FAQ - Summer Words 2026

Faculty instruction and materials  
Access to all public panels throughout the week  
Breakfast and lunch at the Viewline Resort (Monday through Friday)   
Opening and closing receptions   
Discounted lodging rates at our conference site, the Viewline Resort in Snowmass Village, Colorado. 
2026 lodging rate is $288.28 per night (additional resort fee and taxes may be added). LODGING NOT INCLUDED IN TUITION FEE
Two professional consultations with an agent and/or editor
Social activities such as a guided hike, game night, student open mic and other informal gatherings.

If selected to attend Summer Words, you will need to submit up to two manuscripts during registration—one for workshop and one for consultations. The manuscripts may be taken from the same piece of writing, or from different pieces. NOTE: Participants in the master class in craft should not submit a manuscript to be workshopped.

Workshop Manuscript (15 pages max)*

This is the manuscript that will be shared with your instructor and fellow workshop participants for review and critique at Summer Words. This does not have to be the same manuscript you submitted with your application, but it can be if you choose. We recommend submitting a sample you feel can benefit most from the thoughts and feedback of the group, rather than a piece you feel is your strongest work. The manuscript you submit for workshop can also be different from your professional consultation manuscript. We will distribute workshop manuscripts to each class via email in late May. At that time, you may also receive course requirements, which include specific additional instructions from your faculty leader regarding workshop schedule and extracurricular reading, etc.

For workshop manuscripts, please label your file FIRST INITIAL LAST NAME_INSTRUCTOR (for example: ESCOTT_CHANG)

Workshop manuscripts should be formatted as Word documents (doc or docx), double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt font, 1-inch (standard) margins

If you’re submitting an excerpt from a longer work, include a synopsis on the first page (the synopsis may be single-spaced but should be included in the total page count).

Put your name on the first page and number the pages.

*Participants in the master class in craft should not submit a workshop manuscript but may submit a professional consultation manuscript.

Professional Consultation Manuscript (10 pages max)

This is the manuscript you’ll share with the agent(s) and/or editor for your consultations. Your scheduled appointments will be sent to you in early June.

Formatting Guidelines

Carefully read the following instructions:

Consultation manuscripts should be formatted as Word documents (.doc or .docx), double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, 1-inch (normal) margins.

If it is an excerpt from a longer work, include a synopsis on the first page (the synopsis may be single-spaced but should be included in the total page count).

Put your name on the first page and number the pages.

For consultation manuscripts, please label your file FIRST INITIAL LAST NAME_CONSULTATION (for example, ESCOTT_CONSULTATION).

We will circulate your manuscripts to all relevant parties several weeks in advance of Summer Words to ensure everyone has sufficient time to carefully read your work.

Please send questions to Ellie Scott at ellie.scott@aspeninstitute.org

Professional consultations provide you the opportunity to meet one-on-one with literary agents and editors, hear about the industry, ask for advice and get feedback on your manuscript. The meetings are meant to enhance your conference experience by exposing you to the business side of publishing. Please know that while students occasionally are selected by agents at Summer Words, it is better to think of these meetings as introductions and a first step in the longer process of finding literary representation.

All workshop participants are guaranteed two private 15-minute meetings with a literary agent or editor. The consultation fee is included in the price of tuition. Consultations are assigned through a lottery process prior to Summer Words.

All workshops, panel discussions, faculty readings, craft talks, breakfasts and lunches will take place at the Viewline Resort in Snowmass Village, Colorado.
A room block has been reserved for Aspen Summer Words participants with a discounted rate of $287.64 per night (additional resort fee and taxes may be added).
If you are in need of accessibility, please reach out directly to the Viewline Resort to further discuss accommodations. ADA guestrooms are available upon request.
The Viewline Resort Event Center is fully ADA compliant. To enter the event center, please use the main entrance on the right side. To access the 2nd and 3rd floors, there is an elevator down the hall and around the corner.
Students accepted to Summer Words will be emailed a link to reserve a room in the Aspen Words block at the Viewline Hotel.

