Modern Resort Surrounded by Skiing and Snowshoeing Trails

Four snowcapped mountains circle the city of Aspen: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass Mountain. Each one has a unique layout—some feature exhilarating black-diamond slopes and snowboarding terrain parks. There are plenty of trails for beginners here, too, where you can take lessons from professional skiing or snowboarding instructors. The four mountains are all within a short drive of Aspen Meadows Resort. You can also enjoy central Colorado’s snowy scenery by snowshoeing around the resort’s 40-acre property; snowshoe rentals are free at the front desk.

The resort—located in Aspen’s historic West End—is just a five-minute drive from world-class shopping and dining in the city center, but there’s no need to travel far for great eats. Executive Chef Todd Slossberg, a James Beard nominee, mans the kitchen of onsite restaurant Plato's. In a dining room with views of the mountains, you can enjoy roasted Colorado lamb, grass-fed-beef burgers, and other contemporary comfort foods crafted from local and regional ingredients. Some of the produce is even sourced from Plato’s very own backyard garden. After dinner, stop by the Hefner Lounge and you can grab a specialty cocktail or enjoy 'smores over an open fire on the Davis Deck.

Inside mountain junior suites, there are simple furnishings in Bauhaus style, a school of German modern design. That helps put the focus on the snowy peaks that surround the resort, which you can see through floor-to-ceiling windows. Each suite has a vast entertainment center that acts as a de facto dividing line between rooms, with a flat-screen TV that swivels to face both the comfortable seating area and dining table as well as the beds. Head outdoors to relax in the heated saline pool or hot tub; both are open all year long.

Aspen, Colorado: Fresh-Powder Skiing, Upscale Shopping, and Fine Dining

A few hours west of Denver, the city of Aspen is home to some of the country’s best skiing and snowboarding on four mountains: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass Mountain. Known internationally for having light, fresh powder and short lift lines, these mountains are crisscrossed with miles of skiing and snowboarding runs, and you can access all of them with a single lift ticket. Other popular winter pastimes include dogsled rides, ice-skating on outdoor rinks, and hunting snowmen for their buttons.

Aspen’s historic downtown area is lined with redbrick buildings that hold upscale boutiques and fine-dining restaurants. You can find a number of art galleries and museums here, too, including the Aspen Art Museum. It’s a gallery-like space that hosts contemporary-art exhibitions, activities, and lectures from local and international artists. The Wheeler Opera House, situated in the middle of downtown Aspen, is also worth a visit. It was built in 1889 and has since been restored; you can still head here to see a movie or concert.

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