Before we go
Trip Plans
Every trip starts with research: what’s open, what’s worth it, and what we’re most excited about. These are our plans, written before we go.
We leave every plan up, even when things change. After the trip, we add a short outcome update and a link at the top of each plan to a separate, detailed firsthand report. Each trip page will collect the original plans and the follow-up reports.
Aspen, Colorado · December 11–17, 2026
Wintersköl’s 75th anniversary, a down-valley craft beer day, a winter soak at Penny Hot Springs and, if the snow cooperates, a snowmobile ride toward the Maroon Bells.
Start here: Our Aspen trip: December 11–17, 2026. Flights, lodging and Opiuo tickets are booked. The trip page brings together our tentative itinerary, booking status and related planning articles, and will collect our reports afterward.
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Aspen Restaurants We’re Considering: Food, Drinks & a Budget for Two
Our potential Aspen food and drink stops for December 11–17: menu examples, reservation policies, and estimated meal budgets for two before we…
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Penny Hot Springs in Winter: Our Plan for a Free Riverside Soak Near Aspen
Penny Hot Springs is a free, natural hot spring on the Crystal River near Redstone, open year-round. Here’s what to know before…
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Craft Beer Near Aspen: Our Roaring Fork Valley Brewery Plan
Aspen’s downtown brewpub has closed, so the best craft beer near Aspen is now down valley in Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.…
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Wintersköl 2026: Aspen’s 75th Anniversary Winter Festival Guide
Aspen’s Wintersköl turns 75 from December 10–13, 2026. Here’s the full schedule, the beer festival, the torchlight parade and fireworks, Opiuo at…