Colorado

from Pasadena Magazine - January/February 2023

by The Lifestyle Magazines of SoCal

Vacation Homes

SKIING AT SCARP RIDGE

LEVELING UP

TAYLOR RIVER LODGE

Eleven turns up the comfort and service at its Colorado lodges.

BY SAMANTHA BROOKS

◗ When London-based

When former Blackstone executive—and outdoor enthusiast—Chad Pike founded his adventurebased collection of luxury lodges, he named it Eleven, a This Is Spinal Tap reference to taking things to another level. Following that, his wife, Blake, who now handles all the interior design for the brand, called her company No. 12 Interiors. In the years since, the duo has only continued to up the ante on what it means to operate a boutique hospitality brand, now with lodges in far-flung destinations like Iceland and Le Miroir, France— but two of their most enticing properties are surprisingly within reach.

Their debut property, Scarp Ridge Lodge in Crested Butte, first outfitted with ski gear, lounge area, and kitchen. After gearing up, another Sno-Cat drives skiers up to as high as 12,000 feet for private treks down the expansive terrain.

Runs might finish at the quaint cabin, complete with fireplace, small kitchen, and lofted bed over the living and dining room, perfect for children who need a midday nap or adults who need a break.

“There are no bad days here,” the team says. “If the conditions aren’t right to ski, we’ll snowshoe or get out on snowmobiles. There’s always a way to find an adventure.” Indeed, Eleven employs a large team, who work as everything from adventure guides and private chefs to groundskeepers and mechanics.

About 30 minutes southeast, Taylor River Lodge in Almont rests along a quiet stretch of river, surrounded by sprawling ranches. Here, a collection of six cabins with queen-size beds (three cabins also have a

launched in 2011, and they’ve continued to charm and respect the low-key, hippie-influenced mountain town (just 15 miles over the mountains from Aspen, but entirely di erent in vibe and development), now also operating a local restaurant and brewery, as well as additional hospitality projects in the area.

Comprised of five bedrooms plus one children’s room with seven bunk beds in what was formerly a Croatian townhall dating back to 1885, Scarp Ridge Lodge occupies a prime location in the heart of Crested Butte, surrounded by restaurants, galleries, and boutiques selling things like handmade soaps and crystals. During the winter the area typically receives 450 inches of snow, and some of the best skiing in the area happens on Eleven’s more than 1,000 acres of exclusive-use terrain, accessible only by Sno-Cat.

In the morning, the private Sno-Cat (imagine a cabin outfitted like a plush Sprinter van resting on top of tanklike tracks) arrives at the front of the lodge to take guests about 35 minutes into the mountains, where Eleven’s ski team operates another lodge, lofted twin bed) as well as a pair of three-bedroom homes, is complemented by a bathhouse with an indoor pool and hot tub as well as steam room and sauna, designed for relaxation and recovery. There’s also a gym and spa, a media room with pool table and other games, and a main lodge with dining room, bar, lounge, and grand fireplace. In the summer, it’s idyllic for fly-fishing and hiking, but starting this January, the lodge will host wellness retreats, packed with outdoor adventures, guided forest bathing for mediation, and spa experiences using Tata Harper products. Indeed, there’s always a way to take things to the next level.

Scarp Ridge Lodge is available exclusively for buyouts during the winter, with rates starting at $21,400/night for 10 guests and including skiing, gear, breakfast and lunch, and more. Taylor River Lodge from $1,050. elevenexperience.com