Aspen is America's most famous skiing destination, a place where Hollywood stars come to be seen. Traversing the town's streets in fluorescent parkas, cowboy hats and fur-lined boots - without attracting stares - is just one of its many charms. You can also run shrieking from a snowdrift to a hot tub, or drink toddies by the fire. The food is tasty, the snow powdery and the parties go on late, but don't let the glamour distract you from Aspen's greatest asset - views like this don't come cheap.
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
If you have a Stetson, wear it. If not, buy one here. |
| 02 |
Don't bother renting a car. Free shuttle buses are easy, parking is not. |
| 03 |
Aspen has lots of off-season festivals: opera, comedy, food and wine - check the calendar when planning your trip. |
| 04 |
Steep runs and moguls not your thing? Try cross-country skiing instead. |
| 05 |
Request a room with a fireplace. |
| 06 |
Trophy wives don't have windburn - indulge in some fancy sun block from Cos Bar. |
| 07 |
The hotel lobby might provide better entertainment than your room's TV. |
| 08 |
It wouldn't be the wild west without whiskey. |
| 09 |
Carl's Pharmacy stocks foot warmers for long days on the slopes. |
| 10 |
Don't break any bones. |
02
Hotels
Independent and easy
Hotel Lenado
200 South Aspen Street
+ 1 970 925 6246
hotellenado.com
Dependable chain
Hyatt Grand Aspen
415 East Dean Street
+ 1 970 429 9100
aspen.hyatt.com
Premium
The Little Nell
675 East Durant Avenue
+ 1 970 920 4600
thelittlenell.com
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Ink! Coffee
520 East Durant Street
+ 1 970 544 0588
inkcoffee.com
Leisurely breakfast
Wienerstube
633 East Hyman Avenue
+ 1 970 925 3357
Breakfast on the piste
The Sundeck
At the top of Aspen Mountain
+ 1 970 429 6971
Lunch with friends
Little Annie's Eating House
517 East Hyman Avenue
+ 1 970 925 1098
Deli to get picnic food
Specialty Foods of Aspen & The Cheese Shop
601 East Hopkins Avenue
+ 1 970 544 6656
Lunch on the piste
Bonnie's
Above Lift 3 on Aspen Mountain
+ 1 970 925 1220
Sunset cocktail
Shadow Mountain Lounge at the St Regis
315 East Dean Street
+ 1 970 920 3300
stregisaspen.com
Early bite
Matsuhisa
303 East Main Street
+ 1 970 544 6628
nobumatsuhisa.com
Dinner for two
Syzygy
520 East Hyman Avenue
+ 1 970 925 3700
syzygyrestaurant.com
Dinner with friends
D19
305 South Mill Street
+ 1 970 925 6019
Best dinner on piste
Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro
At the top of Cloud Nine Lift
+ 1 970 923 8721
Big dinner with friends
Cantina
411 East Main Street
+ 1 970 925 3663
cantina-aspen.com
Drink after dinner
39 Degrees Lounge at the Sky Hotel
709 East Durant Avenue
+ 1 970 925 6760
skyhotel.com
Late drinks
The J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome
330 East Main Street
+ 1 970 920 1000
hoteljerome.rockresorts.com
On the tiles
315 East Hyman Avenue
+ 1 970 920 6707
Late drinks
The J-Bar at the Hotel Jerome
330 East Main Street
+ 1 970 920 1000
hoteljerome.rockresorts.com
04
Reading
Explore Booksellers & Bistro
221 East Main Street
+ 1 970 925 5336
explorebooksellers.com
05 Equipment
Performance Ski
408 South Hunter Street
+ 1 970 925 8657
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Stetsons and boots by Kemo Sabe
434 East Cooper Avenue
+ 1 970 925 7878
kemosabe.com
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and underwear
Carl's Pharmacy
306 East Main Street
1 970 925 3273
Something for the kids
Toys from Short Sport
613 East Cooper Avenue
+ 1 800 547 8697
shortsport.com
Something for someone you love
Jewellery from Pierre/Famille
600 East Cooper Avenue
+ 1 970 925 9161
pierrefamille.com
Something for yourself
Skincare from Cos Bar of Aspen
309 South Galena Street
+ 1 970 925 6249
cosbar.com
07
Two-hour tour
Take a tour of abandoned wild-west boom towns with visits to historic Redstone, Lenard, and Independence.
aspenhistory.org
08
Limousine/car
Smiddy Limousine
Post Office Box 8866
+ 1 970 925 7505
smiddylimoaspen.com
09
Transport
Ski-pass information
A one-day adult lift-ticket pass, which provides access to all four mountains, was $82 (€59) last season. A five-day pass was $380 (€275).
Shuttle
Free town shuttle covers most of the town and recreation access points.
10
Fitness
Good gym
The Aspen Club & Spa
1450 Crystal Lake Road
+ 1 970 925 8900
aspenclub.com
Good running route
Rio Grande Trail
Access the trail at the Mill Street bridge near the Aspen Post Office.
aspenpitkin.com
Alternative diversion
Krabloonik Dogsled Rides
4250 Divide Road, Snowmass Village
+ 1 970 923 4342
krabloonik.com