There really is no-one more qualified than Brooke Ely Danielson to guide you thru the ins and outs of Aspen for The 21 Edit. Currently living in Aspen by way of New York, Brooke is a Fashion Editor, Stylist, Social Media Strategist and on-air personality. She has worked on the editorial teams at Shape, Glamour, Vogue.com and InStyle.com. Brooke has probably influenced you more than a handful of times to check out the coolest spots, try on the trendiest fashion and best workouts nationwide during her time with those teams. Brooke has a real passion for health and wellness and is our plant-based guru. Follow her on IG and you will amass SO much knowledge regarding the benefits of plant-based diets, recipes for home-made healthy dips, milks and more. Brooke is also an avid runner and skier and often takes us along her days of training and living in Aspen – including warmups, workouts and pre and post fueling.
Make sure to take notes below if you’re planning a trip to Aspen any time soon!
@brookeely
Q: Why you love this city – Its essence and character traits
A: Aspen is one of the most beautiful towns out West. It has so much to offer beyond skiing. Aspen is: culturally dense, offers up an incredible art scene, delivers some of the best food at exquisite restaurants and boasts some of the most breathtaking, yet challenging, hiking trails. There is something for everyone here.
Q: Favorite street corner
A: The corner of Main St. and N Mill —I love this corner at night on a snowy winter evening because the Hotel Jerome lights up the street in the most magical way.
Q: Favorite coffee shop and coffee order… or an at-home recipe
A: It’s a tie! Jour de Fete for an iced Americano with oat milk, or an oat milk cappuccino from Bear Den (insider’s tip; add cardamom syrup. It’s made in-house and so delicious!).
Q: Favorite restaurant and your go-to order (lunch and din)
A: Lunch: I’m plant-based, so finding a healthy, yet quick, on the go lunch is harder than one would think in this tiny town. But, at the moment I am loving the “Brewduh” bowl from Aspen Tap. It is 100% vegan and full of heart-healthy ingredients.
Dinner: Pine Creek Cookhouse! Not only is the food divine, but the experience is one to remember. Never ever do I not cross-country ski in. Once you are there sitting by the fire order a hot toddy. The vegan momos are a must-have.
Q: Favorite bar + cocktail or mocktail
A: The margarita at HOOCH is hard to beat. I’ll also take a Negroni by the fireplace at the Hotel Jerome any day. The Little Nell Wine Bar has an incredible cocktail menu with everything you could imagine!
Q: Favorite building and why
A: The Wheeler Opera House. It is majestic inside. That building holds a lot of history.
Q: Favorite shops
A: Pitkin Projects for home goods and art, hands down! Kemo Sabe for the most beautiful Hats. Explore bookstore for books, and that warm mom and pop experience. If you have time pop upstairs to Pyramid Bistro.
Q: Favorite summer activity and winter activity
A: The summer is a fantastic time for hiking and trail running! For running, I like to head up Sunnyside; which spits you out to hunter creek if you take it all the way.
A hike I can’t get enough of is: Aspen to Crested Butte. It’s an all day hike, so make sure to prepare! You need snacks, extra layers and lots of water! Once you make it to the other side you can arrange for a shuttle to meet you and bring you back to Aspen.
Biking to Woody Creek tavern is a must as well. It’s about 8 miles and at the end of that ride you can enjoy chips, guac and a yummy Mexican style lunch.
In the winter I ski! My second favorite winter sport is skinning. This is an uphill trek on skis with skins clipped on to grip you to the snow. It’s a cardio ass kicker.
Q: Favorite slope
A: North American on Ajax or the Highland bowl.
Q: Favorite place to meet up with friends and favorite place for business meetings
A: I love to meet my friends in the living room of the Little Nell or the Library Bar at the Jerome. For a business meeting I’m almost always at Bear Den. You can sit inside or out and they have delicious teas, coffee and food.
Q: Hotel recommendations
A: The Hotel Jerome. It is stunning! Also, The Little Nell will make you feel like a queen (or king!). The service is next level and the beds are like clouds.
Q: Best people watching locale
A: Ajax Tavern. I could sit there all day and people watch while sipping Cabernet post-ski.
Q: You can’t visit Aspen and not…?
A: Hike, Ski, Fish or bike! And, you can’t visit Aspen and not get a Kemo Sabe Hat to remember the experience.
Q: If there was one billboard in the city, to welcome visitors and showcase its essence, what would it say…. Welcome to…?
A: The craziest ride in the Rocky Mountains