8 minute read
SKIING: ASPEN SNOWMASS
Powder time
North America is home to some of the world’s best ski fields from coast to coast and for the past few seasons, it’s been about the powder, wide runs and new lifts, alongside fantastic hospitality, particularly at three of Wayfarer’s favourite spots, Jackson Hole in Wyoming, Big Sky in Montana and Aspen Snowmass in Colorado.
Aspen Snowmass
One of the world’s most famous ski resorts, Aspen Snowmass has four mountains of phenomenal skiing alongside luxury hotels, shops and a thriving après scene.
Aspen is known the world over for its luxury hotels, shopping, phenomenal skiing and the star of Hollywood hits like Dumb and Dumber, but where did it all start?
Originally inhabited by the Ute Indians, Aspen became a silver-mining town during the mining boom of the late 1800s.
Following the devaluation of silver, Aspen experienced a cultural renaissance in the 1940s with the arrival of Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke. The Paepckes brought a vision for the community that focused on the mind, body and spirit, called ‘The Aspen Idea’.
That carries through each winter, where Aspen lives up to its reputation for phenomenal skiing and boarding.
Four ski mountains make up the terrain for the worldrenowned Aspen Snowmass resort. Aspen Mountain, locally referred to as Ajax, rises up directly from downtown, bringing a whole new meaning to ski-in/skiout, particularly when staying at the town’s premier hotel, The Little Nel.
At Buttermilk Mountain, home of the X Games, find a kids’ and beginners’ paradise where you’ll find wide runs and picturesque scenery.
Then there’s Aspen Highlands, which boasts the legendary Highland Bowl, and next door there is Snowmass, which offers the largest acreage and diversity by having something for everyone.
Snowmass is one of America’s most popular alpine playgrounds, thanks to its offering of sensational runs for both beginners and experts alike.
In the Snowmass Ski Area, expect 4,406 vertical feet, 3,342 acres of terrain, 98 trails, 21 chairlifts and access to your choice of cruisers, glades, steeps, terrain parks and halfpipes. You could say there is something for everyone here and it comes without the crowds.
The town is also home to some fantastic ski-in, ski-out properties, including one of Wayfarer’s favourites, the Viewline Resort Snowmass, alongside a plethora of dining options.
The area’s beautiful scenery and open space also lends itself well to other types of winter recreation, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, fly-fishing and hot-air ballooning.
After a hard day of play you can enjoy Aspen’s legendary après ski scene at spots like the Ajax Tavern, or head out for dinner at one of the town’s world-class restaurants.
Aspen’s big-city cultural institutions, well known for their summer programming, have plenty of events throughout the winter months as well, leaving you inspired.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST
The ski school at Aspen Snowmass is headlined by some of the best instructors in the business who can teach skiers and boarders of all levels.
If you are hitting the slopes with kids, the two mountains for you are Buttermilk and Snowmass and both offer wide runs and space aplenty to finesse the turns and gather speed.
The facilities at both resorts are fantastic for beginners and intermediates alike or those looking to develop skills on some challenging black runs.
SEE AND DO
Alongside the fantastic skiing and boarding, Aspen’s bigcity cultural institutions, well known for their summer programming, have plenty of events throughout the winter months as well.
The rafting, hiking, biking, rock-climbing, fishing, golf, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning and paragliding combined with the fresh air and natural surroundings create the perfect place to get outside and explore, all within steps of downtown.
Summertime also boasts an events calendar that can rival any major city and the quality of programming from Aspen’s diverse arts and cultural institutions is a big draw for visitors throughout the summer.
The Aspen Music Festival and School puts on an impressive 400-plus event program from June through August, while The Aspen Institute hosts signature programming and Theatre Aspen’s summer repertory features Broadway stars in an intimate theatre in the park.
WHERE TO STAY
Book a room at one of Colorado’s most luxurious hotels, The Little Nell, is Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel offers luxury services and unparalleled access to America’s most famous mountain town.
When you stay at The Little Nell, you’ll enjoy a cosmopolitan yet intimate ambiance, haute cuisine, and exclusive adventures and amenities designed to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.
