There’s a reason Aspen Colorado is a bucket list snow destination, actually there’s ten (to start).
- Terrain, terrain, terrains
With four mountains to choose from (Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk) you’ll be spoilt for choice each powder day, and there’s a lot of those too. The four mountains combined offer over 5500 acres of skiable terrain and over 500 kilometres of marked trails with a tempting mix of beginner through to expert so everyone’s happy. Then there’s the Highlands Bowl, a famed accessible forty five minute hike to the 3777 metre peak at Highlands before an exhilarating steep and deep ski back down.
- The City of Aspen
The historical mining town of Aspen oozes Colorado charm with a touch of celebrity bling. Sip a cocktail where Hunter S Thompson used to write (and drink) at the J Bar at the Hotel Jerome, check out the town history at the Wheeler Stallard Museum in an old Queen Ann style home on Bleeker St, wander the store lined pedestrian laneways and hang with the local pooches at Wagner Park downtown.
- Art
Art lovers will salivate at The Aspen Art Museum, a shrine to contemporary art design in a purpose built museum that serves as a piece of art itself. Check out the exhibit of the season and make sure you head to the rooftop café for stunning mountain vistas.
- Celebrities
Celebrity spotting peak season in Aspen is easy. You could be sharing the gondola with Jack Nicholson, dining next to Kate Hudson, schussing the slopes behind Mariah Carey or sharing a snow cat with Elle Macpherson. Kevin Costner has a ranch, Goldie Hawn has a residence and Malia Obama was spotted last February.
- Nature
Few realise there’s a lake in downtown Aspen. Hallam Lake is home to ACES (Aspen Centre for Environmental Studies) and an extensive wetland thriving with wildlife. In summer bears come down to play and in winter the lake is filled with birdlife, coyote, deer and elk. Take a wander through the 25 acre nature land, visit the birds of prey and just breathe in the peace.
- Shopping
Yes you have the usual European suspects. Moncler, Burberry, Zegna and Gucci are there for those with the cash but you can still get a unique designer bargain at the local consignment store The Little Bird where the elite offload their worn once wears. For cowboy style try Kemo Sabe and for American flare try James Perse and Rag & Bone.
- Dining
Where to start? Well you could start with the blueberry lemon soufflé breakfast pancakes at the Little Nell work your way up to lunch at The White House Tavern before canapes at Meat and Cheese and dinner at L’Hostaria or Cache Cache or Element 47. The trick to Aspen is that most restaurants, and there are many many restaurants here, offer a bar menu for almost half the price of table sit down. So you can eat like a king for less.
- Apres
Start early with the late lunch sitting at Cloud 9 where you’ll dance on tables spraying champagne while a DJ spins some tunes before skiing (badly) back down to the base when the lifts close at 4pm. Now head to The Sky Hotel downtown and drink with the private ski instructors and their clients. Chair 9 at The Little Nell is usually buzzing by this time and the Red Onion will be pumping. Later try Justice Snow’s for bespoke cocktails, The Grey Lady for people watching and Belly Up for live music.
- Events
Aspen has your entertainment hours covered with major events from the big air and halfpipe madness of the X Games to Winterskol winter festival in January, the 12 Days of Aspen in December and Laughfest at The Wheeler Opera House in February plus a plethora of big name musicians at Belly Up throughout the season.
- Locals
The best part of Aspen is the locals. Head to Jour de Fete for coffee in the morning and say hi to Olivier the French owner who has been serving up breakfast to locals for decades, find big mountain skier Chris Davenport on the slopes and look out for local photographer Jesse Hoffman on the mountain. The beauty is if you do say hi, Aspen locals will not only respond but give you a high five, a hug, buy you a coffee. Why? They’re high on Aspen life.
The Deal
Ski Max have a Stay 7, Pay for 5 nights deal and get a free day lift pass at the Wildwood Lodge in Snowmass from AU$1709 per person.
Package includes:
7 nights twin share in a Standard King room at the Wildwood Lodge, Snowmass
6 day Aspen Snowmass Lift Pass valid at Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Highlands and Buttermilk
*Conditions apply. Valid for travel 2-24 January 2018. Book & pay by 15 August 2017.
Ski Max also have 25% off lodging and a free day lift pass if you stay at The Limelight Hotel in downtown Aspen from AU$2539 per person.
Package includes:
7 nights twin share in a Standard King Room at The Limelight Hotel with daily breakfast
6 day Aspen Snowmass Lift Pass valid at Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Highlands and Buttermilk
Return airport transfers from Aspen airport
*Conditions apply. Valid for travel 3-24 January 2018. Book & pay by 15 October 2017.
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