My Neighborhood

King Yoga Snowmass

—SNOWMASS BASE VILLAGE— Let It Snowmass

Julie Hardman

FOR JULIE HARDMAN, seeing Snowmass Base Village come to fruition has been nothing short of “awesome.” Hardman started working as an events manager for Snowmass Resort Association back when the redevelopment of Aspen’s family-friendly resort was introduced nearly 20 years ago. “When I moved out here in 1995, the process was just beginning,” recalls the special-events coordinator for the charming new ski village just nine miles from Aspen. “To witness its success feels like coming full circle.”

Like many Aspen valley locals, Hardman often pops out of bed at 6 a.m. to squeeze in a workout before work. Most likely it’s a grueling eight-mile run up the Rim Trail at sunrise. Barring that, she’ll take an hour-long mountain bike ride with coworkers at lunch, hitting the Cross Mountain Trail from her office in the town of Snowmass Village. She also buzzes around, managing a nonstop summer-events calendar and has become an encyclopedia of fun offerings at Snowmass Base Village. Here are a few of her favorites. —Alison Margo

SO WE GATHER

At the heart of Snowmass Base Village is The Collective (49 Wood Rd., 970.924.6054 ), which includes the ice skating rink (an event and activities lawn in the summer), The Collective Hall, and the Game Lounge/Selfie Den—all free of charge. “I love hanging out for a beer by the firepits where parents can have a drink and kids can run around and play. It creates an awesome atmosphere. There’s so much life down there. It’s a real game changer.” When it comes to events, The Collective “is a huge benefit to the town,” with something going on virtually every night of the week, from DJ parties and bingo to comedy.

PEAK PEEKS

After a hard ride, “I love sitting at the patio at the Limelight (65 Wood Rd., 970.924.5100) for a woodfired pizza. The prosciutto crudo is so good.” Or head over to mix6 (49 Wood Rd., 970.429.8506 ) for an Asian mix bowl concocted by award-winning chef Martin Oswald and “a glass of wine by the firepit while you check out some

The Collective mix6

live music.” Opening this season are Kenichi Snowmass (110 Carriage Way, 970.920.2212 ), an Aspen institution that has served world-renowned sushi and sake for 30 years, and Aurum Food &

Wine Aspen Snowmass

(110 Carriage Way, 970.429.2906), offering elevated American fare and a happy hour made popular at its Steamboat and Breckenridge locations. “All these great new restaurants coming in will continue the evolution.”

SELF-CARE CENTRAL

After all that running and biking, Hardman heads to Aaron King’s King Yoga Snowmass (77 Wood Rd., 602.300.0839) or, better yet, to King Yoga Jam, which the studio offers outdoors at the rink all summer. “Aaron had a studio in Aspen for years, and everyone loves his funky playlists. His new studio in Snowmass Base Village is gorgeous, and his outdoor classes in the summer are just awesome.” After stretching, she’ll head to Jus (45 Wood Rd., 970.710.7063) for a fresh ginger shot or green juice, with “floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the north side of the valley” that offer “some of the best views in Snowmass.”