Looking for a laid-back, intimate resort town for your next skication? Check out Snowmass, Colorado. Tucked in between Basalt and Aspen, this off-the-beaten path resort community boasts epic terrain, unbeatable views, and an excellent dining and lodging scene to go with them. Snowmass is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, which makes it the perfect place for your next winter vacation.
EAT
There’s no better way to start off a powder day in Snowmass than with a budget-friendly and hearty breakfast at Fuel — a cozy little breakfast and lunch joint serving up killer $5.23 breakfast burritos and tasty coffee drinks. For a mid-day snack and boozy après beverages, grab a seat a Venga Venga Cantina and Tequila Bar. A Richard Sandoval restaurant, this place is slopeside and an excellent place to find a quality happy hour. Grab a $7 classic margarita and a massive plate of cheesy nachos pilled high with jalapeños, pico de gallo, a crema black bean puree and guac ($6) from 3-6 pm every day. Down at the Snowmass Base Village, between the Gondola and Village Express, you’ll find the Base Camp Bar & Grill and one of the best burgers in Snowmass Village. Build your own burger for $15 and wash it down with one of 30 craft brews on tap. And new to Snowmass this year, don’t miss out on the complimentary s’more stations set up throughout the Village where you’ll find all of the fixings to make your own gooey treat around a campfire.
SLEEP
Relax and reap in the benefits of lodging a stones throw from the slopes at The Westin Snowmass Resort — a gorgeous resort property with all of the comforts of home and then some. Take advantage of the hotel’s One. Two. Ski package which includes two adult ski lift tickets. Venture further up the mountain for a stay at the Timberline Condominiums, one of Snowmass’ popular lodging gems thanks to an excellent après scene and one of the mountain’s best views from a hot tub. The property features a variety of condo options starting at studio sized spaces, all the way up to three bedroom condos perfect for housing the entire crew. With a convenient slopeside location, skiers and riders can ski in and ski out of the Timberline’s on-site restaurant, The Edge Restaurant and Bar, for a warm and gooey fondue experience, authentic German cuisine, and 2 for 1 cocktails, beer, or wine from 4-5:30 pm.
PLAY:
Snowmass is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and throwing a slew of fun events to celebrate, like $19.67 specials at restaurants and retail locations across the mountain to commemorate the year Snowmass was born. Explore the resort’s 3,332 acres of skiable terrain that run the gamut from the expert terrain of Burnt Mountain Glades, High Alpine and Cirque, to the adults-only beginners hill. Lift ticket pricing begins at $135. Diversify your winter vacation activities at Snowmass with a ride on the newly-opened Breathtaker Alpine Coaster which winds its way along a beautiful mile-long mountain course at speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. Purchase an activities pass for $49 per person during Ullr Nights on the mountain, which take place at Elk Camp every Friday night throughout the winter, and enjoy unlimited rides on the coaster for two hours along with tubing, snow biking, s’mores, hot chocolate, and more. For a quieter experience, reserve your spot on one of the Starlit and Moonlit Treks that take place on select Saturdays through the season. Enjoy an ACES (Aspen Center for Environmental Studies) guided 1.2-mile snowshoe or cross-country ski around the Snowmass Club golf course with stops for sweet treats and hot cocoa, and end with live music and a family-style pasta dinner at the Black Saddle Bar and Grill — all for just $19.67. (Equipment rental not included.)
