By: Jillian Livingston

Follow her travel adventures and excellent tips for Aspen, Colorado here:

http://aspenreallife.com

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I received an email from our favorite online travel source, GotSaga, to write about the top ten best places & things to do in Aspen and being that I am Aspen Real Life, I decided to turn it over to the locals to keep it “Real”.

Living up here in the mountains, it is when we are outside that we have our finest moments. So here is our list:

1. Full Moon Hikes to Warming Huts or to the huts provided by the Tenth Mountain Hut Division Hut Association.

President and Owner of ME says, “Hike up West Buttermilk with friends for full moon party at warming cabin. Homemade elk sausage, fondue and wine on the menu.”

Studio Aspen Architect, Jason Lasser, says, “Braun Huts (all recently renovated) or Benedict Huts (Fritz and Fabi) are closest to Aspen.”

2. Snowcat up 10,740 feet to Aspen Highlands Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro for Raclette.

Although, we love to earn our pleasure by skinning to dinner, sometimes we indulge ourselves by piling into a snowcat with all of our friends and take a rugged ride as the stars begin to pop out up to the restaurant. With incredible views, good friends, lots of wine and gourmet meals with a European flair, the experience is up there on the list.

3. Aspen Mountain Powder Tours

Back country skiing is more fun with Aspen guide Bob Perlmutter who knows all the secret stashes on the hundreds of acres on Aspen’s backside terrain. What could be better than untracked powder, comraderie and an exceptional lunch in a warming hut? Nada Mucho!

4. Ashcroft Ski Touring to Pine Creek Cookhouse

Once again, our favorite past time is to enjoy the great outdoors before eating a mouth watering meal for lunch or dinner. Since 1971, John and Juliet Wilcox have been providing 35 km of groomed trails that are surrounded by the beautiful Elk Mountain Range and excellent, “Unique Mountain Gourmet Cuisine”.

Self Employed Veterinarian, Randi Bolton, says, “XC ski or horse drawn sleigh ride to dinner at Pine creek Cookhouse.”

5. Breakfast at Bonnies, an all time favorite for Aspen’s Man About Town, John Fray.

I guess we like to eat up here, where burning calories leads to enormous appetites, and one way to get revved up for a no lunch powder day is to have a spectacular home cooked breakfast up at Bonnie’s, the only restaurant on Aspen Mountain that is privately owned.

6. Hiking the Bowl of Aspen Highlands

If you want to meet the locals and get initiated into Aspen, than you must climb the bowl first. With expert only terrain, the bowl, considered Aspen’s crown jewel, is accessed only on foot, although if you’re coming from sea level you’re best off taking the snowcat to help cut off a third of the hike. And your reward? A 12,382 ft. descent into the steepest and deepest terrain that Aspen has to offer, in bounds.

7. Dog Sledding at Krablooniks, “A Magical Experience in the Wild.”

Imagine being pulled on a sled by eager dogs through Aspen’s most beautiful scenery. The dogs love it, your kids will love and you may find yourself thinking of moving to Alaska. And guess what happens after the ride? You got it, delicious game food in a cozy fireside setting.

8. Let’s not forget the Apres-Ski experience people

Ski Snowmass all day and relax at the Blue Moon Bar at Base Camp to listen to Aspen’s own Rock n’ Roll Funk Band, Jes Grew.

9 - Discover Aspen’s Darkside

As local actor/owner of Aspen Walking Tours, Dean Weiler says, “There are so many little things that can be discovered just on a happenstance walk around town, along the rio grande, lunch in a pocket park, the journeys between.”

Fascinated with Aspen’s past and present, Dean conducts historical walking tours, ghost tours and cemetery tours.

10- And last, but certainly not least, Full Moon Dinners up at the Sundeck on top of Aspen Mountain

Take the family up the Gondola to enjoy an evening of dining and live entertainment at 11,212 feet. “The restaurants are operated by The Little Nell, a Five-Star, Five-Diamond hotel, renowned worldwide for impeccable service, attention to detail, and the finest cuisine.”

For more stories on Aspen, visit http://aspenreallife.com and become a fan. I’ll keep you in the loop!

About Jillian:

Jillian Livingston is a travel writer and a filmmaker who has lived in the countryside near Aspen for over twenty years. Through stories and interviews, her blog, Aspen Real Life, offers deep and humorous insight into resort town living.