Camp Details, Logistics, and What to Do in Aspen

Camp Information and Schedule

Location

Aspen High School, The “Skier Dome”, 235 High School Road, Aspen, CO 81611


Enter Aspen High School through the “upper” doors facing the parking lot accessed via Moore Dr. The link above shows a pin to the correct parking not. Do not park in the lot between the high school and middle school.

 

Schedule

Getting To and From Camp

There is ample parking at Aspen High School for those with a rental car at the lot indicated above.

The school can also be accessed via bus with RFTA (pronounced locally as “rafta”). Busses are fast, frequent, safe, and FREE.

The Castle-Maroon (CM) and Highlands routes runs directly to the high school from downtown Aspen. Get off the bus for camp at the Aspen Rec Center stop and use the pedestrian bridge to get to the gym. Load the bus at the Aspen High School stop after camp.

Campers taking the bus from Snowmass Village will need to take the Local (L) route, which may also be marked as “Aspen" or “Snowmass Local,” to the Highway 82 Roundabout stop and walk just a few feet to the Maroon Creek Road stop to catch a Castle-Maroon or Highlands bus. When returning to Snowmass Village, take either the Castle-Maroon or Highlands bus route to the Hallam and 8th Street stop, cross the street, and then take a Snowmass Local bus back to Snowmass Village.

Contact us if you need help with the bus system.

Get all the info at https://www.rfta.com/

What to Expect and How to Prepare

Camp Sessions

Each two-hour session is carefully crafted by our coaching team to optimize your time at camp. Jackie and Greg have prepared the best 16 hours of camp instruction that you will take part in this year. Jackie is committed to sharing her experience at the many camps she attended as part of her preparation for two Olympic games. Expect to be challenged in unique ways and settings: this isn’t a “free fence for a few hours and go home” or “exhaust yourself doing footwork so the coaches can take it easy” kind of camp. Greg will support the camp by sharing FIE-level refereeing knowledge and a decade worth of thoughtfully designed exercises.

We have decided on a “half day” format so that families can spend time together, campers have the space to explore and enjoy everything Aspen has to offer, we are not adding any “filler” content to the camp, and participants are not physically overworked in conjunction with the elevation.

How to Prepare

You will be training at 8000 feet above sea level—that’s more than 2000 ft higher than the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Additionally, December tends to be a milder winter month in Aspen but is still most definitely winter. Here are our tips:

  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: drink an extra 1.5 L (1/2 gal) of water per day. A supplement to replenish electrolytes is also recommended.

  • If you have pulmonary, cardiac, or nervous system health condition, make sure you bring your medication. If you are especially concerned, reach out to your physician beforehand.

  • Bring warm winter clothes and boots that can stand up to wind and snow. Even if it is not snowing or particularly cold during the camp, the temperature drops more than you expect at night due to the altitude. You can always take off a layer, but you cannot add a layer if you do not already have one with you.

Logistics and Making the Most Out of Your Vacation

Logistics: Travel and Lodging

We have created a locally-curated guide for lodging, travel, and play. Tap or click the button below to access it for our insider knowledge on getting to Aspen, staying in Aspen, and entertainment in Aspen.

For a broader guide on enjoying Aspen, read on below.

Please consider using the affiliate links in our guide to help support our grant program. Each purchase you make through our affiliates with United and Trivago will generate a small amount of revenue to help expand access to this amazing opportunity to fencers of all economic statuses at no extra cost to you.

In fact, we specially picked United because Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is primarily serviced by United and Denver International Airport (DEN) is a United hub, which makes travel much easier. Take it from Greg, he flies out of ASE regularly on his way to NACs, regional events, and World Cups. Additionally, Aspen is delightfully secluded but that means that hotel search engines get finnicky. Trivago searches the hotel search engines and is what Greg uses when finding lodging for visiting friends and family. Trivago also picks up short term rentals through VRBO and other specialized sites.

How to Enjoy Aspen—A Local’s Advice

By Greg Domashovetz, Head Coach at Roaring Fork Fencers Club (Your Hosts) and Long-Time Roaring Fork Valley Resident

Skiing

Aspen Snowmass (aka SkiCo) is the company that manages all four ski areas nestled against Aspen: Aspen Mountain (aka “Ajax”), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Each mountain has a unique character. Visitors always ask which is best: the answer is that each one is a delight to ski or snowboard in its own unique way and that you should aim to ski them all, then return to your favorite runs and on-mountain lodges. However, here is a bit of advice on where to start first:

  • Aspen Mountain (Ajax): Best chance for celebrity sightings. The Sundeck at the top of the Silver Queen Gondola has simply some of the best views in the world and is a must-visit even if just for a scenic, non-skiing gondola ride. There are moderately pitched blue cruiser runs and heart-pounding steep black runs through loose trees, but no greens. Good for intermediates and up.

  • Aspen Highlands: The most unique out of the four mountains. Like Aspen Mountain, it does not have any greens but does have long, relaxing blue runs with stellar views. The Cloud 9 restaurant is world-renowned for being where those seeking a luxury dining experience go to get a bit rowdy. There’s nothing quite like it in the world. Highlands Bowl is 270 acres of big mountain terrain only accessible by a ~40 minute hike. Each run through “The Bowl” feels like being the star in your own ski movie.

  • Buttermilk: Where Ajax and Highlands are blue-and-up, Buttermilk features primarily blue and green runs. Commonly thought of as the learners mountain, it does have a plethora of green and blue runs. However, advanced skiers will love the Tiehack lift as well as the very same superpipe and slopestyle park used in the Winter X-Games.

  • Snowmass: This mountain’s motto might as well be “something for everyone" because of the diversity here. Restaurants range from luxury fine dining to window service cheesesteaks. There are green runs to learn, blues to progress, and black runs to challenge. Even better: many beginner and intermediate runs are at the top of the mountain, allowing newer riders to enjoy stunning views. Really need a challenge? Hanging Valley and the Cirque offer serious-business zones for extreme-minded skiers.

Lift tickets (aka ski passes) work at all four mountains. You can even jump from mountain-to-mountain within the same day!

Aspen Fencing Camp is offering discounted lift tickets, with the proceeds supporting our grant program. Tap or click the button below to request them.

Dining and Drinks

The dining scene in Aspen is out of control in the best way possible. It is almost impossible to make a bad choice, but here are a few favorites:

  • Campo de Fiori, Italian, 205 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611

  • Hickory House, BBQ, 730 W Main St, Aspen, CO 81611

  • Bosq, New American, 312 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611

  • Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar, 301 E Hopkins Ave, Aspen, CO 81611

Outdoor Adventure

Not everything outdoor in Aspen is skiing. Here are some good alternatives:

Indoor Pleasures

In addition to a vibrant dining scene, Aspen has a variety of great activities out of the weather.

The Rest of the Good Stuff

From live music to alpine coasters, Aspen never disappoints.

Need advice? Reach out to Greg at the contact info below!

Trip Advisor and AspenSnowmass.com are also excellent resources.