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Science in Snowmass 2026: Stargazing, Ice Age Science & Astronomy in Snowmass Village
Science in Snowmass is bringing a full weekend of paleontology, climatology and astronomy to Snowmass Village on September 11–12, 2026. Built around the remarkable 2010–2011 Ice Age Discovery at Ziegler Reservoir, the event connects deep time beneath our feet with deep time overhead. AstroTours.org is joining the weekend with guided Snowmass stargazing through professional telescopes, first at Base Village for Stars & S’mores and then at Elk Camp for a high-elevation night under the stars.
What is Science in Snowmass?
Science in Snowmass is a two-day celebration of science and discovery in Snowmass Village, produced in partnership with the Aspen Science Center. The weekend is inspired by the Ice Age fossils uncovered during construction at Ziegler Reservoir in 2010 and 2011. Those discoveries turned Snowmass into an extraordinary place to talk about the past, the present and the future through paleontology, climate science and astronomy.
Across the weekend, visitors can explore Ice Age programs, Ziegler Reservoir tours, scientific presentations and conversations with regional experts. The astronomy portion extends that idea of deep time into the night sky: every telescope view is also a view into the past, because light takes time to travel across space.
The complete public schedule is available from GoSnowmass.
Friday: Stars & S’mores with AstroTours
Friday night’s Stars & S’mores program runs from 8:00–9:30 PM on the Snowmass Base Village Events Lawn and is free to attend. AstroTours astronomers will set up multiple professional telescopes and guide visitors through what is visible that evening.
Depending on sky conditions, guests may be able to observe star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, double stars and planets. The format is designed for questions and conversation, so visitors can move between telescopes, compare views and ask the astronomers about anything from how telescopes work to how far away an object is and how old the light is when it reaches Earth.
Free s’mores and hot chocolate add a very Snowmass way to spend an evening under the Colorado night sky.
Saturday: Snowmass Stargazing at Elk Camp
Saturday night moves the astronomy program higher into the mountains for Snowmass Stargazing at Elk Camp. The gondola opens at 5:30 PM, with guided stargazing beginning at 8:00 PM. The dedicated Aspen Snowmass event listing describes the program as an evening at roughly 10,000 feet under one of Colorado’s darkest skies.
Tickets are $32, children 10 and under are free, and gondola access is included. Dinner and drinks are available at Elk Camp Restaurant, and the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster operates earlier in the evening with a separate ticket. Guests should dress in layers because temperatures can drop quickly after sunset at elevation.
What to expect from guided stargazing in Snowmass
A guided astronomy program is most useful when the telescope view comes with context. AstroTours astronomers identify the objects in the eyepiece, explain what makes them interesting and connect them to larger ideas in astronomy. A star cluster becomes a story about stellar evolution. A galaxy becomes a way to talk about distance and lookback time. A planet becomes a chance to compare another world with Earth.
That approach fits Science in Snowmass especially well. The event begins with evidence preserved in rock, sediment and fossils, then continues with evidence carried to us by light. Both tell stories about worlds that existed long before the present moment.
Why Snowmass is such a strong place for astronomy
Snowmass combines mountain elevation, access to darker skies and a community already shaped by a world-class scientific discovery. That makes it a natural place for an event that treats science as something you can experience directly rather than only read about.
For visitors searching for stargazing in Snowmass, Aspen Snowmass astronomy experiences or Colorado stargazing, the weekend is also a good introduction to what a guided telescope program can add to a mountain trip.
Science in Snowmass 2026 at a glance
Dates: Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: Snowmass Village, Colorado
Friday astronomy: Stars & S’mores, 8:00–9:30 PM, Base Village Events Lawn, free
Saturday astronomy: Snowmass Stargazing at Elk Camp, gondola from 5:30 PM, guided stargazing from 8:00 PM
Saturday tickets: $32; children 10 and under free; gondola included
Science themes: paleontology, climatology, Ice Age discovery, astronomy and deep time
Keep stargazing after Science in Snowmass
AstroTours.org leads guided astronomy and stargazing experiences across Colorado. If Science in Snowmass leaves you wanting another night at the telescope, you can book a Colorado stargazing tour or explore our guide to the Colorado Stargazing Trail and guided astronomy tours.
Science in Snowmass FAQ
Is Science in Snowmass free?
Many Science in Snowmass programs are free, including Friday night’s Stars & S’mores astronomy session. Saturday’s gondola-access Snowmass Stargazing program at Elk Camp is ticketed at $32, with children 10 and under free.
Where is Friday night stargazing?
Friday’s Stars & S’mores astronomy program is on the Snowmass Base Village Events Lawn from 8:00–9:30 PM.
Where is Saturday night stargazing?
Saturday’s Snowmass Stargazing program is at Elk Camp. Gondola access begins at 5:30 PM and guided stargazing begins at 8:00 PM.
Do I need astronomy experience?
No. The AstroTours programs are designed for curious beginners, families and experienced skywatchers alike. Astronomers guide the observing and answer questions throughout the session.
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