Après Accents in Aspen, Colorado

By Alison Margo View the Winter 2024 issue. Aspen has always been known for its après-ski scene, where fur-accessorized and designer-skiwear-clad snow bunnies clink glasses of bubbly—a place to ski and be seen. But the town’s special brand of a good time—where luxury meets the mountains—is not always about skiing. With snow conditions becoming less predictable in recent years, a trend has emerged of offering lifestyle experiences that allow locals and visitors alike to enjoy the best the destination has to offer without ever having to put on a pair of skis. Sunscreen is all you’ll need when you hit the ASPENX Beach Club at the top of Aspen Mountain. Lounge atop the summit in full-service striped cabanas equipped for a luxurious DJ- and Dom-fueled party. Created by fine art photographer Gray Malin, the setting is idyllic in more ways than one. Parties can be fully customized, from menus to musicians, and full buyouts for 150 people begin at $25,000. Mark your calendars: The beach is open February–April. Ride your own private snowcat to Buckhorn Cabin , on the Instagram-ready edge of Peanut Butter Ridge on Aspen Mountain. There you’ll enjoy an unforgettable chef-prepared meal and sommelier-curated wine pairing, before skiing or riding the snowcat down. The Gant Aspen hotel’s rooftop igloo has also become a sought-after spot for private dining in the winter, thanks to its elevated cuisine and enviable views of the mountains. The Gant Aspen hotel’s Diamond Dome rooftop igloo. ASPENX Beach Club Night falls on Snowmass Base Village. (Photo: Jeremy Swanson) It’s easy to spend a full day at nearby Snowmass Base Village without ever having to set foot on snow, even with kids in tow. Ice-skate in the heart of the village, explore new heights on the climbing wall at the Limelight Hotel , or chill in the Game Lounge at the Collective . Gather around the firepits for cocktails during the Limelight’s happy hour (daily from 3 to 6 p.m.) and catch local bands Friday through Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. Next, take the gondola to Elk Camp Restaurant and Elk Camp Meadows for Ullr Nights (named for Ullr, Norse god of snow) for an evening of dining, tubing, and snow biking. For the fitness-minded, Friday Morning Uphill Breakfasts at the Cliffhouse on the summit of Buttermilk are where locals meet for a morning workout, then reward themselves with a hearty meal. The hike takes about an hour and can be done on touring skis, snowshoes, or metal stabilizers that affix to the bottom of regular hiking shoes. Breakfast is served from 8:45 to 10 a.m. and nonskiers can enjoy the thrilling experience of riding the lift back down.