As Pitkin County (Aspen) shifts from the mandatory Stay at Home Health order to Colorado’s Safer at Home order this week, we can’t help but see a glimmer of hope for summer. This being said, your safety and health are our community’s top priority. All Aspen businesses are required to submit a proposal to open safely.

Here are some of Aspen’s top summer activities that you can still enjoy while social distancing. 

1. BIKING – Bike shops in the Roaring Fork Valley remain an essential business. We can arrange for your bikes to be delivered, tuned and sanitized before you arrive so you can click in and ride. 

2. HIKING & ROCK CLIMBING – Our local experts will recommend trails that are less populated so you can keep 6 feet apart. Our guide partners will ensure your health and safety is their number one priority by enforcing new protocols that both guides and guests must follow. Your Aspen Luxury Concierge will ensure you have the details you need before you hit the trail.

3. GOLFING – Golf courses in the Roaring Fork Valley are open, but with new protocol. Your personal concierge will help you navigate the new rules and arrange your preferred tee time.

4. FLY FISHING – Our fly fishing partners will have their guides meet you at the fishing location so you do not have to ride in the same vehicle as they do. ALC will arrange a private vehicle to take you to and from the fishing. We can also arrange a delicious sandwich from Butchers Block to take with you to enjoy by the river. 

5. PRIVATE SHOPPING EXPERIENCES –  Allow us to arrange a private shopping experience at one of your favorite Aspen shops for you and your loved ones. 

6. PRIVATE IN-HOME  EVENTS – Groups of up to 10 people are now permitted in the City of Aspen. Why not host an intimate al fresco dinner or brunch with your friends or family? Our team will beautifully design and execute your in-home event.  

7. PRIVATE CHEF & CATERING – Chefs are busy as ever as they pre-prepare meals for clients or cook in-home meals. Our chefs are committed to the highest safety and health standards.

8. TAKEOUT & DELIVERY –  Aspen restaurants are getting creative, and although they are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery at this time, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite local Aspen cuisine! Contact us to find out who is open. *To be updated as we obtain new information.

9. PICNIC IN THE PARK – Our team will arrange a beautiful picnic meal for you to enjoy in one of Aspen’s parks. We will set up and breakdown so all you have to do is show up and enjoy a lovely meal al fresco.

10. SPA SERVICES – Depending on the institution, spa services are becoming readily available so you can feel fabulous again. West End Med Spa is now seeing clients for spa services such as massage, facials, and waxing. Contact us to book your next appointment.

We know it would be more fun if this pandemic hadn’t happened. It seems like just yesterday when we walked around town on our through the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning, when we made our own picnic outside of the Music Tent to hear the most exquisite sounds under the quaking aspens, when we watched the Fourth of July parade wind through the streets, when nothing was canceled, nothing postponed, nothing closed or six feet apart.

We know. We are there with you.

But here’s the thing. The beauty of Aspen hasn’t gone anywhere at all. In fact, like the rest of the world, it’s probably grown more breathtaking since we let it breathe. We can attest, having had the chance to experience for ourselves during a time when we wouldn’t have been able to take the long hikes and walks during a high season. 

If you have the means to come to Aspen this summer and fall, you will want to book your stay with us, as soon as it becomes available (which of course, we are happy to keep you updated on!)

Just imagine! Your private jet lands at the airport, where you are picked up by your private driver, who whisks you and your fellow guests away to your private vacation rental. Everything and everyone you come in contact with have taken all the necessary health and safety precautions provided by the City (and trust us, we are checking). You instantly feel enveloped by the fresh mountain air. The views are unbelievable, the beds are heavenly, and your entire kitchen is already stocked with your favorite wine and cheese to celebrate your return. You can still relax, you can still be surrounded by those you love, you can still play and you can still enjoy nature.

Not bad, huh? 

