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Page 18 SENIOR REPORTER Online@www.Sunset-Publishing.com FEBRUARY 2012<br />
Aspen, Colorado<br />
By Mel and Ronnie Greenberg<br />
Photos by Mel Greenberg<br />
Historic Aspen, a magically<br />
enchanting winter skiing<br />
mecca is on par with Europe’s<br />
finest. <strong>The</strong> presence of the surrounding<br />
magnificence of the<br />
mountains can be felt and seen<br />
on every corner of this legendary<br />
city.<br />
Aspen’s origins were sparked<br />
in 1879 when the cry of “silver”<br />
sent prospectors flocking<br />
across the Continental Divide<br />
into Ute City. By spring the<br />
city with its awe inspiring natural<br />
beauty, and stunning panorama<br />
of mountains, became<br />
known as Aspen.<br />
Rich silver ore, two railroads,<br />
and investments from wealthy<br />
entrepreneurs, turned Aspen<br />
into a boomtown. But boom<br />
turned to gloom in 1893,<br />
when gold replaced silver as<br />
the national standard. Mining<br />
declined and farming and<br />
ranching sustained the valley<br />
until the 1940s when it was<br />
re-invented as a ski town and<br />
cultural center. Over the years,<br />
the rich and famous made it a<br />
haven for upscale shops, and<br />
restaurants as well as luxury<br />
homes.<br />
Unpack Your Bags<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hotel Jerome an Auberge<br />
Resort has been Aspen’s crown<br />
jewel since 1889, when mogul<br />
Jerome B.Wheeler, built his<br />
posh European style hotel in<br />
the heart of downtown. Well,<br />
over a century later, it’s still<br />
said that, “if you haven’t been<br />
to the Jerome, you haven’t<br />
been to Aspen.” <strong>The</strong> 93 richly<br />
appointed guestrooms and<br />
spacious junior double, double<br />
king and one-bedroom suites<br />
offer special touches, including<br />
beds with down comforters,<br />
feather pillows, bathrobes,<br />
exceptionally roomy closets<br />
and oversized baths.<br />
<strong>The</strong> outdoor pool with a Jacuz<br />
zi on each end provides year<br />
round enjoyment. Tiles around<br />
the pool are heated, and<br />
there’s a hutch stocked with<br />
warm towels, robes and slippers.<br />
Other amenities include<br />
a video library, complimentary<br />
wireless and wired (high<br />
speed) Internet access, ski<br />
storage, spa tub and fitness facilities.<br />
Hotel Dining<br />
Enjoy breakfast and lunch<br />
in the relaxed atmosphere of<br />
Jacobs Corner located adjacent<br />
to the airy hallway that leads to<br />
the garden terrace. <strong>The</strong> menu<br />
has a choice of breakfast essentials,<br />
soups, salads, sandwiches<br />
and specialties with<br />
dishes ranging from traditional<br />
favorites to current culinary<br />
trends<br />
For lunch and dinner, <strong>The</strong> Garden<br />
Terrace offers distinctive<br />
American cuisine, seasonal regional<br />
specialties and Sunday<br />
brunch.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Library, marked by custom<br />
wallpaper, carpeting, draperies,<br />
oversized leather sofas and<br />
club chairs, is a sophisticated<br />
lounge that offers an abbreviated<br />
menu from all the venues.<br />
Featured are specialty coffee<br />
drinks, premium liquors, wine,<br />
port and an extensive selection<br />
of Scotch and cigars.<br />
<strong>The</strong> J-Bar, an authentic saloon<br />
ambiance with a brick and<br />
wood bar, has been Aspen’s favorite<br />
watering hole since the<br />
1890s. Lunch and dinner, plus<br />
beer, wine and cocktails are<br />
served at this après-ski hotspot<br />
that attracts a diverse mix of<br />
locals, tourists and celebrities.<br />
Take a Guided Tour of<br />
Historic Hotel Jerome<br />
Enjoy viewing the old photos<br />
and artifacts of the hotel that<br />
was a paragon of hospitality in<br />
1889. In its heyday, the Jerome<br />
was a modern marvel, boasting<br />
90 guestrooms, 15 bathrooms<br />
with indoor plumbing, hot<br />
and cold running water, steam<br />
heat, elevator and was fully<br />
lit by electricity. <strong>The</strong> “silver<br />
crash” sent the Jerome reeling<br />
until it was restored to its former<br />
glory in 1948. When it<br />
began attracting artists, avantgarde<br />
writers, and movie stars<br />
like Gary Cooper, Lana Turner,<br />
Hedy LaMarr and John<br />
“Duke” Wayne, the Jerome<br />
and Aspen were propelled onto<br />
the world’s celebrity map. In<br />
1985, restored once again, the<br />
historic Jerome was recognized<br />
as an exceptional example<br />
of mine camp architecture.<br />
Subsequent renovation projects<br />
have continuously taken<br />
place throughout the years.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Hotel Jerome an Auberge<br />
Resort is located at 300 East<br />
Main St. in Aspen. For reservations<br />
phone (800) 331-7213<br />
or www.hoteljerome.com.<br />
<strong>The</strong> hotel provides guests with<br />
complimentary transportation<br />
to and from the airport. Upon<br />
landing contact the hotel for<br />
pick up.<br />
Aspen Recreation<br />
Winter sports fanatics will find<br />
the skiing is intoxicating and<br />
the powder heavenly. Aspen<br />
offers skiers and snowboarders<br />
the power of four of the<br />
world’s greatest mountains-<br />
Aspen, 11,212 feet and a 14<br />
minute ride to the summit on<br />
the Silver Queen Gondola,<br />
with 76 trails on 673 acres of<br />
skiable terrain; Buttermilk,<br />
9,900-foot summit with 42<br />
trails encompassing 430 acres<br />
of skiable terrain; Aspen High<br />
lands at 11,675 feet; offers<br />
131 trails on 790 acres of skiable<br />
terrain; and Snowmass<br />
the highest of them all at 12,<br />
510 feet. Together they form<br />
one giant ski resort, which<br />
can be accessed with multimountain<br />
life passes. Scenic<br />
cross country trails are available<br />
for beginner, intermediate<br />
and advanced skiers. Private
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