{"id":2443966,"date":"2019-05-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/?p=305482"},"modified":"2019-05-09T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-05-09T06:00:00","slug":"where-were-going-offseason-is-road-trip-season-for-aspenites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/where-were-going-offseason-is-road-trip-season-for-aspenites\/","title":{"rendered":"Where We\u2019re Going: Offseason is road trip season for Aspenites"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/figure>\n

From bellhops to billionaires, Aspenites travel well and travel passionately.<\/p>\n

When the lifts stop spinning in the springtime and the mud starts flowing, most everybody who can get away finds a way. Whether it\u2019s a day trip to Fruita or a flight around the world to visit your ski-season besties in Australia, we all find a way to get beyond the roundabout.<\/p>\n

In May, as winter often lingers beyond its welcome and turns Aspen at least a little ugly, locals put a premium on finding warmer and sunnier climes. Other unsurprising priorities: urban culture and remote adventure, to be found in big-city excursions and in the wilderness of the desert. The most hardcore skiers among us try to extend the ski season, with trips to Arapahoe Basin (or at least the legendary A-Basin parking lot parties) or up to Alaska for heli-skiing. We go see family, of course. We travel for weddings and bat mitzvahs.<\/p>\n

But for as much as mountain-folk pride ourselves on rugged individuality and a sometimes-terminal uniqueness, we also often end up in the same places. I\u2019ve unexpectedly bumped into Aspenites on the beaches of Baja, in the Museum of Modern Art atrium, at the starting line of the New York City Marathon and in the airport in Santiago, Chile. I once got cat-called while sitting in a sidewalk caf\u00e9 on Decatur Street in New Orleans by local TV personality Oliver Sharpe, who was passing in a taxi.<\/p>\n

So, as Aspen reverts, however briefly, into a sleepy mountain town this offseason, the Aspen Times Weekly is taking a look at where we\u2019re going and why.<\/p>\n

This is our breakdown of the Aspen offseason road trip.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Andrew Travers<\/p>\n

The Classics<\/h2>\n
\n
Colorado National Monument near Fruita.<\/strong>
AP\/Aspen Times file<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Fruita and environs<\/p>\n

Why?<\/strong> Sun and heat; mountain biking at Kokopelli, the 18 Road trails or Lunch Loops; rafting Loma, Ruby\/Horsethief, Westwater; bringing the kids to Colorado National Monument or Highline Lake State Park<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A day trip or weekend<\/p>\n

What are we spending?<\/strong> Go dirtbag style, stay on BLM land, and you can do it for the price of a jar of peanut butter and a tank of gas, but glamping or hotels add up<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Count on it<\/p>\n

What does ATW staff say about it?<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m going to camp solo somewhere along the Colorado River near Cisco and read a book wearing as few clothes as possible with my feet in the water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
Moab<\/strong>
Paul Conrad\/Aspen Times Weekly<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Moab and southern Utah<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Getting sunburnt; biking Porcupine Rim and Slickrock; exploring Canyonlands and Arches, getting lost in Needles; finding ancient rock art; watching sunsets at Dead Horse; rafting and kayaking the Colorado, climbing, canyoneering, jeeping; tripping on mushrooms<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> At least 127 hours<\/p>\n

What are we spending?<\/strong> Anywhere from dirtbag dimes to diamond dollars<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Probably on the trail, on the river and at Eddie McStiff\u2019s<\/p>\n

\n
STS9, one of Colorado\u2019s most beloved jam bands over the past 20 years, playing Red Rocks.<\/strong>
Courtesy photo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Red Rocks Amphitheater<\/p>\n

Why?<\/strong> Lotus, Method Man & Redman, Florence and the Machine<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A night or two in Denver.<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> At Lotus, for sure<\/p>\n

\n
Grand Canyon<\/strong>
Aspen Times file<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> The Grand Canyon<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Camping on the rim, hiking to Phantom Ranch, rafting the Colorado River if we won a permit<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> Two nights minimum; two weeks if we\u2019re running the river all the way from Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Somehow, yes<\/p>\n

What does ATW say?<\/strong> \u201cIf the rafting permit lottery is so competitive for the Grand, how do local river rats get on a trip every spring?\u201d<\/p>\n

A Short Flight Away<\/h2>\n
\n
Las Vegas (Shutterstock image)<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Las Vegas<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Drinking poolside, sun-bathing, gonzo shenanigans, gambling, Celine Dion<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A long weekend will do the job<\/p>\n

What are we spending?<\/strong> Get the Allegiant direct flight out of Grand Junction and you can fly round-trip for under $150. Stay off the Strip and you can book a hotel for under $100. Avoid weekends and it\u2019s even cheaper. But go \u201cLost in America\u201d at the roulette table and it\u2019ll cost your future.<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> In May, chances are good<\/p>\n

What does ATW staff say?<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m going Tuesday to Friday to avoid the weekend and the knuckleheads.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
Sedona (Shutterstock image)<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Sedona<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Hiking Cathedral rock, golfing, mountain-biking<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> Five days and up<\/p>\n

What are we spending to get there?<\/strong> Flights out of Denver are $150 and under, going from Aspen will make it $400<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Oh, yes<\/p>\n

\n
Palm Springs, California<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Palm Springs<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Sun, pools, sleep, ogling midcentury modern architecture, art and Joshua trees<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A long weekend or longer<\/p>\n

What are we spending?<\/strong> You can camp or go baller at the Ritz-Carlton, but in mid-May most hotels are under $150 a night; dining and drinking are near Aspen prices (though there is an In-N-Out Burger)<\/p>\n

