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Best time to visit Aspen

The best time to visit Aspen is June and September, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.

Aspen, Colorado, United States

°C

mm

−20°−10°0°10°20°30°40°
0100200300400500600
  • Average daily high and low
  • Precipitation
  • Good month
  • Best month
  • Made good or best by an event
Average daily high and low temperature, average precipitation and each month's verdict
MonthAverage daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitationVerdict
January-4.1 °C / 25 °F-14.4 °C / 6 °F57 mm / 2.2 inneither best nor good
February-2.8 °C / 27 °F-13.1 °C / 8 °F64 mm / 2.5 inneither best nor good
March1.4 °C / 35 °F-9.5 °C / 15 °F72 mm / 2.8 inneither best nor good
April4.2 °C / 40 °F-6.7 °C / 20 °F75 mm / 2.9 inneither best nor good
May8.6 °C / 47 °F-3.3 °C / 26 °F59 mm / 2.3 inneither best nor good
June16.6 °C / 62 °F0.9 °C / 34 °F29 mm / 1.2 inbest month
July20.5 °C / 69 °F5.4 °C / 42 °F59 mm / 2.3 ingood month
August19.3 °C / 67 °F4.9 °C / 41 °F60 mm / 2.4 ingood month
September15.7 °C / 60 °F1.4 °C / 35 °F46 mm / 1.8 inbest month, for Fall colours. The weather alone makes it good.
October7.8 °C / 46 °F-5.4 °C / 22 °F56 mm / 2.2 ingood month, for Fall colours. The weather alone makes it neither best nor good.
November1.5 °C / 35 °F-12.9 °C / 9 °F48 mm / 1.9 ingood month, for Fall colours. The weather alone makes it neither best nor good.
December-3.5 °C / 26 °F-14.9 °C / 5 °F66 mm / 2.6 inneither best nor good
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen

Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:

  • Daytime highs
  • Night-time lows
  • How warm it feels
  • Humidity
  • How much of the day is sunny
  • Hours of daylight
  • Monthly rainfall
  • How many days it rains
  • Days of heavy rain
  • Wind
  • Snowfall and days with snow
  • Major events, such as festivals

The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.

The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.

Best months by activity

Exploring outdoors

Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: neither
  3. MMarch: neither
  4. AApril: neither
  5. MMay: neither
  6. JJune: best
  7. JJuly: good
  8. AAugust: good
  9. SSeptember: best
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: good
  12. DDecember: neither
Best
June, September
Good
July–August, October–November

June is the driest, sunniest month for wandering around town, with July-August close behind despite afternoon showers. September is elevated to best by the fall colours, and October-November are lifted to good by the same display despite turning cold and snowy. The snowbound, sub-zero winter (Dec-May) is too cold for general sightseeing.

Why these months

  • June · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 14.3 °C / 58 °F, precipitation 29 mm / 1.2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, average daily high 16.6 °C / 62 °F, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, wet days 7.2 days, relative humidity 54%.

    Against: average daily low 0.9 °C / 34 °F.

    Also on: Aspen Ideas Festival, Food & Wine Classic, Jazz Aspen Snowmass (June).

    Watch out for: Juneteenth closures.

  • July · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 19 °C / 66 °F, average daily high 20.5 °C / 69 °F, precipitation 59 mm / 2.3 in, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, days with heavy rain 1.2 days, relative humidity 59%, average daily low 5.4 °C / 42 °F.

    Against: wet days 12.8 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 60%, time rain usually falls 5 pm.

    Also on: Aspen Arts Festival, Aspen Music Festival and School.

    Watch out for: Independence Day closures.

  • August · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 17.4 °C / 63 °F, average daily high 19.3 °C / 67 °F, precipitation 60 mm / 2.4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, relative humidity 59%, average daily low 4.9 °C / 41 °F.

    Against: wet days 12.9 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 59%, time rain usually falls 5 pm.

    Also on: Wildflowers.

  • September · best

    Good weather, made best by Fall colours.

    In its favour: precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, feels like (high) 12.7 °C / 55 °F, average daily high 15.7 °C / 60 °F, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 9.1 days, relative humidity 56%.

