Happy sunny Tuesday from Aspen Snowmass! It is a gorgeous spring day with warm temperatures. We are expected to reach some record breaking high temps this week, and we can’t wait for all of the outside adventures. With ski season officially behind us, it’s time to look forward to spring and summer outdoor activities. Spring hiking in Aspen and Snowmass can mean trail closures, and extra precautions in the muddy season. Read on for tips to safely enjoy the gorgeous surrounding trails!
Two of Aspen’s most popular hiking trails are Sunnyside, located in West Aspen, and the local favorite, Smuggler, are open year round and both can connect to the Hunter Creek Trail. Both offer incredible views of the surrounding Elk Mountain Range. Smuggler is a short, hour long hike, while Sunnyside is longer and can take about half a day. Both trails are dog friendly, however, new ordinances require dogs to be leashed at all times on the trails.
Snowmass Village is full of incredible hiking trails for hikers of all ages and all abilities. Three of Snowmass’s most popular trails are the Rim Trail, the Tom Blake Trail, and Government Trail. During the spring, a number of trails close in order to give surrounding wildlife the space they need during their most sensitive times. Both Tom Blake and Government trails are closed from late April to late June for this very reason. The North Rim Trail is closed as well, however, Rim Trail South, affectionately known as the Yin Yang trail is open year round. Be cautious of muddy spots and wet sections!
Remember, social distancing is required on all trails. Face masks are also mandatory in the City of Aspen, and strongly encouraged in Pitkin County. Please stay safe and follow guidelines, so everyone can enjoy the great outdoors during these times. Happy Trails!
With more and more days spent at home, there is no better time to tackle that list of home improvement projects you’ve wanted to complete for years. But where should you start? How can you get everything done while under a stay at home order? We’ve put together a list of home improvement projects you can tackle without leaving your house.
4 Ways To Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal
1. Clean Up Any Landscaping or Lawns
The best way to start any improvements is to create a clean slate. Start by mowing any lawn areas you may have. Trim down any bushes or shrubs. Tackle those annoying weeds. We’ve created a Pinterest board to help get you started as well as rounded up some local stores that can help get your outdoor space ready for Spring.
2. Add Bright Flowers and Plants
Adding color with bright flowers and plants is one of the most obvious ways to elevate your curb appeal. Yet, finding the right flowers to plant, where to plant and how to take care of your garden can be hard to figure out. Especially when talking with a specialist is not possible. Many local nurseries and garden centers are offering over the phone consultations and even guided, personal tours of their centers to help people get started on their Spring gardening. We’ve rounded up what the experts are saying is the best to plant for Colorado gardens.
3. Paint Your Front Door a Bright Color
Another great way to draw eyes to the front of your house is to add some new paint. A fresh paint job adds some interest to the front of the house without having to spend too much money or take much time. Take a look at what design experts are saying about adding color to the front of your house.
4. DIY Outdoor Furniture and Decor
With a little extra time on your hands, the sun shining and the urge to try something new, you might feel inspired to revamp your outdoor space with some DIY projects. We felt the same way. Adding DIY projects to your outdoor areas is a great way to add some functionality and some personal touches. Check out our favorite DIY project inspirations as well some places that can help get you started!
4 Ways to Give the Inside of Your Home a Facelift
1. New Paint or Wallpaper
Much like your front door, the inside of your home might need a refresh. Adding new paint or some unexpected wallpaper might just do the trick. Accent walls and fun powder rooms are a great way to add some interest to your home without taking over the whole space. Take a look at our favorite places to get inspiration and the best colors!
2. New Hardware
Whether it’s a bathroom that feels tired or a kitchen that needs some extra shine, adding new hardware is an easy way to make these spaces feel like new. From trendy gold or brass hardware to sleek and classic silver, new hardware can go a long way in giving your home a facelift. These are our favorites places to find the perfect hardware for any space!
