Budget Aspen: Ski hotspot offers cheap summer thrills

This mountain playground has Gucci, Prada and Burberry stores downtown but still can offer the average Joe a budget vacation for those who can get here.

This summer, people who stay at least two nights at participating hotels receive an "Aspen Summer Pass" good for discounts around town. More discounts are available if the stay includes a Wednesday night.

The best time to find Aspen lodging deals is in the so-called mud season when the ski mountains are closed. But summer may be the best time of all to enjoy the beauty of Aspen's high-altitude surroundings.

GETTING AROUND: Covering a bit more than 3.5 square miles, Aspen is tiny enough to get around on foot or by bike. Buses offer rides up and down the Roaring Fork Valley. They're free in town and between Aspen and Snowmass Village; www.rfta.com

Many visitors fly into the Eagle County airport, about a 70-mile drive from Aspen, or Denver International Airport. From Denver, it's about a four-hour drive west along Interstate 70 through scenic Glenwood Canyon to Colorado 82. If high, narrow stretches don't bother you, detour through Leadville and drop into Aspen from Independence Pass, whose highest point is above 14,000 feet. Colorado Mountain Express and Gray Line both have shuttles with Denver-Aspen service.

WHERE TO STAY: A few hotels in town offer cheaper lodging, but check the fees for cancellations and for putting extra people in a room.

Rooms at the Tyrolean Lodge each have two queen beds, a twin bed and kitchenettes with dishware so you can make your own meals, but there's no pool. Rooms start around $75 during low season in the fall and late spring and top out at $225 over the Christmas and New Year holiday season and during the Winter X Games in late January. Summer rates are $130-155; www.tyroleanlodge.com

Chalet Lisl's rooms also have kitchens, with a basement-level studio starting at $68 in low season, $118 in summer; www.chaletlisl.com

St. Moritz Lodge & Condominiums offers standard rooms but also hostel-style shared rooms and bathrooms starting at $36 per night in low season, $52 in summer. There's a small outdoor pool and a steam room, plus free breakfast; www.stmoritzlodge.com

The Stay Aspen Snowmass website lists last-minute deals on cushier options under "Deals & Offers" at www.stayaspensnowmass.com

Outdoors types can camp at various sites for as low as $10-$15 a night; www.snowmassvillage.com/snowmass_camping

Hardy travelers up for mountain biking, hiking or backcountry skiing can check out one of 29 huts managed by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association in the Rocky Mountains. Margy's Hut near Aspen is about $30 per adult per night. It's open most of the winter through April 30 and from July 1 to Sept. 30. Bring your own food and bedding; www.huts.org

WHAT TO DO: The reflection in Maroon Lake of the majestic peaks in the Maroon Bells wilderness area make for a postcard picture. The access road is located off Colorado 82. Road access is free for walkers and others using nonmotorized transportation. Access by car is limited. Buses leave every 20 to 30 minutes from the base of Aspen Highlands for $6 per adult. A bus from Aspen goes to the Highlands free, and there is a free parking lot at the Highlands; www.fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver/recreation/wilderness/maroonbells/index

The Aspen Art Museum at 590 N. Mill St. has free admission. It is closed Mondays and on major holidays; www.aspenartmuseum.org

The Aspen Music Festival and School offers free performances by the American Academy of Conducting Orchestra at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, from June 25 to Aug. 23; www.aspenmusicfestival.com/. The festival also has ticketed performances ranging from $10-$150.

For most of the summer, the Silver Queen Gondola takes visitors up Aspen Mountain for $23 per adult. Weekly passes at $46 offer unlimited rides plus extra discounts like 10% off lunch at Sundeck Restaurant.

Some people opt for a free trip by hiking the 2.5-mile way up 3,000 vertical feet. Once you're there, pick up a score card and map to play on a mountaintop game of disc golf.

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers free, 45-minute guided nature walks that leave from the top of the gondola line on the hour, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Also, if you rode the gondola up, you can listen to a free concert by the Aspen Music Festival and School at 1 p.m. on Saturdays. There's free bluegrass on Sunday afternoons this summer.

EATING: Tricks like eating during happy hour or sitting at the bar and ordering from the bar menu can help you get a more palatable price for food from higher-end restaurants like Cache Cache, 205 S. Mill St.; www.cachecache.com

Hickory House Ribs, 730 W. Main St., touted on one of Oprah Winfrey's past shows, has decent ribs that won't empty the wallet; www.hickoryhouseribs.com

Big Wrap at 520 E. Durant Ave. has wraps, tacos, smoothies and salads that are each less than $7 before tax; 970-544-1700.

FALL: If you can't make it here this summer for the music festival and the beautiful weather, hotel prices are even lower in the fall - and enjoying the autumn scenery, when the trees turn yellow and gold, is free.

INFORMATION: www.aspenchamber.org