TRAVEL:

Snowmass can be reached by air via the Aspen/Snowmass airport (officially known as Pitkin County Airport), located 8 miles from the Viewline Resort. Guests at the Viewline can utilize the hotel’s free airport shuttle service. Other airport options include Eagle County Airport (2-hour drive from Snowmass), Grand Junction Regional Airport (2.5-hour drive from Snowmass), or Denver International Airport (4-hour drive from Snowmass). Please check ticket prices to confirm the estimated travel costs to the conference. Please also note that though the weather in Aspen/Snowmass is typically lovely in June, there can be unexpected travel delays when flying to/from Pitkin County Airport.

PARKING:

Parking is available for free in the numbered lots in Snowmass Village. Lot numbers 7-10 are the closest to the Viewline Resort

GROUND TRANSPORTATION:

The Roaring Fork Transit Authority (RFTA) provides extensive free bus service between Snowmass and Aspen. Snowmass also has a free local shuttle service (Snowmass Village Shuttles) to all major activity areas in Snowmass Village. Shuttles depart approximately every 10 minutes from the shuttle terminal located just below the Snowmass Mall on Daly Lane.www.gosnowmass.com/today
Uber and Lyft services are limited in Snowmass and the surrounding area. High Mountain Taxi can be booked online or via phone by calling (970)925-TAXI

Dining

Breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, are included with your tuition. The Viewline Resort’s executive chef prepares delicious, healthy, buffet-style meals with a variety of options.  Also included in your tuition is a welcome dinner at the Viewline Resort on Sunday, June 21. Light apps and drinks are served during the student open mic and the conference closing reception .

Explore more Snowmass dining options here.
Rooms at the Viewline Resort don’t have kitchens, but do have mini refrigerators. A budget for daily food costs beyond those included with tuition could range from $25-$75, depending on where you dine. There is a grocery store, Clark’s Market, located 0.9 miles from the Viewline.

Activities

Snowmass Village has a wide variety of activities for you to enjoy while you are at the conference. We encourage you to get out and about in the afternoons and evenings. See a list of activities here.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center

Founded in 1966, Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a premier destination for art making and critical dialog in the contemporary art world, bringing together aspiring and internationally renowned artists to discuss and further their work in a stimulating environment. With a campus that is free and open to the public and an extensive array of in-person and online offerings, Anderson Ranch is a hub of creative energy and activity for adults and children alike, with a host of virtual and interactive art workshops, lectures by today's most influential artists and curators, weekend classes, children’s art workshops and more. www.andersonranch.org

Aspen Snowmass / Roaring Fork IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center

Snowmass, along with the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the first IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center™ in Colorado, as designated by the International Mountain Biking Association. The IMBA Gold-Level designation, the top award for mountain biking destinations, offers mountain bike enthusiasts more than 300 miles of high quality singletrack from Aspen and Snowmass to Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs. Guests riding in Snowmass and the Roaring Fork Valley can take their pick of adventure, from lift-served gravity trails in the Snowmass Bike Park and expert-only long rides, to family-friendly trails and backcountry adventures. The Aspen Snowmass / Roaring Fork IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center is the first Gold-Level Ride Center in Colorado, only the fifth in United States, and among seven in the world. Rides vary for all age and skill levels. www.bikesnowmass.com

Blazing Adventures

With more than 40 years of experience specializing in outdoor activities in Colorado, Blazing Adventures coordinates winter activities such as hot balloon rides, dog sledding tours, backcountry powder tours, scenic drive tours, winter fly-fishing in Gold Medal rivers, snowmobiling up to the Maroon Bells, backcountry snowshoe tours, and much more. www.blazingadventures.com

The Collective Snowmass

The Collective Snowmass, the hub for community events in Snowmass. Offerings are free and ticketed, depending on the event. For more information, please visit thecollectivesnowmass.com

Fly-Fishing

The 70-mile Roaring Fork River offers the largest stretch of Colorado’s Gold Medal waters, ideal for fly-fishing. The Frying Pan River, which originates east of Snowmass, also boasts Gold Medal status and is a haven for those looking to catch brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. www.gosnowmass.com/activity/fly-fishing/

Hiking

Snowmass has 90+ miles of hiking trails, and 2.8 million acres of adjacent wilderness to be explored, providing accessible and scenic hiking for all abilities. Visit www.hikesnowmass.com to plan a curated hike for any ability.

