Aspen, CO – Aspen’s brilliant fall colors are currently at their peak, signaling the transition to winter and a new harvest of restaurants, shops, events and more for the ski season ahead in this Colorado resort town. From a new restaurant paying tribute to Aspen’s Victorian era to an emerging European designer opening her first U.S. store in Aspen, the downtown scene promises to offer its usual flurry of activity during winter 2010-11.nIn addition to new storefronts and eateries, winter in Aspen will include events such as the 12 Days of Aspen (Dec. 20-31) and 19th Annual Aspen Academy Screenings (Dec. 29, 2010–Jan. 2, 2011) during the holiday season, the 60th annual Wintersköl celebration (Jan. 13–16, 2011), and the third annual Aspen Fashion Week (Mar. 13–17, 2011).
Following the announced departure of Delta Air Lines and what will be the last season for Frontier Airlines to fly into Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, United has added new non-stop service from Houston as well as a fourth daily non-stop flight from Chicago for this winter season along with a second daily non-stop flight from San Francisco. United is also scheduled to operate three daily non-stops from Los Angeles, and 11 daily trips between Aspen and Denver, for a total of 21 flights daily into and out of Aspen/Snowmass beginning Dec. 16. All flights into Aspen/Snowmass will be operated by SkyWest Airlines with the CRJ700, featuring United First seating and United Economy Plus.
Aspen has a storied reputation for its après and nightlife, and the tradition continues with contemporary treasures like Belly Up, Aspen’s premier contemporary live music venue. But other less traditional après-ski ptions include classical concerts in Harris Hall from Aspen Music Festival, dance performances from the nationally renowned Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Winter Words from Aspen Writer’s Foundation, openings and exhibitions form the Aspen Art Museum, as well as AspenFilm’s Academy Screenings and ShortsFest.
The Silver Queen, which opened this month in the space at 520 E. Hyman Avenue formerly occupied by Syzygy, is Aspen’s newest restaurant. Owner 27-year-old entrepreneur Joel Howard executed “futuristic Victorian” décor highlighted by a Victorian-era bar and Chef Jamie Flatt, formerly of Willow Creek, is overseeing the kitchen. The cuisine is American-eclectic with a reasonably priced bar menu.
Syzygy owners have moved to 308 E. Hopkins Avenue to open two levels of dining and nightlife on Aspen’s “restaurant row.” On the main floor, an approachable bistro-style restaurant dubbed Ute City opened December 2009 showcasing live music, creative cocktails and infusions, and a vibrant atmosphere. The lower level which opened last February houses Syzygy’s signature fine dining and lively nightlife in an elegant contemporary space, complete with a private dining room, DJ booth and dedicated dance floor.
Also new, the Pitkin County Steakhouse & Pitkin Tavern opened in August. Rob Seideman reopened the formerly named Steak Pit and Double Dog, which are located in the lower level space at 305 E. Hopkins Avenue on the edge of Aspen’s restaurant row. The steakhouse serves dry aged steaks, fresh fish and seafood, and a salad bar stocked with local produce, while the tavern is a classic locals’ hangout with a full menu, shuffleboard and 12 beers on draft.
The Casa Tua restaurant and private club is slated to open in mid-December in the former home of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. The popular Miami establishment aims to create the feel of a chalet in the Italian Alps. The downstairs restaurant will offer fine Italian fare with French and Swiss influences, while the upstairs club will offer an Italian oasis for members only.
Opening soon adjacent to the Aspen Ice Garden skating rink, the newest offering from Aspen’s renowned restaurateurs Samantha and Craig Cordts-Pearce, C & P Burger will serve fast food Aspen style with lunch, dinner and adult beverages, including locally grown beef burgers, LuLu Wilson’s famed Kale salad, truffle parmesan fries and soft-serve yogurt with seasonal fresh fruit.
Aspen’s historic Red Onion reopened at 420 E. Cooper Avenue in early June, with longtime Aspenites and former owner of Blue Maize Tom Colosi and his sister Jennifer at the helm. The 120-year-old building serves some of Blue Maize’s signature dishes, including jalapeño poppers and lobster rellenos, as well as classic bar fare, affordable burgers and breakfast offered all day and night.
Longtime Aspen chef restaurateurs, Wheaton Augur and Troy Selby opened 520 Grill, a burger joint in the style of a roadside diner, in late May. It’s located at 520 E. Cooper Avenue, downstairs in Fat City Plaza. Peach’s Corner Café opened in March in a prominent corner of Hopkins Avenue and Galena Street In its brightly renovated space, Peach’s serves breakfast and lunch with take-out items as well as sit-down dining inside and outside. Plans for brunch-style libations are in the works, and menu items include baked goods from local bakeries.
WeSC, which stands for “WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy,” opened doors to the brand’s Aspen concept store in August. The central, downtown Aspen location at 461 E. Hopkins Avenue is the third U.S. concept store for the Swedish born street fashion brand, designed “for intellectual slackers,” and favorite of big screen stars and snowboarders alike.
Coming soon to Aspen, Dannenmann-Pure was founded in 2009 by German fashion designer Petra Dannenmann, who first introduced her collection to U.S. fashion world during Aspen Fashion Week last March. She received such an overwhelming response that she decided Aspen would be the place to introduce her wearable, innovative garments to the U.S. market via a new store at 525 E. Cooper Avenue. Her signature 100 percent organic pure boiled wool fabric is produced with no chemicals.
Also coming soon, popular Aspen yoga studio 02 Aspen is opening a retail store by Thanksgiving in the Aspen Square building to sell expanded offerings of the yoga and casual active wear as well as jewelry and yoga accessories. COURAGE.b will also soon open a new Aspen retail outlet featuring fashionable women’s apparel and accessories, from ballet flats to Hermes-inspired Kelly bags and knit shifts with matching cardigans.
Tenet has seized the opportunity to bring “a lower East-side New York feel” to Aspen with a pop-up shop offering men’s apparel from established and emerging brands based in New York and Argentina. The 1,300-square-foot boutique at 307 S. Galena Street has been stylishly remodeled and also houses lifestyle items including a mint condition 1989 Honday GB 500 Café Racer motorcycle, vintage cross-country skis, snowshoes and a collection of handpicked contemporary furniture.
On the lodging front, Hotel Aspen has undergone a million-dollar makeover in the last year and a half. Guestrooms were completely renovated and styled with hardwood floors, contemporary furniture, lighting, down duvets and a new modern palate. Last spring the hotel renovated the exterior and pool area adding water features and new chic lounge furniture. Post remodel, the entire property at 461 E. Hopkins Avenue is more energy efficient.