Snowmass/Aspen, Colorado in the Winter

We left Tallahassee last week for a trip over to the great state of Colorado.  We arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina with just enough time between flights for a quick lunch.  

Our next flight would take us to Denver with another flight on to Snowmass/Aspen, Colorado.  It was a three hour flight from Charlotte, NC to Denver, crossing two time zones.  

The connecting flight on to Snowmass/Aspen was only about a 40 minute flight.  They told us it would have taken us about 3 and 1/2 hours to drive on to Aspen.

If you are ever in the Charlotte, North Carolina airport, do yourself a favor and try some of the delicious Carolina Pit BBQ.  I had some BBQ pork with fried okra and coleslaw. 

It was a real Southern treat.

My husband would be attending a meeting held at The Weston Resort.  It was very convenient to the the meeting rooms adjoining the hotel.  They set up the meeting schedule so attendees could enjoy 5 hours of free time between early morning and late evening meetings.  We made the most of that free time.

This hotel is located in the center of Snowmass Village.  It is surrounded by majestic peaks that were covered with fresh snow.   For those who like to ski,  this hotel plus many others,  offers a ski-in/ski-out access to the Snowmass Mountain

 The ski lift is just outside the door of the hotel.

Snowmass Brush Valley was inhabited by a small number of ranches raising cattle and sheep.  One of the most prominent of these ranching families were immigrants from Sweden.  The family raised cattle, sheep, wheat and hay.  

Later on in the history of the area,  an Olympic skier and land developer began buying ranches in the valley with the idea of starting a ski area.  He hoped to mimic the success of the Aspen ski slopes.  The Snowmass-Aspen ski area was opened in 1967.  Today it is known as one of the best ski areas in the US.

I have heard of skateboarding, but not snowboarding!  Can you imagine being on one of those boards in the below photo,  flying down the mountain, and being able to keep your balance!  There were lots and lots of people doing just that and they were having the time of their lives.

 Right close to the lift was this very inviting nice warm fireplace....it was extremely cold out there.

Back inside the lobby of the hotel, off to the left,  was another nice warm cozy fire.

In the below photo is the ski/gondola lift.  We took the gondola up just to sight-see later on and it was so much fun.  We were able to see all of the beautiful mountains as we went up, up, and up.

The base elevation at Snowmass is 8,104 feet with the top elevation reaching up to 12,510 feet

In the below photo you can see the snow sled ambulance standing by on duty in case of any accidents on the slopes.

In the below photo is the shopping mall at Snowmass.  It is located right outside the door of the hotel.  We visited a few of the shops looking for some "long johns" because we signed up for snowmobiling, and knew we would need them.  

I loved one of the shops we visited there in the mall, but the prices were way over my head ... I saw a beautiful blouse with a price tag of $500.00   They told us that Joe Biden and entourage had been in the store the day before.  They also told us Michele Obama and daughters had been skiing over on the next mountain the day before.

Our shuttle driver from the airport to the hotel told us to be sure not to miss a visit to Krabloonik Restaurant and Dog Sledding.  He told us the restaurant served delicious wild game and fresh seafood.

 Krabloonik Restaurant

In the below photo the menu is not very sharp,  but it was just as the shuttle driver told us ...  They serve elk, pheasant, wild boar, buffalo ribeye and tenderloin, mountain trout and caribou.  Our dinner was delicious.

 Upstairs at the restaurant.

 It was dark when we arrived at the restaurant and we very much wanted to see the sled dogs so we went back the next day to see them in action. 

 The restaurant is in the below picture and the sled dog kennels are up the hill to the left.

 Overlooking the sled dog area.

Krabloonik has been in business for 39 years.  They are committed to preserving the Alaskan tradition by creating a home for dogs born and bread to run.  They provide an exciting 2 hour Dog Sled Trip through the Snowmass wilderness.

The sleds are pulled by 10 Alaskan sled dogs and guided by an experienced musher.  Included in the price of the ride is a very nice breakfast, lunch or twilight dinner in the Krabloonik restaurant.

 They did not seem to mind the cold and it was really very cold.

 Handcrafted Dog Sled

The dogs are called Husky dogs.  They are excellent pets, very even tempered and affectionate.  They are also intelligent, loving, sensitive, big-hearted and amazingly strong with stamina beyond compare.  They have a tremendous desire to please.

What a sweet face.  He looks like part wolf!

 All hooked up and ready to go.

There were about 6 sleds getting ready to go.

And, they are off!

 There goes the second set.   The dogs seemed thrilled to be going ...They had been jumping around all over and seemed so happy.

According to the brochure,  Krabloonik is the only large working sledding operation left in the world today.

Well it is fun remembering all those sweet dogs.  We were told they work all winter and then they have the whole summer off to enjoy themselves.  When the guests return from their sleigh ride, they will have a nice warm meal waiting for them in the restaurant.

Stop back by and go with us as next time we sight-see around Aspen and then travel into the extreme wilderness on snowmobiles.  

Hope all is well there with you wherever you may be!