The weekend before Christmas, we managed to sneak in a quick 3 night adult getaway to Aspen for a ski trip. It was so fun to escape with adults to the slopes because it is something we haven’t done since we started having kids 9+ years ago!
To give a little history, my Dad started this boys ski trip tradition back when he was in college like 50 years ago I guess and when my brothers were in college they would get to go too! When my Dad passed away 9 years ago, my brother kept the tradition going! So, the boys took their ski trip this year and then a few of us girls came and met them out there after the boys trip was done and we made a long weekend out of it! The trip is always to Aspen and it has always held a special place in my heart because my Dad loved it so much. I wrote a post 8 years ago sharing how we took a trip to Aspen after my Dad passed away to spread some of his ashes on Aspen Mountain! So whenever we ski the mountain, we get to feel extra close to our Papa Bear!
So us girls flew out to meet the boys on Thursday and got there in time for lunch! We met the boys for lunch at Ajax Tavern at the base of Aspen and then all went to get fitted for our skis and boots.
Thursday evening we all got showered and changed to have drinks at the Hotel Jerome which is so beautiful. They have a fun, moody bar that is perfectly hip and cozy. The people watching is always fun and of course checking out all the fashion is my favorite.
F0r dinner, we had reservations at Matsuhisa which is underground and a delicious menu. This is a Nobu restaurant with a Japanese cuisine. I would highly recommend the Black cod and the Nobu Crispy Rice with Tuna.
On our first full day, we took the bus over to Snowmass to ski. We truly lucked out with the most gorgeous weather for the 4 days we were there. It was really cold, but it was sunny and we had great snow. It had snowed several of the days prior to us arriving in Aspen, so it made for great ski conditions.
For dinner our second night, we went to dinner at the French Alpine Bistro. It was the tiniest little mini ski chalet and you felt like you were in France or a tiny little NYC restaurant. We were amazed at what the chefs could produce from the tiniest little kitchen and the cocktails were incredible too! I highly recommend ordering the Aspen Mindset cocktail.
The next day we skied Aspen and then Highlands. We wanted to get a half day in on Aspen Mountain but then also head over to Highlands to check out the infamous Cloud 9 Apres Ski spot on Highlands Mountain.
Here’s a pic of my brother and I ate the tree we spread my Dads ashes 🙂
Wine lunch? Don’t mind if I do !
We didn’t get a ton of time to ski Highlands Mountain but we did thoroughly enjoy our time at Cloud 9. This place is an experience and if you ever get the chance, you need to go check this spot out! Here’s the thing… this is a more advanced mountain so it doesn’t have any green runs. You have to be able to ski down the mountain in order to go enjoy the apres ski culture at Cloud 9.
Their cheapest champagne they sell is Veuve Cliquet and it only goes up from there. They serve some fancy food and what they are known for is this insane party inside at 3:05pm where all these people start spraying champagne all over the restaurant. There is a DJ, people come prepared with disposable rain covers and it is a wild scene. Girls are hanging out in sports bras and one girl even flashed her boobs through the window to the people that were sitting outside (that was us!)!! haha. The only way we could see the real party was by going inside to use the bathroom. Everyone stands on their chairs and even their tables and are dancing and spraying champs everywhere! So even though the main party is inside, we were happy with our spot outside and our own little party. The idea of being soaking wet and having to ski down the mountain didn’t sound too enticing!
After a fun afternoon of Apres Ski, we rallied home for some quick showers and regrouped for some power shopping in downtown Aspen before heading to dinner at Steak House no 316. This was a fun, red velvet style steak house that was delicious! If you have a nice size group, they have a cool little back room that would be fun to reserve.
I forgot to share where we stayed for our trip. We stayed at the Independence Square which is a spot the boys have been staying at forever! It is not a fancy spot per say, but has an amazing location! It’s a block from Aspen mountain and directly across the street from the bus stop where you catch the bust to go to the other mountains including Snowmass. Each room is a simple hotel-style room and the lobby downstairs serves breakfast each morning.
:: Aspen Recap ::
Where we Stayed
Where we Skiied
Snowmass
Highlands
Aspen
Where we Ate
Poppycocks (breakfast)
Ajax Tavern (lunch)
Matsuhisa (dinner)
French Alpine Bistro (dinner) Have an Aspen Mindset Cocktail!
Steak House no. 316
One restaurant I love from Miami is Casa Tua, and they have one in Aspen that was directly across from our hotel. I would have loved to have tried this one! Next time…
I did wish we had more time to hit up more of the shops in Aspen. There were so many cute shops! Downtown Aspen is just adorable.
:: Shop the Post ::
This looks like a blast!
Thanks! We had a great time!