Lost Forest

The Lost Forest isn’t hard to find — it’s just hard to see. Tucked in among the trees and rocks at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola are the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, Treeline Trial Challenge Course, Canopy Run Zipline and Rugged Ascent Climbing Wall. In addition, the Lost Forest operates as a home base for fishing, hiking and disc golf. www.aspensnowmass.com/plan-your-stay/lost-forest

The Rink

The Rink, located in the core of Snowmass Base Village, transforms into a summer activity lawn, complete with free family fun games and pop-up kids’ fountain flowing into small pools. www.thecollectivesnowmass.com

Shopping & Dining

With 40 restaurants and 40 shops in Snowmass Village, Snowmass offers something for every taste and style.

Snowmass Mountain Mission

The Snowmass Mountain Mission is an app-based, village-wide scavenger hunt designed to challenge creativity, test Snowmass knowledge and enhance selfie skills. Download the free Eventzee app from the App Store, enter an email, username and password, and the event code: Snowmass. Hit different point thresholds to win fun Snowmass prizes. www.gosnowmass.com/snowmass-mountain-mission

Snowmass Recreation Center

The 18,000-square-feet recreation facility offers unique programming for adults and children, year-round outdoor saline pools, a state-of-the-art cardio and weight room, an indoor gymnasium, aerobics classes, climbing & bouldering walls and more. www.snowmassrecreation.com

Spa Time

The Viewline Resort includes the RAKxa spa, offering a variety of treatments. The 7,000-square-foot Spa at Viceroy Snowmass also offers a wide range of holistic spa treatments and services.  Alux Spalon in Snowmass Base Village offers treatments for hair, nails, facials and waxing. www.gosnowmass.com/things-to-do/retail-services

Sunset Tuesdays

Enjoy beautiful summer evenings at Elk Camp with complimentary gondola rides up the mountain, Lost Forest and other outdoor family activities. https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/activities/summer/sunset-tuesdays-at-elk-camp

Thursday Free Concerts

This long-standing summer tradition and local favorite returns to Fanny Hill every Thursday evening. This may be the best way to enjoy some of the country’s best live bands in a relaxed atmosphere with a spectacular mountain backdrop. https://www.gosnowmass.com/activity/summer-music-series/

Wild West Rodeo

Celebrating its 50th season in 2024, the Snowmass Rodeo is the longest running rodeo in Colorado. This authentic western event takes place every Wednesday evening in the summers through mid-August. Visitors can check out exciting competitions like saddle bronc and bull riding, team roping, and barrel racing. Children can participate in the Calf Scramble and Mutton Busting. http://www.snowmassrodeo.org/

Whitewater Rafting

The nearby Roaring Fork and Colorado rivers offer easy access to Class I to Class IV river experiences - from whitewater rafting to kayaking to stand up paddle boarding. www.gosnowmass.com/activity/whitewater-rafting/

By registering and participating in Summer Words, you understand that there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present and you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Masks are welcome but not required. If you need a mask, we can provide one to you. Instructors may request participants wear masks during workshops.

Aspen Words will update you with specific information you may need should our standards change, including any additional enhancements to our standard protocols or modifications selected for that event.

Whether it’s your first time at Summer Words or you make the pilgrimage each year, this is the place to find answers to the questions that might pop up while planning your trip. If you don’t find the answer to your question here, please email Ellie Scott at ellie.scott@aspeninstitute.org or AspenWords@aspeninstitute.org.

