Celeste Kemp, concierge at The Westin Snowmass Resort, shares her recommendations for a group of all ages to enjoy dining, exploring and sightseeing.
Snowmass Kitchen
“At the Westin, we have a wonderful restaurant called Snowmass Kitchen,” explains Celeste Kemp, concierge at The Westin Snowmass Resort. “It’s slopeside for people to have breakfast and check out the snow conditions.” Snowmass Kitchen offers a hearty first meal of the day with an array of buffet options like pancakes, eggs Benedict, breakfast burritos and smoothies. Additionally, several types of fruit juices are offered alongside lattes, espressos and cappuccinos to keep guests energized for their adventures ahead. (970-923-8301; westinsnowmass.com)
Ice Age Discovery Center
“There’s a really fun place called the Ice Age Discovery Center,” Kemp says. “They can visit with a paleontologist to learn about the ice age discovery here in Snowmass.” Located in the Snowmass Village Mall, the hands-on center allows visitors to literally get in touch with the distant history of the region. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the exhibit embraces interactive programming, giving guests a chance to handle bones from mastodons and mammoths that roamed the area from 45,000 to possibly 150,000 years ago. (970-922-2277)
Elk Camp Restaurant
“For something to eat midday, Elk Camp Restaurant is a great place to go,” Kemp says. “There’s a lot of great food and healthy options, and they also have sledding up there now, as well.” Sitting atop the Elk Camp area near the gondola, the on-mountain restaurant caters to diners of all ages. Adults will appreciate the menu, which is filled with organic items, including salads, roasted chicken and pork loin. Even children can enjoy the wholesome options: Wild mushroom, fontina cheese and white truffle oil are topped on pizza for a parent- and kid-approved meal. (970-923-0450; aspensnowmass.com)
Slopeside Lanes
Aptly named Slopeside Lanes, this boutique bowling alley allows visitors to trade in their skis for bowling shoes. Open from 4 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends, Slopeslide Lanes is the quintessential modern bowling destination. Featuring eight full-size lanes surrounded by 300-inch projection screens, as well as wood-fired pizzas and a lounge area with a full bar that stocks locally brewed beers, guests of all ages will be entertained for hours. (970-429-8839; slopesidelanes.com)
Burlingame Cabin and Krabloonik
“In the evening, there are a couple of really good options depending on how adventurous they are,” Kemp explains. “First, there’s on-mountain dining; you can go up via a snowcat to Burlingame Cabin. It’s a mellow but fun Colorado dining experience. Another option would be dog sledding with Alaskan sled dogs. People love that; it’s really fun. You go out with the … dogs and you end with a gourmet meal at Krabloonik. You go through the woods, and it’s a pretty adventurous and thrilling experience.” (Burlingame Cabin: 970-923-8715) (Krabloonik: 970-923-3953; krabloonik.com)
