One of the greatest treasures of visiting Snowmass isn’t found at the top of a ski run or inside a luxury resort—it’s the opportunity to experience the natural world in a deeper, more meaningful way. While many visitors come to the Colorado Rockies for outdoor adventure, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) invites them to slow down, observe, and better understand the remarkable ecosystems that make this region one of the most beautiful mountain environments in North America.
Founded with a mission to inspire environmental stewardship through education, ACES has spent decades connecting visitors and local residents with the wildlife, forests, rivers, and alpine landscapes of the Roaring Fork Valley. Through guided hikes, educational programs, nature walks, family activities, and year-round outdoor experiences, ACES helps people discover that every trail, meadow, and mountain has a fascinating story waiting to be explored. (ACES)
If you’re staying in Snowmass, participating in an ACES program offers a completely different perspective on the Colorado Rockies. Instead of simply admiring the scenery, you’ll learn about the wildlife that lives there, the plants that thrive at high elevation, the geological forces that shaped the mountains, and the conservation efforts helping preserve these extraordinary landscapes for future generations.
Discover the Natural Side of Snowmass
Snowmass is internationally recognized for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor recreation, but its natural beauty extends far beyond the trails that visitors typically explore. The surrounding forests, wetlands, alpine meadows, and mountain ecosystems support an incredible diversity of wildlife and plant species that often go unnoticed without the guidance of experienced naturalists.ACES was created to bridge that gap by offering educational experiences that make nature more accessible to everyone, regardless of age or previous outdoor experience. Rather than focusing only on recreation, its programs encourage visitors to understand the delicate balance of the ecosystems surrounding Snowmass and Aspen.Every walk becomes an opportunity to discover something new. A simple wildflower may tell the story of Colorado’s short alpine growing season. Animal tracks reveal which species passed through the forest during the night. Even the shape of the surrounding mountains reflects millions of years of geological history.
This approach transforms an ordinary hike into an engaging learning experience that visitors often remember long after returning home. (ACES)
Guided Wildflower Walks
One of ACES’ most popular summer programs is the Snowmass Wildflower Walk, a guided nature hike designed for visitors of all ages.Led by experienced ACES naturalists, the walk follows the gentle Snowmass Nature Trail, making it accessible for families, beginners, and anyone interested in learning more about Colorado’s alpine environment. Along the route, guides introduce participants to the remarkable diversity of native wildflowers that bloom throughout the summer while explaining the ecological relationships between plants, insects, birds, and wildlife that depend on these fragile mountain ecosystems.Rather than rushing from one viewpoint to another, participants are encouraged to slow down and notice the small details that make the mountains so extraordinary. Visitors often leave with a completely new appreciation for landscapes they may have otherwise simply admired from a distance.
Throughout the walk, guides discuss topics such as:
- Native wildflowers
- Mountain ecology
- Forest ecosystems
- Pollinators
- Wildlife habitats
- Seasonal changes
- Plant identification
- Local conservation efforts
Because the pace remains relaxed, the experience is enjoyable for both children and adults.
Explore Snowmass’ Incredible Ice Age Discovery
Snowmass is home to one of the most significant paleontological discoveries ever made in the Rocky Mountains.During construction of the Ziegler Reservoir in 2010, scientists uncovered thousands of exceptionally well-preserved Ice Age fossils representing mammoths, mastodons, giant bison, ancient deer, and many other prehistoric species that lived in the valley tens of thousands of years ago.ACES brings this fascinating chapter of Colorado’s history to life through the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Walk. Guided by knowledgeable naturalists, participants visit the area surrounding the fossil discovery while learning how researchers uncovered one of North America’s most important Ice Age fossil sites. Historic photographs, interpretive materials, and engaging storytelling help visitors imagine what the valley looked like during the last Ice Age when enormous mammals roamed the landscape.
For families and history enthusiasts alike, it’s an unforgettable opportunity to connect with Colorado’s ancient past while standing in the very place where these discoveries were made.
Learn from Expert Naturalists
One of the greatest strengths of every ACES program is the quality of its guides.
ACES naturalists are educators with extensive knowledge of Colorado’s ecology, wildlife, geology, botany, and environmental science. Rather than simply leading hikes, they encourage participants to ask questions, observe the environment more carefully, and develop a deeper understanding of the interconnected systems that support life throughout the Rocky Mountains.
Topics commonly discussed during guided walks include:
- Local wildlife
- Forest ecology
- Climate and weather
- Alpine ecosystems
- Bird identification
- Mammal behavior
- Geology
- Water resources
- Conservation
- Environmental stewardship
Because every group is different, guides adapt their presentations to match the interests and ages of participants, making each outing both educational and enjoyable.
