Off season in Aspen for some locals is a time to travel and unwind. While for others it makes little difference if their occupations are not tide to the ebb and flow of the service and tourism industry. For the Aspen locals that stick around town it’s a nice time to reclaim the calm of the small town charm that makes Aspen what it is. For visitors it’s often a great time to come and experience this charm. Even though events may not as easy to come by and every restaurant may not be open what is available often offers a great experience.
Years ago we started to compile a list of Aspen restaurants that remain open during the off season and it has become so popular that we’re often requested to publish info earlier than some restaurants know their own plans. Some off season’s it’s easy than others. It seems that this spring off season with the summer like winter that a few restaurants closed the week before the closure of Aspen Mountain. The close of Aspen Mt. is the firm indicator that the spring off season in Aspen, Colorado has begun.
Spring in Aspen normally swings between winter and summer. With the local ski area mountains closed we often tend to enjoy the summer weather during the spring in Aspen more than the winter weather but nothing reminds you that you live in the mountains than a huge winter storm in April or May or June for that matter.
The summer season in Aspen gets underway a lot later than one would assume. Although Memorial Day is the start of the summer season many events and restaurants aren’t fully operational till mid June. Some would say that summer gets into full swing in Aspen with the Food & Wine classic which is quickly followed by the start of the Aspen Music Festival.
The start of the Fall off season in Aspen is a moving target lately. Not so much on the event side which for the must part rolls up with Labor Day Jazz Festival but more so with a visitors continuing through early October to glimpse the color of the leaves. What would be a older demographic at this time of year is evened with Aspen’s wedding season continuing later into the fall with each passing year. Aspen restaurants often follow suit with many staying open later through the fall and some staying open through the whole off season.
Like many of the other charms that are highlighted in Aspen during the off season, dining is often a more pleasurable experience. With many Aspen restaurants offering off season dining specials it’s a great time to dine. With the waning visitors, dining out in Aspen can be more comforting and relaxing with a less frantic service experience and the shared appreciation of being in a small town through the off season.
View Aspen Off Season Specials