Skiers and spectators alike dine and converse at the base of Aspen Mountain, consuming Wagyu double cheeseburgers,
truffle fries and Veuve Clicquot champagne specials at AJAX Tavern.
Aspen Snowmass

What beats reveling in Colorado’s great outdoors during wintertime? Well, adding a fabulous meal does take it over the top. Here are some activity and dining pairings on the Western Slope.

Like to heat things up when it’s teeth-chattering cold? Iron Mountain Hot Springs is making a geothermal splash with its new series of themed hot pools for adults 21 and older on its scenic property in Glenwood Springs. And it’s got a fabulous new walk-up restaurant complete with a wine, beer and cocktail bar.

WorldSprings at Iron Mountain encompasses 10 new Experience Pools – eight of which overlook the Colorado River – along with a cold plunge pool, two large freshwater pools, waterfalls and the new Sandbar Cafe. Iron Mountain offers 32 pools in all, so bring teenagers 16 and older to enjoy their own area and poolside Sopris Cafe as you get your adult time soaking in the epic views and listening to soothing music.

Each of the new pools is filled with healing mineral formulas from far-flung hot springs such as Iceland, France, Japan, Bali and New Zealand. Pebble bottoms provide foot massages. The SandBar Cafe is just a few steps away.

Dive into diverse craft food, including fig and prosciutto naan flatbread topped with baby arugula and balsamic glaze; and smoked salmon sandwich on sourdough with jalapeno and cheddar cream cheese. Do try the signature trout spread. Choose from a full wine and beer list, and craft cocktails such as Blood Orange Whiskey Lemonade, Mango Mojito and Ruby Red Paloma with tequila as you drink in the essence of the Western Rockies.

“We offer things that are easy, nutritious and light to go along with our three-hour soak windows,” said Anita Wan, food and beverage manager. “When people are in the pools, they typically don’t want a full meal, so I gear my menu items to something that is easy to eat, not messy, and that will appeal to a wide range of guests.”

The Aspen-Snowmass ski area unveild a major terrain expansion on Aspen Mountain called Hero’s at the start of the season. Not for beginners, Hero’s boasts 150 vertical acres of new expert chutes, glades and trails and is the first significant addition to what locals affectionately call Ajax since the Silver Queen Gondola was completed in 1985. Hero’s honors all those who made an impact on Aspen Mountain, including Jim Crown, who helped bring the expansion to reality.

Between runs, head to the top of Ajax to a reserved plateau where you’ll find the ASPENX Beach Club. The outdoor restaurant offers what it calls a “beachside experience,” sans the sand and the ocean.

Set upon glistening snow, ASPENX is decked out with coveted red-and-white striped cabanas, beach chairs and picture-perfect views of Highland Bowl and the Elk Range. Soak in the sun, relax and enjoy celebratory drinks, rotating DJs, and a curated food menu. It’s first come, first served.

Debuting this season, seven Signature Burgers will be grilled at seven different restaurants across Aspen-Snowmass’ four mountains. 

“All seven burgers are crafted by different chefs with local, grass-fed beef and offer a nod to the eateries in which they’re served,” said Ellen Williams of Aspen Skiing Co. “The Cliffhouse Bahn Mi-style burger, for example, reflects the Asian cuisine at Buttermilk’s laid-back mountaintop restaurant. High Alpine’s Haus Burger features a pretzel bun, sliced pastrami and kraut in the mid-mountain Bavarian-style spot on Snowmass. These burgers are examples of the unique and high-quality experience and food that guests can expect when dining on our mountains.”

Later in the season, the Little Nell resort at the base of Aspen Mountain will once again host Clicquot in the Snow. Après-ski with bubbles outdoors at Little Nell’s famous Ajax Tavern and watch skiers and snowboarders come down the mountain. Enjoy Veuve Clicquot champagne specials, Ajax Tavern’s food favorites, and live DJ music on the sun-soaked patio on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting the end of February to end of March.

Situated next door to Little Nell at the base of Ajax, the W Aspen has an expansive rooftop bar and pool, the Wet Deck, popular with the après ski crowd, and the hotel claims that it’s home to the largest single-barrel bourbon and tequila collection in the state of Colorado. Imbibe the Buffalo Trace bourbon flight, Weller Full Proof, Stagg Jr., and Blantons; or go south of the border with the Old Jalisco tequila flight with El Tesoro Mundial, Paladar and Herradura. Of course, after a hard day of schussing down the slopes, you’ll be tempted by gourmet tapas. Hunker down to smoked brisket tostada with chili gastrique, lime crème, avocado and Thai herbs; and Oaxacan poutine with chunky house cut Yukon Gold fries, Birria short rib and queso menonita. Wait a minute. Isn’t poutine Canadian? Not here. Ole! More new winter menu items are in the works.


39 Degrees hosts live music, its silver nugget DJ booth paying homage to Aspen’s silver mining heritage.
The dinner menu includes Ribeye, Peruvian Pollo a La Brasa and Miso Marinated Salmon.

The W Aspen’s 39 Degrees transitions from day to night with live music from esteemed DJs. The silver nugget DJ booth featured in the lobby pays homage to the largest silver nugget ever mined. It was at Smuggler back in 1894. The W also pays homage to the Ute Native Americans who once inhabited the valley with a color palette inspired by the tribe. Aspen was originally named Ute City.

The 39 Degrees venue is the annual host to W Presents, a live electronic showcase series featuring handpicked headlining artists.

A few blocks across the historic town lies the Limelight Lounge, which offers a roaring fire, a kids’ playroom, and a daily happy hour, 3-6 p.m. with discounted food and beverages.

Enjoy live music at the Limelight Lounge 4-7 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday throughout the peak winter season. As you listen to a low-key mix of folk, rock, jazz, DJ music and other genres, you may dig into a menu of oven-fired pizzas and seasonal specialties. Limelight Aspen partners with the renowned Denver-based Williams & Graham to continually enhance the lounge’s cocktail offerings. Each drink pays tribute to Aspen and its rich history. One notable example is the Monarch Old Fashioned, expertly crafted with Woody Creek bourbon, Mountain Chai Syrup, and Strongwater aromatic bitters.

In addition, Limelight Aspen will bring back the ever-popular beer dinners with a new twist for the winter 23/24 season. Limelight’s chefs pair craft foods with exceptional rotating libation partners such as Telluride Brewing. From appetizers to dessert, every bite and sip offers a Colorado journey of flavors and sensations.

On Snowmass Mountain, the high-elevation Alpin Room welcomes Chef Emily Oyer, formerly with the world-famous Cloud Nine on Aspen Highlands, to run the kitchen and re-imagine the restaurant’s menu and personality.

Chef Oyer won Chopped 420 in 2021 and competed on Beat Bobby Flay in 2022 on the Food Network. She views food as a means for connection, and aims to bring a new warmth, energy and community to the ski-in-ski-out fine dining restaurant. Look for Alps-inspired comfort food with an elevated twist.

Pairing outdoor activities with epic meals – that’s what wintertime in the Western Rockies is all about.



The Alpin Room (left) serves scratch-made French onion soup, chicken schnitzel and caramelized onion fondue
at 10,486 feet elevation,
the French, Austrian and Swiss dishes conceived and prepared by Head Chef Emily Oyer (right)
and her team.
Oyer competed on Food Network, winning on Chopped 420.
Aspen Snowmass (both)