The outside of the Sky Hotel is very deceiving. It looks like any other lodge in Aspen and then when you go inside it is quite the opposite. As you walk into the lobby there are high-backed chairs that are white in front and red with white writing on the back. The carpet is a chaotic pattern of circles and bright color dots—it all seems like something out of Alice in Wonderland. This modern, hip motif is transferred to all the guest rooms. They have a bar on-site named 39 Degrees that is one of the best après ski spots. From Aspen Mountain you can practically ski into the bar. In the summer this is the hotspot on Sunday afternoon with a DJ spinning tunes and the pool open to the public for tomfoolery if you are eating or drinking at 39 Degrees. The whole hotel embodies a young, energetic vibe.
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Can't Stop, Won't Stop Till the Break of Dawn
After the classes and the Grand Tasting the fun doesn’t stop. That is when it heats up with the after parties thrown by private companies wanting to promote to the masses. Each year the parties seem to get bigger and more creative in order to outdo themselves from previous years for bragging rights amongst the patrons. One of my favorite things to do after dinner is to rent a WE-cycle and cruise around town checking out the different after parties. Many are in the West End of Aspen. There is a chance that they are invite only but you can always test your luck. Generally if you find it they are willing to let you come in and enjoy the festivities. A local’s favorite after party is the smuggler mine party that transforms the mines into this hip party scene in the mines under the mountain. It is a little off the beaten path but well worth it. Another party scene that always has great parties is the Sky Hotel which hosted the “Last Call Y’All” after party with Zodiac Vodka in 2015. The party had a brunch theme and featured “Kacey’s Biscuit Bar,” dedicated to brand ambassador, Kacey Musgrave’s single “Biscuit” and “Gail’s Bloody Mary Bar” showcasing Gail Simmons’ favorite recipes. Every room was a different, delightful surprise associated with the theme. To burn off those delectable biscuits you devoured there was dancing by the pool till the morning hours.
Sky Hotel
With one of the hottest après-ski spots in all of Aspen, Sky Hotel exudes a youthful energy and party vibe. The 90-room hotel, part of the Kimpton group, is beloved by ski enthusiasts for its location at the base of Aspen Mountain and its rare ski-in access. Plus, Four Mountain Sports has a shop in the basement of the hotel, which makes renting and storing gear effortless. From Aspen Mountain you can practically ski into the popular 39 Degrees bar. In fact, the cocktail table next to the pool was installed to keep people from skiing off the mountain and into the water. When the ski lifts close, the outdoor hot tub and heated pool are jam-packed, as are seats surrounding the indoor fireplace. In summer there’s no better place to take in mountain views than the Sky Hotel’s pool deck as a DJ spins tunes.
The hotel’s bold colors and crazy-patterned furnishings echo its high-energy vibe. A racing stripe accents the walls in guest rooms (a nod to ski racing), while the headboards are meant to resemble a cable-knit sweater. You’ll probably need to detox at some point in your stay. Luckily, every room is stocked with a yoga mat, and the fitness center is open around the clock.