3. Rethink Furniture Arrangements
Adding new life to any space can be tricky, but rethinking how the space is laid out is an easy way to do just that without spending a dime! From small spaces to big, furniture layout is vital to insure your space functions properly. Take a look at how the experts are making the most of every space.
4. Channel Your Inner Organization Blogger
Spending more time inside your home can easily turn into noticing all the clutter and disorganized spaces you’ve overlooked for years. Tackling that kitchen junk drawer or your overstuffed closet can be a daunting task. That’s where we bring in the professionals. From utilizing bins and organizers to prioritizing only the things that serve you, organizing your home can be fun and easy! Take a look at what the experts suggest:
Happy Friday from snowy Aspen Snowmass! It is dumping snow in the mountains, with no signs of stopping any time soon. Some locals are thrilled by the fresh powder in April, and others might be bummed by the weather forecast. There is plenty of good news coming from our tight knit community this week. Read on for inspiring stories about how our community is supporting one another during these strange and uncertain times.
The demand for food banks and food drives has skyrocketed since the economic collapse from the coronavirus epidemic. The Western Slope Food Bank for the Rockies and Aspen Skiing Company’s events team has partnered up to put on a weekly food drive. Together, these organizations are serving up to 250 families weekly. Each Thursday from 12pm to 2pm, families can collect food at Basalt Middle School directly from their cars. For more information, please visit www.foodbankrockies.org
Three locals have come together in a grassroots effort to raise over $3.5 million in relief funds for residents from Aspen to Parachute affected by coronavirus. 22 other locals have donated this 2020 Rescue Fund, which is a charitable fund with the Aspen Community Fund. In the coming weeks with the help of ACF, the rescue fund’s “advisory committee” trio will select nonprofits that are capable of addressing priority needs during the crisis, like economic assistance, food access, health care and other essential humanitarian support.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village is normally buzzing this time of year with resident artists and staff gearing up for their busy summer season. With the ranch being closed to the public, the on-site “Fab Lab” is creating personal protective equipment with 3D printers, in order to help with the shortage medical professionals are experiencing on the frontlines. If you’d like to help with this effort, please visit www.nocofaceshieldproject.org
We are so thankful to be a part of a community that supports one another during times like these. It is truly amazing to see the outpouring support and love throughout our valley.
Happy Tuesday from Aspen Snowmass! With fresh snow overnight and spring weather today, it feels like the ideal bluebird ski day. Even though the lifts are closed, locals are still finding ways to enjoy the Power of Four Mountains. Some hike, most skin up the mountains. It’s a great form of exercise, an excuse to get outside, and a breath of fresh air, in every sense.
Aspen Skiing Company has been continuing with some grooming practices for uphill skiers, and has ever decided to honor those in 100 day pin quests. The rules to receive a 100 day pin from the skiing company are still the same as any other season and finish . In order to collect, Aspen SkiCo requests that you call their main phone line to let them know you have achieved 100 days. There are “bonus points” if you can creatively prove your feat.
If you are planning on skinning, whether it’s to complete your 100 day season or just get outside and in the mountains, there are some precautions to take. Aspen Skiing Company requests that skinners and hikers maintain social distancing, which is 6 feet minimum, or rather the length of a pair of skis. It is also required to hike in a group of four or less, to follow current CDC guidelines.
All four mountains are being groomed almost daily by SkiCo. There is fresh powder almost weekly, and fresh corduroy almost daily. There is plenty of fabulous terrain across all four mountains. Aspen Skiing Company, Mountain Rescue Aspen, and Aspen Valley Hospital ask that uphillers stay out of the backcountry during this time. For more information and updates, please visit aspentimes.com or aspendailynews.com
Have fun out there and stay safe!
With 4.13 billion internet users worldwide, there is no doubt the internet dominates our everyday life, our business functions and even our free time. We rely on the internet and technology for almost everything we do, including making our businesses stronger and more effective. Sotheby’s International Realty is leading the front on incorporating modern technology and the convenience of the internet into the real estate business. With features like Virtual Experiences, Curate and branded social media platforms, Sotheby’s International Realty gives brokers and affiliates the opportunity to be top of mind and top of feed. While people are browsing the internet for real estate, they are taking part in a unique, branded experience that guides and elevates their search.
