Jetsettersblog

News from Aspen/Snowmass for winter 2009-2010

Over $US130 million invested On-Mountain in last six years

Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) will invest nearly $8 million in on-mountain improvements this
year and has invested more than $130 million over the previous six seasons, giving guests the
most seamless skiing/riding experience in the industry. Improvements over that period include 11 new lifts with two new gondolas, the industry-leading Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Centre, three new restaurants, additional terrain plus the new Snowmass base village.

The Little Nell undergoes extensive remodel
In addition to the on-mountain improvements, the company will complete the first phase of the
$18 million room renovation at The Little Nell hotel this Fall.

The Little Nell, Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond hotel, just steps away from the Silver Queen Gondola is setting a new standard in hotel room design with the commission of internationally known designer Holly Hunt.

Hands-Free gate access

Aspen/Snowmass will be the only resort in North America to have 100 percent hands-free radio frequency gate access across the four mountains for the 2009-2010 season.

Tickets will be a plastic card with a chip inside detecting guests as they move through lift lines.

Now there’s no
need to dig in your pocket to find your pass or ticket, allowing for smooth and quick access to the slopes.

A tunnel easing skier traffic will be built on Buttermilk above the terrain park – specifically above
Uncle Chucks Glades – to separate terrain park traffic and regular skier traffic.

Viceroy Snowmass to 0pen Winter 2009

The 2009/2010 season welcomes the opening of the LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental
Design) Silver-certified Viceroy Snowmass, Viceroy’s first foray into the mountains, and the anchor hotel for the new $1 billion base village at Snowmass.

The Viceroy Snowmass will open with 152 guest rooms, a 7,000 square foot spa, a fine dining restaurant and café.

Going Green

Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) continues to be the ski and snowboard industry leader in sustainable business practices. By combining tangible projects here with policy changes at the state and national level, ASC hopes to become carbon neutral by 2020 and ultimately ensure the future of skiing and riding in Aspen/Snowmass.

ASC is proud to announce energy improvements over the last two seasons, including Western Colorado’s largest solar array; installation of energy monitoring systems; new LEED certified buildings; The Little Nell’s Eco-Luxe program and Green Suite; a wind energy trial program; water storage expansion and environmental-friendly clothing and ski/snowboard waxes to guests.

2009-2010 Season Dates, World Class Events & Deals

The lifts begin running on November 26, when Aspen Mountain and Snowmass open for the 2009-2010 winter season; Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk will open on December 12. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk are slated to close on April 4, and Aspen Mountain and Snowmass will close on April 11.

From the Women’s FIS World Cup Alpine Ski Races in November to the CoverGirl Snow Angels Invitational in April, the 2009-2010 season is packed with world class events.

Highlighted by ESPN Winter X Games 14 in January, the events calendar includes exciting parties, free concerts and athletic competitions. Aspen/Snowmass will host Olympians from November through January as they prepare and qualify for the Olympic Games in February.

Brightening Aspen’s already vibrant scene, several new and renovated restaurants and boutiques are opening their doors. From successful, local restaurateurs unveiling yet another stellar eatery, to world-renowned brands establishing an Aspen outpost, visitors will experience exceptional dining, shopping, nightlife and, of course, outdoor adventures throughout the year.

Following are highlights of recent openings and highly anticipated developments unfolding this past year in Aspen.

Coming soon, the world-renowned Italian restaurant Il Mulino is opening a location in the new
Residences at The Little Nell. Known as one of New York’s landmark dining institutions, Zagat
readers have rated Il Mulino as the top New York City Italian restaurant for more than two decades. (520 East Durant Ave.; 970.920.7272; www.rlnaspen.com; www.ilmulino.com)

Syzygy owners are setting up shop in a new building on Aspen’s “restaurant row” with two levels of dining and nightlife. On the main floor, an approachable bistro-style restaurant dubbed Ute City is set to open fall 2009 and will offer indoor and outdoor dining with affordable menu items, live music, creative cocktails and infusions, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Opening December 2009, the lower level will house Syzygy’s signature fine dining and boisterous nightlife in a contemporary space, complete with a private dining room, DJ booth and a dedicated dance floor.
(308 East Hopkins Ave.; www.syzygyrestaurant.com)

Club Chelsea has transformed into The Mustang, a restaurant and nightlife venue offering authentic Mexican fare and Rocky Mountain classics for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and drinks until closing. The Mustang is also outfitted with new flat-screen TVs, Karaoke and an expansive outdoor dining area on Hyman Ave. (415 East Hyman Ave.; 970.920.0066)

Cloud Nine Brownies owners Jim and Jill Pomeroy opened up shop in Aspen Highlands Village, giving a storefront to their famous chocolate indulgences.

In addition to offering their complete selection of brownies, the Pomeroys are cooking up breakfast baked goods, lunch selections and serving coffee and tea. Visitors can watch brownies being made in the display kitchen, and the coffee shop is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. (Aspen Highlands Village; 1501 Boomerang Road, #5202; 970.925.7171; www.cloudninebrownies.com)

Dark Horse Alley is tucked between two shops on Cooper Avenue, with a “secret garden” setting for its coffee and espresso cart. Serving fresh French press coffee, pastries, frozen drinks, sandwiches and more, this new Aspen gem is quickly becoming a locals’ favorite. (531 East Cooper Ave.; 970.319.2068)

Fat City Plaza at 520 East Cooper Ave. offers a new model for Aspen retailers. The original 3,700-square-foot room has been divided into five spaces between 270 and 735 square feet.

