All Around Aspen

I’m Kathryn Saari (my friends call me “Kat”), and like many others, I moved here to spend only ONE winter, and ended up staying. I’ve been here since September 2007, and will agree with the estimated average of 300 sunny days per year! Who knew that Spring & Fall would end up being my two favorite seasons here? I will cover anything everything from outdoor activities, spas & treatments, après ski hangouts, fabulous food, performance venues, art galleries, hotels, trendy boutiques, seasonal festivals, athletic events, and more. The opportunities and experiences in these mountains feel endless, and I invite you to join me in exploring Aspen’s playground as I live it. Kathryn Saari's Profile
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Sun Jun 14
Cache Cache in Aspen. Some of the best food in town; come in for beautifully prepared French cuisine mixed in with American Bistro. Love wine? Say hi to Sommelier Alex Harvier. A native of France, his knowledge of wine and experience in service has elevated the standard at Cache Cache to the next level. With over 5000 bottles of inventory, the wine list has expanded to over 100 pages. Cache Cache has become a destination for wine connoisseurs. www.cachecache.com.

Cache Cache in Aspen. Some of the best food in town; come in for beautifully prepared French cuisine mixed in with American Bistro. Love wine? Say hi to Sommelier Alex Harvier. A native of France, his knowledge of wine and experience in service has elevated the standard at Cache Cache to the next level. With over 5000 bottles of inventory, the wine list has expanded to over 100 pages. Cache Cache has become a destination for wine connoisseurs. www.cachecache.com.

Mon Jun 8
Ajax (Aspen) Mountain is my favorite calorie-burning hike. You can start at Ajax trail (right next to the Ute Trailhead); I like to start at Ute Trail and at the lookout point, continue up the mountain. It can take a while to get to the top, be prepared for the weather with layers and water (1.5-2 hours). My favorite part about hiking Ajax is NOT having to hike DOWN. Enjoy a hearty lunch at the Sundeck (you earned it!), and then stretch your legs on the gondola ride to the bottom.

Ajax (Aspen) Mountain is my favorite calorie-burning hike. You can start at Ajax trail (right next to the Ute Trailhead); I like to start at Ute Trail and at the lookout point, continue up the mountain. It can take a while to get to the top, be prepared for the weather with layers and water (1.5-2 hours).

My favorite part about hiking Ajax is NOT having to hike DOWN. Enjoy a hearty lunch at the Sundeck (you earned it!), and then stretch your legs on the gondola ride to the bottom.

Fri Jun 5
I finally hiked the popular Smuggler route. I’m not a huge fan of “road hikes,” so I’ve avoided it. But…the view from the top is pretty spectacular. You can also connect to the Hunter Creek loop and it’s about 1.5 hours to do the entire hike. Streams, spring flowers, and feel-good endorphins are guaranteed on this trek.

I finally hiked the popular Smuggler route. I’m not a huge fan of “road hikes,” so I’ve avoided it. But…the view from the top is pretty spectacular. You can also connect to the Hunter Creek loop and it’s about 1.5 hours to do the entire hike. Streams, spring flowers, and feel-good endorphins are guaranteed on this trek.

Mon Jun 1
Big Wrap is probably the least expensive way to get stuffed during your lunch hour for under 8 bucks. I love the Pesto Wrapture with chicken, but there are plenty of other options. Choose from wraps, salads, bowls, and Cloud 9 Brownies to top it all off. 970-544-1700. 520 E. Durant Ave, Aspen CO.

Big Wrap is probably the least expensive way to get stuffed during your lunch hour for under 8 bucks. I love the Pesto Wrapture with chicken, but there are plenty of other options. Choose from wraps, salads, bowls, and Cloud 9 Brownies to top it all off. 970-544-1700. 520 E. Durant Ave, Aspen CO.

Aspen Whitewater Rafting is run out of Hamilton Sports. They’re running a great special for locals, $44 per person for a Slaughterhouse Rapids run. SH Rapids took about an hour, and they gear you up with the wetsuits, helmets, splash jackets, and great guides. It doesn’t hurt that they threw in a free beer coupon for Bruno’s. Call Jim and mention this blog for the special: 970-618-5263.

Aspen Whitewater Rafting is run out of Hamilton Sports. They’re running a great special for locals, $44 per person for a Slaughterhouse Rapids run. SH Rapids took about an hour, and they gear you up with the wetsuits, helmets, splash jackets, and great guides. It doesn’t hurt that they threw in a free beer coupon for Bruno’s. Call Jim and mention this blog for the special: 970-618-5263. Share photos on twitter with Twitpic

Thu May 28
Aspen Tan is what we’ve been waiting for in this mountain town. Everyone likes a little color to prep for the summer, or to keep them aglow in the winter season. Choose from spray tans to high-end tanning  beds. 970-920-2826 (ATAN). Come say hi to Adam Lang. He’ll hook you up with some package pricing.

Aspen Tan is what we’ve been waiting for in this mountain town. Everyone likes a little color to prep for the summer, or to keep them aglow in the winter season. Choose from spray tans to high-end tanning  beds. 970-920-2826 (ATAN). Come say hi to Adam Lang. He’ll hook you up with some package pricing.

Share photos on twitter with Twitpic

The Ute Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Aspen. Pushing hard to break a serious sweat (I even cursed a few times), it took me a grueling 27 minutes to reach the lookout point at the top.  Click this link for the Ute Trail story/description http://aspen.com/aspen/colorado/articles/aspen-hiking-ute-trail. Click the pic for more pictures of the trail!

The Ute Trail is one of my favorite hikes in Aspen. Pushing hard to break a serious sweat (I even cursed a few times), it took me a grueling 27 minutes to reach the lookout point at the top.  Click this link for the Ute Trail story/description http://aspen.com/aspen/colorado/articles/aspen-hiking-ute-trail. Click the pic for more pictures of the trail!

Sat May 23
Come see Tim at Take 2 Video in Aspen. It is the ONLY video rental store here…I just found it after using the kiosk video rentals at the grocery store. He’s seen nearly every movie out there, and helped me pick some good ones for the rainy weekend.

Come see Tim at Take 2 Video in Aspen. It is the ONLY video rental store here…I just found it after using the kiosk video rentals at the grocery store. He’s seen nearly every movie out there, and helped me pick some good ones for the rainy weekend.

“Mediterranean with a Middle Eastern twist.”  Sabra’s Deli in the Clark’s Market shopping center (Aspen). Falafel lovers can also enjoy dishes such as humus and tahini, Moroccan salads, kemia and a kebab made of layered veal and lamb on a spit called charwarma. MMM! Click the pic for photos of some specials.

“Mediterranean with a Middle Eastern twist.” 

Sabra’s Deli in the Clark’s Market shopping center (Aspen). Falafel lovers can also enjoy dishes such as humus and tahini, Moroccan salads, kemia and a kebab made of layered veal and lamb on a spit called charwarma. MMM! Click the pic for photos of some specials.

Gourmet meals made from scratch. My favorite? The truffle & mushroom pizza, and pulled chicken pesto pizza. They also serve homemade cupcakes if you’re craving something sweet. Click the pic for more info.

Gourmet meals made from scratch. My favorite? The truffle & mushroom pizza, and pulled chicken pesto pizza. They also serve homemade cupcakes if you’re craving something sweet. Click the pic for more info.