    Against: share of rain falling in the daytime 61%, time rain usually falls 5 pm, average daily low 1.4 °C / 35 °F.

    Also on: Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival, Snowmass Balloon Festival.

    Watch out for: Labor Day closures.

  • October · good

    Made good by Fall colours.

    In its favour: precipitation 56 mm / 2.2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, days with heavy rain 1.3 days, wet days 9.7 days, relative humidity 61%.

    Against: feels like (high) 3.7 °C / 39 °F, average daily high 7.8 °C / 46 °F, average daily low -5.4 °C / 22 °F, snowfall 27 cm / 10.8 in, days with snow 10.8 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 47%, time rain usually falls 4 pm.

    Also on: John Denver Celebration.

    Watch out for: Columbus Day closures, Halloween business closures.

  • November · good

    Made good by Fall colours.

    In its favour: precipitation 48 mm / 1.9 in, share of daylight that is sunny 89%, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 9 days, relative humidity 66%.

    Against: feels like (high) -3.1 °C / 26 °F, average daily high 1.5 °C / 35 °F, average daily low -12.9 °C / 9 °F, snowfall 35 cm / 13.6 in, days with snow 12.7 days.

    Also on: Hickory House Thanksgiving freebie, Shining Mountains Film Festival.

    Watch out for: Holiday season travel rush, Thanksgiving travel rush and closures, Veterans Day closures.

Hiking and trekking

Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: neither
  3. MMarch: neither
  4. AApril: neither
  5. MMay: neither
  6. JJune: best
  7. JJuly: good
  8. AAugust: good
  9. SSeptember: best
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: good
  12. DDecember: neither
Best
June, September
Good
July–August, October–November

June through September form the hiking season -- cool, mostly dry mountain days, with September's cooling temperatures and fall colours making it best. July-August bring afternoon thunderstorm risk. October-November are lifted to good by lingering foliage despite the returning cold and snow, and the rest of the year is snowbound and far too cold to hike.

Why these months

  • June · best

    In its favour: average daily high 16.6 °C / 62 °F, precipitation 29 mm / 1.2 in, days with heavy rain 0.1 days, wet days 7.2 days, feels like (high) 14.3 °C / 58 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, daylight per day 14.9 h, wind (daily max) 14 km/h / 9 mph.

    Against: average daily low 0.9 °C / 34 °F.

    Also on: Aspen Ideas Festival, Food & Wine Classic, Jazz Aspen Snowmass (June).

    Watch out for: Juneteenth closures.

  • July · good

    In its favour: average daily high 20.5 °C / 69 °F, precipitation 59 mm / 2.3 in, days with heavy rain 1.2 days, feels like (high) 19 °C / 66 °F, average daily low 5.4 °C / 42 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, daylight per day 14.6 h, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 7 mph.

    Against: wet days 12.8 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 60%, time rain usually falls 5 pm.

    Also on: Aspen Arts Festival, Aspen Music Festival and School.

    Watch out for: Independence Day closures.

  • August · good

    In its favour: average daily high 19.3 °C / 67 °F, precipitation 60 mm / 2.4 in, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, feels like (high) 17.4 °C / 63 °F, average daily low 4.9 °C / 41 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, daylight per day 13.7 h, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 7 mph.

    Against: wet days 12.9 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 59%, time rain usually falls 5 pm.

    Also on: Wildflowers.

  • September · best

    Good weather, made best by Fall colours.

    In its favour: average daily high 15.7 °C / 60 °F, precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 9.1 days, feels like (high) 12.7 °C / 55 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, daylight per day 12.4 h, average daily low 1.4 °C / 35 °F, wind (daily max) 13 km/h / 8 mph.

    Against: share of rain falling in the daytime 61%, time rain usually falls 5 pm.

    Also on: Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival, Snowmass Balloon Festival.

    Watch out for: Labor Day closures.

  • October · good

    Made good by Fall colours.

    In its favour: precipitation 56 mm / 2.2 in, days with heavy rain 1.3 days, wet days 9.7 days, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, daylight per day 11.2 h, wind (daily max) 13 km/h / 8 mph.

