Aspen, perched on the southern tip of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the place Colorado’s wild coronary heart meets upscale aptitude. Every mountain right here dishes out its personal thrill: Aspen Mountain’s deep powder, Snowmass’ sweeping groomers, Buttermilk’s progressive parks and Highland Bowl’s rigorous slopes. It’s not simply in regards to the terrain at Aspen Snowmass—it’s the exhilarating experience every run presents.
The large information this season is over at Aspen Mountain (also referred to as Ajax): the debut of Hero’s. The terrain as soon as often called Pandora’s has reworked into Hero’s, an bold, 153-acre growth that includes a state-of-the-art quad elevate. This daring growth does extra than simply enlarge the snow-sure slopes; it’s a forward-thinking response to the challenges posed by local weather change, designed to bolster Aspen’s famend ski seasons nicely into the longer term.
Aspen’s game-changing transfer with Hero’s at Ajax Mountain epitomizes why it stands out as a top-tier vacation spot. Right here, the fusion of luxurious and heart-pounding ski motion units the stage for an unparalleled winter expertise. Count on to be wowed by Aspen’s thrilling ski runs and high-end stays, a real paradise for adrenaline junkies. Past the slopes, Aspen amps up the expertise with excellent eating, unique procuring and a cosmopolitan cultural scene. The winter season is filled with motion, that includes the high-energy Wintersköl and X Video games (each in January), and February’s star-powered Palm Tree Music Competition. Gear up and hit the heights of Aspen journey with this important information for the last word winter thrill.
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The place to Keep
Mollie Aspen
111 S Garmisch St, Aspen, CO 81611
Slated for a December 2023 launch, Mollie rises from the positioning of the previous Mollie Gibson Lodge. This 68-room boutique lodge swaps the alpine chalet aesthetic for “Japandi,” a fusion of Japanese simplicity and Scandinavian performance. The actual game-changer? Head to the rooftop for some severe downtime, whether or not you’re diving into the pool or sipping a masterfully combined cocktail. And with Gin & Luck (from the masterminds behind mixology innovators Demise & Co.) on the helm, anticipate a culinary expertise that’s nothing in need of legendary.
The Little Nell
675 E Durant Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
The Little Nell hits you with low-key luxurious proper at Aspen Mountain’s base. Step beneath the porte-cochère and enter a world the place top-tier bellhops hustle to get you settled. The foyer is a portal to Aspen’s excessive life—assume a comfy fire lounge, seasonally rotating artwork and views of the luxury out of doors scene. Open since 1989, The Little Nell stands tall within the elite ski resort league, shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Verbier and St. Moritz.
Aspen Meadows Resort
845 Meadows Rd, Aspen, CO 81611
This yr, the Aspen Meadows Resort unveiled the hotly anticipated revamp led by Suomi Design Works of JFK’s TWA Lodge fame. Set inside Aspen Institute’s huge grounds, the retreat now options 98 suites decked out with a mix of pure textures and a Bauhaus-inspired palette. Design aficionados will fawn over the combination of restored mid-century classics like Saarinen tables and Bertoia chairs alongside customized beds and daring lighting. Foodies even have one thing to sit up for with a brand new restaurant and bar helmed by chef Rachel Saxton, slated to open in January.
The Limelight Lodge Aspen
330 E Essential St, Aspen, CO 81611
Contemporary from a 2021 revamp, this property is likely one of the extra family-friendly spots on the town, boasting 126 rooms, suites and twin rooftop terraces. Spearheaded by New York’s Stonehill Taylor, the renovation amps up the Limelight’s recreation as Aspen’s go-to spot for relaxed luxurious. Assume saturated colours, pure supplies like walnut and white oak, plus metallic and plush accents crafting a welcoming but upscale really feel.
What to See
Resnick Heart for Herbert Bayer Research
610 Gillespie Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Spanning 7,000 sq. ft, this museum dives into the world of Herbert Bayer, an Austrian-American trailblazer and Bauhaus artwork faculty alum. Bayer, who referred to as Aspen residence from 1946 to 1974, was a key participant in molding the town’s post-war development. He’s the brains behind the Aspen Institute’s 40-acre structure, a hub for big-ticket occasions just like the Aspen Concepts Competition and the Aspen Music Competition and College. Plus, he’s the man who created the Aspen Snowboarding Firm’s unique leaf emblem—an emblem that’s develop into synonymous with the town’s ski tradition.
Close by Ghost Cities: Ashcroft and Independence
Simply 10 miles from Aspen, Ashcroft Ghost City and Independence Ghost City provide a dive into the Wild West’s storied previous. Ashcroft, as soon as a bustling silver rush city with saloons and miners, now stands as a relic of speedy booms and busts. It’s an eerie but fascinating journey by means of Colorado’s mining historical past. Close by, Independence Ghost City echoes an analogous destiny. Based in 1879, it flourished briefly earlier than its decline. Well-known for the 1899 ski escape, the place miners skied to security on selfmade skis, it now invitations adventurers to discover the rugged remnants of a once-thriving mining group. Each cities provide a singular glimpse into the high-mountain miners’ lives, mixing historical past with journey.
Aspen Artwork Museum
637 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
The Aspen Artwork Museum, a standout in trendy artwork circles, is housed in a putting Shigeru Ban design. It options six galleries and a rooftop backyard, firmly inserting it on the forefront of latest artwork. This isn’t simply any museum—it’s a deep dive into cutting-edge creativity and sustainable design. Their café, run by The Farmer & Chef, serves up dishes like caviar-topped salmon toast alongside a powerful lineup of wines and native beers. Be certain to go as much as the rooftop on ski season Saturdays for drinks and unbeatable Aspen views.
