Guided Snowshoeing in Aspen, Colorado
Explore the Silent Winter Wilderness of the Elk Mountains
Aspen's winter landscape is one of the most beautiful on earth — and snowshoeing offers the most accessible way to experience it. Strap on a pair of modern snowshoes and the entire winter wilderness opens up: pristine spruce forests draped in snow, frozen alpine meadows glittering in the Colorado sun, and the profound silence of the backcountry with only the crunch of your footsteps.
Rich Valley Adventures offers guided snowshoeing tours from December through March on Aspen's most scenic winter routes. We match the tour to your experience level — whether you've never worn snowshoes before or you're looking for a fitness-forward winter adventure. All snowshoes, poles, and safety equipment are provided.
Our guides bring the winter landscape to life with stories of Aspen's silver mining history, wildlife tracking knowledge (snowshoeing is superb for finding animal tracks), and the natural history of a Colorado winter ecosystem. These are tours for the intellectually curious as much as the athletically inclined.
What's Included
All Equipment Provided
Modern MSR snowshoes in all sizes, adjustable poles, and microspikes for icy sections are included in every tour.
No Experience Needed
If you can walk, you can snowshoe. We teach proper technique in the first 5 minutes and you're off.
Wildlife Tracking
Winter snow reveals the secret life of the forest. Learn to identify tracks from moose, elk, fox, coyote, and more.
Historical Interpretation
Tour routes include Aspen's silver mining ghost town — Ashcroft — with fascinating 1880s frontier history.
Hot Cocoa Included
Every tour ends with warm hot cocoa at the trailhead. A small but perfect way to close a winter adventure.
All Ages Welcome
Snowshoeing is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Kids as young as 5 can participate on appropriate terrain.
Ashcroft Ghost Town Snowshoe Tour — Aspen's Best Winter Experience
Ashcroft is one of Colorado's most atmospheric ghost towns — a silver mining camp from the 1880s that briefly rivaled Aspen in population before being abandoned when the ore ran out. In winter, Ashcroft sits under a thick blanket of snow in the upper Castle Creek Valley, surrounded by the high peaks of the Elk Mountains.
Our Ashcroft snowshoe tour departs the ghost town's preserved 1880s buildings and follows the creek into the backcountry on a 3-5 mile loop. Wildlife tracking is excellent — this drainage hosts a year-round population of moose, elk, coyotes, and fox, all of whom leave their stories in the snow. Hot cocoa at the trailhead ends every tour.
Snowmass Creek Trail — Powder & Peaks
The Snowmass Creek Trail offers access to some of the deepest snow in the valley — the creek drainage funnels snowfall from the 14,000-foot peaks above Snowmass Wilderness and regularly accumulates 200+ inches of snow per season. In December and January, this trail offers spectacular powder snowshoeing through cathedral stands of old-growth Engelmann spruce.
This tour runs 4-6 miles depending on conditions and group fitness. We include a mid-tour break for warm beverages and wildlife spotting before returning to the trailhead. On clear days, the views north toward the Snowmass Ski Area and Capitol Peak are among the finest in the valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any prior experience?
None whatsoever. Snowshoeing is the most accessible winter wilderness sport — if you can walk, you can snowshoe. Our guides demonstrate technique before you leave the trailhead and you'll be moving confidently within minutes.
How cold will it be?
Winter temperatures in Aspen typically range from 15–35°F during the day. Dress in warm synthetic or wool layers — base layer, mid layer, and a wind/waterproof outer shell. Avoid cotton. Hand warmers are a nice addition. We provide a full gear list when you book.
Are snowshoe tours good for families?
Snowshoeing is one of the best winter activities for families. Children as young as 5–6 can manage beginner terrain. We offer a family-specific tour route with gentle grades, wildlife-focused storytelling, and a hot cocoa finish that kids love.
What if it's snowing during the tour?
Light to moderate snowfall makes for the most magical snowshoeing conditions — fresh powder underfoot and snow falling through the trees. We only cancel for severe weather (blizzard conditions, lightning risk). A dusting of new snow during a tour is considered a bonus.