The Road to Snowmass

Double Black Noodle Bar at The Wildwood Snowmass. Tasty noodles!!AspenSpin doesn't get over to Snowmass much, but when we do we like to go HUGE.  

Click 4 pix:

The Road to Snowmass

We received a special invite to try the newest eatery in the Mass...Double Black Noodle Bar at The Wildwood. Mmmmmmm mmm, dat sh*t is goooood.  Affordable by Aspen standards Black Noodle Bar offers entrees in the $10-14 range.  A wide variety of Asian offerings made to order and served up hot and fresh in a newly renovated second floor space at The Wildwood.  Everything was delish..but I especially liked the Smoking Pig Bowl (look it up) and the Singapore Shrimp Bowl. The funky Japanese / Mountain decor is super-laid back and group friendly.  The space was designed by Ski Radical founder Carlton DeWoody.  Check it out: DOUBLE BLACK  NOODLE BAR.

Once again Carmelo and I got to crash at The Westin in Snowmass.  Slope side awesome-ness is how we like to roll.   The place was jumping with Orthopedic Surgeons,  all the Docs were at The Westin Snowmass for a conference.  The lobby bar, the pool , Jacuz and spa were all active. 

I don't ski Snowmass as often as I should. Jeeeeze this place rips. Duh?  Today, nobody was here and there was plenty of good clean family fun spread out over 94 trails and 3,332 acres.  We got up early and ripped several pristine groomers and had to experience only a few long traverses and lift rides. The highlight of the day was the wind-blown freshies in Hanging Valley after a short hike.  Some nice lines in there...and very few skiers.  What a fun day.

High Society in Snowmass. 10 years strong.We stopped by the new High Society showroom on the Snowmass Mall to chill with J. Flynn a founding partner.  Money can't buy class...but it can buy High Society snowboards, skis and clothing...right here on the Mall.  Yeaaaaaaaa High Society.

Snowmass Tourism threw a little shin-dig at the Ice Age Discovery Center to un-earth a 100,000 year old Mastodon tusk that had been preserved in a field jacket for months.  Paleontologist Tom Temme from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science cracked open the plaster and burlap field dressing to reveal another awesome fossil found near the Zeigler Reservoir in Snowmass.  Temme's lecture was fascinating and the Snowmass crowd gasped when the tip of the tusk was eventually revealed.   We were the first to lay eyes on the bone in over 100,000 years.  The Ice Age Discovery Center is certainly worth a perusal anytime you're on The Mall in Snowmass.   

Late night we hit the brand new bowling alley in Snowmass.  Slopeside Lanes was a pleasant surprise.  The well appointed and totally legitimate bowling alley is the real deal.  We rolled a few lines...chowed on some very tasty pub grub and even played the silver ball.   I haven't bowled since 2007, the time I out-rolled Brady Quinn at a charity function... just after he got drafted in the first round by the NFL's Cleveland Browns.  I knew immediately...after I blasted him on the lanes...that he would be an NFL bust.  Sorry B.Q.  Slopeside Lanes was fun and is a great addition the the Snowmass social scene.

Not a bad  little stay-cation.  Wheels Up.  Back to Aspen soon.    

Click 4 pix:  THE ROAD to SNOWMASS                                                                                     

Snowmass Tourism at the Ice Age Discovery Center for the un-earthing of their latest discovery.Paleontologist Tom Temme of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science un-earths the 100,000 year old tuskSkiing in Snowmass...simply excellent.

Sunrise @ Snowmass

Tetrah takes off at The Snowmass Balloon Festival. Photo: Patsy Popejoy Click 4 more pix.I can't recall ever watching the Sun rise in Snowmass.  For the first time in about 10 years I had to set an alarm clock, Why?.  Up and at 'em at 6 a.m. Why?  Walking the dog, in the dark , on frosty grass at 34 almost freezing degrees...why, you ask?   The 37th Snowmass Balloon Festival, that's why.  Thanks to Snowmass Village P.R. for hooking me up with a ride on TETRAH, a tetrahedron shaped balloon, the largest and most unique rig in the festival.  Pilot /owner Steve Hunter and his chase crew gave me a quick course in ballooning.  Hunter built the Tetrah in his garage and it's one of the only  home-built balloon set-ups at the fest.   With about 100,000 cubic feet of hot air, Tetrah has superior lifting power. 

Click 4 pix  SUNRISE @ SNOWMASS   and    RUGGERFEST 45

Captain Hunter, a veteran of 25 straight Snowmass Balloon Festivals assured me "today is a perfect 10 for flying". He would know, he flies between 30 and 50 times a year, depending on his wife's wishes.  "After 25 years..my wife finally said "it's your passion, not mine" so we don't travel as much as we used to" laughed Hunter.  The very chilly morning exploded into one of those beautiful Colorado blue-bird days that defies description.  As we rose above the balloon launch field the entire Snowmass Valley opened up and we were greeted with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains and the environs.  It was a fantastic flight, an uneventful landing and AspenSpin got a brand new perspective. 

Inside the Balloon at Snowmass Balloon Fest. click 4 pix.Click 4 pix:

Sunrise @ Snowmass.   

After the flight, I ripped a quick mile at the Snowmass Rec Center pool which boasts a beautiful outdoor setting.  I followed that up by taking a quick power-snooze at a handy hammock in Snowmass and then hit the village for the Snowmass Wine Festival hosted by Snowmass Rotary.  The Snowmass Mall was lined with food and wine vendors and packed with happy people.  Eating and drinking plays right into AspenSpin's  core competency, so I tried a few wines and bulked up on fine foods.  It was a great day in Snowmass.  A mini-vacation, just 9 miles from my door.

A full day at Snowmass brought back some nostalgic memories for me.  AspenSpin donesn't get to Snowmass very often and I truly forgot how nice and beautiful it is over there.   The Snowmass Mall still maintains a quaint character that seems to be missing in some of the new developments in Aspen and throughout the Valley.  The open space and family atmosphere reminded me of AWESOME ski trips I took in the 70's & 80's driving out from Michigan.   I barely noticed the 1/2 completed Base Village and I'm hopeful that Related Companies can finish what they started with a "right-sized" version. 

Come to think of it...I have discovered a few secret POW stashes over in Snowmass.  If you know where to look, one can usually find some un-tracked lines in the trees 2 or 3 days after a storm.  Hmmmm, and they do have over 3,000 acres of pretty sweet terrain.  I'll see you this Winter, Snowmass.  To quote Arnie..." I'll be baaaack".

Also this past weekend, Aspen hosted the 45th Annual Ruggerfest.  The town was chock full of BIG burley guys with lots of scars.  Aspen Ruggerfest brings teams to ZG from all over the country.  Florida, Virginia, Utah and even the U.K.   The tournament boasts a very high level of play.  For the 3rd straight year The Denver Barbarians came out as open division champs.  The Barbos dominated their cross-town rivals, the Glendale Raptors in the final match, outscoring them 70-21. 

Click 4 Pix:  RUGGERFEST 45.

A perfect day for flying in Snowmass. Click 4 pix.

The 37th Annual Snowmass Balloon Festival. Up, Up and away. Click 4 pix.The Snowmass Wine Festival followed the Balloon Fest. Good times in Snowmass.Back in Aspen. Blood, sweat and Rugby at Ruggerfest 2012. Click 4 pix.