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Kristina Velkova, the founder of Vitaclean has found herself living in New York, London, and Paris - but her favorite place to call home has been Aspen. The beautiful mountain town has captured many hearts (including ours!).

With only a 3.5 hour drive from Denver, and a bustling airport right in town, this internationally renowned destination in Colorado is the perfect getaway. Aspen has a reputation for being all about glitz and glam - but locals know that it’s just as much about deep powder, never ending vistas, and late night pizzas, so we chatted with Kristina about how to do it like a true Aspen-ite!

Ski Spots

Not to confuse anyone but Aspen is actually made up of four different mountains: Buttermilk, Snowmass, Highlands, and Aspen Mountain. If you buy a day pass (or an Ikon or Mountain Collective passholder) you’ll have access to all four!

Kristina’s favorite ski pastime is skinning up Highlands. If you’ve never heard of it, skinning refers to skiing uphill using specialized bindings & sticky coverings on the bottom of your skis. Aspen has trails specifically designed for skinning that will get you up the mountain safely so that you can glide all the way back down on your skis. While Kristina might prefer doing things the hard way, there are plenty of other options for everyone from first-timer to expert.

The Highlands

Highlands is Kristina’s favorite mountain (and for good reason!) It's known not only for it’s advanced terrain, but it’s also home to the famous Cloud 9 bar.

@cloudninealpinebistro

Aspen Mountain

Here for a good time but not a long time? Aspen mountain is perfect for all types of skiers with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert. With so many restaurants and bars paired with Aspen's base-to-summit gondola, après is just steps away.

@aspensnowmass

Where To Stay

Aspen is probably the ski resort most synonymous with luxury, and most hotel options are on the ultra-expensive side. If you’re looking for luxury, there are three hotels that dominate: Hotel Jerome, St. Regis, and The Little Nell. Looking for more of a steal? Your travel dates can really impact the cost - look for weekdays or visit a little later in the season for the best rates. Another option is to grab a group - there are Airbnbs galore!

Hotel Jerome

Fun fact, the Jerome was the town's first hotel– it opened more than 120 years ago! It’s still in its original location which is perfectly situated for skiing. The Jerome is chic, sexy, and definitely our favorite expensive option for your hotel stay.

@hoteljeromeauberge

Airbnb

We love a great group trip - and Aspen is the perfect place to grab a gang! Looking for location, charm and a retro vibe? We love this walking distance to the mountain option. If you’re with a group of 6 it comes out to under $100/pp on the weekdays!

airbnb.com

Where to Après in Aspen

Wherever you go in Aspen-- you’re bound to have a good time. On the Aspen Highlands mountain at Cloud 9, you’ll find a notorious champagne spraying party with skiers celebrating a successful day on the slopes. For the timeless local favorite (and for all the Hunter S. Thompson fans out there), check out the Hotel Jerome’s historical J-Bar. The list of hot spots is always changing, so we asked Kristina for her favorites.

The Snow Lodge

Kristina’s suggestion for the newest sceney spot is quickly becoming one of our all-time favorites, the Snow Lodge. They make the ultimate espresso martini and their DJ (Austin!) plays the best music in town.

@thesnowlodgeaspen

Campo de Fiori

Looking for the best bartenders in town? Kristina’s pick is Campo. Campo is an absolute classic not only for their food but “the characters you’ll meet” - the perfect spot for to mingle IRL.

@campo_aspen

Other Activities

The best ski holidays are when you take everything at your own pace, and there are plenty of other activities that don’t require a ski jacket. Whether you’re looking for culture, or simply a way to wind down after a long day on the mountain, Aspen has you covered.

Aspen Art Museum

Head on over to the Aspen Art Museum for a peek at their latest showcase. Not only is it world-renowned for its contemporary collection, but it’s also completely free!

@aspenartmuseum

O2 Aspen

O2 Aspen’s the center for pilates and yoga in town, and it’s a perfect place to schedule a session in between your days on the mountain.

o2aspen.com

Where to Eat

Aspen is known for its bustling food scene. You can find everything from the world’s top sushi chefs to $3.75 slices at New York Pizza. Because of Aspen’s world-renowned dining scene, Michelin chefs are known for hosting pop-ups in the remote mountain town, so if you’re itching for a taste from the top chefs in places like Los Angeles or New York, chances are you’ll find it here.

Batula Aspen

If you feel like dressing up, Kristina recommends Batula Aspen! The vibe is unpretentious but elegant, perfect for a special occasion.

@betulaaspen

Wild Fig

Wild Fig has the vibe of a Parisian-style brasserie with a Mediterranean menu. Kristina’s favorite dish here is the famed “Fish in a Bag”, which will be helpful to remember because the menu looks so mouthwatering it will be hard to choose.

@thewildfigaspen

No matter where you go in Aspen, you’re bound for a great time. Pack a few ski jackets to keep you warm, plus a combination of chic sunglasses to wear. Take a half-day, enjoy yourself, soak up the mountain views and take a million après selfies!

Kristina Velkova

Co-Founder and head of branding, marketing & growth for filtered shower head company Vitaclean. Loved by Vogue, Dailymail, Grazia, Evening Standard, The Sunday Times, etc., and sold in global retailers Bloomingdale's & Urban Outfitters.