Finance Monthly April 2019 Edition

Snowmass A RENOWNED WINTER PLAYGROUND AND VIBRANT SUMMER COMMUNITY JUST 9 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN ASPEN, SNOWMASS CONSISTENTLY RANKS AS ONE OF THE BEST SKI AREAS IN THE WORLD AND WAS LISTED BY USA TODAY AS ONE OF THE 25 FASTEST- GROWING VACATION DESTINATIONS IN 2017. SNOWMASS OFFERS GUESTS INCREDIBLE VIEWS OF MOUNTAIN VISTAS, IN ADDITION TO 2.8 MILLION ADJACENT ACRES, OPEN FOR ACTIVITIES AND EXPLORATION. SNOWMASS OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, OVER 30 RESTAURANTS, 95 PERCENT ON-SLOPE LODGING, WORLD-CLASS SHOPPING, UNIQUE SPECIAL EVENTS AND MUSIC – ALL YEAR ROUND. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.GOSNOWMASS.COM . The adventure begins here, or at least mine did. After an easy flight with Norwegian Airlines, I arrive at the Westin after a comfortable drive up to the mountains. With the sun gleaming into the Westin, it is still quite easy to picture the cosy, toe-tingling and heartwarming presence the lounge must wrap you in during the snowy winters. Famously chosen by winter guests for the ski-in and ski-out access to the mountain, there are many reasons to choose Marriott to look after you. In the summer, the lively après ski scene is replaced with afternoon Mimosas and much needed ‘you’ time in the outdoor jacuzzi; evenings are filled with live music, hearty food and an atmosphere which opens arms, so you could easily pop by to the Westin alone and leave making new friends. With sun-kissed mornings greeted with pancakes and a cup of good ol’ Joe, met with afternoons packed with ventures to discover all the nooks and crannies of the hills elegantly flaunting wildflowers and shielding camera shy chipmunks, the evenings packed with jaw dropping stunts performed by enthralling acrobats at the family circus, soon roll by. And there is so much to do, for adults and children alike. Summer is the perfect time to master a new hobby; from hiking to mountain biking and tennis and golf, there are an array of things to do to keep busy, and I decided to opt for finding the Lost Forest. Hopping on the Gondola, you can soak up the perfect, panoramic backdrop whilst being lifted up into, what seems like heaven. And for some, it is more than just that, as I stroll past newlyweds more captivated by each other than the view that surrounds them, as they take their vows... (what a place to get married!). I have to give you a warning prior to discussing my short adventure in Aspen: no photos or description will quite do it justice. Now, an eager skier will know that Aspen has four unique peaks: Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highland and Buttermilk. With each showcasing their own personality, guests have the pleasure of choosing between staying at Snowmass – a resort welcoming families and the gregarious alike-, or Aspen, which hosts, perhaps, the secret city lovers and night owls, those in awe with contemporary art and jazzy music. Both home-away-from- home places to lay your head to rest at night, but with equally unique personalities. 64 www.finance-monthly.com TRAVEL - ASPEN