Another wonderful ski trip, this time with the Chagrin Valley Ski Club and our friends from Ohio, to Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado. A destination with four mountains: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk; and two incredible towns, Aspen and Snowmass. We flew from San Diego to Denver to meet up with the group flying from Cleveland but arrived too late to catch the bus so we took a small van with the five others who were late arrivals as well. It was a long drive to Snowmass from Denver, four hours with a stop for groceries and beer. We stayed at the Top of the Village Condos, a perfect ski-in/ski-out location, and shared a two bedroom condo with Karen Moyer and Bruce Kahn. Lucky us, because we flipped for the Master bedroom and won. The first two days at Snowmass, the weather was picture perfect, blue skies and lots of snow. Monday night we took the free shuttle into Aspen to see the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour playing at the old Wheeler Opera House, built in 1889. We had dinner with the group at the Red Onion Restaurant, Aspen’s oldest historic restaurant and bar established in 1892, dating back to the silver boom of the 19th century.
A snowstorm arrived Monday night dumping 10 inches of fresh powder and lasted throughout the day on Tuesday. While Bruce and Karen spent the day in Aspen we boarded with the girls, Sue, Nata, Sylvia, Betty and Heather. It was the best day of deep powder snow we have experienced in a long time. The Mardi Gras Parade began at 3 o’clock in Snowmass Village and the whole gang was there to help celebrate. There were many floats and even a wonderful Scottish Pipe Band. After the parade we all went to the Venga Venga Cantina and Tequila Bar to continue the Mardi Gras celebrations. We ended the night at the Sake Japanese Restaurant for some fabulous sushi and Sake Bombs!!! Wednesday was another perfect day at Snowmass with a fabulous lunch on the mountain at Gwyn’s High Alpine Restaurant. Gwyn’s is “a 35 year old fine dining sanctuary with a welcoming atmosphere and amazing cuisine,” the best on-mountain dining Snowmass has to offer. We ended the day with a get-together of the CVSC at the Top of the Village lobby for dinner and drinks on the Club. Click on thumbnail to view images
Snowmass
Thursday we went to Aspen Mountain to experience one of the most legendary ski mountains in the area. We went to the top of the mountain to take in the view of the Maroon Bells in the distance. It was well worth the trip to Aspen to see the scenery of the spectacular mountain range surrounding us. We spent the afternoon walking around the town of Aspen and then headed back to Snowmass on the shuttle to meet Bruce, Karen and Kim and Bruce Miles for dinner at Il Poggio Restaurant at 5:30. Great meal and a fun night with good friends. Our final day we spent at Snowmass, enjoying one of the best runs ever on the mountain. The Long Shot is the longest ski run in Snowmass, 5.3 miles, it is located on the outer edge of Snowmass and a short hike is required to reach it. We had beautiful views from the summit of the Village of Snowmass and the surrounding mountains, before heading down the the Long Shot, through the trees and over the moguls. What a fun run!!!! Click on thumbnail to view images
Aspen
This was a fabulous ski trip with a wonderful group of 50 people. Everything was exceptional from the snow conditions to the condo and of course the food. Beginning with home cooked baked eggs. by Bruce, for breakfast, lunches on the mountain and all the delicious dinners at various restaurants. It was a sad farewell, leaving at 6am Sat morning, all on the big bus this time. We spent many hours at the airport enjoying our last meal together with Karen, Bruce, Kim and Bruce Miles at Elway’s Restaurant. Until our next trip!!!