Aspen can be “a lot” but that’s what attracts many to this ritzy ski town in the Rocky Mountains that on the outside is all glitz, glamour and good times.
The gaffer tape patched ski jackets of core ski bum days of yore have given way to influencers draped in vintage fur, Kemo Sabe hats and Moonboots. Old dining staples Jour de Fete, Little Annies and the 1892 treasure The Red Onion have all closed, replaced by more retail and flashier restaurants.
The celebrity shrines in the woods to the likes of Snoopy, John Denver and the Grateful Dead will always remain and if you look hard enough or know the right people to guide your eyes you’ll find the “real Aspen” where the locals wear puffer jackets and hiking boots to the ballet and discuss the challenges of climate change over a cold brew at Explore Books.
Then there’s Aspen Meadows Resort, a quiet 40 acre LEED Gold certified oasis in the west end of town. Bed down here during your Aspen stay and find respite from all the froth when you need it amongst thoughtful art, Bauhaus architecture and the best coffee in the area (no word of an Aussie coffee snob lie).
Wander aspen groves to a mountain side saline pool and cedar sauna, start your day dining on local fare with classic views of Aspen Mountain and Buttermilk and lose yourself in the art from outdoor sculptures to wall etchings.
Add some serious design heritage from Bauhaus architect, Herbert Bayer, for a modern, minimalist aesthetic with pops of colour and you know you’ve found the old Aspen, where voices and creatives matter more than Instagram numbers.
The resort is also home to the Aspen Institute, an organisation grounded in thought leadership and changemakers with the likes of Katie Couric and Katie Albright, Aspen Meadows lives its own philosophy through the institute talks and the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, an on-site museum celebrating the artist’s legacy.
All the rooms at Aspen Meadows offer separate living, sleeping and working areas with floor to ceiling glass that invites the outdoors in. Add high speed wifi, Nespresso machines and luxury bathrooms and a shuttle service to get you in and out of town and to the slopes, and you’d be forgiven for extending your stay.
Aspen Meadows is all about connection and community, expect to make friends with fellow guests in the West End Social dining and bar areas who also value calm and the option to step into the vibrant town or retreat to your suite at your leisure.
Come summer, the resort hosts film festivals and think tanks, celebrates culture and discussion while serving up warm hospitality in nature’s setting.
Our verdict? 10 out of 10 would recommend, especially for those who get over stimulated in ski town chaos and need to recharge before re-entry.
