One Week in Aspen

October 12th, 2007 1:29pm

Are you up for riding the steeps this vaca? Challenge yourself on Aspen Mountain's expert terrain.

Warm up your legs on one of Snowmass' many cruisers.

Aspen/Snowmass Cross Country Center offers more than 55 miles of terrain from Aspen to Basalt.

For an after-dinner glass head to The Wine Spot.

Highland Bowl offers incredible off-piste experience inbounds.

So you've done it. You've taken a week off of work, sprung the kids from school, and it's now time to embark on your Aspen vacation. While you've already booked your hotel and maybe even heard of a couple can't miss restaurants, we're sure that the thought of planning for seven days of vaca may seem overwhelming. We're here to help you organize so you won't miss a minute of all the action our mountain town has to offer.

Day 1: Reconnaissance

So you've made it. Time to put away the Blackberry and begin your vacation. First step, get acquainted with your accommodations. Find out if your hotel offers an in-town shuttle service, where the hot tub is, and if they have a complimentary breakfast or apres drinks and snacks. Once you have the lowdown on where you are staying, take a walk around town and scope out the menus and store windows of places you want to visit during the week. While you get your bearings be sure to drink tons, and we mean tons, of water. At an elevation of 7,908 ft. it's much easier to get sunburned, out of breath, and dehydrated in Aspen. Guarantee a fun and altitude sickness- free vacation by getting lots of sleep and drinking twice as much H20 as you would at home.

Day 2: Back to School

Wake up and head to Gondola Plaza where you can buy your tickets for the week (if you buy six days or more you save $5 a day). Sidenote: tots under six always ski and ride for free. After, cross the street to D&E Ski & Snowboard Shop to rent the latest in boots, boards, and skis. Take it easy by warming up at our beginner-friendly Buttermilk Mountain, and don't worry if you are not a pro because Aspen/Snowmass Ski & Snowboard Schools have more than 1,200 world-class instructors across all four mountains to teach you and your kids. The hot tub is a must after your big first day and after treat yourself to a brick oven pizza from Brunelleschi's and an early bedtime.

Day 3: Can You Say Apres?

Now that you have your skiing and riding legs back, head to the biggest of Aspen's four mountains, Snowmass. Cruise groomers all morning long on the Big Burn side and after head over to the Elk Camp Gondola to enjoy a little powder and great in-the-trees skiing. A much-deserved beer can be had at the Cirque Bar & Grill at the base of the mountain, where there is live music, plenty of brew, and food specials to satisfy your apres appetite. If you can, take a quick nap before hitting up one of town's delicious and affordable bar menus such as Cache Cache, Jimmy's, or Elevation, where you can get a decadent entree for under $20.

Day 4: Alpine Schmalpine

After a tasty pancake breakfast at the Wienerstube or Poppycock's, trade in your alpine gear for nordic equipment , and spend the morning enjoying the largest free, groomed cross country system in North America. Rent equipment from the Aspen/Snowmass Cross Country Center (about $20 a day for adults, $10 a day for kids) and enjoy more than 55 miles of terrain from Aspen to Basalt. After all that cardio exercise, treat yourself to a delicious burger at the J-Bar in the historic Hotel Jerome established in 1889. For dinner, head down to gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson's former hangout and favorite watering hole Woody Creek Tavern, which became famous for its delicious food, unpretentious atmosphere, seriously devoted patrons, and fresh lime margaritas.

Day 5: Shop 'Til You Drop

Give your legs a rest and spend the day walking around town's amazing boutiques and stores. When you are done shopping, tap into Aspen's rich history with a tour of the historic Wheeler Opera House. Built during the height of Aspen's Silver Boom, it marked Aspen's architectural transformation from a muddy settlement into a booming metropolis. From there, treat yourself to a world famous chocolate chip cookie from Paradise Bakery and enjoy the remarkable people watching from the benches out in front. For an indulgent dinner check out Montagna at the five star, five diamond hotel, The Little Nell, or a locals' favorite, D19, and grab an after-dinner drink at The Wine Spot in the Hyatt Grand Aspen.

Day 6: Go Bowl-ing

Get back on the slopes by trying the intermediate and expert terrain at the locals' favorite, Highlands Mountain. Adventurous expert skiers and riders should hike Highland Bowl, which with a 12,392-ft. summit and 40- to 45-degree pitch for more than 1,000 vertical ft. offers incredible off-piste experience inbounds. Skip apres and save up for a night on the town. For a creative take on Latin and Southwestern cuisine, have dinner at Blue Maize--their steak and shrimp fajitas are unbelievable. After a couple margaritas, check out the lineup at Aspen's premiere live music venue Belly Up. It always has a diverse and jam-packed roster of acts including up-and-comers, jazz greats, hip-hop heavyweights, and big names such as Seal and Chris Isaak. Or, do a bar crawl without ever going outside at Eric's Bar, Cigar Bar, Su Casa, and Aspen Billiards--the four-bar compound with four distinctly different atmospheres. A late-night gyro from The Popcorn Wagon is always the best way to end a big night out.

Day 7: One Last Hooray

Now that you've skied a couple days, challenge yourself by taking on that intimidating peak that has been glaring at you all week--Aspen Mountain, known simply to locals as "Ajax." Spot old-time Aspenites and maybe even a few celebs at the mid-mountain eatery Bonnie's and don't forget to have some of their apple strudel before you find "The Dumps" on a trail map and head out to enjoy its trees and powder stashes. The Tavern, located at the base of the mountain, is a no-brainer for apres. Order the truffle fries and the sliders while you watch skiers and riders navigate the Little Nell run. After a week full of cardio, be sure to spend your last supper enjoying some well deserved pasta at L'Hostaria.

Aspen Guides