Thinking of taking the kids to Aspen? Here’s how to do it right.
Aspen’s mystique is palpable – it’s seen outside Paradise Bakery where snow bunnies sip morning cappuccinos, heard by the off-key belting out of “Sweet Caroline” at Cloud 9, and tasted in Hotel Jerome‘s infamous prohibition-style spiked milkshakes. As a parent, the experiential learning philosophy resonates for me, and it is all about the mix to raise well-rounded children. While I love adventuring to the remote and unknown, Aspen is not down a dusty dirt road; it is the essence of the symbiotic lifestyle.
Accused of being too curious about too many things at once, I find Aspen to be my kryptonite. If you are heading to this snow globe of a town in winter, there are incredibly many winter activities, après-ski options, and delicious restaurants in Aspen that can feel overwhelming.
Après-ski Experiences
Après-ski is to Aspen as tea time is to Brits, so for proper pomp and circumstance, head to The Little Nell’s Ajax Tavern for hot chocolates that are enormous, country club-sized pours of pinot, and trays of truffle fries. Even on the busiest week of the year, we managed to find tables for our crew and piled in for an après session.
Walking into the Hotel Jerome is like stepping into a John Wayne diorama, the site of Hunter S. Thompson’s infamous Sherrif Campaign headquarters. J-Bar serves an “Aspen Crud,” a Bourbon Milkshake created during prohibition, allowing patrons to appear to be drinking ice cream shakes rather than boozy beverages.
Dining in Aspen
There is romance in the solitude of a snowy walk, which somehow keeps even the birds in a deep sleep. It is as quiet as a library and my favorite time of day to grab a morning pick-me-up, while also getting my dose of “me” time. Jour De Fête is my go-to for this purpose – it’s family-owned, opens early (6:30 a.m.), and makes perfect hot cocoa and croissants.
Paradise Bakery‘s fresh-baked muffins and breakfast burritos are delightful. Pro tip: Make sure to snag a bag of the mini cookies (pure convection perfection) because vacation math means five mini cookies = one regular cookie.
Poppycocks is Aspen’s local diner, where kids rated the Mickey Mouse pancakes the best in town (though my vote goes to the oatmeal pancakes at Bonnies on Aspen Mountain). You can get in and out in 45 minutes, which is an impressive feat during the morning madness.
This Luxurious Aspen Resort Has the Most Instagrammable Après-ski Supper Club
My usual human body composition is 60% water, but after a week in Aspen, this percentage has largely transformed due to The Big Wrap’s Pesto Wrapture (grilled chicken, brown rice, salsa, poblano cilantro, cheese, and sour cream). The chicken Caesar salad offers the perfect balance of salad to dressing. After a day on the mountain, the kids love enjoying a wrap from the Little Wrapscals menu while watching “Encanto.” Meanwhile, I have already inhaled my wrap in the car after picking up our orders.
One misstep in parenting was introducing our children to sushi. At the time, we believed it wise to expose them to various flavors. However, we failed to consider that they would devour sushi rolls, significantly increasing our family dinner expenses. C’est la vie. Matsuhisa Upstairs is casual and perfect for an early kids dinner of avocado rolls, edamame, and mochi ice cream.
Meat & Cheese is my top choice for takeout, particularly their roast chicken for tired kids. Pro tip: Delegate dinner pickup duty to yourself while enjoying a Meat & Cheese Board for one while waiting for your order.
Activities for Families
Ice skating transports me back to childhood, a pleasure I adore sharing with my children. If there is an ice rink in heaven, it will mirror Aspen’s rink, complete with CP Burgers and chocolate milkshakes.
Skiing Buttermilk with your kids is a sweet experience. Few moments bring me as much joy as zipping down the mountain alongside them. Aspen offers a posh open-to-the-public Recreation Center, featuring waterslides and a jacuzzi for local gatherings after a day in the snow. The smell of an indoor pool evokes a nostalgic comfort. The lazy river provides a welcome break after a day of adventures.
Pine Creek Horse Sleigh is a charming activity for those needing a day off from skiing. If your family needs a break from ski boots, consider a horse-drawn carriage ride through a winter wonderland to lunch at Pine Creek’s log cabin.
While we aim to see it all and experience everything, this whirlwind of excitement often undercuts relaxation on vacation. Nevertheless, we follow Alain de Botton’s philosophy: “The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than on the destination we travel to.”
So, while I invited Aspen to delight me with Caribou Club cocktails and Belly Up boogie, we also carved out time for solo morning walks in the snow, cheese board chats, and lazy river floats, achieving the nourishing balance we needed and the family connection we craved.
Marissa Hermer is co-founder of Boujis Group, which owns and operates The Draycott, Olivetta, and Issima restaurants in Los Angeles.
