Aspen is North America’s sweet European escape. Though you didn’t make it to Courchevel or St. Moritz this season, this small but luxurious ski town will cost you a pretty penny. Rest assured, the juice is worth the squeeze because the skiing, après, nightlife, and food are all 5 stars. This quaint historical mining town is off the beaten path and for that reason has continued to lure in the ultra wealthy over the years due its to exclusivity in location and accommodations. Because of the clientele, luxury lifestyle and ski fashion brands have all set up shop here making it a high fashion ski town destination.
There are four mountains that make up the Aspen Snowmass ski area: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass which makes this place so unique (in order of closest to farthest from DT Aspen). Aspen Mountain is the most difficult of the four resorts and is steps away from Downtown and tends to brings in a more mature crowd. Aspen Highlands is a quick bus ride from downtown and is known for Highlands Bowl, which is a spectacular ski area only accessible to those committed to the cause; it includes a moderate to advanced 40 min hike up a narrow ridgeline with steep downhill runs. Next is Snowmass, which is a 20-30 min car ride from Downtown and has the largest ski area and terrrain for every skill level. This resort has some of the most fun and long roller coaster runs and family friendly on mountain dining options. Buttermilk is the smallest of the 4 mountains and is known for their advanced ski and snowboard terrain park but is otherwise a fairly simple and easy mountain; this mountain is the focal point of X Games week. This small mountain town has the widest variety of skiers, terrain, and people making it so interesting and unique.
PSA: Turn the PJ around if you didn’t make any reservations as this is not the ski town you want to go with the flow at. Single ladies, bring your passport because you never know where the wind may take you considering everyone here rode in on their private plane *wink face*.
Après Ski
*ranked in order from rowdy to most chill
Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro | Highlands Mountain
Reservations here go faster than Beyonce's Renaissance Tour tickets so be sure to book a table as soon as you’ve picked your trip dates! This mountain bar and restaurant has a tradition like no other; they have two seating's a day that end with table top dancing while spraying bottles of Veuve across the room on your fellow après skiers. Be sure to hide your jacket under the table or you’ll be skiing down like a wet dog. If you're not interested in a sit down lunch, there is the option to stroll up for a drink at their outdoor ice bar which is also more budget friendly. Order a glass of Veuve, Rose, or beer and take in the beautiful panoramic mountain views. Fun fact: Cloud Nine has some of the largest Veuve sales in the world simply due to their pop bottles mentality!
$$$$ | Reservation
in order from left to right: Cloud Nine, Ajax Tavern, Snow Lodge
The Snow Lodge | Aspen/Ajax Mountain
This venue is new, exclusive, and expensive. The Snow Lodge is an extension of Montauk’s summer Surf Lodge in the Hamptons and definitely lives up to the hype. With noteworthy DJ performances (like Sofi Tukker, Diplo, and Duke Dumont) starting in the late afternoon until sundown, this is the perfect place to kick off the evening's festivities.
$$$$ | Reservation
Chica | Aspen/Ajax Mountain
With options to buy a table or roll up to the bar, this is a great place to finish your top to bottom ski run at Aspen mountain. Kick off your skis and roll right in to an outdoor bar and party with a live DJ and stunning views of Aspen mountain. You can also head inside to their restaurant for some of the tastiest appetizers in town!
$$$ | Reservation and Walk Up Bar
Ajax Tavern | Aspen/Ajax Mountain
Probably the most notoriously famous spot to wine and dine after a day of skiing. Ajax Tavern is located at the bottom of Aspen mountain attached to The Little Nell and adjacent to the Silver Queen Gondola. The restaurant has a glorious outdoor patio which is the perfect spot to soak up the last rays of sun while enjoying your après sips. Reservations here are free and you can easily feel like royalty without having spent an arm and leg compared to some of the other après ski spots in town. You mustn’t skip out on their famous Garlic Truffle Fries and burger. Once the tables and bar are full, you'll catch everyone dancing to the live DJ until sun down.
$$$ | Reservation and Walk Up Bar
Venga Venga | Snowmass Mountain
If you end up at the more family friendly Snowmass mountain, Venga Venga is the place to be. The restaurant deck wraps around the building and is a quarter of the way up the Village Express chairlift (lookers right) so you still feel like you are very much up on the mountain. People still wear their ski boots to après at Venga Venga which is a rarity in Aspen. This bar is truly so fun and has the best vibes. Not to mention they have a great selection of Mexican food and a full tequila bar and guests are highly encouraged to rip it on the shot ski. A look we truly love, cheers!