Aspen might not look and feel the same, but it may be the only opportunity to experience our town a bit differently. And from a local perspective, it’s really not a bad thing! It’s why we chose Aspen to call home. 

After your arrival, you can expect the same tailored service from us at ALC. With our White Glove Service, we are happy to continue to shop for and deliver your groceries, run your errands, order and deliver your dinner takeout, prep your meals, and coordinate any and all your activities. Yes, there are still activities! (Biking, hiking, fly-fishing, camping, picnics in the park, or even a nice stroll down the Rio Grande trail) 

We know you would rather it be different. And again, we would, too. But we are totally going to make the most of this summer because it’s still Aspen! It’s still the most beautiful place to stay close and yet feel far away. It’s still the place you can come to for a reset, a change of pace and altitude–it’s just that this time, it’s after a long quarantine.

Come see us. And let us give you a chance to forget the stress the year has brought for just a little while. We think you deserve at least that. 

We hope you’re staying home out there, and while you hunker down in your city,  we wanted to share what some of our favorite Aspen locals and businesses are up to during this time of uncertainty and how you can support our small community. 

SKIPPY MESIROW-COUNCILMAN

Although Skippy doesn’t have many non-work activities at the moment as he’s basically on the phone from morning till night, when he does have a break he tries to fit in a run or skin outside. He recently took his motorcycle out of storage yesterday with hopes that he can get some rides in soon. And because his days can be fairly unstable, he still takes time for his daily meditation and journaling.

We asked Skippy for ways we could help our city. Here is what he said:

“Right now it is difficult because we can’t leave our homes. However, certainly if businesses are in the digital space, you can purchase items from them there. If you have money the city is accepting private donations through the Aspen Community Foundation to support local and small businesses.” 

And lastly, we asked if he thought anything positive could come out of this mess:  

“It absolutely can. Every moment of struggle is a moment for growth and learning. The world we left behind three weeks ago, we loved much of it and it’s worth supporting, but there is a lot of it that we didn’t like and we were already wanting to change. Let this be a catalyst and opportunity to do this. Is it uncertain? Yeah. Is it scary? Yeah. Is there a lot of risk? Yes.

We have the opportunity to lean into that scariness and vulnerability and emerge out the other side stronger, more connected, more grounded and more focused on the things that matter. This is our cocoon and whether we want to emerge as a butterfly or not is entirely up to us.“

Follow Skippy on Instagram @skippymesirow

BOSQ-NEW AMERICAN RESTAURANT

“During this time of “chill” we have been filling our days with a 15 hour drive to St. Louis, 2+ hour walks (since we are in nice weather), taking the dog to the many open parks around town and enjoying family time with my parents and brothers. We have also been spending many hours preparing meals! Cooking and baking has been a wonderful past-time activity. The thing that’s taking up most of our time, however, is thinking of many ways to save our family business.  We are applying for any loan possible, accepting gift certificates, we’ve started a GoFundMe and talking with our banker daily. Oh, and lots of Hail Mary’s.”

-Molly & Barclay Dodge, owners of Bosq

You can donate to Bosq through GoFundMe at Bosq (@bosqaspen)

ASPEN OUTFITTING CO.-FLY FISHING & RETAIL SHOP

“Fly fishing is perfect for social distancing. We have been getting the licensing/sizing done in advance over the phone and then having guests drive themselves to a rendezvous point on the river where they meet their guide. In terms of ways we can be supported, we don’t have an online store, but we can deliver fishing gear flies, and gift certificates for retail or activities.”

-Jarrod Hollinger, owner Aspen Outfitting Co. 

ASPEN SHAKTI-YOGA STUDIO & RETAIL SHOP 

“Upon closing our doors temporarily for the safety of everyone,  the core Shakti team wanted to put something out there, from the heart, that would serve to keep our community connected as well as strengthen peoples nervous systems and capacity to find their center & surrender in these uncertain times, instead of spinning out into fear and panic. We also wanted to keep our wonderful teaching staff engaged, supported & connected. 

