Venue & Travel

The Aspen Center for Physics

Although the Center is within walking distance of downtown, 4.25 acres of open spaces and pleasantly landscaped grounds surround its three buildings. There is an auditorium for 100, a seminar room for 40, several breakout rooms, a patio meeting area shaded by an old grape arbor, a small-group meeting room with chalkboards and a TV for reviewing computer images and forty-three double offices each facing idyllic landscaping. The library provides additional quiet space. For discussions there are two alcoves, four small patios and benches and tables throughout the property. A volleyball court offers an immediate change of pace anytime, and a picnic area provides group lunch space and barbeque opportunities throughout the week.

The Aspen Center for Physics is located on four peaceful acres in one of the most beautiful small towns in America. First the summer home of the Ute Indians, then a silver boom town and winter ski town, Aspen became the site of the Goethe Bicentennial in 1949. The Aspen Institute grew from the Bicentennial and the Aspen Center for Physics and the Aspen Music Festival and School soon followed. In 1968, the Physics Center became an independent non-profit corporation and continues to share seventy pastoral acres with the Aspen Institute and the Aspen Music Festival and School in the residential west end of town.

Ski resort

ACP sells discounted lift tickets good for skiing and snowboarding at any of Aspen Snowmass’ four mountains. Tickets can be purchased in advance or during the conference from ACP staff. There is also a discount available on equipment rentals. ACP staff can help physicists arrange ski/snowboard lessons.

Winter Air Travel

Booking your flight directly to Aspen (ASE) is easiest. In addition to the Denver (DEN) international connection, there are direct flights to Aspen from Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. You can also choose to use ground transportation from Denver, as explained below. Allegiant Airlines has an inexpensive flight from Los Angeles to Grand Junction, Colorado, and then you would rent a car and drive 2.5 hours to Aspen.

From Denver to Aspen

You may rent a car, fly, or take a shuttle bus to Aspen. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE WEATHER DELAYED IN DENVER FOR MORE THAN 4 HOURS, consider the Colorado Mountain Express Shuttle described below. Flying from Denver to Aspen takes about 30 minutes. Aspen is served by:

• United Express (1-800-241-6522) from Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Los Angeles.
• American Airlines (1-800-433-7300) from Dallas and Los Angeles.

Book as far in advance as possible, since weekend travel is popular. If all flights to Aspen are booked, you can fly to Eagle/Vail (2 hours away) or Denver (4 hours) and arrange for ground transportation with:

• Colorado Mountain Express for door–to–door service. Call 1–800–525–6363 or use ridecme.com. Reservations are usually required. Ask for the group PHYSICS rate ($95 in 2013) to Aspen, one–way, to or from Denver. If you do not mention PHYSICS, you will not receive the group rate.
• We have a RIDE BOARD. The password is in your arrival information email.
• If you rent a car, the drive from Denver is over mountain passes and can be challenging if you are not used to driving in snow storms or on ice. Independence Pass (eastern half of Highway 82) is closed in the winter, so the only winter route is on a 4–lane highway (I–70) to the western half of Highway 82 which takes you to Aspen. This route takes about four hours from the airport if the roads are dry. If the roads are snow-packed, you might allow six hours for the drive.

When you get to Aspen

If you fly into Aspen and are staying at the Aspen Meadows, let them know in advance what flight you are on and they will be there to pick you up, 970-925-4240. Many other hotels also have airport pickups. Taxi rides to Aspen from the airport are about $25. You can also take a free RFTA bus from the airport stop on Highway 82 to any stop in town. Bus information is available at the RFTA website. If you are driving to the Physics Center, from Highway 82/Main Street, turn north on 6th Street. Our parking lot is at the corner of 6th and Gillespie Streets. The Aspen Meadows is located on Meadows Road, an extension north of 7th or 8th Street.