Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) is one of the most iconic summer events in the entire Roaring Fork Valley and is known as the last full-blown summer music event before the colder temps start setting in. It’s brought some of the world’s biggest artist to our small mountain community such as: The Allman Brothers. B.B. King, The Black-Eyed Peas, The Doobie Brothers, Journey, Sheryl Crow, and many more. This year, the big names include Leon Bridges, Chris Stapleton, Zach Bryan and Stevie Nicks! If you plan on attending, there are some rules and best practices to be aware of to have the best JAS weekend possible that we would like to share with you.
The first thing you’ll want to do is download the JAS App prior to attending. This will give you the most up-to-date information about set times as well as event maps, vendor info, contests and more! The app will be your best friend and help you to navigate as efficiently as possible while not missing out on any exciting events. Secondly, know about parking and how it works. On-site parking is only available to Donor (VIP) ticket holders. Anyone with a GA ticket will park for free at the Brush Creek Intercept Lot and take a free shuttle service to the venue. It’s a quick 5-minute ride and they have plenty of busses operating, so you won’t be waiting for long!
With the exception of the JAS Deck and Donor tickets, the experience is a lawn-seating/general-admission venue with a first-come first-serve system. Concertgoers are permitted to bring blankets up to 40” x 60” maximum (no tarps) and ground level chairs no more than 6” above the ground. If getting a prime spot is important to you, be sure to show up early and claim a section with great views of the stage, as they tend to go quickly. Directly in front of the stage is standing-room-only section where blankets and chairs are prohibited. This is a great place to experience the concerts if you don’t have a seating area picked out early on.
Possibly the most important part about the festival is staying hydrated! JAS now has reusable water stations placed throughout the venue that allow attendees to have access to free, cold water at all times as long as you bring a reusable bottle or purchase one of the JAS reusable bottles. Plastic bottles will be available for purchase, but JAS encourages using the water stations to cut back on waste. Kids under the age of 3 are permitted for free and children 4-12 get discounted tickets. Lastly, just be prepared! The experience is at high altitude and temperatures can fluctuate rapidly so bring extra sunscreen and layers to stay comfortable. The music typically happens rain or shine, so you’ll want to be ready for anything.
VIP tickets are sold out, but GA tickets are still available. Check the link below for more information about tickets and pricing. We hope to see you out there! Should be some great performances.
https://jazzaspensnowmass.org/
Summer is right around the corner! This means there will be events almost every week in Aspen Snowmass ranging from concerts, speakers, races and plenty more. While there won’t be a shortage of things to do, you’ll want to plan ahead for some of the big events that have been staples in our small mountain town for years. If you want to experience an Aspen summer in full form, don’t miss out on the following events.
Aspen Food & Wine Classic – June 17-19 – Tickets Here
The Aspen Food & Wine Classic is the ultimate foodie and oenophile event. For just three days out of the year, the top names in food and beverage gather for this incredible festival. Attendees get to meet celebrity chefs, taste incredible dishes and frequent a mix of more than 80 classes and talks. Currently only wait-list tickets are available, but they typically add more tickets as we get closer to June.
Aspen Ideas Festival – June 25-July 1 – How To Attend
For over 60 years, the Aspen Institute has been the nation's premier gathering place for leaders from around the globe and across many disciplines to engage in deep and inquisitive discussion of the ideas and issues that both shape our lives and challenge our times. With topics ranging from sustainability, health, energy, mindfulness, politics and much more, anyone can find speakers and events that interest them. It’s special that we get such a diverse group of intellectuals in our small mountain town. We are very excited to attend!
Jazz Aspen Snowmass (JAS) – September 2-4 – Tickets Here
If you haven’t heard about JAS and you live in the valley, get your head out of the sand! Every summer this is the biggest music event from Aspen to Rifle. Located in Snowmass, JAS has brought names such as B.B. King, The Black Crowes, Steve Miller Band, Hozier, Mumford & Sons, and many more! This year you can see Stevie Nicks, Chris Stapleton, Leon Bridges, Little Big Town, Zach Bryan and Black Pumas among others. This is a family friendly event with delicious food, drinks merchandise from local vendors.
Aspen Music Festival – June 30-August 23 – Tickets Here
Founded in 1949, the Aspen Music Festival and School is regarded as one of the top classical music festivals in the United States, noted both for its concert programming and its musical training of mostly young-adult music students. The typical eight-week summer season includes more than 400 classical music events—including concerts by five orchestras, solo and chamber music performances, fully staged opera productions, master classes, lectures, and children’s programming—and brings in 100,000 audience members. You’ll also find music students scattered throughout town as they showcase their talent.
Bonus: Free to Attend: Snowmass Concert Series & Aspen’s Saturday Farmers Market
Starting June 16, Snowmass will be kicking off the much-anticipated FREE summer concert series with band Hot Buttered Rum. These free afternoon concerts are beloved by locals and always deliver. Just be sure to bring an umbrella because it almost always drizzles on Thursdays in the summer. Don’t ask us why! Lastly, the Saturday Farmers Market starts on June 11 and features the best in local food, clothing and wares. Start your Saturday off with a hike up Ute or Smuggler then walk into town to enjoy the market. At least that’s how we prefer to do our Saturday mornings! Happy springtime and we hope to see you soon.
Get ready for an epic couple of weeks ahead here in beautiful Aspen! It really feels like springtime today! Tonight, head to the base of Buttermilk for the first ever Après Music Festival! This three-day festival starts with a performance by Umphrey’s McGee tonight, followed by back to back performances by The String Cheese Incident on Saturday and Sunday.The Après Music Festival marks the start of a series of fantastic closing day parties on all four of our local resort mountains. Before the concert on Sunday, participate in Buttermilk’s closing day party, or as locals like to call it, Bacon appreciation day. Starting at 9 am head to Buttermilk for all things bacon, including bacon and waffles from the Cliffhouse Restaurant, bacon doughnuts from ColoraDough, and various bacon samplers scattered around the mountain from 11 am until it’s all gone. From 1 - 5 pm there will be live music, kids games, face painting, and a bacon and beer happy hour at Bumps Restaurant from 2-4!
Personally, my favorite closing day experience is found on Highlands starting on April 14th. I like to start by picking out the most ridiculous costume I can get my hands on. Last year I wore one of those inflatable T-Rex suits, and while dressing up isn’t required, I strongly recommend it. Start your day by hiking the bowl for a free ski patrol BBQ at the top. From there head on down to Cloud Nine for a drink and to watch, or even participate in, a champagne war! Finally, join the rest of the closing day partiers for a beer and a slice of Pizza at the Ale House, the natural conduit for all skiers and borders coming off the mountain. This is great place to mingle with other locals or out of towners to say goodbye until next year.
The next weekend after Highlands Closing Party we also have Snowmass Mountain’s Surf and Snow Beach Party to celebrate the closing of Snowmass Mountain on the 20th, followed by the 80’s Prom Party on Aspen Mountain for their closing on April 21st. What a month to be in Aspen! Happy Friday! Have fun at The Apres at Buttermilk this weekend!
