MARCH/APRIL 2018 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 153
But all that changed in the mid-20th century when
Aspen Mountain was developed as a ski resort. The
city also became the home of the Aspen Institute, which
still provides forums for dialogues on significant issues.
Both venues continue to attract visitors and residents.
By the 1970s, journalist Hunter S. Thompson and
singer John Denver had helped to popularize the area.
Musicians, movie stars and corporate executives brought
an influx of wealth into Aspen that has made its real estate
among the most expensive in the country. As a glitzy
playground for the rich and famous, downtown Aspen
is filled with upscale shopping and gourmet dining.
Naturally, all of this attracted us, and we planned a
visit to this world-renowned resort area around New
Year’s. For us, but not for skiers, the weather was perfect
–– no snow, plenty of sunshine and temperatures in
the high 30s.
We were picked up at the Aspen airport by a shuttle
from our hotel, The Limelight. It was easy to understand
why the hotel is so highly recommended. Staff members
are helpful, friendly, and sincerely want to make their
guests enjoy every moment there. They offer a huge
breakfast buffet each morning as part of your stay, plus
everything from cruisers and fat bikes with big wheels
to a shuttle service around town. Using The Limelight
Hotel as our base, we set off to enjoy some of the area’s
offerings, such as outdoor events, exclusive shopping
and fine dining.
For our first dinner, we went to The Little Nell Hotel’s
Element 47, the city’s only five-star restaurant. The name
pays tribute to the precious silver that first put Aspen
on the map. Little Nell is a great place to wine, dine,
unwind and rub elbows with celebrities. The dress code
is Aspen casual, which as far as we could see means
“whatever.” The award-winning wine selection is equal
to the fabulous New American cuisine that is served here.
Another treat was a ride on the Silver Queen Gondola,
the longest single-stage gondola in the world. It whisked
us from the plaza in downtown Aspen to the top of Aspen
Mountain, a 3,207-foot vertical rise that took just under
a quarter of an hour. From the top, we had panoramic
views of the Elk Mountains and the White River National
Forest. The Aspen Mountain Club, a private facility,
sits at the summit. We were invited to a special dinner
there, where the staff from The Little Nell Hotel below
attended to our every desire, serving the finest wines,
along with a catered meal fit for royalty.
On New Year’s Eve, we decided to try something
special, and we took a Clicquot Snowcat from the base
of Ajax Mountain halfway up Little Nell Run to a private
spot on the snowy slope. From that vantage point, we
could watch torch-bearing skiers and fireworks. As we
watched the fireworks explode over Aspen, we sipped
champagne and nibbled hors d’oeuvres while sitting in
chairs with blankets that had been set up for us at the
edge of a ski trail. These types of experiences make
Aspen so appealing to so many who are looking for
new adventures.
With so many outstanding dining options, we next
chose the Pine Creek Cookhouse in the Elk Mountains,
since the only way to get there in the winter is by
snowshoe, cross-country skiing or horse-drawn sleigh.
We went by sleigh, as two Belgian horses pulled us
along the snow-covered path. Despite our log cabin
Dressing
warmly is
the main
winter
fashion trend
in Aspen.
The atrium
in the Jerome
Hotel on
Main Street
has been
enclosed to
make it a
year-round
gathering
place.