Finance Monthly April 2019 Edition

Whilst I hope they don’t mind me semi gate crashing their special day, I manage to find all the adventure which comes along with the Lost Forest. From zip lines to biking trails, ropes challenges and climbing walls – which, I unfortunately gave a miss thanks to my lungs not yet being fully accustomed to the high altitude -, this hidden forest offers an alternative thrilling experience: the alpine coaster, and if you are a rollercoaster fanatic, you may enjoy the ride, but if you are a wimp like me, I can assure you, the view is totally worth it. And if physical activity is not where you feel most Zen, discover Aspen’s secret haven: the Anderson Art Center. Reveal a hidden talent you never knew you had; find peace when sculpting a new centrepiece or have a crack at ceramics. The centre not only hosts you so you can truly escape, but the breath-taking views leave little room for a lack of inspiration. A retreat which helps you recoup and rejuvenate. Bored of Snowmass? I doubt it, but if you want to delve further into the art scene and explore more of the peak’s versatility, hop on a bus to Aspen. Aspen ASPEN IS A WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION WITH OUTDOOR ADVENTURES FROM SKIING TO BIKING, WITH A FLAIR FOR ARTS AND CULTURE, BUT STILL MAINTAINS ENOUGH SMALL-TOWN CHARM FOR YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS TO CALL IT HOME. ASPEN TRULY IS A UNIQUE DIAMOND NESTLED IN THE ROUGH OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS THAT HAS A KNACK FOR BRINGING BIG CITY FEATURES TO YOU IN A WAY THAT DEFIES ORDINARY. IN THE LATE 1940S, SKIING ARRIVED IN ASPEN AS DID MODERN-DAY FOUNDERS WALTER AND ELIZABETH PAEPCKE. WITH A VISION FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT FOCUSED ON MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT, THE PAEPCKES HELPED ASPEN BEGIN A CIVIC AND CULTURAL RENAISSANCE - ONE THAT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY...THEY CALL IT “THE ASPEN IDEA.” THAT IDEA DRIVES THE INTERNAL ENERGY OF ASPEN. FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR MOUNTAIN TOWN, COME AND EXPERIENCE “THE ASPEN IDEA” FOR YOURSELF. ENJOY A DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN IN THE WINTER OR A BIKE RIDE ALONG THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL IN THE SUMMER, FANTASTIC FOOD, INCREDIBLE ENVIRONMENT, BUT MOST OF ALL GREAT PEOPLE...THAT’S WHAT ASPEN IS ALL ABOUT. WWW.ASPENCHAMBER. ORG Or, if a bus isn’t your style, get chauffeured across. You will sense a slight shift in sophistication when you enter Aspen: perhaps it’s your personal butler greeting you as you enter your room at the St Regis with cupcakes and coffee, promising to be your helping hand if you need. Aspen handles her charisma and charm in such a way, that you are almost oblivious that you have been hypnotised; maybe it is in the fresh smoothie bowls you can pick up on your way to hiking at the Maroon Bells, or maybe it is the smooth jazz which echoes in the evening breeze as you take a stroll admiring the civilised hustle and bustle. Either way, I am struggling to type this up as I am stuck in my sheltered office, as I reminisce how I spent my mornings practising yoga on the Rocky Mountain’s peak. As I breathe the fresh, crisp air and transition from downward dog to lunge, nature’s beauty greets my eyes and I realise that there is nothing quite as relaxing and humbling as this, and how I dream to return. As the afternoon creeps closer, soaking up the sun, - whether you are in the outdoor hot tub at the St Regis sipping on bubbly, or enjoying lunch at 65 www.finance-monthly.com TRAVEL - ASPEN