Sarah Arison Unpacks the Allure of Aspen in Summer
Arts patron Sarah Arison, who is on the board of the Aspen Art Museum, shares her favorite things to do in the alpine town
Wintry alpine pursuits had never held much allure for Sarah Arison, a native Floridian who splits the majority of her time between Miami and New York and serves as the president of the board of the Museum of Modern Art. That changed in her late 20s, when she headed out west and fell in love with ski culture. Drawn to Aspen for its extraordinary mix of art, cuisine, and high-altitude activities, Arison and her financier husband now spend some months of the year in this Rocky Mountain enclave, where she is on the board of the Aspen Art Museum.
You come for the winter but stay for the summer, when road biking and hiking replace skiing. The people who self-select to be here tend to be fit, but they also appreciate an amazing lecture during the Aspen Ideas Festival, a gourmet meal, and a world-class concert at the Aspen Music Festival and School. One of the true highlights is the programming at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, where this year’s gala honoree is Titus Kaphar.
One of the most exciting events of the summer is Aspen ArtCrush, a weeklong series of dynamic programming in conjunction with the Aspen Art Museum that will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. I am a cochair, and in August we’ll be honoring Glenn Ligon, an artist I greatly admire, who will have a solo exhibition at the museum in December. The CEO and artistic director, Nicola Lees, has integrated the institution into the community in amazing ways. One of the best new initiatives is Art in Relation (AIR), sponsored by Lugano Diamonds, where interdisciplinary artists, exhibitions, and collaborations all explore how art is intersecting with the world now.
My ideal day involves the Hunter Creek–Smuggler loop hike, because it’s a great workout but I can still get cell service and listen to conference calls. I also enjoy whitewater rafting and paddleboarding on the Ruedi Reservoir. If I’m feeling ambitious, a hike from Maroon Bells over to Crested Butte puts you out into the most glorious field of wildflowers, and then you can spend the night at Eleven’s boutique hotel Scarp Ridge Lodge.
After long, active days, one of my favorite spots to eat is the Swedish Hill café on the roof of the Aspen Art Museum. Sitting outside with a sandwich overlooking Aspen Mountain is sublime. Clark’s Oyster Bar is another winner, for delicious grilled halibut with chimichurri sauce and fresh sourdough bread. Las Montañas serves outstanding Mexican food, and the Alehouse at the base of the Highlands has the best pizza in town. For an under-the-radar breakfast, I like the burritos and pastries from Louis Swiss bakery, just across from the airport.
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2025 Summer Issue in the section “Insider’s Guide.” Subscribe to the magazine.