What to do in Aspen this Halloween

What are you gonna be for Halloween? More importantly, Where are you gonna be for Halloween? The answer should be Aspen. Here’s what’s going on in Aspen to make your Halloween spooky-fun. We’ll leave the costume up to you. Take a walk on the dark side Dean’s Aspen Walking Tours will lead you through the […]

Skiers around the Cliffhouse Restaurant on Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen.

Get the Download on Buttermilk Mountain

Buttermilk is Aspen’s Homecoming Queen. Everybody loves her. She’s hot and sweet and goodhearted too. She runs with the sickest shredders as host of the X Games, but her wide open groomers are kisses blown to the rest of us. Even the gapiest of gapers harbors dreams that he just might land big air in […]

aspen dogs

The Joys of Dog-Friendly Aspen

If you’re a dog person, then it’s a given that your pooch isn’t a pet so much as family member. Animal lovers implicitly understand this stuff. One of the best things about ski towns is that they’re so dog-friendly: Canines are allowed into many hotels, shops and bars, and welcomed on restaurant patios. I’ve seen dogs (full-sized […]

skiing aspen

How to Avoid Being a Gaper…Even if You Are One.

I clearly recall the first time I heard the term “gaper.” I was visiting my teenaged nephew, who resides in Lake Tahoe, and he was regaling me with stories about his day. At the time, he was on the Squaw Valley Ski Team, and as a longtime Tahoe grom, he had (and retains) little patience […]

so long sweet summer

So Long Sweet Summer 2014

Ah, summer. Such a bittersweet goodbye. Snow is dusting the peaks, and we’ll will soon be reveling in the steeps and deeps. It’s been an amazing summer in Aspen! We’re going to miss those hot days and warm nights—with just enough nip in the air to keep the puffy on standby … bluebird skies over […]

limelight beer

5 Colorado Beers You Gotta Try this Fall

I’m fond of saying there’s a tap in every town in Colorado, and with over 200 craft breweries and counting statewide, it seems I’m not far off the mark. Colorado beer has become synonymous with excellence over the last two decades (few things are more conducive to a cold one than a day on the […]

Shoulder season in aspen

Shoulder Season in Aspen – Activities to Do Now

It’s officially shoulder season in Aspen, which to the uninitiated means you have the fall foliage and idyllic Indian summer days (global warming notwithstanding) to yourself. It is, therefore, the ideal time to visit, especially because you can avail yourself of great deals, from the Limelight packages, to local restaurant, bar, and outdoor activity specials. […]

guide to seeing maroon bells

Insider’s Guide to Seeing Maroon Bells

There’s good reason the Maroon Bells are the most photographed peaks in North America: They’re stunning and easy to get to. When you’re in Aspen, you’ve got to go see these geologic celebrities. Here’s your insider’s guide to seeing Maroon Bells. Catch the shuttle Private vehicles are restricted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, […]

colorado-cuisine

Distinctive Colorado Cuisine and Where to Get It

My friend Bill is an executive chef at Beano’s Cabin in Beaver Creek. Recently, I spent a day helping him forage various wildfoods for his restaurant. As we skulked around in the forest looking for porcini and huckleberries, I asked what inspired him to feature foraged foods on his menu. “There’s no identity to Colorado cuisine other […]

hanging lake

Stunning Waterfall Hikes Near Aspen

There’s good reason waterfalls are always included on sound machines and relaxation soundtracks—the sound of falling water is good for the soul. The sight of it is even better. You can lift your body and spirit with a hike to these waterfalls near Aspen. The Grottos The Grottos is a popular and unique spot 9 […]

scenic aspen

Driving to Aspen: The Most Scenic Routes

The journey of getting to Aspen is almost as good as being here. Roll down the windows. Rock your favorite playlist. And get your mountain vibe on before you arrive. Here are the most scenic routes for driving to Aspen. The Stairway to Heaven From the East: Hwy 285 west from Denver, Hwy 24 north, […]

colorado-cuisine

Colorado Foods: Sweet in Summertime

Summer comes late to the Rockies, which is both a blessing and a curse from a food-lover’s standpoint. In the Aspen region, we have to wait a bit longer for stonefruit like peaches and cherries, but the payoff is so sweet and luscious, it’s garnered national renown. With summer produce now at its peak, I […]