30 December 2024 |
WHERE TO STAY, EXPLORE, AND EAT.
Is it winter if you don’t see scenes from snowy Aspen filling up your social media feeds? The Colorado mountain town is equal parts luxury getaway and outdoor haven. With world class skiing for beginners and advanced alike, Aspen also offers plenty of challenging trails and boasts nearly 300” of snow yearly. For those who prefer less thrill seeking pursuits, there’s also plenty of shopping and galleries to keep one entertained. And regardless of what your day brings, chances are you’ll work up quite the appetite. Good thing the town offers an impressive array of restaurants and bars to satisfy every palate. Here’s where you should stay, explore, and eat.
STAY
For a convenient yet luxurious place to retreat to each evening, look no further than the W Aspen. Located mere steps away from the Silver Queen Gondola and a short walk from the best of what the town has to offer, the hotel serves as the perfect base for your ski getaway. With 88 rooms as well as 11 residence options, the space is designed as a modern take on a Swiss mountain chalet with furniture inspired by the decadence of Aspen in the 1970s. Spacious interiors allow you to unpack all of your ski gear, although if you’d rather not schlep your stuff, there’s also a rental shop in the building. With a 24-hour room service menu along with two new food and beverage options, HaSalon by Chef Eyal Shani and HIDALGO by Dushan Zarić, you’ll never find yourself without a delicious meal or drink in hand. Should you need somewhere to relax with friends, head up to the roof where a heated pool and hot tub will help ease those sore muscles. Rather not get wet? Enjoy the fire pits with a cozy drink courtesy of the rooftop bar and watch the sunset over the mountains.
DINING AND DRINKING
Running from now until April 2025, HaSalon is a fine dining concept created by Tel Aviv Chef Eyal Shani. With locations in New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and now Aspen, expect an ever-changing Mediterranean-inspired menu with a focus on ingredients. Highlights include charred beetroot carpaccio, baby potatoes topped with Osetra caviar, thinly sliced fig served alongside honey and blue cheese as well as heartier fare like ribeye steaks and decadent pastas. Don’t forget dessert, including a cheesecake well worth the stomach space. For those seeking an intimate experience, make your booking for before 8 p.m. while those who want a lively meal can expect a DJ, dancing, and napkin twirling for all reservations afterwards.
Also new to the W Aspen this season is Hidalgo, a bar concept courtesy of Dushan Zarić, the brains behind Employees Only. Featuring rich velvet decor, the space is designed for lounging and enjoying a cocktail or several. Highlights include their take on the margarita as well as a tequila-based espresso martini that is guaranteed to keep you awake. For those who want to dive into agave-based spirits, Hidalgo also offers tasting flights accompanied by little sips meant to perfectly complement each style of tequila. Should you get hungry, Mexican bites can be ordered with the guacamole proving to be the ideal drinking snack.
Located at the base of Aspen mountain, Ajax Tavern gets buzzing around lunchtime as hungry skiers and snowboarders along with regular diners alike jostle for table space. It’s well worth the wait though. Make it a point to order the grilled cheese and tomato soup as well as the truffle fries. Portions are sizable, making it easy to share if you’re looking to get back on the slopes after a hearty meal. On sunny days, grab a seat outside and watch everyone descend down the mountain.
Located in a former miner’s cabin on 316 East Hopkins Avenue, Steak House 316 is exactly as its name describes: a place where one can get a perfectly cooked steak. With a film noir-inspired interior, the velvet seating and richly wallpapered walls offer a louche vibe from which to dive into ribeyes washed down with martinis. Tack on the onion rings, if only for the sheer spectacle of having a massive tower presented before you.
For those craving lighter fare head to Matsuhisa, one of the many restaurants in Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s empire. Favorites like the black miso cod, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, as well as an assortment of sushi rolls are on the menu as well as an omakase for those who can’t decide.
TO DO
Enjoy a Ski Day
Obviously, in a ski town one must at least try to spend one day on the slopes at Aspen Snowmass. Beginners should make their way to Buttermilk, where gentle runs beckon as well as a chance to watch some of the world’s best train in their terrain park and halfpipe. More advanced skiers and snowboarders can take their pick from Aspen, Snowmass, and Highlands, with Highlands home to the infamous Cloud 9 Bistro where champagne showers abound. Does the thought of sliding down snow sound terrifying? Take a gondola ride up to the top of Aspen, take in the view along with the requisite pictures, and then head back the way you came up.
Take in an Art Exhibit
Located in the heart of the town, Aspen Art Museum is a thoughtfully curated space devoted to exhibitions versus permanent collections. Currently each floor houses one to two artists with the likes of photographer Heji Shin’s images of America as well as Megan Marrin’s paintings among the works. Make it a point to head to the second floor and see Ugo Rondinone’s work, the rainbow body. The vivid installation features 13 life-sized wax casts of nude dancers scattered throughout the multicolored room and references a spiritual rite in Tibetan Buddhism in which the body is transformed into light upon death.
Browse the Shops
With the likes of Ralph Lauren, Prada, and Brunello Cucinelli among the shops located in the town’s main strip, it’s easy to see why Aspen is a luxury shopping destination. Walk around and browse exclusive collections made for après-ski style. Pro tip: if you can’t find something in your size elsewhere, chances are they’ll carry that item at their Aspen location — on a recent visit someone tracked down a pair of Bottega Veneta woven lace-ups in their size that was sold out everywhere in New York City.
