Honeymoon Guide: Aspen

Continued (page 3 of 3)

WHAT TO DO

SKIING
Full details at aspenchamber.org

Spread over four mountains—Aspen (or Ajax), Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands—the trails of Aspen offer plenty of challenging terrain for even the most demanding skier. Now that the new high-speed Deep Temerity lift is open, skiers and snowboarders can spend even more time on the mountain—albeit less canoodling time for couples on the ride up.

OFF-PISTE

Powder Tours (tel. 970-920-0720) takes expert skiers in 11-person snowcat groups to the backcountry. Two guides lead you on a full day's adventure, with lunch in a wood-stove-heated cabin.

PARAGLIDING
426 S. Spring St.
Tel: 970-925-7625

For a year-round, four-time-daily shot of adrenaline, take to the skies in a paraglider. No experience is needed, because these are tandem flights with a pilot strapped in behind you. Maybe later you can fly tandem with each other.

LLAMA TREKKING
Tel: 970-926-5299

Vail-based Paragon Guides lead various treks in and around the beautiful green mountainsides of Aspen and Vail on their team of happy llamas. They can also arrange a custom trek for the two of you.

ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Tel: 970-925-9042

One of the country's top classical-music festivals runs virtually all summer long and draws top names. There's also a lesser-known winter season.

ESPN WINTER X GAMES

If you're Gen X (or Y or Z), this annual exhibition of ski tricks, snowboard contests, and snowmobile races is for you. Otherwise, avoid late January, when Buttermilk (where the games are held) and the entire town of Aspen is overrun by tattooed masses sponsored by outdoorsy outfitter Helly Hansen.

U.S. COMEDY ARTS FESTIVAL
March 8-12, 2006

Aspen annually becomes the epicenter of homegrown comedy. Festival alums include Jim Carrey, Jack Black, Cheech and Chong, Sarah Silverman, the Simpsons Live, and, debuting in 2006, Jim Henson's Muppet Improv.

THE J BAR
Hotel Jerome
330 E. Main St.
Tel: 970-920-1000

The après ski universe revolves around this saloon-like bar, where the bold-faced and the merely cold-faced warm up with Aspen Crud—the signature bourbon-spiked milkshake. If that doesn't heat things up enough, try the outdoor hot tub with warmed-towel service.