Locals and visitors log some serious hours in ski boots, especially given the combination of Aspen’s world-class skiing and on-snow dining. Save Downtown’s renowned restaurants for dinner—our four ski mountains are the place to be while the sun is high. This season Jim Butchart is overseeing mountain eats as the executive chef for Aspen Skiing Company’s mountain division, yet another reason to sip and savor on the slopes.
ASPEN MOUNTAIN
If Aspen High sophomore and burgeoning professional skier Parker Olsen is tardy to class, it usually means one thing: new snow. Aspen Mountain’s Super 8 or Corkscrew Gully ski runs serve as his morning commute; his home is located beneath Ruthie’s Restaurant. “My favorite place to eat is The Sundeck because I love to work on my goggle tan while sitting outside and looking at Highland Bowl,” he says. “The pulled pork sandwich is my favorite. But you won’t find me spending much time there on a snorkel-deep powder day, because I’ll be dropping the cliffs and pillow lines in Trainors.”
When Aspen-based photographer Frank Shine isn’t traveling the world snapping pics or managing the Tecnica/Blizzard Freeride Team, you’ll find him on Aspen Mountain. “Perry’s Trees is a classic place to take pictures because the afternoon sun backlights the dense aspen groves,” he says. “But before tucking into Perry’s in The Dumps, I grab lunch at Bonnie’s. Everything is made from scratch, and the white bean chili is my favorite thing to order. Link Perry’s with the bottom portion of Last Dollar before the Spar Gulch groomer for Aspen’s best run.”
SNOWMASS
Hard-charging Chris Tatsuno recently traveled along British Columbia’s Powder Highway as “The Ultimate Ski Bum,” filming videos for Freeskier Magazine. What did Tats miss most while away? Zane’s Tavern. “I like to hit the Hanging Valley Headwall. A couple of high-angle turns down to the cliff just right of Two Trees sets you up for a quick 20-foot air into some wide sweeping turns. Then I bullet tuck all the way back to the Village Mall for [Zane’s] happy-hour $.25 hot wings and cheap beer.”
Radio Boardshop has become the go-to spot for local snowboarders. Travis McLain, the shop’s owner and X Games gold medalist, spends countless hours at Snowmass. “I enjoy mobbing park laps on the Coney Glade lift. The lift travels right over the park and pipe, so you get to watch everyone ride and get fired up for another run. After 10 runs in the park, I head to Fuel café for awesome coffee, breakfast burritos and the famous Concha’s chicken tacos.”
Snowmass also boasts a number of options for families. Longtime local Sue Whittingham is the guest services supervisor with Snowmass Tourism. “Our daughter started skiing Snowmass with AVSC when she was five, and it has been her favorite mountain ever since. Now 13, she’s skiing the Cirque and Hanging Valley with her friends. She always lets us buy Gwyn’s High Alpine, where we share burgers, fries, and the delicious chicken stew.”