Q. Should I fly into Denver or Aspen/Snowmass? How far is Denver?
A. The Aspen/Snowmass airport (officially known as Pitkin County Airport) is 8 miles from Snowmass Village and the conference site.

Since flights into the Aspen airport can be costly, you might also consider flying into Eagle County Airport (2-hour drive to Snowmass Village), Grand Junction Airport (2.5-hour drive to Snowmass Village), or Denver International Airport (4-hour drive to Snowmass Village).
Please be sure to check the cost of flights and note that although the weather in Aspen/Snowmass is typically beautiful in June, there can be weather-related delays when traveling to and from Pitkin County Airport.

Q. Where is the Viewline Resort?
A. The Viewline Resort is located at 100 Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village, CO 81615.

Q. Where should I stay?
A. All conference activities, including workshops, breakfasts, lunches and panels will take place at the Viewline Resort. We recommend staying at the Viewline in order to be close to other participants, faculty and events. A room block has been reserved for Summer Words participants with a discounted rate of $287.64 per night (additional resort fee and taxes may be added).

Q. Where should I eat?
A.  Breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, are included with your tuition. The Viewline Resort’s executive chef prepares delicious, healthy, buffet-style meals with a variety of options.  Also included in your tuition is a welcome dinner at the Viewline Resort on Sunday, June 21. Light apps and drinks are served during the student open mic and the conference closing reception. Explore more dining options here.

Q. Where will my workshop meet?
A. All workshops will meet at the Viewline Resort. The exact location of your workshop will be included in your registration materials.

Q. Will I need my computer?
A. You do not need to bring a laptop to your workshop, but you are welcome to if you prefer to make notes on a computer rather than a notebook. You may want your laptop for writing in the hours outside of your workshop, or to access some of your work while you are here.

Q. What should I wear?
A. Summer Words is casual. Jeans and informal attire are appropriate for workshops, receptions, panels and other events. Summer mornings and evenings can be quite cool in Snowmass Village, while the days are typically around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. We suggest packing lots of layers, including a jacket, as cool weather is always a possibility.

Q. What should I do about altitude sickness?
A. Snowmass Village is 8,000 feet above sea level. Please remember to drink plenty of water as your body will be more dehydrated. Be careful when drinking alcohol, as the combination of altitude and dehydration can cause alcohol to act faster. Apply plenty of sunscreen and lip balm. It’s common for visitors coming from sea level to experience headaches and shortness of breath the first couple of days at high elevation. You can find some great advice on dealing with altitude here.

Q. What are Aspen Words’ health and safety standards for conference attendees?
A. By registering and participating in Aspen Summer Words, you understand that there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present and you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. Masks are welcome but not required. If you need a mask, we can provide one to you. Instructors may request participants wear masks during workshops.

Q. Will I have time to write/hike/explore on my own or with family/friends?

A. Write: Yes! All afternoon and evening activities are optional, and you are welcome to use this time to write.
Hike: Yes! We will have at least two guided hiking opportunities. In addition, Snowmass has 90+ miles of hiking trails, and 2.8 million acres of adjacent wilderness to be explored, providing accessible and scenic hiking for all abilities. Visit www.hikesnowmass.com to plan a curated hike for any ability.
Explore: Yes! Snowmass offers a lot to see and do and we encourage you to take advantage.  Please visit our Activities page for more information.

Q. Can I bring my spouse/partner/friend/child?

A. You are welcome to have friends or family join you on your trip to Snowmass. While you are in your morning workshop, they will find plenty to do: mountain biking, hiking, reading by the pool, etc. Your friends and family are also encouraged to purchase a public pass to afternoon panels and join for the daily dose of inspiration. A complete list of public events and ticket information will be available in May.

NOTE: Opening Night dinner, breakfasts and lunches are open to Summer Words students only.