While we deeply miss our students, we are excited at the opportunities now presented to us to innovate. We are continually working on new creative and revolutionary ideas and offerings that span a wide range of platforms to make it as easy as possible for anyone to join!

Check out our website or instagram for the latest updates and invitations!”

-Jayne Gottlieb, owner Aspen Shakti

ASPEN ELEVATED HEALTH-HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTICE

Brittany Buffalino, Chinese Medical Practitioner and owner of Aspen Elevated Health, is passionate about educating her clients on the premise that “food is medicine”. During this slow time, while her office is closed, she has been creating custom herbal blends for clients that they can add to their homemade soups and broths in effort to make it easy for them to create comforting and nourishing meals and keep their immune systems strong. She has also been delivering immune boosting and stress relieving herbal and vitamin supplements to clients up and down the Valley. In her spare time she has been enjoying skinning and exploring on her mountain bike. 

-Brittany Buffalino, owner Aspen Elevated Health (@aspenelevatedhealth)

BUNDLES GIFT CO.-CUSTOM GIFTING

“This ski season I had decided that it was my year to try and ski 100 days. Well when the lifts stopped on March 14th, I only had 82 in the bag. While devastated for so many reasons, I decided that the lift closure wouldn’t stop me from hitting my goal, and that I would uphill the remaining 18 days. As I write this I have just finished my 97th day, and plan to reach my goal this following week. Having a goal has helped me stay focused and feel like I am achieving something during this slow work period.” 

Wesley Brown is the owner and creative designer at Bundles Gift Co. who specializes in custom gifting for large events and weddings. Pictured is her new Altitude Kits for the 2020 season.

CAMPO DE FIORI-ITALIAN RESTAURANT & CATERING

We asked Elizabeth Plotke, owner of one of our favorite restaurants in Aspen, Campo de Fiori, how they were getting on during this time. She said they were getting outdoors as much as they could to hike or skin up the mountain, as well as making it a priority to meditate each day.  And listen to this, Elizabeth is making big batches of super nourishing and healthy bone broths to take to those who are in need and are sick. How wonderful is that!

-Elizabeth Plotke, owner of Campo De Fiori (@campo_aspen)

For the most up-to-date information on these businesses, please go to their Instagram accounts listed in this blog.

ALC is passionate about supporting our local businesses and preserving our vibrant mountain community. Please contact us directly if you would like to learn more on how to support our businesses.

VIEWS, PRIVACY AND SPACE COMPLIMENT ASPEN’S TOP LUXURY RENTALS THAT ARE A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD.

You’ve decided a villa rental is for you–fantastic choice, by the way. But what kind of villa will suit your needs (and wants) the most? Here in Aspen, we have two types of villas: central core and out of town. And within those types, there are multiple neighborhoods to choose from.

There is absolutely no wrong answer here but, it is important to have all the information you can in order to make the best decision for you and your group. In this blog, we will tell you about the options outside of Aspen. For central core villas, click here. 

If you’re in the mood for some privacy, lots of space and spectacular views but you’d still like to be relatively close to downtown Aspen, Red Mountain is the choice for you. Did I mention the views? Because they are unreal. Pricing wise, you’re looking at comparable pricing to the Aspen Core, but that’s ok because you have views and space that you wouldn’t have in the core. There is no walkability nor nearby public transit stops, so you would definitely want a rental car in Red Mountain; but again, it’s so worth it for those views of all of Aspen. 

Mountain Valley offers some of the better pricing options for vacation rentals in Aspen, so if you’re wanting to save some mula, this might be good for you. Add more perks like public transit connections if you need to get into town, you’re close to Independence Pass (which is just gorgeous and convenient if you’re driving to Aspen in the summer), and you have outdoor activities and river activities right where you are. Oh, it’s so quiet and peaceful. What’s not to love?

