Welcome to Aspen Snowmass, one in all Colorado’s premier ski locations. With its iconic 4 mountains—Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands—this resort gives one thing for each sort of skier. Whether or not you’re a powder hound chasing first tracks, a household refining your abilities or just looking for the luxurious mountain city expertise, Aspen Snowmass delivers.
Since Ski.com has known as Aspen house since 1971, our Mountain Journey Specialists know the Elk Mountains like nobody else. Lots of them stay proper right here, together with Marcie C., a longtime Snowmass native. We sat down with Marcie to get her insider ideas for the right itinerary for Aspen Snowmass—primarily based in your journey type.
FAMILY
Morning:
Rise and shine—it’s mountain time! Every single day appears like Christmas morning on a trip to Aspen Snowmass, so don’t depend on an excessive amount of shut-eye. Begin your day with a scrumptious breakfast at The Lounge within the Limelight Snowmass Resort. One of the best half? It’s complimentary for those who’re staying at this fashionable spot. The European-style breakfast buffet, with its unfold of cereals, contemporary fruit, eggs, bacon, pastries, yogurt and loads of espresso, will make you are feeling such as you’re within the Alps. Seconds (and even thirds) for the entire household are at all times welcome!
PC | The Limelight Aspen
PC | The Limelight Aspen
After fueling up, head over to the Snowmass Treehouse. This 25,000-square-foot facility is a paradise for youths and serves as the bottom for the Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard College. It gives the whole lot from ski faculty and daycare providers to rental gear, retail and family-friendly après-ski leisure. Conveniently situated on the base of Snowmass Village, it blends enjoyable, studying and ease, permitting households to drop off the children and benefit from the slopes or different actions close by.
Afternoon:
Head to the highest of the Elk Camp Gondola for household enjoyable, together with attempting out a brand new methodology of gliding down the mountain by tubing or attempt an exciting experience on the Alpine Coaster, good for a break from snowboarding and using. When you’ve labored up an urge for food, get pleasure from a mouth-watering signature cheeseburger or heat chili at Elk Camp, the place you may calm down on the patio and benefit from the gorgeous views. This space additionally offers entry to a newbie studying zone, or you may cruise down the lengthy inexperienced run, Funnel Bypass if that’s extra your velocity.
Want a break from the slopes? Take a while to calm down or have enjoyable on the resort pool. Most swimming pools in Aspen Snowmass are heated year-round, permitting you to swim or unwind whereas snowflakes fall round you and skiers glide down the mountain. In the event you’re staying on the in style ski-in, ski-out Electrical Cross Lodge, households will particularly benefit from the distinctive waterslide into the heated pool.
The place to search out après-ski:
The household enjoyable doesn’t cease on the mountain. Try Snowmass’ latest neighborhood, The Collective. This vibrant neighborhood hub gives a enjoyable mixture of free leisure, eating and distinctive actions, in addition to a sport lounge, leisure, artwork exhibitions, and apres-ski actions for the entire household to get pleasure from. Situated conveniently within the coronary heart of Snowmass Village, children and youths will love the distinctive selfie lounge, full of selfie stations that includes shiny lights and glitter to boost some enjoyable photograph ops (as for those who haven’t already crammed your digital camera roll with gorgeous mountain pictures). The sport lounge is at all times a fan favourite, with foosball, pool, ping pong, and arcade video games for the extra aggressive relations. Different actions, together with stay music, comedy reveals, and trivia nights, add to the distinctive and vigorous apres-ski environment.
The place to eat:
After an action-packed day on the mountain, you’ve doubtless labored up an urge for food, and Snowmass Village gives loads of eating choices for the entire household. For genuine, hearty mountain delicacies, head to the cherished native spot, The Stew Pot, recognized for its home made soups, cozy stews, and a mouth-watering children’ menu. In the event you’re within the temper for one thing extra upscale, Aurum Meals & Wine is a household favourite, providing massive parts, a welcoming workers, and a refined but snug ambiance.
PC | Stew Pot Snowmass
PC | Stew Pot Snowmass
The place to remain:
Snowmass Village is famend for its abundance of handy ski-in ski-out lodging. Our Mountain Journey Specialists advocate the Limelight Resort Snowmass, situated simply steps from the Elk Camp Gondola within the coronary heart of the village. This contemporary, fashionable resort gives an ideal mix of luxurious and comfort, that includes family-friendly facilities reminiscent of a children’ sport space, a climbing wall and a year-round heated outside pool.
POWDER
Morning:
After stretching and gearing up for a powder-filled day, head to Paradise Bakery in downtown Aspen, domestically owned and an area favourite since 1981. Seize a hearty breakfast burrito and powerful espresso to go earlier than heading to Aspen Highlands Ski Resort to catch the primary chair. With contemporary powder on the slopes, it’s the right day to hit the enduring Highlands Bowl.
Good factor you fueled up with a hearty breakfast as a result of reaching Highlands Bowl requires a 782-vertical-foot hike in your ski boots. The hassle is effectively value it, as you’re rewarded with 270 acres of powder paradise. Recognized for its critical terrain, the bowl will get extra snow than every other in-bounds space at Aspen’s 4 resorts and gives among the steepest descents in Colorado—good for an epic day on the mountain.
Afternoon:
After having fun with the powder playground within the Highlands Bowl, you’ll have labored up an urge for food for a hearty lunch. Head over to Aspen Mountain, also referred to as Ajax, to refuel and catch some afternoon groomers. Bonnie’s, an enthralling Nineteen Sixties-era eatery, is a well-liked spot for breakfast and lunch. Ski right down to this soulful restaurant for among the finest on-mountain consolation meals. Heat up with a cup of their well-known white bean chili whereas stress-free on the two-tiered outside deck, taking in views of skiers gliding down Aspen’s pristine terrain.
