A Weekend in Aspen

Visitors | Getting Here | Weekend | 7 Days | Kids | Facts

We want to make sure that you spend your weekend in Aspen doing everything necessary to maximize your time and make the most of your mountain-town excursion.

Day 1: Hit the Slopes

Depending on your budget, pick from one of the incredible array of hotels in Aspen. One of our faves is, of course, the ultra-lux The Little Nell with its plush rooms and incredibly doting staff. No extravagance will be spared for you when you stay at this five-star, five diamond gem. The younger crowd will love the Sky Hotel, where the bathrobes are zebra print the après scene is hot. Both of these hotels are situated at the base of the mountain, so you may pay a pretty penny but you couldn’t ask for a better location.

Start your day by grabbing a coffee and bagel (you’re going to need those carbs for skiing or boarding) at Ink! Coffee or Starbucks. They are both centrally located near the Silver Queen Gondola, which is your ride to the top of Aspen Mountain. Buy your lift ticket in Gondola Plaza and ascend to 11,212 ft. It’s time for a day on the slopes! Whether you’re a skier or a boarder you’ll enjoy the incredible terrain of Aspen Mountain. But remember, this mountain is only for intermediate and expert skiers, so if you don’t fall into one of those categories, call one of the pros at the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen and book a lesson. Aspen/Snowmass boasts a choice of four mountains to ski on—Aspen, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass— so you have more choices of where to spend your day on the snow.

If you do stick to Aspen Mountain, don’t miss the delicious fare at the Sundeck. This is not your usual ski-lodge food. Get one of the huge salads or delicious entrees (we love the Thai noodle dishes).

After your big day on the hill, ski or board down to The Tavern, located directly at the base of the mountain. If it’s nice out, the deck is the perfect place to sit and watch people descend the face of the mountain. After a few glasses of Pinot, head back to your hotel and ease your aching muscles in the hot tub. You’ll be glad you did when you wake up tomorrow.

You’ve worked up an appetite, so for dinner, we suggest one of Aspen’s incredible bar menus. The prices are often cheaper at the bar (but the portion size usually doesn’t suffer), and you can still order off the main menu if you want. Check out Elevation for their wasabi Caesar, the penne alla caprese at Campo de Fiori, or the crab cakes at Jimmy’s. All of those choices also have rockin’ bars, so if you have to wait for a seat, grab a drink and soak in the scene.

Day 2: Take it Easy

If you’re a die-hard skier, you’ll probably want to get up early and head back out onto the hill. Try one of the Aspen area’s other three mountains today—Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, or Snowmass. If one day of skiing was enough for you (or you are just too sore to go back out), have a relaxed brunch and the quaint and delicious Main Street Bakery. Feel like being social? Sit at the community table and make some new friends. Everything is fantastic, but the granola and the oatmeal are our choices for how to start your morning.

Spend the day walking around charming Aspen. You can’t come to this mountain town without doing a little shopping. We are known for designer stores such as Prada, Gucci, Dior, and Zegna, but don’t overlook some of the great boutiques, including The Gallerie, Distractions, Imelda’s, Bloomingbirds, and Max.

For a truly relaxing day, head to the Aspen Club & Spa for a massage. With the purchase of a spa treatment, you also get to work out in this vast and impressive space so take advantage and get in some cardio before indulging in some serious pampering.

You may not have gone skiing, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t go to après ski. Today, head to the world-famous The Little Nell to sit by the fire with a hot toddy and watch the incredible cast of characters who make their way through this posh locale. You may even spot a celeb or two.

It’s true, Colorado is a land-locked state, but we still have some of the best sushi around (Seriously, we promise.) Check out Kenichi or Matsuhisa for dinner, and don’t forget to order the yellowtail jalapeno at either place.

If you’re up for going out, find out who is playing at Belly Up, our world-class music venue. It may be small, but it attracts big-name talent and is a truly great place to see live music. If a lounge is more your style, head to Eric’s, which has four bars in one—Eric’s, Aspen Billiards, The Cigar Bar, and the Mexican restaurant Su Casa. Feel like getting your groove on? Club Chelsea is a great place to hear the latest in hip hop and dance the night away.

It’s been a big weekend but you have truly experienced Aspen. We hope you’ve had fun and come back soon!