executive summary by darmansjah
Hype aside, Aspen is still the ski town all North American ski towns compare themselves to—and one of the few places that manages to be both hip and classic at the same time. Riddled with galleries and boutiques and coffeehouses and gourmet restaurants, this is where movie stars mingle with Olympic athletes and where full-length fur coats never go out of style. It’s undeniably ostentatious—and enough to make a dirtbag ski bum barf on his duck-taped Gore-Tex—but it may also be the world’s most sophisticated mountain town outside of Europe.
The skiing and snowboarding’s not bad either. In fact, it’s as good as anywhere in Colorado, with four separate ski areas within a ten-mile radius catering to all abilities and tastes. Aspen Mountain is an expert’s playground—it literally has zero green runs—and one of the most consistently steep areas in Colorado. Its runs spill right into downtown. Snowmass is the mega-mountain with the second most vertical in the U.S. (though not skiable continuously) and terrain for everyone. Aspen Highlands is the local favorite and features the steepest terrain of the four. Buttermilk, with its ample greens and innovative ski school, is perfect for beginners. Lift tickets are good for all four mountains, which are easily reached from Aspen and each other by free shuttle buses.
Ask a Local
Longtime Aspenite Christy Mahon is the first woman to ski all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks and serves as the Development Director for the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. Here are her recommendations.
Best Digs
Budget: The Tyrolean Lodge on Main Street was built by a legendary Aspen family and has remodeled rooms with vintage ski decor and the best rates in town.
Swank: The Hotel Jerome embodies Aspen’s history.
Best Eats
Cheap: At 520 Grill, two local skiers and chefs quickly serve up healthy burgers, creative sandwiches, and salads.
Gourmet: For 24 years, Cache Cache has been the place to go for the most sophisticated, French-inspired cuisine in Aspen, with an incredible, high-energy atmosphere.
Best After-Ski Party Spot
Just steps from the gondola, Ajax Tavern lures you in with the smell of truffle fries and a stylish patio scene.