Colorado High Country Culinary Getaway

Arrive and check into your mountainside accommodations. Your special getaway kicks off quickly with a scenic Jeep tour that is sure to take your breath away. The trip will begin with a short tour of the Smuggler Mine before we head up Aspen Mountain and out to the Ghost town of Ashcroft. Our four-wheel drive Jeeps will take you up the front side of Aspen Mountain and out Richmond Ridge towards Taylor Pass, a high country road that traverses terrain above 11,000 feet. The Jeeps will then drop into the Castle Creek Valley, where we will take a short tour of Ashcroft, a ghost town that had a population larger than Aspen during the silver boom of the late 1800's. This evening we'll get to know each other a little better over a locally-sourced, multi-course dinner in downtown Aspen.. (Note: Please plan to be at your hotel in Snowmass by Noon on your first day to ensure you can join the Backcountry Jeep tour that departs at 1 PM.)

Delicious and unique omelets, waffles, French toast and pancakes are on the menu for your breakfasts, as well as great egg dishes. Fuel up before your exciting adventures ahead!

A trip to Colorado would not be complete without enjoying some of the high-country terrain the state is known for. This morning we will head out for a scenic drive into the backcountry of Lenado. Wildlife is rich in the Backcountry, so keep your eyes open! This trip will take you up into the high country with expansive views of the Elk Mountains. Now that you've worked up an appetite, it's time to switch our focus back to food and drink. This afternoon you will enjoy a local gems food tour which highlights culinary hotspots in Aspen that only locals know about. Our guide will take you to 4 or 5 locations for tastings of local delights and short talks by the chefs who take great pride in what they do. You will have enough tastings to serve as your lunch today. This evening you are free to explore a little more of downtown Aspen, and choose whichever well-known eating establishment fits your mood for dinner on your own.

Delicious and unique omelets, waffles, French toast and pancakes are on the menu for your breakfasts, as well as great egg dishes. Fuel up before your exciting adventures ahead!

No visit to Aspen/Snowmass is complete without a visit to the Maroon Bells. Known as the most photographed peaks in North America, you would be hard pressed to find a more scenic location to spend the day. After arriving at the Maroon Bells, you will have an opportunity to explore this famous area and grab some incredible photos. Soak in the scenery on a gentle stroll around the lake, or take a short hike to stretch your legs before enjoying a light lunch consisting of local foods at a picnic spot along Maroon Creek. You will then get on hybrid cruiser bikes and follow your guide on a gentle downhill ride into Aspen. The cruise on paved surfaces is a great way to see black bear or moose hanging out in the Maroon Creek Valley. (Note: For those who prefer, alternate transfers can be provided at no additional cost rather than biking). After some time to relax back at your hotel, we will climb into our Jeeps and head up Snowmass Mountain for a backcountry sunset dinner. This rustic, BBQ dinner begins by climbing to the Coney Glade overlook. Here we will be treated to a local brew and spirits tasting onsite with the crafters themselves, who explain a little about each of their creations. Dinner will be outside of a historic sheep herders cabin and include a musical serenade around a raging bonfire. A true Colorado experience!

Delicious and unique omelets, waffles, French toast and pancakes are on the menu for your breakfasts, as well as great egg dishes. Fuel up before your exciting adventures ahead!

Time flies when you’re having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this delicious, high country paradise. Remember, you can always extend your stay based on availability. Should you desire an extension, please let your culinary travel specialist know prior to check-in. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!