You've finished your film shoot in the south of France. Spending time at the Lake Como villa drinking wine just doesn't sound appealing this summer. Where to go to get away from it all and the paparazzi will never suspect? Why Aspen of course! The wintertime ski getaway is perfect for a summer destination. In Aspen, anything is possible. Fire up the private jet's engines. Off to the natural wonders of Aspen, Colorado!
If you misplaced your private jet, not to worry, there are many ways to get there. In the summer it's just a short 2.5-hour drive over Independence Pass from Denver. Before heading over the pass, make sure your land yacht is less than 35 ft in length as there is a length limit restriction. At the top of the Pass, stop and view Mt. Elbert, which is the highest mountain in Colorado. Just over the top of the Pass be sure to stop and tour the ghost town of Independence. Next, head on down the pass road towards Aspen. This stretch isn't for the faint of heart but the views are stunning. Stop and take pictures! Be aware that sometimes the road narrows to one lane and only one car can go at a time. To keep your attention, these are strategically located on blind corners. Guardrails are not common either. We don't want to block your view of the valley below.
Once you've safely arrived in Aspen you'll need to get situated to take in the local flavor. There are all sorts of accommodations to fit whatever your needs are--whether you want to live in a private home, full diva style, or you want to keep it low key in a vacation condo like the little people do.
Now the adventure begins! Where to start? One good place is a bus tour to Maroon Bells. Learn about and see the power of avalanches from the guide as you ride the bus there. There are many hiking trails once you arrive. If you need an adrenaline rush, you do have the option to go paragliding, ballooning, rock climbing, horseback riding, or rafting within a 20 minute drive of Aspen. Forgot your stunt man and are not keen on sweating or getting wet? Take the gondola up to the top of Ajax and eat lunch at the Sundeck. Better yet, take your 4WD and drive up the Summer Road to the top. How many of your friends have driven up Aspen Mountain? You'll have bragging rights for years to come!
Still bored? Take a ride in the Ultimate Taxi over to the Hotel Jerome. At the J-Bar you can view the drawer with all the signatures of past bartenders. Sadly, one can no longer admire the authentic bullet holes in the bar at the Red Onion. Alternatively, rent a bicycle and ride the Rio Grande trail and wind up at the Popcorn Wagon. While you're there, check out the bricks laid in the sidewalk along Hyman St. for a unique look at Aspen's history.
Other adventures can be had if you haven't had your fill. If you brought your yacht, it is possible to go sailing or waterskiing on Ruedi Reservoir. Some of the best fly fishing in Colorado can be had on the Frying Pan River on the drive up to Ruedi. Golf is another possibility but standard rules only! Hunter S. Thompson style Shotgun Golf is not permitted. (The divets were driving the green's keeper crazy!)
With all these natural attractions, you can see that Aspen is the perfect high-altitude getaway for the glitteratti like yourself. With cool evenings and low humidity, it makes for an escape from summer's heat. You'll leave with a deep appreciation for outdoor recreation and perhaps the need to schedule a vacation to recover from all your adventures. So gas up your private jet or fire up your land yacht and head to Aspen today!
This guide to Aspen for the fabulously fabulous was brought to you by G. Kunkel.