The place to search out après-ski:
After a profitable day on two of Aspen Snowmass’ famend resorts, end your remaining run down the blue cruiser, Little Nell, and ski proper into the après-ski scene. Ajax Tavern is the right spot, mixing Aspen glamour with an brisk ambiance that retains the mountain spirit alive. The occasion begins at lunch and continues into the night as skiers collect to rejoice. Indulge of their well-known truffle fries, or for those who’re additional hungry, go for the famend double Wagyu cheeseburger. For one thing lighter, the onion soup gratin is a comfortable alternative, finest paired with a Lavender Daze Martini or one in all their distinctive cocktails.
The place to eat:
PC | Whitehouse Tavern
PC | Whitehouse Tavern
For a mouth-watering BBQ, head to an area favourite, the historic White Home Tavern. Situated within the A.G. Sheppard Home, inbuilt 1883 on quite a bit bought for simply $300, this former miner’s cottage is one in all Aspen’s oldest buildings. Although small, this cozy restaurant serves among the tastiest meals on the town. Since they don’t take reservations, arrive early or put your identify in whereas exploring city. Attempt the dip duo for those who get pleasure from a spicy kick in your queso or the crispy hen sandwich. Pair it with an Aperol Spritz whereas watching the blizzard by the home windows.
The place to remain:
Keep at The Gant for the comfort of being close to the mountain with out the value of true ski-in, ski-out lodging. Only a 7-minute stroll from the Silver Queen Gondola, The Gant gives a spread of rooms, from Commonplace for budget-conscious vacationers to Deluxe and Premier for a extra upscale expertise. You’ll get pleasure from easy accessibility to distinctive snowboarding and Aspen’s charming downtown, complimentary airport transfers, and an in-town shuttle service.
LUXURY
Morning:
Chill out, sleep in, and embrace the essence of trip—a whole escape from actuality. Begin your day with a nourishing smoothie and low from Unravel Espresso, then take a peaceable stroll by Aspen as you make your strategy to the St. Regis for some well-deserved pampering. Go to the RAKxa Spa to recuperate from the slopes, take pleasure in leisure, or just spoil your self. Distinctive therapies embrace the RAKxa Rigidity Launch, which makes use of stress and acupressure to enhance circulation and ease muscle stress; the RAKxa Good Night time Sleep, designed to fight jet lag and altitude results for restorative relaxation; and the Seven Chakra Scorching Stone Therapeutic massage, good for balancing power and relieving sore muscle tissues. In any case, you’re on trip—you deserve it!
Afternoon:
After a morning of pure leisure, it’s time to go to Aspen Highlands for just a few straightforward runs earlier than the true enjoyable begins. Soak within the mountain views as you glide down the slopes, then make your strategy to Cloud 9 for his or her remaining seating at 1:45 p.m. This charming mountain cabin might look quaint, however don’t be fooled—it’s recognized for its vigorous environment. Get pleasure from a European Alps-inspired menu that includes fondue, raclette, steak tartare, and caviar. Save room for a basic strudel and, after all, loads of champagne. As friends end their gourmand meals, the legendary après-ski occasion kicks off. Anticipate dancing on tables, champagne spraying, and music at full blast. There’s actually no après occasion like a Cloud 9 apres occasion!
The place to search out après-ski:
When you’ve dried off or modified out of your champagne-soaked garments, maintain the après vibe alive by heading to the enduring Resort Jerome and its fashionable speakeasy, Unhealthy Harriet. Named after Harriet Wheeler, the spouse of the resort’s authentic developer, Jerome B. Wheeler, this bar pays tribute to highly effective girls all through historical past. With its stylish ambiance, Unhealthy Harriet gives handcrafted cocktails and small bites designed to captivate your style buds. Attempt one in all their uncommon spirits to really embark on an après-ski journey that envelops your senses in luxurious and class.
The place to eat:
Who knew Colorado was a sushi hotspot? Head over to Kenichi, situated on the base of Aspen Mountain, for some world-class Japanese delicacies. Since its opening in 1992, Kenichi has been a favourite for each locals and guests looking for contemporary seafood in a classy setting. One of many authentic homeowners ensures that solely the freshest, best fish is served—a promise that holds true in the present day. This fashionable native spot is beloved by all who go to. Attempt their signature sushi rolls, or enterprise into artistic dishes like lobster tacos or wagyu beef bites for a style of among the finest genuine Japanese meals Colorado has to supply.
The place to remain:
After a packed day in Aspen, it’s time to unwind and get some relaxation. Keep on the W Aspen, the place ski tradition meets luxurious with a up to date twist. Conveniently situated on the base of Aspen Mountain and steps from high-end retailers and eating places, the W Aspen gives the right mix of consolation and elegance. Get pleasure from cocktails on the WET Deck, the rooftop bar with gorgeous mountain views, or take a dip within the year-round heated rooftop pool for a novel après-ski expertise. For an additional contact of luxurious, guide the Excessive WOW Suite, and don’t neglect, this pet-friendly hotspot welcomes your furry pal, too!
PC | The W Aspen
PC | The W Aspen
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Dreaming of an Aspen Snowmass trip? We don’t blame you—it’s simply as unimaginable because it sounds. Whether or not you’re planning a household journey on the slopes, chasing powder and excessive terrain, or craving an opulent mountain getaway, our Mountain Journey Specialists can tailor the right trip to fit your wants. Allow us to assist you deliver your dream mountain trip to life!