The Beaches<\/h2>\n
\n
Sayulita<\/strong>
Aspen Times file<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Coastal Mexico<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> As little as possible on the beach; surfing; yoga retreats<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> Preferably a full week<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> If you\u2019re in Sayulita or Tulum in the spring offseason, almost certainly<\/p>\n

What are we spending to get there?<\/strong> Best value flight-wise is Southwest\u2019s daily nonstop to Cancun out of Denver, which runs $350 to $500 round-trip; the United flights to Cabo San Lucas are comparably priced<\/p>\n

What does ATW staff say?<\/strong> \u201cOnce I started exploring the Caribbean side and the Mayan Riviera, I learned it\u2019s super easy to get around from Cancun to Tulum to Bacalar, renting a car or riding a bus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
Destin, Florida<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Florida (Palm Beach on the Atlantic side, Destin on the Gulf)<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Sun, sand, rum and not much else<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A week or more<\/p>\n

What are we spending to get there?<\/strong> Denver to Palm Beach around $300, to Destin around $500<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> A favorite of service industry folks and the Jimmy Buffet set, there\u2019s a better-than-zero chance<\/p>\n

\n
Playa Samara, Costa Rica<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Costa Rica<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Surfing, swimming, yoga retreats<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> Ideally a week or more<\/p>\n

What are we spending to get there?<\/strong> Flights from Denver to San Jose are dirt cheap (including a $97 round-trip on Frontier) but adding an Aspen leg will tack on around $200<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> If you\u2019re on the Nicoya Peninsula, it\u2019s all but certain in springtime<\/p>\n

What does ATW say?<\/strong> \u201cMy favorite offseason trip was going with a Costa Rican I met at Skico for two weeks \u2014 his parents lived in San Jose, so that was base camp. We rented a big white van and mobbed around the beach at Playa Hermosa and the tourist tourist trap that is Tamarindo.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
Caribbean<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Sailing the Caribbean<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Island-hopping, fishing, swimming, sailing<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A week at least<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Probably not unless they\u2019re on your boat<\/p>\n

What does ATW staff say?<\/strong> \u201cWe\u2019d tie up two or three boats together at night and fish during the day. We\u2019d pull into a cove and drop anchor and the roosters on shore would wake us up in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

The City<\/h2>\n
\n
Denver<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Denver<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Shopping, restaurants, Rockies games, Casa Bonita<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A long weekend<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Yup<\/p>\n

What does ATW staff say?<\/strong> \u201cWe got last-minute nosebleed tickets to Game 1 of the Nuggets-Spurs series and then (an Aspenite) called and said, \u2018Come down to our luxury box!\u2019 We got to meet the team afterward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
New York City<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> New York<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Seeing family, friends, culture, food, theater, nightlife, the Whitney Biennial<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> A week is ideal<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> In a city of 8.5 million, it happens with surprising regularity<\/p>\n

What does ATW staff say?<\/strong> \u201cYou can cover a lot of ground on the East Coast. I\u2019m combining Manhattan day trips with family time in New Jersey and a drive to see more family, cherry blossoms and the final days of American democracy in Washington, D.C.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
Santa Monica, California<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Los Angeles and San Diego<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Sun-bathing, surfing, sushi in Japantown, live music, clubbing<\/p>\n

What are we spending to get there?<\/strong> Direct Aspen-L.A. flights are done until June, but flying from Aspen to LAX through Denver is still $300 and under round-trip<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> Four days and up<\/p>\n

\n
Nashville, Tennessee<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Nashville<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Grand Ole Opry, live music, bar-hopping, plantation tours, Jack Daniel\u2019s distillery<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> At least a long weekend<\/p>\n

What are we spending to get there?<\/strong> $300 or less from Denver<\/p>\n

What does ATW staff say?<\/strong> \u201cI get outside enough and I\u2019m active all the time here. For offseason travel I\u2019m thinking sedentary leisure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will I see my neighbors?<\/strong> Maybe John Oates. Does he still count as a local?<\/p>\n

\n
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> New Orleans<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> At least a long weekend<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> JazzFest always falls in the low of offseason, last weekend in April and first weekend of May. And when a heady band like Widespread Panic is headlining, Aspen is going to show up<\/p>\n

The Bucketlist<\/h2>\n
\n
Laos<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> Southeast Asia<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Partying, bike touring, beach, hiking, eating pho, fish and sticky rice<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> From the day after Highlands closing day to Food & Wine weekend<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Laos, Thailand and Vietnam have turned into a ski bum offseason staple, so don\u2019t be surprised if you do see the lifties from Chair 6 in a Luang Prabang palace<\/p>\n

\n
Jodhpur, India<\/strong>
Shutterstock<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> India<\/p>\n

Why?<\/strong> Train rides, shawarma, mango lassi, Taj Mahal, temples, spiritual enlightenment<\/p>\n

How long are we staying?<\/strong> At least two weeks<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> If we\u2019re in Goa or Varanasi, there\u2019s a chance<\/p>\n

\n
Great Sand Dunes National Park<\/strong>
great-sand-dunes-national-park<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Where?<\/strong> The Great National Park Road Trip<\/p>\n

What are we doing there?<\/strong> Taking a full two-month road trip to hit Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, Capital Reef, Yellowstone and beyond<\/p>\n

Will we see our neighbors?<\/strong> Experience tells us that at any given offseason moment there is at least one Aspenite in one of the national parks in the West<\/p>\n

via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From bellhops to billionaires, Aspenites travel well and travel passionately. When the lifts stop spinning in the springtime and the mud starts flowing, most everybody who can get away finds a way. Whether it\u2019s a day trip to Fruita or a flight around the world to visit your ski-season besties in Australia, we all find […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2443966","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-18 00:00:09","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley's Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2443966"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443966\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2443966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2443966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2443966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}