A Dynamite Trip To Aspen
There is so such thing as an off season in Aspen. Here are some activities and places that can be enjoyed year around. Whether staying at the iconic St. Regis Hotel, drinking a cocktail at Justice Snows, eating top of the line cuisine, or scoping out bargains at thrift shops, you will see why Aspen is a sougt after destination.
Snuggle Up at The St. Regis Aspen Resort
Instantly feel at home with the warmth and coziness inside the St. Regis Aspen.
Step foot inside the St. Regis Aspen Resort, and you will soon realize why it’s a year-around favorite to
both locals and visitors. Then, step foot into a room and good luck ever finding the desire to check out.
Elegant designs, inspired by Aspen’s beauty, captured my attention as I sunk into a plush chair in the
hotel’s lobby. Unwind with an iconic St. Regis Bloody Mary cocktail at an indoor or outdoor fireplace.
Rumor has it that a bartender at the St. Regis New York created the first Bloody Mary in the 1930’s. The
collection of the popular cocktails has grown, with each St. Regis resort offering a version concocted
based on the surrounding atmosphere. Of course, I wasted no time ordering up Aspen’s signature
cocktail, the Downhill Red Snapper, which is served with fresh basil, two olives and pickle. Simple, yet
sophisticated.
At dinner, there is no need to travel past the hotel’s doors. Pull up a chair at the revolutionary Chefs
Club by FOOD & WINE where four of the nation’s top chefs are hand selected every six months to create
a unique menu of seasonally inspired fare. Tables provide a direct look into the kitchen so you can
watch chefs seamlessly prepare meals. Take notice of the cleverly carved snowflake inspired pattern
decorating the high vaulted ceilings.
Cleverly Carved Snowflakes Add A Special Touch to the Chefs club by FOOD & WINE
Feel tension melt away at the Remede Spa where you can indulge and relax. Begin your experience with
champagne and chocolates before unwinding with a massage, body wrap or facial. Then, take advantage
of hot and cool plunge pools, steam caves and the oxygen lounge. Dim lights and deep wooden tones
create a calming ambiance that will recharge and relax you. Cost: $25 for guests as well as non-guests.
The St. Regis Aspen
315 East Dean Street Aspen, CO 81611
(970) 920-3300
Try a new take on a cocktail at Justice Snows
If you want to venture away from the typical vodka soda with a splash of cran, look no further than Justice Snow’s restaurant and bar. If you order a standard drink at this cocktail bar you are
missing out on the chance to order a creative concoction from the world’s largest cocktail menu. If you
feel overwhelmed skimming through pages of vodka, tequila, gin and whiskey drinks- don’t panic! To
make sure you are sipping on a libation that best suits you, cocktail mechanic, Josh Peter Smith, will
work put his fortune telling spirits to work.
Leaning onto his elbows, he asked me a short series of questions. “What is your favorite color?”
I quickly answered- Royal Blue! “Where is someone you would like to vacation?” Simple: The South of
France. “Name an emotion.” Happy!
Smith buzzed around the bar strategically grabbing a handful of bottles and shaking together a
mix of booze. And bam! He presented a drink he mixed up for the first time. One of the ingredients was
made in the South of France, another splash came from a vibrant royal blue bottle and Smith assured
me it would make me happy. He was right on! “I try to make 30 new cocktails a night,” Smith tells me.
Lead Libations Liaison, Josh Smith, was recruited from Denver speakeasy William & Graham
and is shaking things up with cocktails you won’t find anywhere else.
I savored my specialty cocktail taking in the atmospheres I swiveled in my wooden stool. Situated in the
Wheeler Opera House, Justice Snow’s keeps history in the spotlight. A movie set designer recruited from
New York searched far and wide to recreate that old time feeling. Mirrors that have seen many faces
dating back to the 1850’s hang from wooden walls. Stick-on microphones are repurposed into lamps
splashing light on the walls. Glasses from estate sales and auctions are filled with Smith’s creations.
Fun tip: Make sure to check out the peepholes playing vintage film clips outside the bathroom walls.
Justice Snow’s
At the Wheeler Opera House
328 E Hyman Ave.
970.429.8192
Hiking Along Hunter Creek Trail
Carri Wilbanks hiking in Aspen
A visit to Aspen at any time of year wouldn’t be complete without some quality trail time. Even if
blazing through snow, scenic views await along Hunter Creek, a long time locals favorite. On the edge
of downtown Aspen, this adventure will take you through aspen groves, alongside rushing water of Hunter Creek and over several bridges as you climb elevation. After about 1.6 miles, the trail splits.
One option is to hook up with the Hunter Creek Cut Off (1.1 mi) and connect to the BTS Trail (.65 mi).
The BTS trail will lead you through, The Iowa Shaft House, (an abandoned mine site) which is worth the
extra footprints! The B.T.S Trail hooks up with Smuggler Mountain (1.43 mi) which takes you back to
downtown Aspen. The hike rings in for just less than five miles.
Directions:
to Hunter Creek Trail Head: From downtown Aspen, drive north on Mill Street, cross the Roaring Fork
River, bear left briefly on Red Mountain Road and turn right on Lone Pine Road. Look for the trail sign on
the left-hand side of the road.
