The West End, Snowmass, and the Variety of Aspen

Whew! There is so much to see, that each day is a whirlwind of activities and connections...I love being back in Aspen! You have to come and check it out for yourself! Here is some of what the last few days have held for me.

Wednesday night: My Mom came to stay with me and we drove through the West End of town where I grew up in one of the Historical Victorian homes built in 1876. The West End is known for its beautiful Victorian homes and gorgeous landscaping, as well as the Aspen Institute. One of the best features of the West End is the Music Tent which combines the openness and romance of a tent with the acoustic integrity of a concert hall, and hosts a wide variety of orchestras and performers such as Natalie Cole. I have great memories of running and riding my bike through these streets as a little girl. It is much more built up and “fancy” than when I lived there, but it still has the West End charm and nostalgia.

We reminisced about our favorite Mexican restaurant that closed down a couple of years ago, but were happy to find Su Casa, across the street, which has received excellent reviews and is a great family restaurant.

We would have loved to have taken in a show at the Wheeler Opera House, which has a wide range of music, dance, movies, and of course, opera, but there’s only so much time in a single day! It has a beautiful traditional interior with huge crystal chandelier and red velvet seats.

As I was checking out of Mountain Chalet, we ran into many of the Melville family members and got to catch up. The Melville’s own the Mountain Chalet and have since the mid 50s. Their span of 6 kids is the same as the span of 6 kids in my family so the Melvilles and Bascoms (my maiden name) have a great history together. They resisted the pressure from the big name resorts to sell out and remain the Inn Keepers of this cozy chalet. Their many patrons are thankful to still have the charm of the Mountain Chalet to come home to.

I toured many beautiful luxury homes to add to our inventory. From a down-town penthouse to a 12,000 square foot home up toward “the pass” I was amazed at the availability of some of the most amazing homes I have ever seen, including game rooms, theaters, professional kitchens, entire rooms for the “behind the house systems”, automatic everything and of course beautiful views! To the right you can see one view of "the pass" that I especially love. I’m excited about the opportunity for home owners and guests wanting to rent out a beautiful vacation home….the timing is great for this travel option!

I ventured on the local RFTA shuttle bus (which by the way is the simplest and most efficient public transportation system I have ever experienced – no need to rent a car or hassle with driving in the snow) to Snowmass and checked out the new full and fractional ownerships and some that are scheduled to open in the coming years. I used to teach the Snowmass Snowbunnies ski school and waitress at the TimberMill…well, a lot has changed since then! This sleepy village has come to life and is a destination that stands on its own! A couple of projects to keep an eye on are the Little Nell Residences in Snowmass and the Viceroy Snowmass Residences. I’ll update you as these projects continue to develop. To the left you can see a picture of Snowmass, which speaks for itself and explains why this is one of the fastest growing areas.

A great family option is the Treehouse Adventure Center for kids, which offers ski and snowboard lessons, arts and crafts, games and lot more! This is a family must and gives the parents a chance to enjoy a carefree ski day and a little Apres ski action at Sneaky’s Tavern or the ever so hip Liquid Sky. Located within the revamped Snowbase Village near the soon-to-debut Viceroy and Residences at Little Nell, this upstairs social lounge and dance romp offers an Alpine twist on that sleek and sexy styling of N9NE Group venues like Playboy Club, Ghostbar and Rain in Las Vegas. The location will host an all-day lounge scene of Chanel-logo ski bunnies and show-off snowboarders not shy about stripping off the gear and letting loose on the early evening dance floor. By night the club will come alive with nightly DJs surely to recruit some of the one-name celebrity mixers that spin at the owners headline clubs in Chicago, Las Vegas and Dallas!

Another off-the-beaten path activity, yet a local favorite is the Aspen Man Camp , the perfect fit for someone you know who has been completely dominated by his inner wimp, they'll come to your town, pick him up, and carry him to the Man Camp! Meet the Basquach (see intervention) who is none other than my brother! If you are looking for landscaping trees, the Basquach is also the man for the job. Just look at him…he is “one with the tree”! This is who you want handling your trees, and I don’t just say that because my Mom and brother own this tree farm located in Crawford,CO. Trollhagen Tree Ranch has lots of big trees which are very rare right now! They are quality, Colorado Grown at 6500' making them winter proof, and they are ready to go and can be delivered immediately directly to your site in Western Colorado or shipped anywhere in the country. Trollhagen Tree Ranch offers full service from the planting of trees in their infancy at the farm to the planting of trees on your site. They take pride in their trees and have a vested interest in planting them appropriately…a skill in itself!

