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When avid skier Bob Lipsitz craves downhill excitement, the Bloomfield Hills resident heads to snow country. That would be Aspen, Colo., where wide-open runs, breathtaking views, and tough double-blacks await.
"There's no better skiing in the world!" says Lipsitz, who owns the Double JJ Resort, a golf and horseback-riding compex in western Michigan. His passion for Aspen began during his ski bum days serving on the ski patrol. Since then, the snow maven has vacationed in Aspen with his family every winter.
Not only are Michigan's in-the-know skiers like Lipsitz excited about a great new season in Aspen, the locals also are anticipating a mother lode of new venues this winter in Colorado's ski country.
The prize nugget is the debut of The Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center, the $17 million focal point of Snowmass's new base village development. In addition, Snowmass now features a mid-mountain dedicated learning area for beginning skiers and improved layout of the snowboard terrain park.
Throughout the Aspen/Snowmass area, new restaurants — including Brunelleschi's Dome Pizza and R Cuisine - expand the variety of enticing dining options. As for shopping, Aspen continues to enhance its renown as a fashion center with new luxury boutiques. A couple of new art galleries have entered the scene as well.
The combination of new venues, a charming historic town and four great ski mountains keeps everything in this Western neck of the woods as fresh as new snow.
MOUNTAIN MAJESTY
Because there are mountains with a variety of terrains that form Aspen/Snowmass ski area — including Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass - there's something for every type of skier.
"You can get any kind of ride or condition you want," Lipsitz says. Each ski area has distinctive characteristics. Snowmass is best-known for wide-open, groomed cruising and family-friendly activities. Buttermilk features extensive beginner terrain ideal for new skiers and snowboarders. Aspen Highlands boasts steep, big-mountain skiing. And Aspen Mountain has steep, bump runs that drop right into the town of Aspen. to Aspen Skiing Co. (www.aspensnowmass.com) operates all four mountains.
"Their emphasis on guest services is incredible," says former Birmingham resident Denise Landau, who has taught downhill skiing at the Ski Schools of Aspen/Snowmass for 29 years.
A prime example of the ski area's focus on quality guest experiences is the location and design of the new Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center at Snowmass, a wonderful spot for families with kids of all ages. Located at the intersection of three lifts at the foot of Fanny Hill run, the center is easily accessible by complimentary shuttle bus, ski-in/ski-out from the upper village of Snowmass, and via the Sky Cab gondola. The design incorporates all key facilities in one building. In addition to the Ski and Snowboard School of Aspen/Snowmass, the center boasts a family-friendly climbing gym, kids' retail and teen activities. Themed rooms are designed for specific age groups and entertain children with hands-on, interactive activities.
This season, Snowmass Elk Camp Meadows Beginner Area at the top of Elk Camp gondola, where beginning students now enjoy the better snow conditions of a mid-mountain experience.
The learning center has no cross-traffic, enhancing the learning environment. For snowboarders, the relocated and improved layout of Snowmass Terrain Park and Pipe provides visitors with a longer, continuous line.
Family-owned Aspen Skiing Co. extends its attentiveness beyond the on-slope experience with complimentary concierge services. The range of assistance includes childcare referrals, restaurant reservations, and scheduling other non-ski activities such as massages and dog-sled rides.
For a one-of-a-kind experience, you can hire your own pro at the Ski and Snowboard School of Aspen/Snowmass or, skills permitting, take Aspen Mountain's "off-piste" guided powder ski tour. As an invigorating alternative to skiing, hike the trail up Snowmass to Café Suzanne for lunch, and then ride the Elk Camp gondola down to the base.
LITTLE TOWN/BIG FUN
"Aspen is a little town that has everything," Landau says of the rich range of culinary, cultural and recreational amenities.
That's one reason James Carter, who grew up in Royal Oak, moved here. After training in Michigan to be a chef, he traded a stove for a studio and now paints amid mountains, waterways, and plains.