The Nell is frequently recognised for its award-winning wine lists, culinary programs and dedicated service and annually hosts a range of speciality dinners and wine pairing events spanning Argentina to Italy and Australia and expect some of the world’s leading chefs to do popup events.
Here, you’ll find two restaurants, three bars and a wine cellar and a speakeasy, headlined by our favourite, Ajax Tavern, which has the best après scene in town and fantastic burgers, and The Wine Bar, which serves up fantastic vino by the glass and bottle, alongside signature cocktails.
The Little Nell also has a ski concierge service and exclusive adventures in winter, along with lush gardens in summer an outdoor pool and hot tub, plus a full-service spa that opened in December 2023.
Inspired by Walter Paepcke, a founding father of Modern-Day Aspen, The Spa embodies the Aspen Idea of caring for ‘The Mind, Body, and Spirit’. Designed to provide guests with both performance enhancement and rejuvenation, the spa menu comprises three distinct therapeutic pathways, all tailored to suit individual needs.
The Spa at The Little Nell comprises three treatment suites, each equipped with a private changing room and steam shower. Two of the suites boast a hybrid infrared sauna with halotherapy and a dedicated resting area while one is equipped with dual treatment tables. A separate guest changing area with a restroom, vanity, and steam shower is also available.
Situated next to The Spa is a new fitness center with the finest in cardio and strength equipment including Woodway treadmills, Peloton cycles, Technogym weight machines, a functional training station from TRX, and ample space for free movement and self-directed workouts.
At the Viewline Resort Snowmass, an Autograph Collection Hotel, expect contemporary mountain lodging with a 1960s flair, from the lobby through to the newly-reimagined rooms and suites on offer.
Located on the mountain, complete with a gondola from the base to drop you right back at the ski concierge after a long day of thrilling runs, Viewline Resort Snowmass is firmly about location alongside fantastic amenities.
The accommodations have views of the mountain and book a 700-square foot Classic Suite, which are infused with thoughtful touches to encourage inside-out wellness and offers plenty of space to spread out and hang out. Expect a separate living room and cozy bedroom, where you’ll be free to switch effortlessly between rest, work, or play in the comfort of your alpine ‘home’, complete with a desk for when duty calls and a sofa bed for extra family members.
Hit the hot tubs after a ski then pop by Viewline Lobby Bar for a cocktail and afterwards, score a table at Stark’s Alpine Grill, the perfect way to finish the day after enjoying the best Snowmass has to offer.
This is firmly one of America’s best ski-in, ski-out hotels and you can expect fantastic hospitality like all Autograph Collection hotels.
EAT AND DRINK
At The Little Nel, find two restaurants, three bars and a wine cellar and a speakeasy, headlined by our favourite, Ajax Tavern, which has the best après scene in town, particularly if you can score a table outside at the base of the Silver Queen Gondola. The Tavern comes to life at lunch, and the party rolls on well into the night. If you go no further on the menu, try the truffle fries and Ajax wagyu double cheeseburger.
Off the lobby, The Wine Bar is Aspen’s coziest après-ski spot, recently refreshed with an Alpine chic décor and an array of seating arrangements. A DJ spins vinyl records from 4pm-7pm on Thursdays to Sundays, while dedicated service, a full menu of wines by the glass and bottle, craft cocktails, light bites, and more are available daily.
At the Viewline Resort Snowmass, you won’t need to go far to experience brilliant culinary offerings. The two restaurants are approachable yet elevated, designed to encourage communal experiences among friends and strangers alike. Framed by stunning scenery, Stark’s Alpine Grill and Viewline Lobby Bar serve up exceptional Snowmass resort dining experiences for all.
Warm up with a fireside cocktail, experience the excitement of the essential après-ski, or refuel with the family at a cozy slopeside table after a long day of exploring Snowmass mountain.
GETTING THERE
Wayfarer recommends flying to Aspen, Colorado on United Airlines, which offers daily flights to the city from across America (including Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco) and around the world.
