot Sundeck, at an elevation of 11,212 feet at the top of Aspen Mountain. With access from The Little Nell via gondola, the deck has space for up to 500 attendees, and features breathtaking views that are definitely worth the ride. 

Another high-rise option is Sam’s Smokehouse, which is a new $9-million restaurant atop Snowmass Mountain. The restaurant seats up to 160 indoors and 50 outdoors on the deck. The venue is accessible by the Top of the Village Express lift and showcases a wall of windows on its west side with spectacular views of Garret’s Peak and the surrounding backcountry.

FUN ACTIVITIES

In addition to the area’s well-known snow sports (which take place on 5,303 acres of skiable mountains), Aspen and Snowmass offer numerous recreation options at several parks and on miles of trails, great for long hikes or easy walks in between meetings (for more info, visit aspenrecreation.com).

Take your group on one of many activities with Blazing Adventures, a family-owned company that offers tours and team building in the area. A new program offered by the company is their photography tour of Aspen and Snowmass, which takes groups to popular scenic spots and teaches them how to get a great photo. As every participant is armed with a camera, your entire group not only gets an area tour, but they also have personal mementos to keep when they leave.

Of course, if it’s the classic slope-side adventures you’d like to do, Aspen Skiing Company can help with group lessons or serve as a guide for your attendees. In addition, most hotels in the area have a ski concierge on staff to help guests with lessons, rental equipment and storage/warming of equipment once off the hill.   Back to Top

Getting There

Conveniently located just 3 miles from Aspen and 6 miles from Snowmass Village, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport offers approximately 150 nonstop and connecting flights weekly. Many lodging properties offer complimentary airport transfers. Back to Top