"I rent a cabin on a river for my studio," Carter explains, adding that he'll often paint whatever visit him, including a nice little black bear that ambled near his studio recently. He is also the purchasing director at The Little Nell, a five-star/five-diamond hotel nestled at the base of Aspen Mountain.
"There's a huge art community in this valley," says Carter, whose works are on display at a special biennial show at the Aspen Art Museum.
With more than two dozen art galleries, Aspen abounds with opportunities to feast the eyes on creative expression. This season offers a couple of additions. The Aspen Gallery in Aspen Highlands showcases works by local female artists. And George Rodrigue, creator of the Blue Dog series of paintings, has opened Rodrigue Studio Aspen.
The favorite new restaurant on Aspen's elite dining scene is Lulu Wilson, another winner by the owners of the Wild Fig. Housed in an 1890s miner's cabin on Restaurant Row, it features contemporary American cuisine, such as oysters in champagne chili sauce, and striped bass with parsnip-carrot compote, created by Chef Adrian Carpenter, formerly of Wild Fig and Dogwood Grill fame.
For exquisite dining, the gourmet Japanese cuisine of Matsushia restaurant and Chef Ryan Hardy's creations at Montagna in The Little Nell hotel are tops. Best described as Rocky Mountain artisan, Hardy's style features local ingredients, such as Paonia peaches and sweet corn, watercress from the local rivers, wild asparagus, foraged mushrooms, and Colorado lamb and elk.
STOP, SHOP, AND PLAY
Already lured by stores like Nuages, Distractions and Pitkin County Dry Goods, shoppers can always count on upscale additions. This year's new boutiques include Theory and Tomorrow's Laundry.
The town's newest lodging is the 35-room Annabelle Inn, whose open-beam design is reminiscent of an Austrian chalet. The B&B's comfort, simplicity and eight-minute walking distance to the Aspen Mountain lift appeal to independent travelers not seeking hotel-service amenities.
After an active day on the slopes, gallery hopping, or shopping, the body benefits from special attention. Remède Spa in the St. Regis Resort is the place. With body treatments enhanced with chilled champagne, truffles and Kashwere throws, guests bask in delightful self-indulgences.
If you fall in love with Aspen and all its wonderful charms, you can always live there — either permanently or as a second-home vacation escape. New luxury real-estate properties are available, as are developments of fractional-ownership private residences, such as St. Regis Residence Club, Aspen; Hyatt Grand Aspen; Innsbruck; and the Residences at the Little Nell.
Sales in two new properties at the Snowmass base area are also underway this winter, so you may want to get in on the ground floor, or more accurately, mountain base.
GO OVER THE TOP
The Treat: Try the signature massage at the Aspen Back Institute. The 50-minute luxury treatment combines deep-tissue massage, stretch and alignment, and more. 970.920.7772, www.aspengack.com. Or enjoy the Sweep Body Softening Scrub at Remède Spa. Attendants exfoliate winter-weary skin with spherical grains of white marble powder. 970.920.6783. www.remede.com
The Twist: Ask local favorite Steve Rogers for guidance in a private yoga or Pilates session, at O2Aspen. 970.925.4002. www.o2aspen.com
The Attention: Hire your own pro with the Ski and Snowboard School of Aspen/Snowmass. 970.925.1220. 800.525.6200. www.aspensnowmass.com
The Dish: Have lunch at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro on Aspen Highlands, at the lofty elevation of 10,740 feet. Don't miss a raclette, the delicious Swiss dish of melted gruyere and other goodies.
The Big Easy: Hire Glenn Smith of The Cooking School of Aspen. The hot young chef will orchestrate a private party for you at the school or at your home. 970.920.1879, www.cookingschoolofaspen.com.
For more information on the Aspen area, contact the Aspen Chamber of Commerce and Resort Association, 970.925.1940, www.aspenchamber.org.
Published in Somerset Collection, Holiday 2007
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