Are you thinking of taking a trip to Aspen, Colorado? What do you need to know? Sure, you’ve seen the stunning photographs and know where on the area’s four mountains that you want to ski, but now it’s time to actually plan your getaway. This week our blog team takes a peek at Aspen vacation planning with our Top 3 Tips to Make Aspen Easy and Fun. We’ll focus on a three simple steps that can make your Aspen trip everything that you’re hoping it will be. These are important items to consider from the very beginning of your actual planning process. Let’s take a look:
BOOK EARLY It doesn’t matter whether you are planning to visit in the summer or the winter, it’s always best to book early. Booking your lodging accommodations early gives you the most choices. For example, Frias Properties of Aspen offers more than 200 condominiums, townhomes and private homes - the largest selection available in Aspen. But, as key dates draw near, even Frias can run out of lodging. “High season†dates in Aspen include (but not limited to):
- Christmas/New Year’s week
- Winter X Games
- Spring Break weeks mid-March
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
If you’re planning to come during high season, it’s important that you secure lodging as soon as you know your exact dates. Vacation specialists at Frias Properties recommend calling them at (800) 542-7736 as soon as you’ve nailed down your exact dates. They are available to answer questions and provide lodging rates for specific units over the phone. The entire Frias inventory is available to view and book online at Frias Properties.com. FYI - Guests who book a luxury property through Frias receive complimentary on-demand in-town transportation for the duration of their stay. All Frias Properties guests receive a number of other amenities, including complimentary passes to the Aspen Club & Spa, the town’s premier full-service spa and workout facility. Passes are available for the duration of your stay and can be obtained from any Frias front desk during regular business hours. Other amenities include full kitchens in all units (excludes Independence Square); flatscreen TVs; free Wi-Fi; and heated pools and hot tubs. (Amenities vary by complex, so tell your vacation specialist what’s important to you!)
FLY IN TO THE ASPEN AIRPORT
Aspen has a great local airport just five minutes outside of town, called Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE). The airport is only a short, 28-minute flight from Denver International Airport (DEN). Many guests fly in to Denver and catch the connecting flight to Aspen. It saves plenty of time: Depending on the season and the weather, the drive from Denver to Aspen can be anywhere from three to five hours (or longer!).
The Aspen airport also has a number of direct flights from other major cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Francisco and Los Angeles. So it’s easy to connect from anywhere … worldwide! Aspen is a relatively small town, so it’s easy to walk everywhere in town once you arrive. Plus, there’s a free bus service in Aspen that is second to none. The Roaring Fork Transit Authority offers free bus service to a number of stops in town, as well as the area’s three mountains that are outside of town - Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. Aspen Mountain and the Silver Queen Gondola are located in downtown Aspen Guests who book with Frias Properties receive complimentary transfers to and from the Aspen airport (excludes Independence Square guests).
USE THE FRIAS CONCIERGE
This brings us to our final tip: Use the Frias concierge. The concierge desk at Frias Properties can assist you with a number of pre-planning items such as:
- Lift tickets
- Ski and snowboard rental
- Luggage and ski gear handling
- Ground transportation
- Restaurant recommendations
- Dinner reservations
- Private chefs
- Grocery delivery
- Baby sitters
- Baby gear rentals
Take the stress out of waiting in line for lift tickets by having the Frias concierge get your tickets for you. Then, just swing by the concierge desk and pick them up! No lines, no hassle. Our concierge can also recommend quality ski gear rentals and ski gear handling through third-party local vendors like Aspen Sports and Ski Butlers. The Frias concierge has working relationships with several local businesses and can assist with just about anything.
A note about dinner reservations: During peak times of the year, be sure to make dinner reservations at the top restaurants in Aspen as soon as possible. Sometimes weeks in advance, if you are planning on a Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve dinner. Be sure to contact the Frias concierge desk as soon as you know where you’d like to dine. The earlier, the better. Book early, fly in to Aspen and use the Frias concierge for a great Aspen getaway!