The Happiness Function

Are you ready to plan a fun winter getaway skiing and snowboarding in Aspen, Colorado?

This article includes an overview of the four ski resorts, how to experience Aspen like a local, delicious and affordable restaurants, where to stay, how to save money, and fun après ski activities.

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How To Visit Aspen Like a Local

Having lived in Colorado for many years, my husband and I frequented all of the mountains under the Aspen umbrella.

We used to live in Grand Junction and Breckenridge. We would drive to the resorts to snowboard and then go home. In fact, our first date was snowboarding in Aspen.

We moved to Oklahoma a few years ago (for work), and the next time we visited Aspen, we tried as much as possible to visit like we were still locals.

We were in Aspen so Pablo could participate in a two-day clinic to keep up with his American Association of Snowboard Instructors (Rocky Mountain Division) Certification III status. Pablo taught back-to-back ski seasons in Colorado and Patagonia for over ten years.

We wanted to write a guide for you on how to spend a nice weekend in the Aspen area.

Planning Your Trip to Aspen Colorado

Aspen is not like what mainstream media and Hollywood depict if you don’t want it to be. Meaning, Aspen is not just for the Kardashians and Hollywood A-listers. In fact, you probably wouldn’t even know who is who because everyone has their ski gear on.

I wanted to bring this up in case you aren’t from Western Colorado. Aspen is a cool place to visit. The resorts have wonderful skiing and snowboarding.

The Aspen Mountain Resorts

There are four Aspen Mountain ski resorts:

• Aspen Mountain – We love that you can access the lifts from downtown.
• Aspen Highlands – It is steeper, the resort southwest of downtown, and it usually has fewer crowds.
• Snowmass – This is our personal favorite resort for snowboarding.
• Buttermilk – This is also excellent for snowboarding.

Pass information updates yearly, and you can get more information online.

Where To Stay

Renting a private condo is the way to go.

There are lots of condos in the area with comfortable accommodations, including hot tubs, kitchens, and ski-in/ski-out options. Be sure to plan ahead, though — like months ahead because prime locations get booked in advance.

Find a place close to downtown so you can walk around and enjoy shopping, restaurants, coffee shops, and the yoga studios.

Find mid-budget places to stay in Aspen.

Public Transportation and Getting Around

The Roaring Fork Valley, which includes Aspen, Carbondale, Basalt, and Glenwood Springs, has amazing free public transportation. There are many stops to get you where you need to go, including around town, to the ski resorts, restaurants, and lodges.

You don’t need to rent a car. Check out the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) website ahead of time for restrictions and to plan your routes.

RFTA has a diverse fleet of buses that run on natural gas (CNG) and near-zero-emission electric batteries in case you like sustainable transportation facts like me.

Flying into Aspen

Flying into Aspen is a piece of cake as long as the weather isn’t bad in Denver or Aspen.

You will have a connection before flying into Aspen, depending on your carrier. It is a small airport. You get in. You get out.

To us, it is worth flying directly into Aspen, so you don’t have to waste vacation time driving. You also save money by not having to rent a car or park a car.

RFTA has a stop right by the airport, so just grab your gear and hop onto your route, heading to wherever you stay.

Uber is available in Aspen if you don’t want to take the bus initially with all your bags.

The Scoop on Flying Your Gear

Pablo and I pack two bags each. We take a medium-sized duffel bag (or carry-on suitcase) and a snowboard bag.

Having these two bags allows us to easily maneuver public transportation and walk around the airports.

We haven’t had problems flying our snowboards at all. Just make sure you pack your bag and gear well so nothing gets damaged while flying. It is worth having your own creature comforts.

Also, make sure you have warm gear and shoes in your carry-on just in case your checked bags are delayed.

What To Pack for a Snowboarding Trip

Layer, layer, layer. Pack light, re-wearable items and layer to stay warm and dry.

It is even better if your condo has a washer and dryer. Get travel-size detergent. Then you can pack even lighter.

Check out our article on what to wear snowboarding. We detail how to layer and gear we both like.

Tips for Saving Money in Aspen

Buy Groceries and Eat at Your Condo

Aspen can be expensive. But one of the ways you can save money while visiting is buying groceries instead of going out to eat.

One of the more practical reasons for renting a condo is so you can prepare your own food. There are a few grocery stores downtown.

We typically eat breakfast at our condo, take snacks for snowboarding, and then eat dinner at our condo or go out.

Use RFTA

Use the free RFTA buses to get around. You can practically walk or shuttle everywhere. Aspen is small, and you don’t need a car.

Visit in the Off-Season

Visiting in the late spring is a great time to catch off-season deals for accommodations and end-of-season gear. Plus, there are fewer crowds.

Where To Eat in Aspen

We love coffee, sushi, and Thai food! We made it a point to track down some delicious venues serving our favorites.

Coffee & Bakery Snack: Check out Jour de Fete. It’s a cute and quaint coffee house. We ordered a chai, latte, and gluten-free pastry.

Sushi: Try Kenichi Aspen. We ordered the Blake, Rainbow, Otoro with rice, and Dynamo sushi. It is some of the best sushi I have ever had in my life.

Thai: We love Bangkok Happy Bowl Thai Bistro & Bar. The green curry is my favorite and Pablo always orders the Pad Thai.

Where To Go for Après Ski

If you’re not too tired after snowboarding and skiing all day, there are many other wonderful things to do in the area.

Glenwood Hot Springs: Hop on the RFTA and head to Glenwood Springs Hot Springs. The warm pools are dreamy to soak in after a long day on the mountain. Plan about an hour for transportation each way and a few hours for soaking.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs: is the newest place to soak in Glenwood. They have adult-only pools.

Yoga: Stretch your tired muscles with a yoga class. I walked to Aspen Shakti and enjoyed the vibe. I took a relaxing restorative class while Pablo was doing his class. You can book online, which guarantees a spot.

Spas: I had a massage at the St. Regis Spa and loved it. Before or after your massage, you can enjoy the waterfall pools and hot tub. There is also an oxygen bar which is a neat experience since you’re at high elevation.

Shopping

Aspen is known for its shopping scene. Downtown is dotted with luxury designer brands mixed in with local boutique shops and restaurants.

There are winter gear stores galore. Depending on the time of year you visit, you might be able to get a great deal on winter gear.

And, if you pack light and forget something, I’m sure you can find a superb replacement. It’s always fun to get new gear.

Final Thoughts

We hope you have a great winter trip to Aspen. Being in the mountains is always a soulful and uplifting experience.

Ashlee & Pablo

Featured image credit: iStock.com/sboice.

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