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By Larry Feldman
So, I was wrong! For years, my best friend in the world has been telling me that Snowmass not only was the best mountain he ever skied, but also had some of the best golf around. As a resident of Park City, which boasts three of the nation’s Top 15 ski resorts and five world-class golf course communities, I was flat-out skeptical.
Well, he may be right.
After years of urging, I finally paid a visit to Aspen/Snowmass and found the best of both worlds. In one corner, you have the fast-paced lifestyle of Aspen, full with ritzy shops on every corner and some of the finest dining this side of Manhattan. In fact, take Manhattan and pop it smack into a mountain range and you basically have Aspen.
In the other corner, you have this charming, little ski town called Snowmass with one of the biggest mountains you’ll ever ski and one of the nicest, most-picturesque golf courses you’ll ever play in Snowmass Village Country Club.
The winner? You.
That’s because Aspen and Snowmass are just 15 minutes apart, so if you want fast-paced, stay in Aspen. If you need to get away and chill, stay in Snowmass.
Personally, with the recent fact that I’ve hit the ripe age of 50, I give the nod to Snowmass.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s something about Aspen and all its glory. To be able to walk the streets of Aspen, take in the plethora of top-notch shops and restaurants and glance at the “beautiful” people who can appear on any street corner, Aspen is truly special. In fact, I rubbed elbows with Megan Fox at a local bar one night…thought I was going to die and go to heaven!
But, in the end, dying and going to heaven means skiing long runs of deep powder and hitting 300 yard drives and Snowmass has it all. Sorry, Megan.
For starters, Snowmass Village has gone through millions of dollars of building and re-building over the past five years. What was once really just a sleepy, little ski town now pops with high-end resorts, condos and first-class restaurants, just on a much smaller scale than Aspen. Oh yeah, and one big mountain.
As a lifelong skier who has schussed down most of the nation’s top slopes, Snowmass might have them all beat. With runs that can take 20-30 minutes in some spots and a bigness that spreads everyone out on the mountain, Snowmass is a skier’s dream-come-true. While my three resorts in Park City should never feel any shame, if you gave me one day to float through powder-covered runs, Snowmass would get my vote.
The pinnacle of living starts with the Snowmass Club. Members are rewarded with an exclusive lifestyle and a private playground in the mountains. While it is private by most standards, public play opportunities allow the visiting guest the chance to conquer the Irish links golf course after 12:30 p.m. on most days.
A $1 million renovation now invites members and their guests the chance to unwind with a variety of relaxing spa services, including salt scrubs, facials, body peels and massages to help increase energy flow and loosen those exhausted muscles, whether it was making turns on the slopes, cross-country skiing on Snowmass’ 70 kilometers of trails or from the 72 swings (we’re assuming you’re shooting par) on the magnificent Jim Engh-designed layout. Three outdoor hot tubs, a four-lane, 25-yard lap pool and several family pools help complete the perfect day. A 19,000-square-foot state-of-the-art athletic club where floor-to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of Mt. Daly, is also available if you still have the energy.
Of course, these demanding fitness routines call for a more-than-satisfying meal. Refuel and excite the palate at Sage Restaurant and Bar, Snowmass' mainstay dining spot. Serving up classic and creative dishes like the Colorado Mixed Grill staging Venison Sausage, Buffalo Tenderloins, Lamb T-Bone with Mashed Potatoes, Chef Randall Baldwin incorporates Colorado's finest organic and local ingredients in an elegant, yet cozy dining experience. A decadent finish to a delicious meal is in order, but it's hard to choose between treats such as Croissant Bread Pudding with Date Ice Cream and Nougatine or the Chocolate Sampler with Dark Chocolate Mousse, Pot du Crème and Chocolate Ganache Cake. Or simply unwind at Sage Bar with a refreshing Colorado microbrew, glass of wine or one of Sage's signature specialty winter drinks while sitting by the fire.
As you can imagine, it was only a matter of time before a high-end resort moved in and that distinction belongs to Viceroy Snowmass. Unveiled on opening day of the 2009-10 ski season, Viceroy Snowmass if the first mountain resort operated by the prestigious Viceroy Hotels & Resorts line of five-star hotels.
Bringing the Viceroy brand’s signature fusion of glamorous style, provocative design and innovative culinary experiences to the mountains, Viceroy Snowmass features the prime ski-in, ski-out location at Snowmass’ new Base Village, location of the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center and the home of Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass.
