what definition classic? As far as ski towns go, it’s about mining and ranching history, a vibrant downtown, world-famous ski resorts, and great terrain for outdoor fun. Additionally, these locations are somewhat inaccessible, making them inaccessible to the masses, and they are packed with locals dedicated to preserving the community’s heritage.
Crested Butte was founded in 1880 and remained a mining town until the 1950s; with the opening of Crested Butte Mountain Resort in 1961, the economy began to shift toward tourism. The resort is now owned by Vail Resorts in Broomfield. The town of Telluride, formerly known as Columbia, was founded in 1878. This remote boomtown flourished until the price of silver collapsed in 1893 and the United States entered World War I in 1917. Like Crested Butte, Telluride was reinvented with the opening of Telluride Ski Area in December 1972.
Beginning in 1879, Aspen became a silver mining town, bringing with it wealth, grid-like streets, lavish Victorian homes, and culture such as the Wheeler Opera House and the Jerome Hotel by Auberge Resorts Collection landmark. Like Telluride, its heyday gradually declined until the late 1940s, when World War II veterans and Europeans with skiing traditions began to imagine Aspen Mountain’s slopes.
Aspen, Crested Butte, and Telluride impress with their beauty, unique atmosphere, rich history, and amazing selection of venues, accommodations, and year-round activities. In short, they have all the makings for successful meetings and events.
Aspen
Aspen has four ski resorts to choose from, with Aspen Mountain conveniently located near downtown, while the other three ski resorts—Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass—have free rides Roaring Fork Department of Transportation bus route. Here, a ticketed gondola ride from town takes you to Aspen Mountain’s picturesque Sundeck grounds, operated by Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond The Little Nell
The property is just steps away from the ski slopes.
Today, Aspen has 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space and 10 hotels dedicated to groups, three of which have earned Michelin keys: The Little Nell, Mollie Aspen and Hotel Jerome. If you want to try something different, The Gant Aspen features apartment accommodations and a poolside conference center with panoramic views.
Aspen received Mountain Ideal certification in August as a sustainable destination and a community powered by 100 percent renewable energy—the Mountain Ideal designation was recognized by the Global Sustainable Travel Council, which is a non-profit organization responsible for setting and managing global standards for sustainable travel and tourism.
Last summer, Basalt-based event management company RMC Aspen worked with a team that had major production needs for an Aspen business conference. “Fortunately, Aspen Meadows Resort is equipped with the technology and space to host complex and dynamic meetings,” said Libby Prewitt, senior sales manager for RMC Aspen.
The 40-acre hotel has 98 guest rooms and 22,000 square feet of meeting and event space and is owned by the global nonprofit Aspen Institute. In the mid-1940s, Aspen Institute founder Walter Paepcke Renowned Bauhaus architect and artist Herbert Bayer was commissioned to transform the vacant land surrounding the town into a secluded destination.
“Whether it’s a business meeting or a more fun incentive trip, visiting Aspen is always a treat,” Prewett said. “It’s the perfect destination to network, inspire and celebrate hard work.”
As Colorado’s premier ski town with a rich history, Aspen attracts visitors and groups from around the world. “It has historic charm, bustling energy, a strong community feel, a vibrant après-ski and dining scene, and some of the best skiing in the Western United States,” Prewett said.
crested butte
Colorfully painted by local artists, the free Mountain Express bus connects the town of Crested Butte to Crested Butte Mountain Resort. The storefronts on Elk Avenue are equally colorful and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The town is known for its free spirit. Mountain biking got its start with Marin County, California—Crested Butte developed the trails and events, and Marin County residents created the gear. There are hundreds of miles of trails for groups to try the sport or find great spots for hiking, horseback riding, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
Most of the meeting and event space is located in Crested Butte, but renting the Crested Butte Arts Center and Crested Butte Heritage Museum for off-site dinners and receptions allows attendees to Experience the perfect combination of two towns. For a local flavor, take your group to The Eldo or Zuni West Brewing for craft beer tasting, or to Anthracite Spirits and Montanya Distillers for cocktails.
