Outdoor adventures and mountain views define life in Aspen
Home to world-class ski resorts and seemingly endless outdoor activities, Aspen is famous for its snow-covered slopes across four mountains at the Aspen Ski Resort. Named for its high-elevation forests, Aspen is at the peak of mountain lifestyles in Central Colorado. "We have jaw-dropping mountains, pristine lakes, amazing waterfalls and the Colorado blue skies. You could say I have a love affair with this little town," says Stacey Kelly, a real estate agent at Christie's International Real Estate who has lived in the area for over 20 years. "Aspen has amazing skiing, and it is a cultural world where amazing music, festivals and live shows come to us. It’s all about investing in your life. There is a premium for living here, and to me, it’s worth it."
The natural setting lends to the architecture
The streets have golden aspen trees, blue spruces and a backdrop of massive mountains surrounding the city. With floor-to-ceiling windows and wooden exteriors, midcentury modern and chalet-style homes amplify the natural surroundings. Widely known as one of the most desirable real estate markets in the U.S., its median home sale price is about $2.4 million, compared to the nationwide median of about $422,000. Some homes can reach $58 million depending on home size and location. The average home size is about 3,300 square feet and can surpass 8,000 square feet. Downtown Aspen typically has higher prices because of its proximity to retail, dining and ski lifts. Heavy snowfall can cause environmental risks in some areas. Snow can cause flooding issues around the Roaring Fork River. Due to snow buildup on the mountains, some parts of Aspen can experience avalanche events and landslides.
Ski trails and mountain peaks showcase year-round outdoor beauty
Aspen Mountain has challenging runs and intense winter ski trails. In the summer, it has flower-lined paths with panoramic views at 11,000 feet. It also features the world's longest single-stage gondola ride, stretching 2.5 miles from downtown to its peak. The John Denver Sanctuary is a scenic garden in the city's wetlands with an outdoor amphitheater and boulders with engraved lyrics. One of the most famous natural attractions is Maroon Bells, red-colored mountains with six hiking trails through an alpine tundra with wildflower meadows and a reflective lake. Independence Pass offers a picturesque driving route on one of the highest-elevation roads in the country.
The Winter X Games have been held in Aspen since 2002. The Aspen Snowmass Resort is spread across four mountains, each providing a unique set of trails in White River National Forest. "You can have a totally different experience every day you go skiing. You can take lessons at Buttermilk Mountain, and Snowmass has all levels. We love our uphill skiing here," Kelly says. "For something lowkey, I like walking the John Dever Sanctuary and the Ute Trail. There's something for everyone."
Designer boutiques and Michelin-star meals in downtown Aspen
The downtown district features high-performing restaurants, name-brand shops and renowned theaters. The downtown district features various upscale restaurants and designer apparel boutiques. "I believe Aspen is the Manhattan of the mountains, it reminds me of walking down Fifth Avenue with Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Hermes," Kelly says. "You can have dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. We have all of that here in our little ski town." Bosq is a two-time Michelin-rated restaurant serving five-course meals made with locally sourced ingredients from Colorado's natural habitats. Also nearby, the White House Tavern features a menu of unique sandwiches and appetizers in a white cottage-style pub with outdoor seating. While other bodegas and farm fresh stores are available, Clark's Market and City Market are the two main grocery stores in the downtown area.
Public schools offer IB and STEAM programs for all grades
Aspen Elementary School serves students from prekindergarten to fourth grade, and it earns a B grade from Niche. It has an International Baccalaureate program at the elementary school level and provides advanced opportunities for gifted and talented students. Grades five through eight attend Aspen Middle School, which has a STEAM-oriented curriculum with various programs for students to build robotics and fly model airplanes. Aspen Middle and Aspen High Schools both score an A-minus.
Live music at Belly Up and the Wheeler Opera House
Aspen has many attractions, concert halls and museums. Belly Up Aspen is renowned for its memorable live music performances in an intimate bar space. The Wheeler Opera House is a Victorian theater famed for its acoustics, with film screenings and live music performances. The Aspen Art Museum has modern architecture, international exhibits and a rooftop sculpture garden.
Bike-share system and free shuttles to the airport
The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority provides a free shuttle around the city, and it has routes to Snowmass Village and Aspen Airport. The area is also bike-friendly and has a WE-CYCLE bike-sharing program. State Route 82 goes through the center of town. Aspen Valley Health has the area's nearest emergency room, about 2 miles west of downtown. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is approximately 4 miles north with domestic flights to major cities.
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Eli Tye