Aspen - The Top Après-Ski Scene

If you're not from a cold-weather climate, you might be wondering what the term "Après-Ski" means. Literally the term means 'after skiing' in French, and is a central part of a great skiing holiday. It is a term that refers to going out after a full day of skiing, whether it be drinks at the lodge, heading to a concert, or enjoying a gourmet meal overlooking the slopes.

Aspen has been rated one of the Top Ten Après-Ski Scenes by MSN and almost every travel and ski-tour organization you can name. It ranks right up there with Switzerland's Mont Blanc. It has beautiful scenery, excellent powder, and wonderful nightlife to round out your skiing holiday. One hot-spot that tops the charts is the new 39 Degrees Lounge and Restaurant in the Sky Hotel. With swank surroundings, excellent food, and fun company, there are endless nights of conversation and laughs after a day on the slopes. Here are two other hotels that are at the center of the Après-Ski Scene in Aspen.

Little Nell Hotel and Residences – this is the only ski-in hotel in Aspen and it’s Après-Ski scene is unparalled. Located at the base of the ski run and centered in downtown Aspen make this THE location. The resort is approaching room remodels and the Residential units just opened and are selling like hot cakes.

Hyatt Grand Aspen Residences – This has a huge variety, whether you are traveling with your entire family or just with your spouse. The rooms are cozy and deluxe with top-of-the-line amenities. There are many options for room style and the value is a big selling point here. Again, it is located in the center of town and the ice-rink is just outside the front door.

Each of these resorts has their own flavor. It’s all about knowing our clients to match them up with the right property and area activities. Taking the time to plan in advance and talk about what is important to your vacation or meeting is what will make the difference between a trip and an experience!

There's Everything You Can Imagine in Aspen

I woke up to a fresh dusting of snow and blue skies just calling me to the outdoors. Unfortunately, I couldn’t hit the slopes yet, but did get in a run on the Ute Trail which borders the mountain and crosses over the Roaring Fork River. To your right you can see a view of the Ute Trail in the winter, as I saw it, and in the summer. Aspen is so diverse! This is a great place to take a walk or run any time of year and it is close and convenient from town. I’ve been busy with site inspections of the many luxury properties downtown. There is so much to choose from all are a fit for a different type of clientele. Fractional ownerships are booming in Aspen and Snowmass. I read in the Aspen Daily News that fractional ownerships have made up 60% of the recent real estate transactions. The headline “Aspen market showing signs of life” is encouraging and attributed to the fact that prices are becoming more realistic and let’s face it…Aspen has an allure that is second to none…location…location…location. Some highlights of each property are worth mentioning:

St. Regis – Remède Spa: Relax after a day on the slopes and revive in the Oxygen relaxation room, then visit with your spa consultant who will customize your treatments for your maximum wellness and relaxation. In talking with the staff it was clear that a day at Remède Spa offers more than just a spa treatment, it is an investment in your well being and an experience to savor. The rooms are beautiful and the breakfast is a treat. Try the fresh daily juices!

I had a little down time to roam the shops and galleries and a favorite that drew me in with a painting of an animated jazz scene was Royal Street Fine Art. One of the owners, Michael Paliga, took the time to show me around and walked me to his other two galleries in town. The galleries supply collectors a select choice pieces from the classical era, through impressionism, up to today's modern art. Representing such artists as Todd White, Jennifer Vranes, Antonio Tamburro, and more. There is something for everyone and you can truly get lost in the artwork.

The shopping in Aspen is such fun…everything from sporting good stores to Louis Vuitton.Boutiques carrying unique and one-of-a-kind chic styles scatter the town.