The place to Eat
Sant Ambroeus
520 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Sant Ambroeus brings a slice of Milan to Aspen. This espresso bar and eatery is a fusion of rugged mountain aesthetics and slick Italian design courtesy of Giampiero Tagliaferri Studio. With a setting that options daring Mario Bellini sofas and classic Carlo Ratti chairs, it’s a spot the place you possibly can chill in type.
Bosq
312 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611
Led by native chef-owner Barclay Dodge, Bosq is a culinary pressure in downtown Aspen. It’s considered one of solely 5 eating places in Colorado to bag a Michelin star in 2023, making it a high choose for meals fans. Dodge turns native foraging right into a high-end culinary expertise—you possibly can choose your individual journey with their à la carte choices or dive right into a curated expertise with their four- to seven-course prix fixe menu, full with wine pairings.
The Wild Fig
305 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611
The Wild Fig, an Aspen basic for twenty years, sticks to its roots with an unchanged menu and vibe, even because it shifts subsequent door. This spot is a favourite for these craving Mediterranean flavors, with a lineup that includes one of the best of Spain, France, Italy and Greece, zeroing in on top-notch seafood. The place sports activities a well-thought-out wine listing that pairs seamlessly with every dish. It’s bought the texture of a no-frills Parisian brasserie, full with French subway tiles, bistro mirrors and a standout marble bar.
Mawa’s Kitchen
305 Aspen Airport Enterprise Heart F, Aspen, CO 81611
Mawa McQueen, a world culinary veteran, has been an Aspen staple for over twenty years. On the coronary heart of her McQueen Hospitality empire, positioned simply exterior city, this James Beard semifinalist nominee serves up a fusion of wholesome and gourmand French-African meals. This season, she’s including a brand new taste to the combination with the opening of Mawita, a Latin-inspired eatery becoming a member of the ranks alongside The Crepe Shack in Snowmass Base Village.
Cache Cache
205 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611
Since 1987, Cache Cache has been a cornerstone of Aspen’s eating scene, mixing basic steakhouse vibes with up to date culinary craft. Chef Chris Lanter brings his French cooking chops to the desk, specializing in native components for dishes starting from steak to rotisserie rooster. And don’t skip out on their standout mac-and-cheese or the in depth wine listing, with over 100 bottles.
The place to Drink
Hooch
301 E Hopkins Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Hooch is Aspen’s reply to the basic speakeasy: assume top-tier cocktails beneath cool chandeliers with a chill seating setup. The bar’s bought a prolonged cocktail menu with over two dozen decisions, excellent for each cocktail connoisseurs and people simply searching for a superb drink. It’s a spot the place conventional mixes get a contemporary twist, and every drink comes with an emblem information for simple choosing.
Ponyboy Aspen
550 S Spring St, Aspen, CO 81611
Ponyboy, the nightlife heavyweight from Brooklyn, is shaking up Aspen’s scene in an enormous means by teaming up with W Aspen for the second yr. Recognized for its trendsetting vibes again in Greenpoint, Ponyboy brings its mixology mastery and funky issue to the ski city. spelling a brand new chapter for the upscale lodge with Ponyboy’s signature city swagger.
J-Bar
330 E Essential St, Aspen, CO 81611
Located throughout the opulent Lodge Jerome, J-Bar has stood as an Aspen basic since 1889. This saloon-style spot is anchored by a classic maple bar, tin ceilings and leather-based seats—excellent for having fun with a well-mixed cocktail and bar eats just like the well-known J-Bar Burger. Don’t miss the historic contact: a register that includes the names of each bartender who’s served right here over the previous century.
Woody Creek Tavern
2858 Higher River Rd, Woody Creek, CO 81656
Only a stone’s throw from downtown Aspen, Woody Creek Tavern throws you right into a world the place quirky meets basic. Image a tavern lined with Polaroids, heirlooms and antlers from high to backside. The menu? It’s a wild combine—assume no-frills bar grub alongside subtle picks like German Veal Schnitzel and Colombian Cazuela de Mariscos. The drink lineup is simply as numerous: locals right here swing from downing crisp Coors Lights to splurging on top-shelf wines.
The place to Store
Kemo Sabe
217 S Galena St, Aspen, CO 81611
Kemosabe is your go-to for genuine Western gear in Aspen. With partitions lined with cowboy boots and a ceiling decked out in hats you possibly can personalize along with your initials, it’s the actual deal. It’s greater than only a spot for typical vacationer finds, with a dizzying array of Pendleton blankets and a stable assortment of salvaged turquoise jewellery.
LD Ceramix
630 East Hyman Ave. #104, Aspen, CO
Ceramic artist Lori Dresner’s new studio showcases stoneware that’s as unique as Aspen itself, breaking the mildew of the normal potter with massive vessels, mugs and arty plates and platters. Dresner, who discovered her ardour for clay at 9 years outdated, has honed her craft with levels from the Rhode Island College of Design and the College of Michigan, and an MFA in video arts from the Artwork Institute of Chicago. After globetrotting from Chicago to Paris, Dresner settled in Colorado in 2008 to concentrate on her artwork.
Bayer Heart Retailer
610 Gillespie Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
The Bayer Heart’s new store is a modernist’s treasure trove, showcasing a dynamic array of Herbert Bayer prints spanning completely different eras, alongside a curated number of Bauhaus-inspired items together with a mixture of residence necessities, jewellery and textiles, plus unique Bayer prints.
Daniel’s Antiques
431 E Hyman Ave, Aspen, CO 81611
Household-run Daniel’s Antiques is Aspen’s go-to for a singular blast from the previous. Stroll in and it’s like time-traveling, with a curation of things like pristine WWII binoculars priced at $65,000, classic Louis Vuitton trunks and late 1800s Black Forest sculptures.
