Aspen Snowmass Ski Holidays

Après-Ski in Aspen Snowmass

There is no excuse for an early night in Aspen Snowmass! From friendly local bars to elegant restaurants and clubs, Aspen has a venue to suit everyone’s taste and budget. With over a hundred bars to choose from, there’s no shortage of options, and if a night on the dance floor, or in the billiard hall is more to your taste, there’s a place for you!

Here are some of our recommendations:

The J-Bar

This romantic long-time Aspen favourite dates back to 1889, and is even featured on the National Register of Historic Places. This saloon-like bar has been Aspen’s favourite bar for locals, visitors and celebrities for decades. With a lively buzz and Old West vibe, the J-Bar remains the town’s social hub.

Belly Up

The place to go for live music in Aspen! Musical talent from around the globe abounds-acts have included Snoop Dogg, Joe Cocker, Wyclif Jean, Ice Cube, Ben Harper, B.B. King, Seal, and countless other! Belly Up offers two full bars for guests’ enjoyment and a good selection of bar food.

Hooch Craft Cocktail Bar

The fine art of mixing drinks and small tasty bites. This is Aspen’s funkiest cocktail bar – like your living room, only more fun. Expect vintage furniture, moody lighting, fun tunes and eclectic artwork, backed up by a huge range of well-crafted cocktails and sweet and salty bites.

39 Degrees

A premier après ski location in Aspen Snowmass with an awe-inspiring mountain backdrop, 39 Degrees enjoys a chic atmosphere and a tantalizing menu with tempting appetizers and local drinks. Miami in the mountains? Maybe.

Bad Harriet

Hotel Jerome’s unique prix fixe cocktail experience. The bar has first-come, first-served seating policy, and features a set menu inclusive of cocktails and light bites. As a different après experience, this is as different as it comes.

Ajax Tavern

With a large, sunny, slopeside terrace at the base of Aspen Mountain, the Little Nell’s après bar, the peerless Ajax Tavern, is the perfect place to be at the end of an Aspen ski day. Expect pitchers of cold locally brewed beer, truffle fries, great burgers and seafood, all in an atmosphere that can be positively rowdy.

The Wine Bar (formerly Chair 9)

An absolute must-visit après spot in the Little Nell, the Wine Bar is perfect for people-watching, live music and bespoke cocktails. Relax and enjoy a glass or two of wine and a great tapas selection, or make a choice from the seafood bar.

Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro (on mountain)

This is an old ski patrol shack which is the après epicentre mid-mountain on Aspen Highlands. Pretty much a long-lunch après adventure like no other, with a stunning view and a rocking vibe

Dining in Aspen Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass offers guests a huge variety of dining options to please everyone’s palate and purse. As a hugely popular destination, booking ahead is strongly suggested, particularly between 7pm and 9pm. During busy periods such as Christmas/New Year and Easter, and for larger groups, this is particularly pertinent advice. Aspen enjoys a relaxed dress code. You may well come across those who are more formally attired but this is certainly not the expectation.

Here are a few of our recommended Aspen restaurants:

Prospect

Located within the Hotel Jerome, Prospect serves elevated yet approachable American bistro cuisine that showcases the very best local produce from the Roaring Fork Valley.

Clark’s Oyster Bar

Located within the Little Annie building, this is a bustling little venue serving the very best oysters, fresh seafood and burgers. If you like seafood then this is the place to visit in Aspen. Outstanding.

Il Poggio

The best homemade pizzas and pastas in Snowmass, Il Poggio has been serving fine Italian cuisine for over 30 years. Try the Dustina – a sausage pie spiced with Calabrian chillies.

Venga Venga

This is a casual and fun Mexican restaurant right on the slopes in Snowmass, featuring the very best street tacos, sizzling fajitas and hand-crafted margaritas.

Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro (on mountain)

This is an old ski patrol shack which is the après epicentre on Aspen Highlands. Cloud Nine is perfect for a party. Champagne is sprayed. Raclette is shared. Fondue is consumed. With an atmosphere and a view like no other, this should be on your list!

The Lounge (Aspen & Snowmass locations)

Gourmet comfort food served community-style in the Limelight Aspen’s large open-plan restaurant & bar. Serves great pizzas and a range of sharing plates, as well as the usual steak and seafood options. Expect a huge drinks menu and live music in the background. Expect pretty much the same set-up in the Limelight Snowmass too!

Jing

Serving modern Asian fusion cuisine in a chic setting and at reasonable rates. Open for both lunch and dinner.

Cache Cache

We recommend you make a reservation to sample the superior flavours of French cuisine in an upscale environment. Cache Cache’s menu includes many meat and fish choices, including rotisserie chicken, veal and rack of lamb accompanied by an extensive wine list.

