ASPEN
in winter, yes! but in spring, summer, and fall, too.
from the local
... but, we’ll admit, it is really special right about now. here, our pal Erin Sprague — an Aspen local and VP of brand for Aspen Skiing Company — shares a few insider tips on where to go and what to do.
“my husband, baby daughter and i dreamed of living in the mountains. so, four months ago, we packed up our 800-square-foot life and moved from the heart of New York City to Aspen, Colorado. turns out Aspen isn't a place — it's an idea, and you have to experience it to believe it. in a small, remote valley in Colorado, there are four world-class mountains, gold-medal rivers, famous chefs, an opera, a ballet, an art museum, high-end fashion, an institute, celebrities, billionaires, ski bums, long-term locals and, more recently, a Whole Foods and Starbucks. it stuns and inspires in every season and as the saying goes, you come for the winter and stay for the summer. most residents move here just for a season...
and never leave.”
where to eat
“for the intrepid (and well-connected), reserve a spot at Cloud 9 at Aspen Highlands during ski season. (beware: there are no easy ski runs down.) another hidden gem, just up a side valley in the ghost-town of Ashcroft, is the Pine Creek Cookhouse. drive or bike in the summer, ski or take a horse-drawn sleigh in the winter. (yes, really.) if you like your bites high-end and in town, try Element 47 in the Little Nell, or Matsuhisa for a little high-altitude Nobu. and for something more down to earth (by Aspen standards, anyway), try Meat & Cheese, the White House Tavern or Hometeam BBQ.”
how to sweat
“in the spring or summer, rent a bike and ride the gorgeous, fifty-mile Rio Grande bike trail, or do yoga on the mountaintops, or try a river sport like fly-fishing or stand-up paddle boarding.come fall, hit the trails for a leaf peeping hike or run, particularly around Snowmass or via the Golden Leaf Half Marathon. and when winter hits, ski — the Ikon Pass or an Aspen Snowmass season pass gets you access to Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk. if you are looking for a little adventure, check out the Aspen Highlands Bowl, one of the few patrolled, in-bounds backcountry experiences in the country. oh, and “uphilling" is a thing in Aspen, and allowed at all four mountains: it’s essentially a touring set-up with special bindings and "skins" attached to your skis so you can travel up the mountain for an awesome workout while "earning your turns" for the ski back down.”
what to do (when you aren’t eating or sweating)
“get in the car and explore. the Maroon Bells — the most photographed peaks in North America — are a short ride from Aspen and are worthy of every selfie. and just north of Aspen are the small, stunning towns of Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Spring, each one boasting delightful cafes, farmers markets and natural views.”
…and what to wear.
cold weather, layer-friendly pieces like the flux top, non stop top, bs bomber. and a dress-up / dress-down LBD.