We welcomed 2017 in Aspen, Colorado and had such a great time this might become a new tradition for us. I love skiing almost as much as my kids do, as long as the weather is sunny and mild and we get to take long lunch breaks ?. We went to Colorado last year for spring skiing and fell in love with Snowmass Mountain. I can’t complain about the skiing in California, but there’s something so unique about Colorado— the runs feel longer and less crowded and the Rockies are so majestic. This year we decided to stay in Aspen (which is about 25 minutes from Snowmass) and it did not disappoint.
Living in Los Angeles, cold weather gear is not a real staple in my wardrobe and I usually find myself missing a few things I wish I had brought. I made a list of some items to add to my bag for our next ski trip in March: I really like bundling up and comfort is what I look forward to after a day on the slopes! Cozy boots like the Sneaker Fur Boots (shown above) and these fur-lined Arctic boots have relief written all over them as do thick, warm socks like these (shown above). I’m also looking to upgrade my apres ski jacket since the one I wear on the mountain is more utilitarian than fashion-forward. I love the color of this jacket (shown above) and it will keep me warm without looking like a marshmallow. This jacket from Madewell is cute too. The climate is super dry so I’m on the hunt for a portable humidifier and something to tame my hair like this anti static hair spray (both shown above). Anything that doesn’t fit in my suitcase like books – I’m reading Hillbilly Elegy and Clutterfree Revolution, – and a hat (shown above) will easily fit in this durable carry-on tote (shown above). It’s the perfect combination of function and relaxed style.
One of the best things about staying in Aspen, aside from the beauty, is the access to great food. Although most nights we were too tired after skiing to venture into town for more than a casual pizza dinner, Todd and I took advantage of the kids being in ski school and had a few leisurely lunches at some great spots. Todd loves meat and I’m a sucker for cheese so one of our favorite meals was at Meat & Cheese. They had an enormous selection of, you guessed it, meats and delicious cheese boards, but I also had some great soups and salads too. It was voted the best bar in Aspen which is a draw for people later in the night. We’ve stayed in Snowmass as well and although the skiing is amazing, the food off the slopes leaves something to be desired. On a previous Snowmass trip we ended up at Slopeside Lanes several times for dinner and bowling. Their pizza is decent and the kids loved the dinner/bowling combo.
« MORE ASPEN RESTAURANTS »
- CASUAL – If you want pizza go to Brunelleschi’s for their delicious thin crusts, Ryno’s Pub & Pizzeria or Taster’s Pizza in both Aspen and Snowmass. Grab a quality burger at CP Burger which is next to the outdoor ice skating rink, go to Ajax Tavern for ares ski, or Su Casa Aspen for Mexican food – it’s good for large groups and kids. The Butcher Block has awesome sandwiches (we got them for the plane ride home) and we heard the Hickory House has great bbq, plus The Grateful Deli has apparently won the Local’s Choice award for Best Sandwich Shop in Aspen since 2010!
- TAKING IT UP A NOTCH – Meat & Cheese was our favorite (as I already mentioned) and White House Tavern was good too – it’s a Hillstone Restaurant so it had great burgers and cocktails. They don’t take reservations and it gets really crowded so I recommend going early, especially with kids.
- TAKING IT UP ANOTHER NOTCH – Our kids were too pooped to sit down at a nicer restaurant, and truthfully we were too, so we didn’t hit any of these spots that came to us highly recommended – Aspen Kitchen, Element 47, Acquolina, Mezzaluna, Steakhouse No. 316.
- TREATS – We stumbled upon the Ajax Donuts cart (see me in front of it above) and couldn’t resist the delicious hand made donuts, the muffins at Paradise Bakery were great for breakfast and we tried to sample the goods at Annettes Bake Shop but got there too late. Give me the lowdown if you make it there :).
« A FEW OTHER ASPEN TID-BITS »
- WHERE TO STAY – We stayed at the St. Regis which was as lovely as you would expect, but I’ve heard that Anabelle Inn is great too and a bit more casual. There’s also the historic Hotel Jerome which feels like a Ralph Lauren ad, and The Little Nell, both of which are great for adult drinks if you just want to visit.
- WHERE TO SKI – If you are traveling with kids (depending on their level) Snowmass is really the best mountain for skiing. It’s about 25 minutes away and there’s a shuttle every 15 minutes. The shuttle is really easy and a great city service that’s free. After a few days we did get a bit tired of it and next time we may split our stay between Aspen and Snowmass to avoid the daily shuttle ride back and forth. The food on the mountain is surprisingly good and there are lots of restaurants to choose from. Gwen’s High Alpine has the best carrot cake on the planet and the rotisserie chicken, hand made pizza and super fresh salad bar kept us coming back to Elk Camp Lodge. We had a great experience with ski school in Snowmass – our kids had skilled and sweet instructors and the school was really well organized.
- A LITTLE SOMETHING ELSE – If you’re all skied out I heard “The Arc” has an awesome water park for kids plus sledding and a rock wall, and the the multiple tubing lanes at Snowmass are so much fun for the whole family. Ice Karting in Basalt, about 25 minutes from Aspen, is also supposed to be a blast. Explore Booksellers, an old school independent book store with a vegan restaurant upstairs, is worth a visit and if you need a drug store check out Carl’s Pharmacy – it’s a welcome departure from the ubiquitous Walgreens and Rite Aids that have taken over!
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