Fun Times for Families and Kids of All Ages

Snowmass Village will live up to its reputation as a family destination this summer, thanks to a bevy of events that are sure to please and thrill young ones and older ones alike.

Along with a mix of day camps — including those at the Snowmass Recreation Center and Anderson Ranch, as well as Camp SMashBox and Camp Aspen Snowmass — the Ice Age Discovery Center and the rec center are open daily.

Add to those a plethora of special events and daily events, and you can see why Snowmass Village is the place to be for summertime family fun in the Rocky Mountains.

Here’s the lowdown on what to enjoy:

Special Events

July 4:Fourth of July celebration

Celebrate Fourth of July evening in Snowmass with complimentary lawn games, music, sweet treats and more. The festive event coincides with the Snowmass Rodeo and culminates with fireworks over Fanny Hill at 9 p.m.

July 21:Deaf Camp Benefit

Benefiting the Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Deaf Camp Benefit was established in the 1970s with the help of John Denver, Jimmy Buffet, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and others to support the Aspen nonprofit. The Deaf Camp Benefit is a free event though donations are encouraged. The 2018 event features music by the Spin Doctors and Mandy Harvey. aspencamp.org

Aug. 17-19: Zoppé Italian Family Circus

The Zoppé Italian Family Circus welcomes guests into the intimate 500-seat tent for a one-ring circus that honors the best history of the Old World Italian tradition. Starring Nino the Clown, the circus is propelled by a central story that features acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, clowning and plenty of audience participation. This theatrical show has been entertaining audiences for seven generations. zoppecolorado.com

Sept. 7-9: Snowmass Balloon Festival

The 43rd Annual Snowmass Balloon Festival fills the sky with color as more than 30 balloons launch at 7 each morning from Town Park, along with the theatrical Night Glow on Saturday evening in Base Village. gosnowmass.com

Sept. 8: Septemberfest

The second annual Septemberfest returns to Snowmass Base Village with wine and sake tastings, food vendors, children’s activities, music and more, all culminating with the Nigh Glow Balloon Show. gosnowmass.com

Sept. 16-17: Aspen Snowmass Vintage Car Race, presented by Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing Ltd.

High-octane racing comes alive on the streets of Snowmass Village with the Aspen Snowmass Vintage Car Race. Now expanded to a two-day race, watch as vintage Corvettes, BMWs, Porsches, Mustangs and formula race cars from the 1960s and 1970s fly by during this event. rmvr.com/events

DAILY EVENTS

Snowmass is home to its Very Important Kid program, which provides ample opportunities for family fun every day of the week. Details are available at viksnowmass.com, along with the listings below.

Aspen Center For Environmental Studies (ACES) Nature Hike

details: Explore the Snowmass Nature Trail on a two-hour guided tour with an ACES naturalist. Learn about the diversity of wildflowers in the lush meadows, aspen forests and the nearby beaver bond.

age range: 6 years and older

when:  Daily, June 18 through Sept. 3; and weekends of Sept. 8-10, 15-16, 29-30

time: 10 a.m.

where: Meet at the Ice Age Discovery Center on the Snowmass Village Mall

cost: Free

contact: 970-925-5756, aspennature.org and 970-922-2277, gosnowmass.com

Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Hike

details: Learn about Snowmass’ Ice Age Discovery on a two-hour hike through a guided tour with an ACES naturalist.

when: Daily June 18 through Sept. 3; and weekends of Sept. 8-10, 15-16, 29-30

time: 1 p.m. (two-hour round-trip tour, approximately 3.5 miles)

where: Meet at the Ice Age Discovery Center on the Snowmass Village Mall

level: Moderate hiking, leisurely pace

cost: Free

contact: 970-925-5756, aspennature.org or 970-922-2277, gosnowmass.com

Lost Forest at the top of Elk Camp Gondola

details: Activities include an alpine coaster, zip lines, biking trails, ropes challenges and climbing walls. There are ponds to fish in, creeks to hike along, places to enjoy nature alone or in groups, two disc golf courses and guides to help you find your next adventure.