    Against: average daily high 7.8 °C / 46 °F, average daily low -5.4 °C / 22 °F, feels like (high) 3.7 °C / 39 °F, snowfall 27 cm / 10.8 in, days with snow 10.8 days, share of rain falling in the daytime 47%, time rain usually falls 4 pm.

    Also on: John Denver Celebration.

    Watch out for: Columbus Day closures, Halloween business closures.

  • November · good

    Made good by Fall colours.

    In its favour: precipitation 48 mm / 1.9 in, days with heavy rain 1.1 days, wet days 9 days, share of daylight that is sunny 89%, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 7 mph, daylight per day 10 h.

    Against: average daily high 1.5 °C / 35 °F, feels like (high) -3.1 °C / 26 °F, average daily low -12.9 °C / 9 °F, snowfall 35 cm / 13.6 in, days with snow 12.7 days.

    Also on: Hickory House Thanksgiving freebie, Shining Mountains Film Festival.

    Watch out for: Holiday season travel rush, Thanksgiving travel rush and closures, Veterans Day closures.

Skiing and snow

Wants cold and snowfall; sunshine barely matters.

  1. JJanuary: best
  2. FFebruary: best
  3. MMarch: best
  4. AApril: best
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: neither
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: neither
  10. OOctober: good
  11. NNovember: good
  12. DDecember: best
Best
December–April
Good
May, October–November

December through April are peak ski months, with deep, reliable snowfall and consistently sub-zero highs. November and October bracket the season with building or dwindling snowpack, May is a fading tail end, and June-September have no snow and are far too warm.

Why these months

  • January · best

    In its favour: snowfall 42 cm / 16.7 in, average daily high -4.1 °C / 25 °F, days with snow 17.1 days, average daily low -14.4 °C / 6 °F, wind (daily max) 11 km/h / 7 mph, daylight per day 9.8 h.

    Also on: Aspen Gay Ski Week, Winterskol, X Games Aspen.

    Watch out for: Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures, New Year's Day closures.

  • February · best

    In its favour: snowfall 48 cm / 18.8 in, average daily high -2.8 °C / 27 °F, days with snow 18.5 days, average daily low -13.1 °C / 8 °F, wind (daily max) 14 km/h / 9 mph, daylight per day 10.7 h.

    Also on: Aspen Laugh Festival.

    Watch out for: Presidents' Day closures.

  • March · best

    In its favour: snowfall 51 cm / 20.2 in, average daily high 1.4 °C / 35 °F, days with snow 18.6 days, average daily low -9.5 °C / 15 °F, wind (daily max) 15 km/h / 9 mph, daylight per day 12 h.

    Also on: Apres Ski Cocktail Classic.

    Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.

  • April · best

    In its favour: snowfall 48 cm / 19 in, days with snow 17.1 days, average daily low -6.7 °C / 20 °F, average daily high 4.2 °C / 40 °F, wind (daily max) 16 km/h / 10 mph, daylight per day 13.3 h.

    Also on: Shortsfest.

    Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.

  • May · good

    In its favour: days with snow 12.5 days, average daily low -3.3 °C / 26 °F, wind (daily max) 14 km/h / 9 mph, daylight per day 14.3 h.

    Against: average daily high 8.6 °C / 47 °F, snowfall 27 cm / 10.6 in.

    Also on: Ride for the Pass, West End garden blooms.

    Watch out for: Memorial Day closures.

  • October · good

    In its favour: days with snow 10.8 days, average daily low -5.4 °C / 22 °F, wind (daily max) 13 km/h / 8 mph, daylight per day 11.2 h.

    Against: snowfall 27 cm / 10.8 in, average daily high 7.8 °C / 46 °F.

    Also on: Fall colours, John Denver Celebration.

    Watch out for: Columbus Day closures, Halloween business closures.

  • November · good

    In its favour: average daily high 1.5 °C / 35 °F, days with snow 12.7 days, average daily low -12.9 °C / 9 °F, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 7 mph, daylight per day 10 h.

    Against: snowfall 35 cm / 13.6 in.

    Also on: Fall colours, Hickory House Thanksgiving freebie, Shining Mountains Film Festival.

    Watch out for: Holiday season travel rush, Thanksgiving travel rush and closures, Veterans Day closures.

