Sure, you’ve heard all the cliches about the elite streets of colorado’s snobbiest ski town. Forget about all that trash talk and plan a trip to the place of the beautiful people, because the truth is Aspen is the ideal escape if you like Craft beer, good eats, untracked powder and even some killer deals.
EAT
Aspen is home to a world-class dining scene, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up an arm and a leg for a good meal in this town. For pre-shred grub, check out Overeasy where you can fuel up with a huge classic breakfast. When lunchtime rolls around, head to 520 Grill , where you’ll find a large selection of hearty and healthy lunch dishes—most for under $10 per plate. And for après libations, a cold craft beer at the Aspen Brewing Company taproom is a must. Or class it up with a cocktail dreamed up by the talented mixologists at Justice Snow’s Restaurant + Bar .
SLEEP
The centrally-located Limelight Hotel isn’t cheap, but it features a handful of complimentary offerings that make the price worthwhile: You get up to two free lift tickets per day, good at any of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, as well as complimentary adventures like guided snowshoe tours and First Tracks on Aspen Mountain. For a budget-friendly option, head to the Element Basalt – Aspen, where you’ll consistently find rates under $200 a night. And don’t forget the pup. The hotel is pet-friendly.
PLAY
It’s all about fresh tracks this time of year in Aspen, and the area’s four outstanding mountains don’t have the crowds of I-70 resorts. Hop on one of the many ski shuttles from downtown Aspen and spend the day on the slopes of Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Snowmass, or Aspen Highlands . If two-wheels is more your style, check out the new Aspen Fat Bike Loop (—a 4.5-mile circuit with access from three different trailheads in the Aspen area. But the outdoor fun doesn’t disappear with the sun. For $10 every Friday night through April, Elk Camp at Snowmass celebrates Ullr Nights with tubing, ice skating, fat biking, live music and s’mores around a campfire.
—Tyra Sutak
