Travel Tips

Ask the Locals: Aspen and Snowmass Village, Colorado

Locations in this article:  Denver, CO

SkierThis weekend, Peter’s radio show is airing from the new Viceroy Snowmass in Snowmass Village, Colorado. The area’s four mountains, Ajax Mountain, Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass have made Aspen-Snowmass one of the top ski destinations in the country.

While out-of-towners tend to have the (often misguided) impression that Aspen is all about celebrities, luxury hotels and trendy restaurants, laid-back Snowmass is known for its quieter social scene and second-home market.

When listing their preferred hang-outs, the locals named their favorites in both Aspen and Snowmass Village.

Auden Schendler, Executive Director of Sustainability for Aspen Skiing Company  and author of Getting Green Done

For lunch, order the Greek salad at a local joint called Little Annie’s Eating House in Aspen. You won’t be able to finish it.

Syzygy RestaurantIf you’re looking to splurge on dinner, the newly reopened Syzygy Restaurant has re-staked its claim as one hottest spots in town, serving cutting-edge New American cuisine.

There’s nothing more classically Aspen then people-watching from the outdoor deck of The Little Nell’s Ajax Tavern. But do as the locals do and order the indulgent Double-Double burger—a tip of the hat to California’s In-N-Out Burger.

The Double Dog Brew Pub is real local favorite where you’ll find 70-year-olds mixing with Gen Y residents. Located in a basement next to the Steak Pit (the steakhouse menu is available alongside traditional pub food), this is a cozy and welcoming retreat that most tourists don’t know. To cap off the night, order a shot of Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey and chase it with a Flying Dog (local) beer, or something from the Aspen Brewery.

Find more great restaurants and places to eat in Colorado with Three Days, Nine Meals: Denver, Colorado.

Aspen NatureVisitors who want to learn more about the great outdoors should definitely check out the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, where workshops, guided tours and hands-on animal encounters are available year-round. Every day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. the Wapiti Wildlife Center offers free naturalist-guided ski tours for intermediate skiers and above.

If you’re a skier, you must, no matter how hard it is, hike to the top of Highland Bowl. It’s a half-hour hike from the top of the lift, but you access 50-degree double-diamond terrain that you could never ski in most situations because of avalanche danger. Aspen Ski Company controls the bowl however, and because it’s wide open, it’s not difficult skiing—just steep. It will change your life.

If you’re feeling tired or don’t want to ski, take a snowmobile up to the Maroon Bells—the most-photographed peaks in America—with the T Lazy 7 Ranch. Snowmobile tours are $200 for one person and $300 for two, with a minimum age of 3.

This area is full of great hikes, but good options include walking along Smuggler Mountain on the north side of town, or the Rio Grand trail along the Roaring Fork River, at the bottom of Cemetery Lane. The Rim Trail in Snowmass is another popular one and is even hikeable in sneakers.

Get more ideas for non-ski activities in What If You Don’t Ski?

Andy Broderick, Revenue Manager, Viceroy Snowmass

Although locals tend to head to Aspen at night, there are some spots within Snowmass Village that are worth a mention:

Fork with noodlesFor affordable dining, check out Mountain Dragon, where all the locals go for Chinese food, and Good Fellas for fantastic pizza.

You can find more upscale but family-friendly dining at Il Poggio, a little gem tucked into the Snowmass Village Mall that features exceptional northern Italian food and an extensive wine list.

Restaurateur Jeff Klein recently brought Japanese comfort food to Snowmass Base Village development with Buchi Tavern. Klein is also the one who founded the renowned Matsuhisa (as in Chef Nobu Matsuhisa) in Aspen. His new venture features upscale but hearty Japanese cuisine, in a more affordable and accessible venue than Matsuhisa.

Check out more destinations in our Ask the Locals Travel Guides section.

Get more information about Peter’s radio show and check out more local guests here.