I met with the friendly Aspen Chamber to update myself on the who’s who for the best activities in town:
Winter: Snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoe tours, back country adventures, dog sledding, sleigh rides, winter fly fishing, clay target shooting, art & cooking classes and much more
Summer: Some of the world’s best fishing and hiking, hunting, hot air ballooning, mountain biking, in-line skate tours, kayaking, river rafting, music and the arts and much more.
Tours: Lifestyle of the Rich & Famous Tour showcasing celebrity and CEO homes and some of the most expensive and beautiful homes in the world.
Historical Aspen Tour – discover the rich history of Aspen and see how this glitzy resort destination was once a sleeping mining town. How times change!
Kids: Aspen Recreation Center offers everything from rock climbing to skating

Dancing Bear – this is the Epic multi-generational family vacation location. Dancing Bear is the newest and “hippest” fractional ownership resort in downtown Aspen. My dear friend from my Ithaca College days who owns her own restaurant in El Jebel, Atlas Pizza which by the way is “the best Pizza and Italian food” in the Valley, introduced me to Craig, who with his wife owns Brexi, a classic French brasserie located in Dancing Bear. As I said everyone knows each other in this town! He was kind enough to show us around and I was blown away with the design and amazing intimate group gathering options available. So many creative options come to mind with the space! There are (9) fractional ownerships in this resort and more to be built in the near future. Another big hit is the game room that is a dream for kids of all ages. Craig and his wife, Sam own two other restaurants in town, Wild Fig and Lulu Wilson. We dined at Lulu and enjoyed every last bite…the Kale salad and grilled vegetables with baked parmesan cheese were to die for! Oh, and we shared a bottle of Colorado wine…who knew it could be so tasty?!

Well, I will follow up tomorrow with another full day of activities. I fell into bed exhausted, after uncovering some of the hidden treasures in this wonderful town.

A Return Home to Aspen!

So, to catch you up to speed, I will be in Aspen, reconnecting with my old friends and making new ones. I will be there from February 23 through March 1st, and based upon what happened just the first day, I am excited about what the week has in store.

Oh my word, it is so nice to be back in Aspen! It all begins in the Denver airport…you can just feel the Aspen “vibe” as you board the plane. I can’t explain it…it is just something in the atmosphere of people going to Aspen. We had a nice smooth landing and stepped off the plane into the cold, fresh Aspen air with snowflakes falling on my face. My best friend was there to greet me and we visited with the other locals that were meeting family and friends…everyone knows everyone in this town and if you don’t you will soon!! I even made a new friend on the airplane…pilot Bill whom we ended up joining with his friends for dinner and a night on the town. I’m not wasting any time getting to know Aspen as it exists today! So much to see and do in so little time.

I checked into my favorite “locals” place to stay, The Mountain Chalet. This quaint ski lodge is located right in town and within steps of the mountain. For a visitor traveling on a budget, but not wanting to sacrifice location or a good room, this is the place to stay…friendly, functional, comfortable and all the amenities you need. You even get a free breakfast with a room…a real breakfast. The image above is a summer view of the hillside next to The Mountain Chalet. Aspen is a one-of-a-kind destination, because it is a beautiful location all year round and has a myriad of summer and winter sports for all ages!

We dropped off my luggage and went to Matsuhisa for some sushi, which is a wonderful little restaurant with excellent service and comfortable yet modern atmosphere. Then we took in a concert at Belly Up, which is a really wonderful “night out” venue, with fun and versatile shows, they even offer a kid friendly version on occasion. A night out wouldn’t be complete without a little dancing so my “tour guide” showed us the way to The Regal Watering Hole which was such fun, but did make me realize my age (great music…fun young crowd…everyone is dancing). I fell into bed exhausted from the day, but invigorated by being back in Aspen…there’s no place like it!

This is an unbelievable shot of Aspen, one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Heading Home to Aspen!

My name is Taya Paige, and I recently traveled to Dubai for one month with my family. We just returned yesterday from our time in Dubai with our family to design Dubai as a "Diamond Destination". In the process of designing the destination, we had an amazing experience. You can check out all of our experiences from our trip as well as other information on our Dubai Luxury Travel Blog.

Our next destination to create is Aspen, Colorado, which has some of the best mountain sports in the world. I'm going to Aspen Feb. 23 - March 1. I will be in Aspen for our company (Le Reve Destination Services) and will be posting on on this blog throughout. But in the process I get to go to my TASIS High School reunion that happens to be taking place in Aspen! Le Reve is making an effort along with our partner, Private Trade Winds, to tie Aspen to create a link between Dubai, LA and Aspen.

I grew up in Aspen, so I already have a good understanding of the area, but wanted to set up this blog so I can share that information with families from around the world that want to experience the beauty of this amazing destination.