Located high in the Rockies in Colorado, Aspen and its nearby sister town Snowmass is a playground for the rich and famous who are attracted to the fantastic skiing with diverse terrains and multiple ski areas during the winter months.

However in the summer, Aspen is the ultimate health and wellbeing haven. With numerous outdoor activities and healthy food haunts aplenty, Aspen is the perfect place if you want a relaxed yet active holiday.

Stay:

If you like 5* luxury then head to the St. Regis.  Located at the base of the famous Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis sets the benchmark high for superior luxury accommodation in Aspen. With 179 guestrooms all exquisitely decorated to palatial perfection, an outdoor swimming pool and several onsite restaurants, you’ll never want to leave the Hotel. However, it is located at the base of the famous Aspen Mountain so it’s perfectly situated for an early morning hike or ski, depending on when you visit.

For those who prefer more of a laidback vibe, the Sky Hotel conveniently located at the bottom of the Silver Queen Gondola at the base of the Aspen Mountain, is a modern, boutique hotel. Less decadent than the St. Regis yet still full of charm and character with it’s brightly coloured interiors and garish furnishings, the Sky Hotel is the go-to place in Aspen for apres-ski. This applies all year round even in the height of summer.  A friendly hotel with a fun, buzzy atmosphere, the Sky Hotel has a constant stream of people coming and going, whether they are guests of the hotel or passersby popping in for a sundowner post hike.

Do:

There is a real community spirit in Aspen. The locals go hiking during their lunch breaks or after work, biking or rafting at the weekend – every spare moment is spent outdoors enjoying the scenery and getting an endorphin boost.

White water rafting along the roaring fork river is a firm favourite for locals and tourists. The river is particularly high around June time when the snow from the mountain starts to melt so if you are after an adrenaline rush, June is the month for visiting for you…otherwise stick to July and August if you prefer calmer tides.

One particular draw is Hot Air Ballooning. Catch the sunrise at 6am during the summer months…it’s worth waking up early for and the perfect way to appreciate this magical place. There are also number of hiking and biking trails including hunter creek where you can climb up the mountain on a steady incline meandering round the famous roaring fork river.

Snowmass is low-key in comparison to Aspen but is in no way lacking in activities and outdoor pursuits. Bike Snowmass offer mountain biking, the ultimate adrenalin-pumping activity.  With a trail system covering 50 miles of terrain, there are gentle routes and more challenging single track lanes to cater for the novice rider as well as the gung-ho cycling pro.

Eat:

Aspen is a healthy foodie heaven. With so many innovative restaurants and cafes, there is something for everyone.  If you fancy a delicious and nutritious breakfast, head to Spring Cafe. Serving an assortment of eggs, cereals, delicious smoothies – think cacao, almond butter, blueberries and bananas and refreshing cold-pressed juices, Spring cafe is the perfect place to start your day.

For fresh, natural cuisine, visit the Pyramid Bistro. This quaint restaurant is situated in the heart of Aspen. Known and loved by the locals, Pyramid Bistro is a hidden gem. Situated above the bookshop Explore Booksellers in a treehouse-themed setting, everything about this restaurant oozes health and vitality. The menu features Nutritarian cuisine from the chef, Martin Oswald consisting of dishes such as fresh salmon, quinoa salad and kale crunchies. All the produce is fresh and locally sourced.

The Chefs Club at the St. Regis is a gastronomic dream.  The brainchild of Food and Wine, this innovative concept brings together the most talented and best new chefs to create exclusive dishes featuring the finest ingredients – well worth a visit even if you are not staying at the St. Regis

See: If you really want to absorb yourself in culture then make sure you go and see a rodeo. This exhilarating spectacle makes our Olympic dressage attempts seem pretty tame. The rodeo takes place every Wednesday in Snowmass, just a 15 minute drive away.

Further Information:

Seven nights in Aspen/Snowmass, including three nights at The St Regis Aspen and four nights at The Viceroy Snowmass, with SUV (4×4) hire car and international flights with British Airways starts from £1,820pp based on two people sharing. To find out more call Scott Dunn on 020 8682 5030 or visit www.scottdunn.com

Aspen Chamber Resort Association- www.aspenchamber.org  

Snowmass Tourism www.snowmasstourism.com