At 12,095 feet (3687 meters), this pass ranks as one of the highest paved roads in North America. The views from up top are stunning and border on the kind normally only reserved for National Geographic photographers. The drive from Aspen is equally stunning as the highway zigzags past thick stands of pine, towering cliffs, streams and Independence Ghost Town. Hairpin turns with precarious drop-offs add to the driving drama. Take Highway 82 east out of Aspen and follow it for approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers). Parking, a handicapped paved hiking trail with viewing stand and a Continental Divide sign mark the summit. The road is closed during winter.

These are the folks to call if you are looking to upgrade your vacation from good to spectacular. Explore Aspen's legendary backcountry via horseback and choose from hourly, half-, full- and multi-day trips. The hourly trips conveniently depart from Snowmass. Half- and full-day wanders both include lunch. The multi-day trips can last from two to seven days and include tents and cooked meals. Kids must be over seven for the overnight trips. Groups and private rides are also available. Guided fishing and hunting trips are offered as well.

If you grow weary of climbing mountains this attraction allows you to mole inside one instead. Originally deemed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" the caverns, 45 miles (72 kilometers) away from Aspen, shut down during World War I and did not regain attraction-status until the 1980s. The guided Family Tour is a great way to get awed by stalagmites and stalactites and lasts about two hours. The adventurous can opt for the guided Wild Tour which explores many of the cave's undeveloped chambers. Advanced reservations are required for the Wild Tour and is restricted to kids over 13.

With Independence Pass and its fan of hiking trails just minutes to the east, and the town of Aspen just minutes to the west, this campground provides the best of everything Colorado has to offer. The camp is wedged in a thick stand of aspens making it stunning in the fall. And its altitude of 9400 feet (2865 meters) assures cool nights and mind-numbing star shows. There are only 10 sites on a first come basis and are limited to five days maximum. RV owners note that no vehicles over 35 feet are allowed. Take Highway 82 east, heading to Independence Pass, for nine miles (14.5 kilometers) and the camp will be on your left.

If your idea of art leans more toward traditional oil and watercolor paintings of bears and mountain landscapes, then this gallery is your kind of place. The space immortalizes the Colorado lifestyle in simple still-life and dramatic landscapes. You can almost picture where each piece will fit in the den: right next to the buck head. You will find a wide range of artists on display, including Russell Chatham, Gordon Allen, Jin Rey and Shirley Cleary.

Anderson Ranch nurtures and inspires imaginations of all ages, encouraging experimentation, intensive inquiry and creative production. Anderson Ranch is an international center for the creation of new work and untried art forms for leading artists of our time. While its focus is on teaching visual arts and artist's residencies, the Ranch is committed to a meaningful engagement with the local community. The Ranch is committed to constantly evolving its artistic programs and embracing the visual arts.  Come see some fine temporary exhibitions!

If time is too limited for a hike or bike up the mountain, this handy chairlift provides quick access to the Snowmass mid-mountain area. From there, you can fan out on one of the many biking and hiking trails. For extra convenience, the chairlifts can carry your bike up the mountain. An 18-hole Frisbee disc course is free, and discs and scorecards can be found at the top of the lift.

The youngest of Aspen's four-mountain system is also the most diverse. Twenty lifts service 83 trails which feature bumps and glades for experts, groomed cruising runs for intermediates and beginners, and two Terrain Parks and two half-pipes for snowboarders. Its diversity makes it ideal for families with varying ski levels. Food and beverages can be purchased from five on-mountain restaurants. Lessons are offered for all levels, as well as a parent-happy childcare center.

If you are looking for an adrenaline jolt of mountain adventure that will cause you to shout, "zingo, do I feel alive!" then call these outdoor-excitement pros. For 30 years, this touring-company has helped upgrade vacations from okay to memorable. It offers full- and half-day rafting trips, jeep tours, bike rides and hikes. All the trips, which range from beginner to expert, are piloted by qualified guides. Most include either a snack or lunch, and transportation to all trips is provided. Advanced reservations are encouraged.

Lost amidst all the Snowmass ski hype is its cross-country center. It offers 80 kilometers of groomed double-tracks, making it perfect for enjoying the area's eye-protruding scenery at a leisurely pace. And better yet, it is free. An on-site pro shop rents skis and snowshoes, and offers demo packages by Fisher and Salomon. Tuning and all-important waxing are available. Even when the shop closes, the course is open 24 hours a day. Skiing under a full Colorado moon is something worth experiencing.