when: Daily, June 22 through Oct. 1

time: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

where: Outside the Elk Camp Restaurant at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola

cost: $21 gondola ticket, ages 3 and younger are free. Lost Forest packages start at $84 and include the gondola ticket.

contact: 970-925-1220, aspensnowmass.com

Mondays

Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center + Postcards

details: Touch replicas of mammoth and mastodon teeth. Wonder at full-size skull and femur fossil replicas. Read Ice Age books in the children’s library. See video from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and learn the story of the Snowmass Ice Age discovery through creative displays, educational panels and interactive programming. Suitable for adults and children of all ages.

age range: All ages

when: Mondays, June 18 through Oct. 1

time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

cost: Free

contact: 970-922-2277, gosnowmass.com

Tuesdays

Elk Camp Farm to Table Dinners

details: Live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and à la carte dining featuring farm-fresh Colorado-grown products. Free gondola access from 5 to 9 p.m.

age ranges: All ages

when: Tuesdays, July 10 through Aug. 21

time: 5-9 p.m.

where: Elk Camp Restaurant at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola

cost: Free gondola access with à la carte menu options

contact: 970-923-1227, aspensnowmass.com

Wednesdays

Snowmass Rodeo

details: This authentic Western event includes bull riding, team roping, barrel racing and bronco riding. VIK kids can compete in calf scramble and mutton bustin’. There also is a petting zoo and a mechanical bull. Top off the night with s’mores around a cozy campfire. Free admission for VIKs 10 years and younger.

age range: All ages

when: Wednesdays, June 13 through Aug. 22

time: Gates open at 5 p.m., rodeo starts at 7 p.m.

where: Snowmass Rodeo Grounds

cost: Kids 10 and younger free; youth (11-15 years), $15; 15 years to adults, $20

contact: 970-923-8898, snowmassrodeo.org

Thursdays

Family Fun Zone at Snowmass Free Concert Series

details: Kids can romp through the Family Fun Zone featuring a bouncy house, face painting, hula-hooping and more while mom and dad kick back and enjoy the sunset as acclaimed artists take to the Fanny Hill stage.

age range: 3 years and older

when: Thursdays, June 14 through Aug. 16

time: 6-8 p.m.

where: Fanny Hill concert venue

cost: Free

contact: 970-922-2233, gosnowmass.com

Fridays

Fridays on the Mall

details: Music Festival students, extended retail hours, local vendors, sidewalk sales, food-and-beverage specials.

age range: All ages

when: Fridays, June 15 through Aug. 17

time: 4-8 p.m.

where: Snowmass Mall

cost: Free

contact: gosnowmass.com

Snowmass S’mores

Details: A cozy fire and tasty s’mores bring friends and families together during this evening activity. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

age range: All ages

when: Fridays, June 15 through Aug. 17

time: 6-8 p.m.

where: Westin Snowmass Resort fire pit

cost: Free

contact: 970-922-2233, gosnowmass.com

Saturdays

Family Biking Adventure

details: VIK families can ride or cruise through a variety of paved and dirt trails together after visiting Gene Taylor’s Sports. Receive 50 percent off bike rentals for VIK parents and kids.

age range: 4 and older

when: Saturdays, June through September

time: All day

where: Gene Taylor’s Sports

cost: Varied; 50 percent off bike rentals

contact: 970-923-4336, genetaylorssports.com

Sundays

Family River Rafting Day

details: VIK families with children 6 years and older can join Blazing Adventures for a day of rafting and get 15 percent off for their entire family.

age range: 6 and younger

when: Sundays, May 27 through Sept. 30

time: By reservation

where: Roaring Fork, Arkansas and Colorado rivers

cost: Cost varies per river section; call for pricing.

contact: 970-923-4544, blazingadventures.com