Honeymoons in Aspen

[Samantha Red]

I am not a sun lover (red hair and freckles) and have come up with a plan that we could go to Aspen and then on somewhere warm for a week each. I live in the UK so I am looking for advise about the skiing in early April. Our wedding is on the 4th April 2009 so we would get there about 6th. Will there be good enough snow for skiing for about a week after that? Any recommendations for accomodation?

Cheers!

 

[zoebartlett]

Hi Samantha,

Have you tried www.tripadvisor.com? I''m sure there''s a forum on Apen and if you asked for recommendations, you''d get plenty of suggestions. Sorry, I''ve never been, so I can''t help you there.

 

[Stephanie]

I actually enjoy Breckenridge more than Aspen. Breck is smaller and you can walk everywhere. The latest we''ve gone is late March, and it was still snowing. So I think that early April could be fine. It was about 35 degrees when we were skiing and we were sweating, but when it was snowing, it was around 25-30. But skiing conditions were perfect! No ice, pure powder... fantastic. I think that''s where we are going to go on our honeymoon!

 

[surfgirl]

What's your budget Sam? If you can swing it, The Little Nell in Aspen is "the" place to stay. I believe you can also ski in/ski out directly to the Aspen Mtn. chair lift as well.

My sister's family goes to Telluride on a regular basis. It seems most folks in the US who ski Colorado, have their "fav" spot and they just stick to that place. All depends on what you want to do. If you're into Spring skiing, then I think Aspen's the place and depending on how well you ski, I recommend Aspen Highlands as it's the most perfect place in the West for intermediate skiers. Fantastic bowls, a little tree and moghul action if you want, and a Pro Ski slalom course that you can try your legs on. Aspen is also very chi-chi so there are a high percentage of the wealthy and celebrities, which drives up the prices on everything there.

My sister's family all ski and they speak highly of Telluride. It's way more laid back, more "western" in feeling if I get her description correctly. And Steamboat also has a different feeling.

If you tell us what you guys like to do, it would be easier for people to give you more concrete suggestions. But in general, it's a great area for a honeymoon! Gorgeous scenery.

ETA: There is no way to be sure they would be good Spring skiing as it all depends on the snowfall each season. This year, for example, Colorado is getting hammered with snow and likely there would be good Spring skiing this year. You might want to choose your hotel, make a reservation and continue to check on snow conditions up until March and that way, you could cancel your reservation before any penalty if the snow season is bad next year. Also, I would recommend making a second back up reservation farther north, say in Western Canada, in Banff or Whistler, where no doubt they would have snow in April (they get way more snow up there I think) and similar scenery, and you'd have a back up in case CO didn't work out. You just cancel whichever hotel you decide not to use.

 

[portia]

Wow... I''m so jealous! I''ve always said that would be the ultimate vacation. Skiing first and an R&R vacation somewhere warm to recover from the ski vacation. That will be so much fun!

I would normally not recommend going skiing in April since the snow is usually not so good, but I just got back from a ski trip in Beaver Creek and they have *tons* of snow out there. If it keeps snowing like it has, April could be great spring skiing. Not sure when the season closes... I think usually it''s mid-April, but maybe they''ll extend the season if they have the snow for it.

I used to go to Aspen a lot and I highly recommend the area for skiing. There are four mountains out there:
Aspen Mountain (Ajax) - the ''see and be seen'' mountain
Aspen Highlands - my personal favorite, great runs and fewer crowds
Snowmass - HUGE area, great fun but can get crowded
Buttermilk - I remember this as being the beginner mountain, not as much fun as the others.

Wish I could suggest accomodations, but haven''t been back there in many years. I lost my heart to Telluride. It''s absolutely breathtakingly beautiful out there. Have spent the last 18 yrs. going out there summers and some winters. The skiing is ok, but there''s too few intermediate runs. It''s either really easy or really hard. I personally like to mix it up a bit.

Have fun!

 

[diamondfan]

Spring skiing out west goes til about mid April. They have had a lot of snow recently. I went to Aspen last year in late March early April and it was 60 degrees and the snow lower down on the mountains was quite mushy and slushy. This year might be different. Aspen is cool, if you stay in Aspen itself there is great shopping. Not sure about nightlife or food, though of course there are some great restaurants.