aspen living: all the details

 

Elevation
7,908 feet in town; 11,212 feet at the top of Aspen Mountain 

Climate Winter
(November to March) about 300 inches annual snowfall (but we always hope for more); daytime temperatures average 20-45 degrees, cooler at night. Surprisingly comfortable.

Climate Summer
(June to September) very low humidity, daytime 65-85 degrees, a nearly perfect climate. 

Population 
City of Aspen; 6,400. In peak weeks of ski season 14,000 and summer 21,000. 

Schools
Aspen School District including charter Community School, private K-8 Aspen Country Day School plus many preschools. Graduation rate 98.9%; dropout rate: 1.1%

Transportation
Aspen is 220 miles west of Denver via 1-70 and Hwy 82. Jet service (only 20 minutes in the air) from Denver International Airport; more than 150 flights arrive at local Sardy Field weekly. Direct service from cities (Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis); carriers and schedules vary each season.

Many other direct flight options out of Eagle airport (about a 90-minute drive, all of it on 4-lane highway with no mountain passes). Public bus system with free shuttles to the four ski mountains. Of course, taxi, car rental, limo, and air charter service available. Updated facility for private general aviation. 

Government
City of Aspen. County of Pitkin. Center of Passionate Debate (about everything). 

Recreation
Four ski areas, one municipal golf course, private Maroon Creek Club golf course, health clubs, community parks, recreation center and pool, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails, rollerblading, kayaking, parasailing, fly fishing, four-wheeling, National Forest and wilderness in your backyard. Home to a wealth of cultural events including literary, jazz, wine and food festivals, dance, theater; and the summer-long Aspen Music Festival.