Viceroy Snowmass, designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, offers 173 residences ranging from stylish studios to expansive four-bedroom units with galley or full kitchens, stunning mountain views and Jean-Michel Gathy’s contemporary, alpine décor. The hotel’s amenities include Eight K, a dramatically designed fine-dining restaurant with a glimmering display kitchen, private dining rooms, and an 87-foot-long glass-topped après-ski bar; a plush lounge designed around a double-sided fireplace; slopeside ski valet services operated by Four Mountain Sports offering complimentary ski and snowboard transfer to any of the area’s four ski mountains; a full-service spa; fitness room; Nest, the Kelly Wearstler-designed pool café and bar; the slopeside pool terrace with permanent cabanas integrating fire design elements; a stylish boutique; and 9,000 square feet of flexible and stylish conference and event space.
The new Snowmass Base Village also features new dining and entertainment venues, including, Sneaky’s Tavern, The Sweet Life ice cream emporium and diner and a modern Japanese tavern Buchi from Jeffrey Klein, the founding partner of Matsuhisa (Aspen’s outpost of Nobu). Base Village shopping is highlighted by Aspen’s renowned Performance Ski as well as Aspen Sports, a North Face Concept store, Generation Snowmass and more. Detailed information regarding all of the new openings and real estate sales opportunities within the new development are available at www.SnowmassLiving.com
If you do want to stay and play in Aspen, Hotel Jerome not only offers up sheer elegance for the most discriminating taste, but should you traveling with your favorite four-legged companion be a must ala Paris Hilton, then they’re invited too.
Hotel Jerome has been Aspen's crown jewel since 1889, providing guests a timeless blend of luxury and casual sophistication. Spacious, elegant accommodations http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/guest-rooms/descriptions.asp welcome guests the moment they step into the grand lobby.
The hotel has a longstanding tradition of culinary excellence and it’s showcased in its variety of dining options—from its Garden Terrace http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/dining/garden-terrace.asp, to the ever-popular J-Bar http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/dining/j-bar.asp, to the relaxed Library http://hoteljerome.rockresorts.com/dining/library.asp all of which, in the tradition of RockResorts, reflect a deep and abiding respect for the environment through their innovative, locally inspired menus, sustainable cuisine, and use of the freshest organic, natural and seasonal ingredients.
Hotel Jerome is in the heart of downtown Aspen, so its just footsteps from the many world-class galleries, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and the mountain gondola that have made Aspen one of the most celebrated mountain resort destinations in the world.
But, this is a golf magazine, so let’s talk golf. Snowmass Village Country Club is a gem of a course, plain and simple. Jim Engh, who is the only man to win the prestigious Best New Course Award from Golf Digest four times, has created a truly spectacular layout with views that rival anything from Pebble Beach to the coast of Ireland.
And, it’s that Irish influence that dominates this links-style course. At just over 7,000 yards, Snowmass Village twists around its Rocky Mountain landscape and the result is a tract that possesses majestic views, challenging landscape, all the while being sensitive to the precious land it sits on. With five sets of tee boxes, novices and pros will find a challenge ahead of them.
On the front side, the fun starts on No. 1 with a Par 5 that is the perfect risk-reward way to begin. At 595 yards, this magnificent hook-shaped dogleg right offers water up the entire right side and bunkers left as you tee off with the mountains staring you down. With a good drive, you’re still facing 225 yards home over the water…make it and you may make your round…miss it and you may want to double-back to the bar.
No. 11 frames Mt. Daly and is the course’s most scenic hole. At 564, this Par 5 is a bomber’s delight. But, with an extremely long green from front to back, you could be facing a putt of over 100 feet. So, birdie is not guaranteed by any means, especially if you putt like me.
Snowmass finishes with a bang on its closing three holes. The 16th hole is a great, drivable Par 4 that measures 353 yards (306 from the white with elevation). But, the hole features water right and a nasty bunker front-left that almost ensures bogey if you get caught in it.
The 17th is a tremendous hole. Measuring 211 yards, this Par 3 consists of nine pot bunkers that will catch any shot hit a little fat. The long, undulating green invites three putts all day long if you don’t put the tee shot on the correct level.
The old adage of “Tee it high and let it fly” really depicts the finishing hole at Snowmass Village. The 18th, a 581-yard, Par 5, offers sweeping 360 degree views of Snowmass. But, if you get caught up in the scenery, this dogleg right might ruin your round if you don’t keep all three shots left. With trouble down the right on the tee shot and water front and right on the approach, take your par and run to the clubhouse.
The experience you’ll get from Aspen/Snowmass is certainly unique. Summer. Winter. Spring. Fall. In short, it has it all. And, you can hit ‘em both on one trip.
So, while Park City is home to me and my family, I know exactly where I’m going next!
www.aspensnowmass.com
www.hjerome.com
www.viceroysnowmass.com
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