The first restaurant tenant to sign on is Kenichi, opening Noodles by Kenichi, a take-out noodle bar in late summer. (520 East Cooper Ave.)

Noted Aspen eatery, Gusto Ristorante, received a face lift from local designers Poss Architects, changed management and unveiled a new menu under the name Gisella. The restaurant reopened June 12 and offers a romantic ambiance with cuisine focusing on several regions of
Italy. Offering dinner nightly. (415 East Main St.; 970.925.8222; www.gisellaaspen.com)

Explore Booksellers has drastically revamped its restaurant and dubbed the new space Escape.

No longer serving strictly vegan cuisine, Escape offers a vegetarian menu with daily fish dishes
and maintains its emphasis on healthful food for lunch and dinner. (221 East Main Street,
970.925.5338; www.explorebooksellers.com)

Fun Worldwide Lab has transformed into N9NE Steakhouse. Scott DeGraff, restaurateur and owner of both ventures, completed a sleek redesign of the space formerly occupied by Cooking School of Aspen, installing a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen and contemporary finishes.
DeGraff is also a partner in other N9NE Steakhouse locations in Las Vegas and Chicago, and the
Aspen outpost will feature N9NE Steakhouse signature dishes including Sashimi, Bone-In Filet,

Truffled Chicken and Kobe Flat Iron Steak. Fun Worldwide Lab will continue to operate as a special event venue Sunday through Tuesday through the summer. (414 East Hyman Ave.; 970.920.1090; www.funworldwide.net)

Brexi opened February 2009 in the Dancing Bear Aspen and is the fourth restaurant venture for owners Craig and Samantha Cordts-Pearce, who also operate the highly successful LuLu Wilson and The Wild Fig. Brexi features French-bistro fare in a stylish brasserie setting.

Brexi is serving lunch on its sunny patio and inside. (411 South Monarch St.; 970.925.2838)

Lulu Wilson, sister restaurant to Brexi, now offers brunch on Saturdays and Sundays with a menu of breakfast and lunch staples, created with the freshest ingredients, including handcrafted Bloody Marys and specialty cocktails. Brunch is offered inside the Victorian-era mining cabin or outside on the sunny patio. (316 East Hopkins Ave.; 970.920.1893; www.luluwilson.com)

Owners of sushi hotspot Kenichi enlivened the former Cooper Street Pier space with Bad Billy’s, a new restaurant and bar. Opened December 2008, Bad Billy’s preserves Cooper Street’s cheap- burger-and-beer ethos while serving Asian noodle dishes and salads and hosting live music many nights of the week. (508 East Cooper Ave.; 970.925.9225)

The Restaurant @ St. Regis Aspen offers a casual yet upscale dining experience created by Chef Adam Tanner. With a farm-to-table concept, the menu incorporates the finest ingredients from the Roaring Fork Valley and renowned suppliers across the U.S. with signature dishes, including flame-grilled Milagro Ranch sirloin burgers with parmesan fries, citrus poached Maine Lobster cob salad, and Meyer Ranch prime beef tenderloin. (315 East Dean St.; 970.920.3300; www.stregisaspen.com)

Parallel 15 is known geographically as the coffee bean belt, and it’s where owner Keith Goode sources his flavorful beans. Parallel 15 coffee and espresso drinks are made with manually operated machines and complemented by organic milk, half-and-half, and other accoutrements.

Starting April 2009, former journalist and cooking school graduate Kate Bailey opened her new bakery Tarte at Parallel 15, offering healthy but indulgent specialties. (400 East Hyman Ave.; 970.309.6883)

Victoria’s Wine & Espresso Bar, neighboring Wagner Park, is a new venue for early morning lattes, lunch or evening wine and hors d’oeuvres. Victoria’s features an espresso bar, an extensive wine list, and a large selection of delectable cheeses and cured meats. Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (312 South Mill St.; 970.920.3001; www.aspenespressobar.com)

James Perse, purveyor of “low maintenance, high-end fashion” for men and women, has opened an Aspen outpost this summer on Hunter Street, bringing California casual to a chic Aspen audience. (312 South Hunter St.; 970.544.0600; www.jamesperse.com)

Fat City Plaza at 520 East Cooper Ave. offers a new model for Aspen retailers. The original 3,700-square-foot room has been divided into five retail spaces between 270 and 735 square feet. Aspen Artists Cooperative, formerly based at Aspen Highlands, will add some culture to the space; Kali’s Denim purveys designer jeans and simple, stylish women’s clothing; and Castillo Jewellery. (520 East Cooper Ave).

Two Old Hippies, a new lifestyle boutique opened in June, shares “peace, love & rock ‘n’ roll” through 2oh, a new collection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, gifts, home products, and premium acoustic guitars. Owners invite shoppers to bring out their inner hippie and be “playful, a little rebellious, softly bold and fun.” (111 South Monarch St.; 970.927.7492; www.2oh.com)

Prints Charming opened May 2009 and sells antique prints, including rare Audubon and Denton prints, as well as prints from Harper’s Weekly illustrated newspapers from the 1800s. In addition, their inventory includes antique maps, books, antique jewelry and other collectables. (533 East Hopkins; 970.544.3662; www.printscharmingaspen.com)