Enjoy a Fancy Dinner at Aspen’s Casa Tua
Casa Tua steers clear from red-sauce standards, showcasing dishes that bring Northern Italian recipes into focus.
Just when you think Italian can’t get any tastier, it does. Aspen’s Casa Tua is raising the bar by
showcasing dishes that bring Northern Italian recipes into focus. Steering clear from red-sauce
standards, Italian born Miky Grendene offers several menu items that are beyond your typical
stringy noodles. Of course, you can find plenty of pasta on the menu, but prepare your palette for an
adventurous approach. The Antipasti menu offers items like tuna tartare Casa Tua Style, while the Primi
Piatti menu serves up plates or orecchiette topped with rock shrimp and clams. When it comes down to
dinner, or the Second Piatti, choose from Colorado lamb chops with artichoke crust, seared branzino or
beef tenderloin with foie grass. And, don’t even think about skipping the Dolci’s, which make
mouths water with sweets like the basil and peach panna cotta. A kids menu and bar menu are also
available.
There’s a special charm inside the restaurant that sits unassumingly inside a modern cabin on the
Copper Avenue Mall. The raw wooden atmosphere brings a homey touch but still maintains luxury. If
you are looking for a place to enjoy quiet conversation over table lit candles this restaurant is your spot!
Casa Tua Aspen
https://www.casatualifestyle.com/aspen/
403 South Galena Street
(970) 920-7277
Save Cash & Order from a Bar Menu
Swap a sophisticated atmosphere for a seat at the bar and dining in Aspen becomes surprisingly
affordable. Bar menus in Aspen adopt menu items from the dining room for a lower price. Mezzlauna,
in the heart of downtown Aspen, serves made from scratch Italian dishes in environment that is colorful
and lively. Take a seat at the Italian marble horseshow-shaped bar and get ready for fine dining with
significant savings. This bar menu serves favorites like wood fired pizzas ($7), popcorn shrimp ($8), and
roasted eggplant ($8.50). Whatever you choose, you can rest assured you are saving precious pennies and not sacrificing portions. One of the biggest steals is the steak and fries served for $15.50 if you order off the bar menu, compared to $29.50 at dinner.
Calamari is one of the most popular items from the bar menu at Aspen’s Mezzaluna Restaurant
If you are in search of a quieter spot, the restaurants dining room brings a more elegant feel. Choose
from heartier menu items like Chicken or Veal Marsala, ($19.50) Beef Tenderloin ($29.50) and Grilled
Salmon ($24.50). Pasta dishes mix up everything including English Pea Ravioli ($16.50), Penne with
Rock Shrimp ($19.50), and Linguine Carbonara ($15). Salads and soups are also tossed into the menu
mix. If you save room for dessert, order up some delicious Flourless Chocolate cake ($8.50) made in the
basement bakery.
Carri’s Catch: Search for the half moon in the several paintings that decorate the walls. Italian artists
sent over the unique works of art, each working in their own version of a half moon, staying true to
the “mezzaluna” theme.
Mezzaluna is also open for lunch (11:30-3), Happy Hour (3-5:30), and dinner (5:30-close).
https://www.mezzalunaaspen.com/
624 East Cooper Avenue
(970) 925-5882
Get Thrifty and Bring Your Shopping Bags!
Aspen may be known for its posh shopping scene ringing in high end designers, but bargains are just
as common around the ritzy town. In the same rows of shops sporting flashy names like Michael Kors,
Prada and Christian Dior, you can spot signs with welcome words such as bargains, used goods, and
consignment. If you’re looking to save some serious cash, here’s where to start.
Search for treasures and save major bucks my exploring the thrift shops in Aspen.
1. The Thrift Shop of Aspen is known for offering the lowest prices in town on everything from
clothing, house-ware goods, furniture and books but it can take some rummaging to find something that
suits your fancy. If you do find a treasure, chances are the price will put a gleam in your eye. I found a
few hot deals: a powder blue retro ski suit for $12 and a cowboy hat in excellent condition for a breezy
$5. Another bonus- Money from sales are donated to local nonprofits. Last year, the volunteer run Thrift
Shop of Aspen donated nearly $500,000 to Aspen charities and organizations.
The Thrift Shop of Aspen
422 East Hopkins Avenue
970-925-3121
2. Dollars will happily dance out of your wallet at Susie’s Limited, where surprise deals aren’t as
tricky to find. Prices at this consignment shop are steeper than Thrift Shop of Aspen but you will find everything in fantastic condition or backed with designer labels. The layout and organization make it easy to start your hunt for new wardrobe staples and accessories. The store focuses on women’s clothing, shoes and ski clothes. Don’t forget to scan the sale racks outside the Victorian home to save a little extra cash.
623 East Hopkins Avenue
(970) 920-2376
3. If designer duds are the name of your game, The Little Bird is ready to bring it! The high-end
vintage boutique only sells luxury consignment and original designs in women’s clothing, jewelry,
shoes and handbags. Prices at this fancy shop reflect the caliber of the brands such as Burberry, Jimmy
Choo, Fendi, Lanvin and Missoni. The shop does not give off a consignment feel with its well designed
and spacious layout sporting styles that may not be the most current on the runway but are not close
behind.
205 S. Mill St, Suite 221A
970-920-3830.
How could you leave out this amazing picture of a bear hanging out in the Main Street area of Aspen.
