| Pristine. Elegant. Primeval. Exciting. Breathtaking. | | | | that such big stars would elect to live somewhere |
| Awe-inspiring. All of these and more have been used | | | | other than Hollywood? But Aspen has indeed become |
| to attempt to describe the Roaring Fork Valley, that | | | | an international cultural center as well, without giving |
| area that encompasses Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, | | | | in one bit to the quint small-town "Aspenglow" feel |
| Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs. Some define | | | | that made the place so famous. |
| these as world-class ski towns, and while that's true, | | | | World-class museums and artisan's galleries, legendary |
| it's also so much more! Some have focused on that | | | | performers sharing their gifts on the Wheeler Opera |
| the Valley is home to a literal who's who of the artist | | | | House stage, The Aspen Music Festival and School, |
| community. Legends such as the late John Denver, | | | | Historical Society, Center for Environmental Studies, |
| Mariah Carey, John Summers, Kevin Kostner and | | | | all that and much more... and yes, some of the best |
| many more have all made this unbelievably beautiful | | | | skiing on the entire North American continent. All that |
| town their home. In a place where the median price | | | | and much more are found in this most unusual and |
| of a home is just over 1.5 million dollars, such big | | | | exquisite of mountain paradises. |
| names are to be expected, but the big point is WHY | | | | Whether you're enjoying fishing, golfing, kayaking, |
| they live there when they could live anywhere in the | | | | whitewater rafting, mountain biking, canoing, hiking, |
| world, and that is simply because there is no place | | | | rock climbing, cross country or downhill skiing, no |
| else quite like it. | | | | matter what activity you're engaged in, summer or |
| Like most ski towns in North America, these came of | | | | winter, the Roaring Fork Valley is simply the best! |
| humble origins. Silver mines were behind their | | | | You can experience a hot air balloon ride, go back |
| founding, but when the incentives to explore for | | | | into the mountains by 4x4 or horseback, see a riot |
| silver went away, the men and women who'd come | | | | of colors laying their tapestry over the mountains in |
| to love the land stayed on to create a far more | | | | the fall... Learn to make stained glass, or enjoy |
| precious treasure by cherishing the land they so | | | | homemade beer from a local micro-brewery. |
| loved. Though each has its own unique story, the | | | | Snowboard or improve your guitar playing, enjoy an |
| details fade away into insignificance as the common | | | | avant-garde film or a luxury spa. Where else can you |
| tale emerges: There's just something so pure and | | | | find so many things to do in such an incredibly |
| refreshing, so clean and alive about these mountains | | | | postcard-perfect place? The Roaring Fork Valley truly |
| that you can't imagine ever wanting to leave. | | | | is an indescribably rich treasure, and each of these |
| Today's Roaring Fork Valley is far more cosmopolitan | | | | and many more gems are there for the taking when |
| than those early settlers would ever have imagined. | | | | you visit. Come for a week, or a lifetime. Just ask |
| Who would have thought that a sweet hideaway | | | | those who live there, or the vacationers who return |
| nestled in the middle of the Rockies would one day | | | | year after year. In all the world, there is no finer |
| become home to the Aspen Institute and have | | | | place. |
| celebrated world leaders attending meetings there, or | | | | |