  • December · best

    In its favour: snowfall 49 cm / 19.3 in, average daily high -3.5 °C / 26 °F, days with snow 18.1 days, average daily low -14.9 °C / 5 °F, wind (daily max) 11 km/h / 7 mph, daylight per day 9.5 h.

    Also on: 12 Days of Aspen.

    Watch out for: Christmas closures, Christmas travel rush and high rates, Holiday season travel rush.

An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Aspen Mountain, 1 km away.

Weather averages

Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Feels like (high) -8.6 °C-7.5 °C-2.8 °C0.6 °C5.8 °C14.3 °C19 °C17.4 °C12.7 °C3.7 °C-3.1 °C-8 °C
Days with heavy rain 0.9 days1 days1.9 days1.9 days1.2 days0.1 days1.2 days1.1 days1.1 days1.3 days1.1 days1.6 days
Time rain usually falls 4 pm4 pm5 pm5 pm5 pm5 pm5 pm5 pm5 pm4 pm4 pm7 am
Sunshine per day 8.3 h9.2 h10.7 h12 h13.1 h13.8 h13.5 h12.7 h11.6 h10.1 h9 h7.8 h
Relative humidity 70%68%63%62%63%54%59%59%56%61%66%72%

Air quality

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–20253.3 µg/m³4.2 µg/m³4.7 µg/m³5.6 µg/m³5.9 µg/m³5.2 µg/m³5.2 µg/m³4.7 µg/m³3.5 µg/m³2.4 µg/m³2.9 µg/m³3 µg/m³
Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–20255.7 µg/m³7.3 µg/m³8.2 µg/m³9.4 µg/m³9.7 µg/m³8.9 µg/m³8.3 µg/m³8.1 µg/m³5.7 µg/m³4.3 µg/m³5.3 µg/m³5.4 µg/m³
  • Good 15 µg/m³ or less
  • Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
  • Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
  • Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
  • Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
  • Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³

Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.

Events and seasons

What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.

Reasons to go

  • Fall colours Major

    September, October and November

  • Winterskol

    January

  • Aspen Gay Ski Week

    January

  • X Games Aspen

    January

  • Aspen Laugh Festival

    February

  • Apres Ski Cocktail Classic

    March

  • Shortsfest

    April

  • Ride for the Pass

    May

  • West End garden blooms

    May

  • Jazz Aspen Snowmass (June)

    June

  • Aspen Ideas Festival

    June

  • Food & Wine Classic

    June

  • Aspen Music Festival and School

    July

  • Aspen Arts Festival

    July

  • Wildflowers

    August

  • Snowmass Balloon Festival

    September

  • Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival

    1–7 September, dates vary from year to year

  • John Denver Celebration

    October

  • Shining Mountains Film Festival

    November

  • Hickory House Thanksgiving freebie

    20–30 November, dates vary from year to year

  • 12 Days of Aspen

    December

Worth knowing before you go

  • New Year's Day closures

    1 January

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures

    January, dates vary from year to year

  • Presidents' Day closures

    February, dates vary from year to year

  • Good Friday closures

    March and April, dates vary from year to year

  • Easter closures

    March and April, dates vary from year to year

  • Memorial Day closures

    May, dates vary from year to year

  • Juneteenth closures

    19 June

  • Independence Day closures

    4 July

  • Labor Day closures

    September, dates vary from year to year

  • Columbus Day closures

    October, dates vary from year to year

  • Halloween business closures

    31 October

  • Veterans Day closures

    11 November

  • Thanksgiving travel rush and closures

    November, dates vary from year to year

  • Holiday season travel rush

    26 November–31 December, dates vary from year to year

  • Christmas travel rush and high rates

    24–31 December

  • Christmas closures

    24–25 December

Other places in United States

Compare places month by month on the travel calendar

Monthly averages over 2006–2025, unless stated otherwise.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0), generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information (ERA5). City data from GeoNames (CC-BY 4.0). Air quality from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and sea temperature from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, both via Open-Meteo.com. Coastline from Natural Earth. Ski areas from OpenSkiMap.org, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Skimap.org. World Heritage sites from Wikidata (CC0), from the World Heritage List © UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Readership from Wikimedia pageview data (CC0). Destination classification derived from English Wikivoyage, © Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).