Colorado is home to some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the United States but what about everything in between? Ski bunnies and slalom pros all rely on a solid breakfast, lunch and Aprés Ski scene. Aspen and Snowmass may operate under the same umbrella but they could not be more different. While Aspen is well established as the luxury leader for off-piste imbibing, partner and neighboring mountain of Snowmass is making strides with their own brand of local, sustainable and tasty food and drink options. Book those last second spring break tickets for the best of the west’s emerging food scenes on and off the slopes.
A selection of food options at Alpin Room Snowmass.
Located at the top of the Alpine Springs lift, at roughly 10,000 feet of elevation, is the newly updated Alpin Room on Snowmass. This mountain chic breakfast and lunch spot is well worth the price of admission and features a smorgasbord of Alsatian bites which are arguably the best sort of mountain cuisine. With locally sourced dishes like the hearty choucroute garnie, the ode to fondu, tartiflette and the best onion soup gratin around, the Alpin Room is a great spot for singles, groups and families. While only open from 11AM-3PM, the floor to ceiling windows offer a scenic view no matter your ski level. Added touches like a basket filled with cozy slippers, a full international wine and beer list and the slope day may end just a little bit early.
A locally sourced charcuterie board from The Snow Lodge at the St. Regis Aspen.
The Snow Lodge - Aspen
If a luxe aprés or dinner is on the menu, then look no further. The Snow Lodge, sister property of The Surf Lodge in Montauk, pop up at the St. Regis Aspen Resort is the place to see and be seen. With an outdoor tent and indoor supper club, founder Jayma Cardoso aimed to bring a relaxed Hampton’s vibe to the slopes with visiting chefs, seasonal cuisine and the team behind Dante NYC curating the cocktails. The food is a mix of light bites perfect for sharing and handmade pastas or even tuna tartar for the discerning palate. With hand selected art, a massive fireplace and jeweled toned velvet embellishments, Surf Lodge designer Kimberly Bevan wanted to reflect the Aspen scene. A herd of sheared wool sheep, perfect for extra seating, serve as one of her signature touches. The Snow Lodge wouldn’t be complete without an artist in residence program. Curated by Moonlight Arts Collective and supported by Eva Longoria’s Casa Del Sol the initiative was co-founded by Incubus frontman Brandon Boyd.
The Select Slopeside pop up at Viceroy Snowmass.
Select Slopeside - Snowmass and Aspen
Love a spritz but looking to try something new? The Select Aperitivo pop up at the W Aspen and the Viceroy Snowmass is an Italian way to shake up the world of aprés. Select Aperitivo is a bittersweet Venetian aperitif made with a proprietary mix of thirty herbs. Created by the Pilla brothers in 1920, it served as the spritz of choice for Venetians and grew in popularity from there. Now this Venetian specialty is available on the slopes themselves as the Select Slopeside event. Open to all imbibers, the signature red spirit kicked off their activation at trendy W Aspen in December then popped up at the iconic Viceroy Snowmass in the new year. Each location boasts live DJ’s, bites from each location’s on-site kitchens, cozy fires and signature glassware. The refreshing libations offer a glimpse of some of the chicest ski properties around with 360 degree views and direct access to the mountain. The Viceroy Snowmass hotel even has a vintage ski wall perfect for those post-ski pics. But hurry, the events only run until the beginning of April.
Two signature Spritz's from the Select Slopeside pop up at Viceroy Snowmass