Off-season has once again crept up on Aspen. While some Aspenites take off to warmer vacation destinations for a week or two, most of us stay and enjoy the calm before the storm. Here are a couple of the best low-key things to do in our quiet mountain town.
Treat Yourself to Dinner
After a long (and busy) winter in Aspen, spring is the perfect time to
treat yourself to a well-deserved dinner out. Grab your friends, a
loved one, or even head out by yourself to enjoy one of the many
discounted prices and menu specials in town. Some of our favorites are
the prix fixe at The Wild Fig (a glass of wine, app, and entree for $29) the prix fixe at Ruth's Chris Steak House (three courses for $38), or the prix fixe at LuLu Wilson (appetizer, entrée, and dessert for $30).
Spa Day
Dedicate an entire day to pampering yourself. The Remede Spa at the St. Regis Resort Aspen offers 25 percent off all of their treatments (with the exception of manicures and pedicures). Decompress in the spa's soothing hot tub, sauna, steam showers, and oxygen room. The Aspen Club & Spa also rewards their guests for treating themselves as the more you get done the more you save. Nonmembers get a 10 percent discount if they have one treatment done or a 20 percent discount for two treatments. For three treatments nonmembers can receive a 30 percent or a 40 percent discount when they have four treatments in one day. Be sure to bring workout clothes because both the Remede and the Aspen Club have gyms where you get in a good workout before you relax.
Clean House
When you're busy, it's easy to become a pack rat. If you haven't worn something in the past year then chances are you won't, so take advantage of the slow season and clean house.The Thrift Store accepts donations, or you can try to sell your stuff at Susie's consignment store. If you have extra skis, boards, and gear that you no longer use, bring them to Replay Sports—if they can sell your stuff, they'll give you 50 percent of the profit.
It is always unbelievable to think that another ski season has come and
gone in Aspen. While Mother Nature has a hard time giving in to spring,
our wonderful mountain town will nonetheless slow down in the upcoming
weeks. The approaching "mud season" gives locals a chance to skip town
and enjoy some much-needed R&R. Consequently, many of the eateries
and establishments change their hours of operation and some even close
their doors during off-season.
If you haven't been inside the Aspen Brewing Company since its opening March 17, you've been missing out. Boasting two delicious brews, Smuggler Wheat and Brown BearAle, on tap (and more to come) the brewery feels like a perfect fit for our mountain town.
While the brew boys--Terry Butler, Duncan Clauss, Brad Veltman, and Rory Douthit--pour in-house tasters, sell growlers to go, and serve up Smuggler Wheat at New York Pizza--they are currently prohibited from serving more than 16 oz. per person per day in their tasting room. The restriction is due to their 557 North Mill St. location, which places them in the SCI Zone (Service/Commercial/Industrial), a zone that prohibits the establishment of bars and restaurants.
At a City Council's February 25 meeting, Aspen Brewing Company appealed Community Development director Chris Bendon's decision to prohibited the brewery from serving more that 16 oz. of beer per person per day, wherein the City Council sided with Bendon.
Aspen Brewing Company will appeal the 16 oz. restriction at the public City Council meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at City Hall (located at 130 S. Galena, across the street from Zélé Café). Feel free to participate in the poll below, make a comment, or attend the meeting tonight to voice your opinion on this hot topic.
M & M Home Dining Services boasts a decadent menu that includes seared scallops with seared Foie Gras, corn, and apple smoked bacon hash, as well as roasted tenderloin and lobster tail with fennel gratin, green beans, and red wine jus, along with braised beef short ribs with creamed potatoes and winter vegetables, to name a few of their delicacies. And the best part--you won't have to step foot in your kitchen.
Plum sat down with president and CEO of Moet Hennessy USA, Mark Cornell, to discuss Veuve Clicquot champagne's sponsored apres ski events being held in Aspen.
Lets be honest, one of the main reasons why we love mountain life is because of a little post-recreational festivity we like to call après. French for after, après is a time for ski buddies to gather after a long (or short) day on the slopes and enjoy the merriment of spirits and snacks. Lucky for us, Aspen has plenty of watering holes where one can loosen their boots after a day on the slopes or before a night on the town. For those looking for the perfect spot, we thought we'd let you in on some of Plum's favorite après locales.
The Tavern
Located at the base of Ajax Mountain, The Tavern boasts convenience, an expansive porch, and truffle fries that will change your life. Plus, you can watch skiers and riders cruise (and crash) on the Little Nell run while you enjoy a nice glass of cab.
39 Degrees
If you want to see and be seen, we suggest 39 Degrees at the Sky Hotel where you can get delicious eats such as mini grilled cheeses and tomato soup, or their decadent goat cheese dip and chips. Whether you are lounging on the outdoor couches by the fire pit, relaxing in the hot tub, or cozied up inside, you can enjoy specialty cocktails such as the Botox Martini--the perfect mix of Stoli Razberi, cranberry, and Red Bull.
Cirque Bar & Grill
Snowmass' Cirque Bar & Grill may be the definition of après with its location right off the slopes at the end of the Snowmass Mall and live music every day. Grab a pitcher and a table with friends after riding Snowmass, but be sure to get there early because the deck fills up fast.
WARNING: If you find yourself at the bar at 11 p.m. in your ski gear, it's probably time to go home...
The
talk around town these days is the upcoming opening of Aspen Brewing
Company--a local brewery that is set to brew, bottle, and distribute
beer both locally and nationally. Started by young entrepreneurs, the
brewery has faced restrictions due to their location in the
service/commercial/industrial (SCI) zone on North Mill St., downtown.
At a City Council's February 25 meeting, Aspen Brewing Company
appealed Community Development director Chris Bendon's decision to
prohibited the brewery from serving more that 16 oz. of beer per person
per day (so as not to be perceived as a bar, which is restricted from
the zone). While the City Council sided with Bendon, Aspen Brewing
Company is able to appeal the SCI zoning restriction in hopes of
lifting the 16 oz. limitation during the March 24 meeting--where locals
and visitors are invited to share their share their thoughts and
opinions on this hot topic.
For many of us, the best part of Aspen lies within a rich history. A cowboy sensibility where locals find comfort in their favorite holes-in-the-wall, places where visitors and Aspenites mingle and relish in the charm of this small town. In an effort to tap into all that our mountain town has to offer, two University of Colorado graduates, Duncan Clauss and Brad Veltman, are opening the Aspen Brewing Company, which is set to brew, bottle, and distribute beer both locally and nationally.
Dennis Scholl and Richard Betts threw an appreciation party for local supporters of their wine Betts & Scholl, which was recently featured on the cover of Food & Wine magazine.
Chef Jason Mayle from Aspen Meadows Resort demonstrates the prefect Valentine's Day meal (guaranteed to delight your sweetheart) on The MorningNoon&Night Show.
