Aspen Guide

March 19, 2018

Written by ssgoldtravel

To Ski or Aprés Ski?

I have completely fallen in love with Aspen! It’s the most charming town with cobblestone streets lined with twinkle lights and a backdrop of the mountains. The restaurants, shops, bars and hotels are some of the best. It’s a great place to go year round but of course the winter months are fabulous for skiing.

SHOP this look//

How to get there:

You can either fly into Denver and drive over 3 hours or fly straight into the cutest little airport in Aspen. Flying to Aspen is more expensive but in my opinion worth it. You never know about the weather and driving in the mountains. Traffic can build up and a 3 hour trip can quickly turn into 5+ hours. I say spend the extra cash, land in Aspen and the town is literally 5 minutes away. The luxury hotels have car services and can pick you up and drop you off. It’s a lot more relaxing and luxurious!

STAY//

St. Regis, Aspen – This is a luxury hotel with five star service. The St. Regis Butler program also applies here. They provide flawless personalized attention to each hotel guest including a welcome upon arrival to packing/unpacking of luggage if needed, delivery of complimentary morning tea/coffee daily, traditional shoe shine, 24-hour Butler Service and more. Their s’mores by the outdoor fire pits are the best – I highly recommend it!

The Little Nell – This is a AAA Five Diamond resort right next to the slopes so it gives their guests the ski in/ski out luxury. It has a cosmopolitan yet intimate atmosphere. The restaurants on property are delicious and be sure to check out their happy hours!

Hotel Jerome (Where we stayed) – This is an Auberge Hotel and it certainly stands up to the luxurious name. The hotel was originally built in the 1880’s and about 3 years ago was renovated into a sexy, charming, mountain lodge. They have kept quite a few original pieces throughout which I absolutely love. There’s so many wonderful stories about the original pieces like the artwork, architecture, tiles and decor. Be sure to ask someone about them if you go! The lobby is actually called the “living room” to the locals because they all hangout there. It truly does feel like a cozy living room that you never want to leave.

The rooms are all spacious yet cozy with the same type of rustic and contemporary decor. The rooms all have a flat-screen and the bathrooms have a separate tub and walk-in shower.

SHOP Sweaters & Pants//

The restaurants on property are absolutely wonderful. Prospect is an American restaurant with everything from burgers (which you have to get) to lobster cobb salads (my friend had this and said it was one of her favorites to wonderful steaks. The inside bar is dark and sexy with the best espresso martinis I’ve ever had. Lastly, the oldest bar in town is adjacent to the hotel called J-Bar.

This summer they will be coming out with a new courtyard and speak-easy bar that’s for hotel guests only! I think even this is worth coming back for!

*Contact me to book your hotel in Aspen and receive VIP treatment & amenities such as daily breakfast for 2, upgrades (subject to availability), Resort or Spa Credit, Free wifi, early check-in/late check-out more!

APRES SKI//

Ajax Tavern – more chill apres ski – indoor and outdoor

Cloud 9 – You can only ski here but it’s definitely worth it! Make sure to make a reservation in advance.

EAT//

White House Tavern – They’re famous for their chicken sandwich – it looked delicious I just couldn’t eat it because of my allergies.

Matsuhisa Aspen – This is the same owner as Nobu so be prepared for some fabulous sushi with a side of a scene

Steakhouse NO. 316 – We went here for dinner and it was fantastic. We had the seafood tower which was everything you want and more as well as their delicious steak.

Mezzaluna – Italian restaurant

E.M.P. Winter House pop-up – This is a must in my opinion. You can reserve your own yurt and enjoy an intimate dinner with friends.

SHOP//

OUT//

Caribou Club – private members only club but a must if you can get in

Bootsy Bellows – Club

Club Escobar – Club

SHOP Accessories//

DO//

Ski/Snowboard

Ski School: learn how to ski in beautiful Aspen!

Dogsledding: Trained huskies pull guests in a sled on a scenic 1.5-hour trip through the Snowmass backcountry. One sled carries two adults and is driven by thirteen Alaskan sled dogs and an experienced musher. Lunch or dinner can be enjoyed at the alpine Krabloonik Restaurant.

Heli-Skiing: Day trips and multi-day packages. Take 6 runs with a professional backcountry guide on a Bell 407 helicopter with 10,000-14,000 vertical feet of terrain in the San Juan Mountain. Great for the intermediate to advanced skier and snowboarder.

Hot Air Ballooning: Early morning sunrise rides offer breathtaking and majestic views of Aspen and Snowmass. Rides take approximately one hour and finish with a champagne toast and pastries and fruit.

Ice Skating: Nothing is more amazing than ice skating outdoors at the foot of Aspen Mountain and underneath a sky full of stars. SK8 allows you to live out this fantasy, with an amazing outdoor rink in downtown Aspen.

Powder Tours: For the more adventurous alpinist, let Aspen Skiing Company take you to the backside of Aspen Mountain aboard a snow cat for a full day in the un-groomed powder. The tour includes skiing both bowls and glades with lunch and snacks provided. Advanced skiers and snowboarder’s welcome!

Shopping: There are more than 100 stores in the cute town of Aspen. Stroll down the cobblestone streets and checkout the boutiques with some hot cocoa in hand.

Snow Cat Rides & Dinners: Enjoy an exquisite Western mountain dinner high up on Snowmass after the lifts close. You will travel to and from the cabin in snowcats, which pick up slope side from Aspen Highlands or Snowmass. As you travel to the cabin, you will see a whole quieter side of the mountain. At the cabin, the executive chef will serve four courses of delicious New American cuisine while live music.

Snowmobiling: Ride up to the famous Maroon Bells (the only access in winter), the Continental Divide or the ghost town of Independence. Customized snowmobiling for all levels are available. Enjoy the panoramic views of Pyramid and Capital Peak while traveling on groomed trails.

Snowshoeing: Explore Aspen’s scenic backcountry with a guide or on your own. Tours go through the woods, up the mountains or along a mountaintop ridge. Daily snowshoe tours offered on Aspen Mountain at 10am and 1pm.

Tubing: Aspen Snowmass is thrilled to offer new tubing facilities at Snowmass. The multiple lanes are lift served and carved into The Meadows at Elk Camp, with lighting facilities to illuminate the runs at night during Ullr Nights festivities and on special holidays.

Hiking trails: beautiful in the Spring and summer months