Planning for a winter getaway? Undoubtedly Aspen tops the list. In this blog post, I’ve got you covered with the best places to stay, restaurants, ski spots in Aspen and more ….to help plan a perfect vacation to this winter wonderland.
Where to Stay In Aspen
The Inn at Aspen by Vacasa
This place is hands down my favorite pick to stay in Aspen, for luxury, convenience and beautiful views.
The Inn at Aspen is a boutique hotel at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. Welcomed by A 24-foot-high grand entry, the lobby leads to a stone patio with a gas fire pit and adjacent outdoor pavilion. Everything about this hotel from the year-round outdoor hot tub with heated robes and slippers and mountain views, to incredible onsite restaurant, comfy and spacious rooms and complimentary shuttle service to downtown Aspen, the Airport and Aspen ski mountains make it an ideal choice for a memorable mountain stay.
Other Options to Stay
Hotel Jerome Auberge Resorts Collection
Things To Do In Aspen
In the winter, Aspen offers all things snowy, an abundance of outdoor snow adventures, and fine dine. Unique experiences and unparalleled scenery will make your Aspen getaway unforgettable.
Here’s what to do on a visit:
Skiing or Snowboarding
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, I bet you can’t wait to get on the mountains in Aspen. After all, these are some of the best and most spectacular mountains for skiing and snowboarding in the world. But how do you choose which Aspen mountain is right for you? Here’s a list of all the mountains in Aspen to choose from:
Aspen Mountain
Aspen Mountain features some of the most beautiful views and steepest terrain in Colorado, and its best part is that it has a top-to-bottom gondola (which is perfect for cold days when you don’t want to freeze on chairlifts). It has spectacular views of the Rockies, runs right into downtown, and is a local favorite for lunchtime ski runs.
Great for: Blues, blacks and double blacks
Aspen Highlands
Super close to town, less crowded area which offers 84 miles of trails with five lifts. It is the local favorite and is perfect for intermediate and expert skiers and boarders looking for a challenge.
Buttermilk
This ski resort is the best for beginners, with tons of green runs to choose from. Buttermilk has also been the host to the ESPN Winter X Games multiple times. At the base of Buttermilk, you’ll find Hometeam BBQ – a great spot to watch sports and enjoy some wings after the slopes. If you are new to skiing, start your vacation here; later, you can move on to an intermediate mountain to hone your skills.
Snowmass
Snowmass is an amazing mountain in Aspen with something for everyone – from bunny hills and greens, to terrain parks and double black diamonds. This makes it a great choice if you’re traveling with skiers of different comfort levels. They also have one of the best ski schools in Aspen, making it a great spot for kids or adults who want to get an immersive learning experience.
Overall tips for skiing in Aspen
All the skiing and snowboarding in the entire Aspen is handled by Aspen Snowmass . It is a one stop shop to buy lift tickets, equipments and lessons for any of the 4 mountains.
There are free shuttles that make it very easy to go in between mountains (just ask your hotel concierge)
The mountains can store your skis or have them transfer to different mountains for you if you know where you want to go.
Best days to ski are when it is snowing or when it has snowed the previous day to be the first to cut tracks in the freshly groomed snow or fluffy, new powder.
What to do in Aspen if You Don’t Ski
Snowshoe Tours
Weave in and out of serene spruce and fir forests as you take in Aspen’s majestic vistas with a knowledgeable Naturalist on a two-hour guided snowshoe tour. You get to learn so much about wildlife in winter, tracking, mountain ecology and aspen history. Here’s a link for more info.
Ride the Silver Queen Gondola
The Silver Queen Gondola travels 2.5 miles from the heart of Aspen to the 11,000-foot-high summit of Aspen Mountain. Once you reach the top, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, dine and even take in some live music. A sundeck and eatery greets visitors at the top of the mountain and makes for a great spot to relax, grab a drink or a bite and take photos of the surrounding landscape.
You can book your tickets here.
Snowmobile tour near Maroon Bells
A reflective lake and two giant snow-striped mountaintops, Maroon Bells is the most photographed place in Colorado. Located just 10 miles west of Aspen in a glacial valley, the 14,000-foot peaks truly epitomize the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Unfortunately the road to Maroon bells is closed during winter, but is open for snow-mobiling or snow shoeing.
T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers a snowmobile tour of the snow-dusted Maroon Bells, which includes the opportunity to cruise miles of groomed trails amid wintery meadows and dense aspen groves.
Visit the Snowmass Village
A short drive away from Aspen, this resort town is a preferred destination for most families. With plenty of homes and condos to rent, Snowmass village is the ultimate place to relax, have some family time, indulge in snowy outdoor adventures and let the scenery take your breathe away!
Explore the Downtown Area
After a day filled with adventure , this quaint town beacons you for some of the best fine dine and eclectic night spots in the country. Aspen has tons of places for delicious food owned by world renown chefs. My best pics you ought to try- Matsuhisa, Mawa’s Kitchen , The Wild Fig and Clark’s Oyester Bar.
Another place to visit is Paepcke Park, check out the famous gazebo in the middle of the park. And if you are in the mood for splurging, the streets of Aspen are lined with High fashion brands, worth checking out.
Where to eat in Aspen
Here are a few of my tops picks of where to eat in Aspen:
The Wild Fig
The Wild Fig is Aspens only Brasserie, bringing the coast line of France, Italy, Spain and Greece to your fork. As I entered the place, I instantly fell in love with its old school vibes; With it’s white French subway tiled walls and warm burgundy red banquets and marble top bar, this is undoubtedly a hot spot for dinner in Aspen. I LOVED their Lamb Shank and house-made Cavatelli + tasty cocktails.
Matsuhisa
Owned by celebrity chef Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, this place is hands down the best sushi in Aspen and my favorite meal in town. It’s SO. Good.
Acquolina
The always-buzzing Italian place in the heart of downtown is a perfect dinner spot for classic wine and contemporary Italian bites in town. I also loved their calamari paired with arugula and chorizo sausage.
French Alpine Bistro – Crêperie du Village
For all the desert lovers out there, this place is a MUST!!!! This chic spot with chalet feel & patio stole my heart with their super tasty fondues & savory crêpes.
What to Pack for Aspen
Ski clothes & gloves
Ski clothes and a layer of thermals are a MUST if you are planning to do snow adventures.
I like to pack one pair of gloves for skiing, and one pair like these for when I’m just out and about town… and be sure to pack some hand warmers if you’re not using heated gloves.
Snow Boots
Okay I cannot stress this enough, but you really need a good pair of boots that will keep you WARM and have good grip on the snow.
Few of my favs are:
WARM trendy coats
It gets cold, but you still want to look chic.
CUTE headbands and beanies
AND LOTS of colorful SWEATERS…..!!!!!
Thank you for reading! Got questions? Comment or DM me on Instagram @preksharaj and I’ll be happy to help.
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