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Basecamp Bar & Grill & Elk Camp | Snowmass Village
These two spots are one run away from each other, both with similar outdoor patio options with great food and music. With beautiful views of Snowmass mountain, you can stroll up here boots and all for some outdoor drinking and appetizers. They provide for a great après atmosphere and a fabulous way to end a day of skiing. If you are at Elk Camp, take your sweet time with the last drink and enjoy an empty ski run back down to Snowmass base.
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The Red Onion | Aspen Downtown
This spot is conveniently located a couple blocks away from the Aspen gondola. People would coin this a more chill local spot to decompress after a solid day of skiing. With live music and a good assortment of bar food, The Red Onion provides a low key pub vibe which is exactly what people want in a chic mountain town.
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Nightlife
Belly Up | Aspen
No ticket - no luck! We'd definitely recommend checking the website's show lineup once you have booked your trip. Belly Up is known for bringing in top musical acts, so make sure you get your tickets ASAP; you don’t want to be the only one left at the door while everyone is dancing the night away to Big Gigantic, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Steve Aoki to name a few...
$$$ | Reservation
Escobar Aspen | Aspen Downtown
A true Aspen staple, this bar and club will have you booty bumping all night long. Not only is it visually appealing to the eye with its super fun neon lights and floor to ceiling mirrors, the interior is meant to replicate the inside of a plane and spaceship which bring another level of fun to this bar. Come here if you want a unique and futuristic club experience - we dig it.
$$$ | Reservation and Walk Up Bar
J Bar & The Living Room | Hotel Jerome
If you’re trying to avoid the extreme hangover one typically gets from a night out in Aspen, look no further than the swanky J Bar and The Living Room at Hotel Jerome. Both lounges are super trendy with chic mountain décor, unique assortment of cocktails, and are dimly lit which create a seriously sexy ambience. The Living Room resembles a chic upscale bar version of a Ralph Lauren store which is always fun. Don’t forget to throw on your furs and cowboy gear to blend in with the crowds.
$$$ | Reservation and Walk Up Bar
in order from left to right: Escobar, The Living Room
7908 Aspen | Aspen Downtown
If you're looking for a two in one, come here for dinner and walk straight into the back room to the club. Dinner has supper club vibes with fun music, food, and people watching. Once you've paid the bill, walk no more than 50 feet to drop it on the dance floor.
Note: this venue is currently under construction
$$$ | Reservation and Walk Up Bar
Where to Stay
At the heart of Aspen is a large supply of hotels, condo, and Airbnb options with some of the most coveted hotels being: The Little Nell, The W, Hotel Jerome, The St. Regis, and the Limelight which are all a short walk to the base of Aspen mountain. We’d recommend staying in the heart of Aspen as the majority of notable bars and restaurants are in town and walking distance to the ski lifts.
There are free buses and shuttles that come and go from all ski areas making it easy to skip around to the different resorts during the day and and an easy walk around town in the evening.
While Snowmass is a 20-30 minute bus and car ride to the heart of Aspen, many people like to stay at the larger resorts and condos here which are a bit more affordable and family friends; there are also more ski in ski out options. Not only does Snowmass have great skiable terrain for everyone in your group, but they also have great après options and plenty of restaurants so you never have to leave!
Getting There
A lot of people get into town by commercial plane or private jet - but be careful as the weather and winds in Aspen’s valley disrupt A LOT of flights. Many people end up driving in from Denver, but make sure to plan ahead because it can be anywhere from three to five hours depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Once in Aspen, there are free city shuttles that help facilitate getting skiers to the different resorts that make up Aspen. The city shuttles even run through the night if you'd like free and reliable transportation to restaurants and bars in Aspen downtown! Just check the bus schedule here.