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.