A Nonprofit Dedicated to Conservation
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is much more than a provider of guided hikes.
Founded in 1968, ACES is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire environmental responsibility through education, conservation, and community engagement. Throughout the year, it serves more than 140,000 people through educational programs, school partnerships, scientific initiatives, public lectures, nature camps, sustainable agriculture projects, and guided outdoor experiences. (
Its work extends across several locations in the Roaring Fork Valley, including:
- Hallam Lake in Aspen
- Rock Bottom Ranch
- The Catto Center at Toklat
- Snowmass Mountain
Each location focuses on different aspects of environmental education while supporting the organization’s broader mission of protecting Colorado’s natural heritage. (ACES)
Perfect for Families
ACES programs are especially popular with families because they combine outdoor recreation with interactive learning.Children enjoy identifying wildflowers, searching for wildlife, examining animal tracks, and discovering fascinating facts about the natural world. Parents appreciate that the walks are designed to be educational without feeling like formal classroom lessons.Instead, every hike encourages curiosity, observation, and exploration while creating opportunities for families to experience nature together.
Many children leave their ACES adventure with a new appreciation for wildlife and environmental conservation that continues long after their vacation ends.
Nature in Every Season
Although many visitors discover ACES during the summer, the organization offers educational programming throughout the entire year.Summer features guided hikes, wildflower walks, Ice Age Discovery programs, family camps, birding experiences, and educational activities throughout Snowmass.Winter introduces a completely different side of the Rockies through naturalist-led snowshoe tours and guided ski experiences that explore winter ecology, animal adaptations, forest ecosystems, and wildlife tracking in snow-covered landscapes. These programs allow visitors to experience the quiet beauty of Colorado’s winter wilderness while learning how plants and animals survive one of North America’s most challenging environments.
No matter when you visit, ACES provides opportunities to better understand the remarkable ecosystems that define the Roaring Fork Valley.
Pair ACES with Other Snowmass Adventures
An ACES program fits perfectly into a vacation centered around outdoor recreation.
Many visitors begin the morning with a guided nature walk before spending the afternoon exploring the area’s many other attractions.
Popular activities to combine with ACES include:
- Scenic Gondola Rides
- Hiking
- Fly Fishing
- Jeep Tours
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Photography
- Hot Air Balloon Flights
- Golf
- Snowmass Rodeo
- Aspen Music Festival
- Wheeler Opera House
This combination allows visitors to experience both the adventurous and educational sides of the Colorado Rockies.
Let Great Divide Transportation Take You There
Whether you’re joining a morning Wildflower Walk or an afternoon Ice Age Discovery program, getting there should be simple and stress-free.Great Divide Transportation provides luxury private transportation throughout Aspen, Snowmass, and the entire Roaring Fork Valley, allowing you to focus on enjoying your outdoor experience while we handle every aspect of your travel.
Our professional chauffeurs provide transportation between:
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
- Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Snowmass Village
- Aspen
- Snowmass Mall
- Hotels and luxury resorts
- Private vacation homes
- ACES program meeting locations
- Outdoor recreation destinations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley
Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or a private group, our luxury SUVs and Executive Sprinter Vans provide comfortable transportation designed around your itinerary.
Why Choose Great Divide Transportation?
Exploring Colorado’s natural beauty should begin with exceptional service.
At Great Divide Transportation, we provide private luxury transportation throughout western Colorado with experienced local chauffeurs, premium vehicles, flexible scheduling, and personalized itineraries tailored to your vacation plans.
Our services include:
- Private luxury transportation
- Airport transfers
- Executive chauffeur service
- Door-to-door transportation
- Luxury SUVs and Executive Sprinter Vans
- Flexible scheduling
- Personalized itineraries
- Transportation for outdoor adventures
- Service throughout Aspen, Snowmass, and western Colorado
Experience the Rockies Through the Eyes of a Naturalist
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies reminds visitors that the Colorado Rockies are more than spectacular scenery—they are living ecosystems filled with fascinating wildlife, remarkable geology, colorful wildflowers, and thousands of years of natural history.
Whether you’re identifying alpine flowers, learning about Ice Age mammoths, exploring forest trails with an expert naturalist, or introducing your children to Colorado’s remarkable environment, ACES offers experiences that deepen your connection to the mountains in ways few other activities can. And with Great Divide Transportation, every adventure begins with the comfort, reliability, and personalized service that make your time in Snowmass even more memorable.