Few things are chicer in the American winter than a weekend ski trip to Aspen. A mix of Hollywood glitterati, old-school Aspenites in their fur-trimmed western wear and men unafraid of full-length furs collide on one of the world’s chicest ski towns. Far better conditions this year than last season’s remarkably late season snow fall, visitors are finding new properties like the Hotel Jerome debuting from a complete 5-star refurbishment as well as new Wildwood in Snowmass that’s a budget boutique for the snowboard generation.
In terms of food, three new restaurants are causing most of the buzz this season with all of them located within hotels. Former-Montagne within The Little Nell debuts as Element 47, a farm-to-table menu by Robert McCormick that mixes modern Alpine décor with impressive art collection. At the St. Regis, Chef’s Club Aspen by Food & Wine is a curated series of culinary rotations from the magazine\'s Top New Chefs of 2012. And at new Hotel Jerome, Prospect is unwrapped to discover an all-day American dining room led by 20-year Jerome veteran Rob Zack.
In terms of bar and nightlife, look for the new J Bar to offer a lively après-ski scene infused with a new baronial Colorado flair open till 2am. Meanwhile in Snowmass, Belgian-theme Bar at Wildwood does small plates and tap beers to a tattooed festoon of hipster that’s the it-spot in the village.
