Elevated City Guides: Aspen
When we said you need a girls’ weekend in Aspen, we meant it.
Aspen is a “ski town” about 4 hours west of Denver. The drive from Denver is a little long, but it’s a beautiful drive through the mountains and through Glenwood Canyon. If you’re flying in, fly into Denver to save money, or fly directly into Aspen - especially if you have a private jet.
We say “ski town” because it is far from a sleepy, rustic mountain town. Strolling the streets you’ll see stores like Valentino and Kemo Sabe, and probably a celebrity or two. Aspen is the winter playground for the top of the 1%. So, why not pretend for a weekend and visit with your girls?
Where to stay:
This answer definitely depends on your budget. There are AirBnb options available, depending on the size of your group. You can look in both Snowmass and Aspen - and the free bus runs every 15 minutes-ish between the towns to make it easy to get back and forth. If you want to be in Aspen in the lap of luxury, check out the St. Regis, Hotel Jerome, or Little Nell. If you want a ski-in, ski-out hotel for a little less, the Viceroy Snowmass is right on the slopes with a Gorsuch Coffee Shop and a large outdoor pool and hot tub on property.
Where to eat and drink:
This list could be endless, considering how many high-end options you’ll have, but here are a few favorites:
Betula - the best cocktails in the most fun glassware
Bear Den - it’s giving swiss chalet fondue
White House Tavern - cute corner shop with delicious fare
Velvet Buck - approachable food, fun vibes
J-Bar - the lobby bar at Hotel Jerome
Escobar - a full-on night club
What to do:
Ski, of course! If you’re going in the winter, the Aspen resorts are made up of four different mountains: AJAX, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. All four are serviced by a free bus to make it easy to get between the mountains. If you have multiple days to ski, try out different mountains - all four are world-class resorts with great mid-mountain stops for food and drinks. If you’re at Snowmass, find Sam’s for a bite, and if you’re on AJAX, don’t skip Cloud 9’s après.
Look for live music listings. We went for Palm Tree Festival (an annual festival hosted by electronic DJ Kygo). But on any given weekend you’ll find great shows around town, primarily at Belly Up - Aspen’s mainstay live music stop. Look at the lineup ahead of time for tickets.
Shop. Like we said, the shopping in Aspen is exquisite. If you’re coming in with a big shopping budget, go crazy. Kemo Sabe is the famous hattery - with a bar in the middle - but go ready to spend four figures on a hat…
In the summer, Aspen has some of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado. Focus on trails around the Maroon Bells for all your wildflower dreams, and craggy peaks, famous in Colorado’s nature scenery.
Now gather up your girlfriends, pack your cutest fur coats, and hit the road!
