Aspen Snowmass: Four Days on the Slopes!

If there were any more haute destination for a ski holiday than Aspen, I don’t know it!  A perfect mix of old and new, Aspen’s brick facades from the 1800s house art galleries, upscale dining, and chi-chi shops.  Combine this glitzy town with 3 other nearby mountains, and you have the Aspen Snowmass resort.  This February, the Haute Holidays team had the chance to experience Aspen Snowmass with a wonderful four night stay at the Viceroy Snowmass resort!

FYI, our clients enjoy the following perks at the Viceroy Snowmass:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary buffet breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests, in restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

There are several direct flights per day (depending on season) between DFW and Aspen, and the flight is just around 2 hours- super easy!!  The airport is just 15-20 minutes from any of the accommodations on the surrounding mountains- it’s a breeze to land and be at your hotel so quickly.

The Viceroy Snowmass is the only Viceroy located on a ski mountain, and we LOVED the modern yet cozy aesthetic.  A huge electric fireplace surrounded by cozy chairs and sofas to sink into greets you upon entrance, and just to the side is Toro, a Richard Sandoval restaurant that specializes in Latin fare and is also where the breakfast buffet is served (healthy food fuel and a large mug of coffee are pre-ski must-haves for me!!).

The Viceroy Snowmass has 173 residentially appointed accommodations ranging in size from a studio residence up to a 3 and 4 bedroom penthouse residence.  We shared a one bedroom residence, which had a living area, small kitchen, washer/dryer and little TV room just inside the entrance.  This is plenty of space for a family to stretch out as well, since the sofas are sleepers.

On the bottom floor of the resort is the ski rental shop where they will set you up with your ski gear.. you may also order online ahead of time like I did and just pick it up on arrival!  You can head right out the door to the slopes and then back down at the end of the day where the ski concierge will take your things on the spot and store them til the next day.  There’s also a fun patio by the ski check spot with a roaring fire pit and great apres ski scene come 3-4pm!  Finally, a heated outdoor pool if you are brave enough to swim in the winter.. but surely a welcome amenity when traveling in the summer!

Aspen Snowmass as a whole is so easy to navigate and has something for everyone, from serious ski bums to fancy apres-skiers dressed in fur.  Did you know that this resort is actually made up of FOUR different mountains?

Snowmass– this is the most family-friendly of the 4 mountains and with over 3,000 skiable acres and 150 trails, is larger than the other three combined!  There is a large kids ski school at the base of the gondola and a good mix of green and blue terrain with the black diamonds.  Plenty of lodging dots the small village base at the gondola, including several new hotels due to open in the next year.  The Viceroy is conveniently located for ski-in, ski-out and is a short 5 minute walk to the village and also to the bus station.

Aspen– mostly advanced terrain, a smaller mountain with 675 skiable acres and 76 trails, mostly blacks and double black diamonds.  Also called “Ajax” this mountain does not have a kids ski school and is probably better for adults and expert skiers!  Finish your day by skiing right down into town to the Little Nell hotel (located at the base of the gondola) with it’s iconic Ajax Tavern patio being THE place to see and be seen for apres ski.  Alternately, if you wish to stay IN Aspen, our clients get GREAT PERKS at the Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, and the St. Regis Aspen.  We have access to great villas and homes as well!

Aspen Highlands– for expert skiers and locals.. over half of the runs are double black diamonds, and it is known for its back bowls.  And yes, for its apres ski scene at the rowdy Cloud 9 Bistro, which I’m told is one of the largest consumers of Veuve Cliquot in the world.  Did not make it here this trip but hopefully next time!  Note that if this is on your list, reservations for the 2pm seating are notoriously difficult to get, and once you’re up there.. there is only one way down.  On your skis.

Buttermilk– the easiest and most gentle of the four mountains.. contains the most beginner terrain and is popular for hosting the Winter X Games.  There are just 470 skiable acres and 44 trails.

A local bus system connects all four resorts, and we can personally attest that these are clean and efficient city buses!  From the Viceroy, we would walk 5 minutes to the bus stop and 30 minutes later were in the center of Aspen town for shopping and dining.

We stuck mostly to skiing Snowmass, as there really is so much terrain, and so varied, that I skied there 3 days straight and never felt bored!  And to have the added perk of being able to move from resort to resort easily was a bonus perk!  The Snowmass village is more compact, whereas Aspen town is a glitzier mountain town with everything you could want- fun bars, great dining, cute shops.  It’s really fun to walk around in the evening, and the dining choices are phenomenal!!  We suggest apres ski at Ajax or Cloud Nine (both at the Little Nell) and then put on your best puffer coat and furry boots to head out to dinner.  We LOVED:

• Campo dei Fiori – a low-key authentic Italian place downstairs at Mill Street Plaza which opens their outside patio in the summer for al fresco dining.  Great laid-back atmosphere that locals love, too
• The Wild Fig – super cute little bungalow with Meditteranean cuisine and a European feel.  Enjoy a candlelit dinner beginning with the farmstead cheese board and a Fig & Olive cocktail.. heaven!!
• La Creperie du Village – enter this cozy hideaway and blink, and you may think you are in France or Switzerland!  This spot was my favorite, the furry backed chairs, the dim candles, the shelves of champagne.. this romantic (and tiny!) fondue restaurant has amazing sweet and savory crepes!

I can’t wait to return to Aspen Snowmass someday soon to ski again and take in all the area has to offer!  It would be especially pretty in the summer as well.. and who doesn’t love the Rockies when the weather warms up??  Hiking, biking, food & wine festivals.. a perfect year-round destination.  Please ask us for more details and for the best accommodations & perks for you!

Cheers!
The Haute Holidays Team