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Snowmass/Aspen, Colorado - July 20-23, 2003
The 2003 NDAA Summer Conference was held in Snowmass/Aspen, one of the world’s most spectacular and fun-filled mountain environments. Check back for a summary of the conference.
Download Summer Conference Brochure
Agenda for Summer Conference
Snowmass Village Web site
Location: Silvertree Hotel - Snowmass, Colorado
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The area is known globally for its glamorous winter sports,  but its summer sports are even more varied and popular. You can enjoy biking and hiking on over 100 miles of beautiful wilderness trails or fish for trout in one of their gold-medal trout streams. For the adventure seeker, there is white water rafting on scenic rivers or paragliding from the top of a 12,000-foot peak. Golfers can play the challenging and award-winning River Valley course. Or, you may just want to relax and take in the breathtaking mountain scenery of the Elk Mountain range in Snowmass Valley.
The area’s history is ripe for discovery, whether you enjoy stumbling across crumbling cabins and ghost towns or exploring the many shops and museums. Most locals would agree that no summer day is complete without an adventure of some sort, and you will find more than a few days’ worth. There are amazing sights everywhere, whether you are  enjoying the outdoors from land, air or water. Whether you’re a novice or Everest material, an armchair adventurer or the real thing, you will find what you’re looking for. From the trails to the rivers and peaks, outdoor adventure is just outside your door.
Want peace and quiet? Experience a hot-air balloon flight over Aspen/Snowmass and experience limitless panoramic views of local peaks and wildlife. Flights last about three hours from start to champagne finish.
Not enough adventure? Try a leap of faith off Aspen Mountain with the Aspen Paragliding School, which offers tandem paragliding flights and private tandem courses. No experience is necessary to soar like a bird through Aspen’s skies.
A little known fact: Aspen is home to an entirely different breed of rock star. Great rock-climbing routes can be found minutes from Aspen. Before you go however, it’s key to know what you’re doing. Aspen Expeditions offers private or group lessons and various courses in mountaineering and rock climbing. A guide is always a good idea. If you would like to start a little smaller, try the indoor walls at the Aspen Athletic Club and the Aspen Recreation Center.
 If you’d prefer to stay on the ground, a fun way to spend the afternoon is to saddle up and explore with a guided horseback ride. Prefer four wheels instead of four legs? Try a four-wheel drive jeep tour and drive up historic 1880s Silver-Mining Roads, stopping at spectacular viewpoints along the way to take photos. Then walk through fields of waist high wildflowers and marvel at the 360-degree views of the snow-capped Rockies. There’s nothing like a little fresh air and nature to perk up the senses and get the blood flowing again.
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Rather cool off and get wet? Take full advantage of a Colorado summer with the area’s premier and most experienced rafting company, Blazing Paddles. Roar through some of the state’s finest whitewater canyons on an unforgettable half- or full-day adventure. Whether you are a first time rafter or a skilled thrill seeker, there is a river trip for you. Blazing Paddles and other tour groups offer mountain biking, hiking, sightseeing tours and sunset dinners.
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Not the outdoor type? Visit a few of the many indoor adventures.
- Clark’s Market Plaza: grab a bite and enjoy an afternoon in the Aspen Community Art Park, viewing the work of local artists
- Huntsman Gallery: Aspen’s finest collection of traditional art
- Aspen Art Museum: Aspen’s answer to the European Kunsthalle, although it doesn’t have a permanent collection, it offers high-caliber, even edgy, exhibits
- Misstyx: find the latest styles in hair accessories, hats, scarves, jewelry, purses and unique gifts
- Funky Mountain Threads: buy unique clothing, jewelry and an eclectic assortment of gifts
- Kolor Wheel: make and paint your own ceramics.
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