Planner Deb Brannon, owner of Altitude Events in Golden, has been planning Colorado Gov Con for a decade, her first in Crested Butte in 2014 held. Gov Con changes every year, but this year it’s back to regionals and will be held in Mount Crested Butte from September 25th to 27th. With attendance capped at 425 people, this year’s accommodations are spread across three hotels at the base of the ski area, with conferences held at the Elevation Hotel & Spa (trade show, breakout sessions and registration) and the Mountaineer Plaza Conference Center (general conferences) and awards banquet ). Outdoor events include a VIP reception at the Crested Butte Train Station, a welcome reception at the Red Lady Lawn, an awards reception on the deck of Butte 66, and a board luncheon on the patio of the José Crested Butte Restaurant.
“Attendees want to enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty, so I always try to get them outside as much as possible,” Brannon said. “As part of our sustainability program, some attendees hiked from Aspen to Crested Butte. We were so lucky to have incredible weather, fall foliage on the highest peaks, and amazing views. “
Additionally, musicians, photographers, breweries and wineries from the area are invited to provide a local perspective. “I loved working with so many people in town and getting to know not only the hotels in Crested Butte, but also the historic train station, Bonez Restaurant and the Crested Butte Arts Center,” Brannon explain. “This town is very charming.”
telluride
A free gondola runs between downtown Telluride and the mountain village, home to Telluride Ski Resort. It’s a treat to glide effortlessly through the mountainous terrain on the gondola, stopping along the way to access trails and Allred’s Restaurant, a memorable place for a group meal and stargazing. Downtown Telluride is a stunning place with a stunning mountain setting and tons of historic buildings
There are shops, galleries and restaurants.
Cultural events and the performing arts have played an important role in the town’s revitalization, and there are now bluegrass music, balloons, movies and other major festivals throughout the year. As with any ski town, groups can choose from all the usual outdoor activities. The most adventurous participants should try the Telluride Via Ferrata alpine traverse, while golfers will love playing at Telluride Golf Club, one of the highest golf courses in the world. Club) play ball. End the day with a local drink at Stronghouse Brew Pub, Telluride Brewing Co. or Telluride Distilling Co.
Because of Telluride’s important role in the history of the American West, Telluride’s core area is designated a National Historic Preserve Landmark District in 1961, one of only five Colorado community receives this honorriver
When it comes to events, Telluride has great venues. For the past five years, Austin, Texas-based Austin Retina Associates has produced the Telluride Retina Film Festival at the Telluride Convention Center, a 16,000-square-foot multi-purpose space in Mountain Village . Educational Surgery Conference Retina experts also held a welcome event The event was held at the Hilltop Resort & Spa, where most attendees booked their accommodations.
The event is an après-ski session in February, which means attendees can ski, snowboard and participate in other winter activities like snowmobiling, or pop in and enjoy a spa treatment before the session starts. After the meeting, most attendees headed to downtown Telluride for dinner, said Stephanie Collins Mangham, CEO of Austin Retina Associates.
“Two of the retinal specialists on the planning team have homes in Telluride and Mountain Village, so that’s how we found the town and started the event,” Collins Mangum said. She noted that attendees, many of whom came from Canada and Mexico, enjoyed the conference and location. “I love this town, it’s walkable, dog-friendly and laid-back and you leave with a feeling of relaxation and fun.”
best choice
Aspen
stay:
Aspen Meadows Resort
Aspen Gant Hotel
Hotel Jerome
Little Nell
The St. Regis Aspen Resort
Attractions:
aspen art museum
aspen cross country center
aspen heights
aspen mountain
buttermilk
Songxi Kitchen
snowmass
wheeler opera house
crested butte
stay:
Highland Hotel and Spa
Elk Mountain Inn
Crested Butte Grand Inn
Mountaineer Plaza Inn
Cliff Ridge Inn
Attractions:
Crested Butte Center for the Arts
crested butte mountain
Heritage Museum
Crested Butte Mountain Resort
Crested Butte Nordic Center
telluride
stay:
Columbia Hotel
Lost Creek Inn
Madeleine Hotel & Apartments
New Sheridan Hotel
Peak Resort and Spa
Attractions:
aha art school
sheridan opera house
telluride convention center
Telluride Golf Club
Telluride Ski Resort
Aspen Chamber of Commerce website
aspensnowmass.com
Gunnison Crested Butte Website
scicb.com
Telluride website
Tellurideskiresort.com
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