Campo de Fiori

For genuine Northern Italian cuisine embodying the finest ingredients, head over to Campo di Fiori. Enjoy a glass of Italian wine to accompany your meal, and admire the spectacular mountain views as you relax in Campo di Fiori’s friendly European environs.

Kenichi

A popular venue for locals and guests alike, Kenichi serves innovative contemporary Pan-Asian cuisine, including sushi and salmon. In an elegant atmosphere, Master Chef Kiyomi Sano and executive chef Peter Coyne work hard to ensure their clients enjoy a fabulous culinary experience. Their success is apparent in this classy and lively establishment.

Matsuhisa

Reservations are strongly suggested to secure a table at this delightful restaurant, particularly during high season. Renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa, along with Nobuko Kang, has raised the art of sushi preparation to its highest level, creating masterpieces daily from the freshest and finest ingredients. Matsuhisa exudes urban chic and is deservedly a favourite Aspen destination.

Mezzaluna

Serving lunch, après-ski and dinner daily, Mezzaluna has been an Aspen favourite since 1987. It’s guests are served their choice of delicious Italian food in a lively setting with a contemporary feel. The dining room features over 100 pieces of Italian art to add a delightfully different ambiance to your dining experience.

Element 47

A popular, award-winning local venue in the fabulous Little Nell Hotel, Element 47 enjoys spectacular views of Aspen Mountain in a hip, relaxed atmosphere. Element 47 serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and features Rocky Mountain cuisine with a spectacular private wine cellar to enhance your dining pleasure.

Wild Fig

Centrally located in the heart of Aspen, Wild Fig has the intimate feel of a European brasserie. It’s menu features creative selections from France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

Activities in Aspen Snowmass

Aspen Snowmass offers guests almost limitless opportunities to enjoy a wide range of activities. The following listings are just a few of our suggestions. Participation in any of them will ensure visitors get the very best out of their trip to Aspen Snowmass!

Cat Skiing/Boarding:

Powder fanatics listen up - fresh tracks are guaranteed on a powder tour! Two experienced guides and a driver will lead each 12-person snowcat group to superb pristine stashes on the backside of Aspen Mountain. On a daily basis, the guides will employ their local knowledge to choose the best terrain for guests. Escape the bustling crowds and those frustrating lift lines and enjoy an exhilarating day, skiing on some of the best powder snow in existence, whilst taking in the awe-inspiring mountain scenery. A delicious lunch is included.

Fly Fishing:

Experience a winter activity with a difference; try your hand at fly fishing! Whether you have had previous experience or none at all, you will love the combination of river fishing in the peaceful beauty surrounding you. Aspen enjoys Gold Medal Fisheries, which feature an excellent standard of fishing unique in the area. For a perfect day, follow a morning on the slopes with an afternoon’s fishing, the supreme “double header”!

Hot Air Ballooning:

Taking to the skies during the winter season will add a very special touch to anyone’s ski holiday. Your flight will take you soaring over the stunning mountain beauty of the Aspen Snowmass region and will include John Denver’s Windstar Preserve. Toast your adventure with a glass of champagne or orange juice as you glide silently over Roaring Fork Valley. At the end of your remarkable ride, you will be presented with a flight certificate in memory of your very special day.

Paragliding:

For an exhilarating experience unlike any other, head up high with a tandem paragliding flight over Aspen or Snowmass. Anyone from the age of five upwards can enjoy the fabulous sensation of flight as you accompany your experienced pilot in this amazing activity. To aid your pilot with the launch, you takes a few running steps (rather than a jump) into the still mountain air, then relax and enjoy the highly memorable experience of free flight, awesome!

Sleigh Rides:

This one-hour horse-drawn sleigh ride is a popular, family-friendly activity that everyone will love. Snuggle down in the warmth of your blankets as you are driven through a stunning winter wonderland. Admire the peerless landscape as you are whisked through the Maroon Creek Valley on a trip that you will remember long after your holiday is over. At the culmination of your ride, head back to the lodge for cookies and hot chocolate.

Snowcat Dinner:

Travel by snowcat for a great evening of Western-style family dining and fun! You will ride over to Burlingame, an authentic mountain cabin nestled among the aspen trees. The cabin seats up to 32 diners and features a great dinner, accompanied by live entertainment. The Snowcat Dinner Ride takes place on Tuesday evenings. Your snowcat transportation collects guests at 5pm from the slope side of the Snowmass Village Mall.

Snowshoeing:

Take a fascinating two-hour guided tour through a beautiful wooded landscape as you combine the physical adventure of snowshoeing with a fascinating educational activity. Your experienced and knowledgeable local guide will pass on their knowledge of mountain ecology, local history, avalanches and much more besides! Learn how to recognize the tracks and habitats of the winter wildlife. A great activity suitable for everyone!