Some of the largest and most exquisite rental estates outside Aspen’s central core are located in the McClain Flats/Starwood neighborhood. If you are coming out with your family or a group of your closest friends, you might want to consider this area because it offers views that cannot be beat, maximum privacy, the largest land parcels, and peace and quiet that only the mountains can offer. Just like Red Mountain, you will need a car to get into town, but I’m sure you won’t mind!

The last neighborhood to choose from is West Aspen. Not to be confused with the West End in the central core of Aspen, West Aspen is a collection of smaller enclaves right outside the roundabout. The value on rentals here is a huge upside considering how close you are to Aspen Highlands, Maroon Creek Club, Tiehack, and West Buttermilk. That means you are close to skiing in the winter and hiking and biking trails in the summer. Pretty great if you ask me. 

All in all, you really cannot go wrong choosing a luxury rental in Aspen. It’s all about what you’re looking for out of your stay in Aspen. And lucky for you, you have plenty of choices. The unlucky part is the actual searching process, because for whatever reason there is no centralized search engine for Aspen rentals. That’s where Aspen Luxury Concierge comes in. 

At ALC, we do all that work for you so you can sit back and think about all the memories you and your family or group will make. And that’s not all we do for you! We offer a plethora of services such as arranging your transportation, stocking your kitchen before you arrive, making your dinner reservations and planning your activities. And that’s just the beginning. 

For more information on our services and how we can make your trip to Aspen unforgettable, click here. 

Looking for more a centrally located villa in Aspen? Look no further! Click Here. 

To write a song is to bear your soul. And if you’re writing solo, it’s not that hard to do because, well, you know you! But when you’re paired with someone you’ve never met–which is often in the songwriting world–it can be like going on a blind date. You have no idea if you’re going to click or have any chemistry or if you will even want to share your ideas with this person…until you get there. 

How do I know this? Well, I’ve been on dates–some really awkward ones–during the course of my life. And I’ve been through enough first-songwriting dates in both Los Angeles and Nashville to know they can be pretty similar to a blind date scenario.

The good news is there is a solution out there to avoid this, and the best song publishers are already doing it with their songwriters: writing retreats.

Corporations do it all the time. They bring their companies together in one place to learn, to bond, to create unique relationships and memories that otherwise would not be made without the retreat. 

For songwriters this is no different. Regular day-to-day activities and stresses, family lives, and the fact that you separate from those you work with (or in this case, co-write with) at the end of each work day leave very little time to create a deep bond with someone, unless you just happened to have one before you started working together. And if you’ve never met your co-writer until the first time you write, it’s a potential crap-shoot.

I’m pretty sure I’ve convinced you that you need to take a songwriting retreat this summer. But where? 

ASPEN, COLORADO of course. As a former Nashvillian and Californian who now lives in Aspen, I know this place is the breeding ground for your next hit song(s). Just take a look at the photos above, and tell me you don’t agree. And I know you’re thinking about the beach being a good spot–and it is–but if I may, a mountain retreat offers some things that the beach may not: privacy, seclusion, fewer distractions, and group activities that you might not have tried before to get the juices flowing and build those bonds. 

I personally recommend a villa in one of our more remote, rustic neighborhoods like Starwood or in the hills of Snowmass Village. With private bedrooms to recharge, common rooms to gather, and grounds to spread out on and create beautiful music together, what else could you ask for? And the clean Alpine air can’t hurt ya.

And for a change of pace your group can go into downtown Aspen or Snowmass and shop (I would suggest getting a customized hat or buckle at Kemosabe to commemorate the trip), celebrate, or take a ride up the gondola for the most spectacular views you’ve ever seen. Hikes, bike rides, fly fishing–they might be on your to-do list, too.

Just think of it. Breathe it in. And let us here at Aspen Luxury Concierge make your retreat one you and your writers will never forget. For more on how we can make this creator’s dream a reality, contact us here or visit our website for a list of our above and beyond services.