Just Back: Aspen

I’m just back from my latest assignment, a three-day shoot in Aspen, Colorado, about a ski-patrol first-responder who developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after hundreds of horrific calls over a thirty-year period. I won’t give you all of the juicy details—after all I’d rather not scoop my own story, which will likely air on Outside Television this November—but I will tell you that it truly was an amazing experience to be with such an interesting individual for the better part of a week. So, what can I tell you about? How about Aspen for starters, an upscale mountain town with the pulse of Miami, New York and Los Angeles all rolled into one. If you’ve never been I’d seriously reconsider because there’s plenty to keep you busy. And considering the Aspen/Pitkin County airport is just a five-minute drive from downtown, getting there is a breeze. Interested? Here’s how to tackle the city.

PLAY
There’s a reason why Lance Armstrong calls Aspen home most of the year: Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in Colorado, but it’s one of the best places in the United States to train with steep climbs, challenging hiking routes and killer ski passes. I didn’t have too much time to enjoy all that Aspen offers (I was working, remember?) but I did hike the magnificent Ute Trail on my last day in town. Hikers take note: This trail is not for the faint of heart. Sure, it’s only about two miles to Ute Rock—a stunning overlook at the top of the trail—but it gains about 1,200-feet in elevation with rocky switchbacks along the way. The relentless incline gives it an official classification of “difficult,” but clearly you’ll be rewarded when you get to the top. Check out that opening picture taken by some new friends I met on the trail—it doesn’t get much better than that.

EAT
If there’s one thing Aspen has little shortage of it’s restaurants. Two of my favorites? I loved my marinated sirloin steak and gravy-laden mashed potatoes at Little Annie’s Eating House, a laid back bar and restaurant that’s been in town for more than 35 years. In addition to its casual country cuisine, the bar is known for its beer and a shot special—just $3.50 for, you guessed it, a beer and a shot (I however opted for a pint of the locally brewed Aspen IPA. Hoppy and delicious). When I’m on the road I like to eat where the locals eat—the food’s always good and invariably, it’s far less expensive. That’s why I loved Sabra’s, a Mediterranean deli just outside of town. Sure, it’s in a strip mall surrounded by pizza chains and other less-than-appetizing options but my Greek salad with chicken kebab and pita was easily the best lunch I’d had in awhile. That place was packed for good reason.

IMBIBE
If it’s apre-ski you’re looking for you’ll surely find it in Aspen. The town is jam-packed with late night options including countless bars and lounges. The aforementioned Little Annie’s always seemed to be buzzing (did I mention the $3.50 shot and a beer special?), as was Bad Billy’s, a dive bar with retractable front doors so you can sit at a table adjacent to the sidewalk but still be a part of the pitchers-and-wings action. Music lovers shouldn’t miss a show at the Belly Up, an intimate 200-some-odd person venue that attracts a variety of acts including Snoop Dogg, Toad The Wet Sprocket and Kymani Marley to name a few. And don’t miss the lively thirty-something crowd at Eric’s. The Aspen favorite features a live DJ on Thursday nights, a dimly lit dance floor and a spacious outdoor patio so you can mingle with patrons from the adjacent bars. With over a dozen beers on tap plus a wide selection of whiskey and single malt scotch, it’s as hip as Aspen gets.

SLEEP
Look no further than the Sky Hotel in downtown Aspen. The Kimpton-owned property has everything you’d ever need for a luxurious and pampered mountain vacation: West Elm-inspired rooms featuring Aveda bath products, exposed cedar beams and private mountain-view balconies; a bustling outdoor pool and hot tub often filled with young party-goers; a killer restaurant and bar called 39 degrees with some of the best shrimp tacos in town; and quite possibly one of the greatest locations in all of Aspen, just minutes by foot from the gondola, shopping and restaurants. Add to that gratis coffee and tea in the morning, free Arnold palmers in the afternoon and complimentary wine tastings every evening and you’ll be treated to one of the most memorable stays in town. Did I mention the hotel also offers free bikes for all of its guests and a complimentary Cadillac SUV shuttle, which goes anywhere you’d like in Aspen? I told you this place was good.

RELATED LINKS

The Sky Hotel, http://www.theskyhotel.com

Little Annie's Eating House, http://www.littleannies.com

Belly Up, http://www.bellyupaspen.com

To learn more about David LaHuta's life in Bermuda read Bermuda Shorts at http://DavidLaHuta.blogspot.com

And to follow his adventures on Twitter visit https://twitter.com/DavidLaHuta