Virtual Experience
Sotheby’s International Realty gives anyone the opportunity to fully experience a property on any device with Matterport, an all-in-one 3D data platform. Using Matterport, brokers have the opportunity to create ‘virtual twins’ of a property, giving potential buyers a one of a kind experience. With a few shots, a broker can create a virtual tour of a house, a dollhouse view of the house, its floor plans and allow viewers to measure anything in the house. Matterport allows viewers to see and get a feel for a house without having to step a foot in it.
With 4.13 billion internet users worldwide, there is no doubt the internet dominates our everyday life, our business functions and even our free time. We rely on the internet and technology for almost everything we do, including making our businesses stronger and more effective. Sotheby’s International Realty is leading the front on incorporating modern technology and the convenience of the internet into the real estate business. With features like Virtual Experiences, Curate and branded social media platforms, Sotheby’s International Realty gives brokers and affiliates the opportunity to be top of mind and top of feed. While people are browsing the internet for real estate, they are taking part in a unique, branded experience that guides and elevates their search.
Virtual Experience
Sotheby’s International Realty gives anyone the opportunity to fully experience a property on any device with Matterport, an all-in-one 3D data platform. Using Matterport, brokers have the opportunity to create ‘virtual twins’ of a property, giving potential buyers a one of a kind experience. With a few shots, a broker can create a virtual tour of a house, a dollhouse view of the house, its floor plans and allow viewers to measure anything in the house. Matterport allows viewers to see and get a feel for a house without having to step a foot in it.
Social Media
From Sotheby’s International Realty verified social platforms, to paid social media advertisements and our own curated Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty pages, meeting clients on their feeds is our specialty. With one billion monthly users on Instagram and 2.37 billion monthly users on Facebook, it is imperative to have an active and engaging presence on social media. Our properties are featured on the Sotheby’s International Realty social pages, which have 96K followers on Facebook, 258K followers on Instagram and similar numbers on Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter and their podcast. Our exposure is increased almost monthly thanks to these features. Other features like affiliate takeovers allow us to engage audiences across the world while still staying relevant to our audiences at home.
Curate
Showing a property with no furniture in the rooms or pictures on the walls makes it hard for a client to imagine themselves in the house. In comes Curate, an immersive augmented reality app that allows users to stage the home and curate their experience. Brokers can stage the home in many different styles to show versatility and clients can pick pieces based on their style to really imagine themselves in the spaces. Home buyers even have the option to pick furniture through the app, allowing them to put the whole space together on the app before buying a single thing. The days of guessing and stretching your imagination are over. Put the entire picture together with Curate.
To watch Curate in action, click here.
We strive to take advantage of all the internet offers. Meeting home buyers where they are - in their feeds, their mailboxes and their smartphones – allows us to create a unique and effective experience for all potential buyers and sellers alike. Platforms like Virtual Experience, Social Media and Curate are a few examples of how Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty seeks new and innovative opportunities to be the best at helping our clients.
Blog Credit to Emilee Kelloff, Aspen Snowmass Sotheby's International Realty
Happy Tuesday from Aspen Snowmass! We are in another week of a shelter-in-place order in Pitkin County, as well as statewide in Colorado. While we are all staying at home, there are many trends and buzzwords emerging from these strange and uncertain times. We are all definitely familiar with quarantine, Dr. Fauci, even baby names based off of Coronavirus. The list goes on and on. Here are three trends that seem to have staying power.
You’ve probably seen Tik Tok videos on your Facebook and Instagram feeds, and are definitely asking yourself, “What is a Tik Tok?” This new social media phenomenon is a video-sharing app, think spin-off karaoke for the modern age. Its commonly used as an outlet to express oneself through singing, dancing, comedy, and lip-synching. This trending social media looks like it’s here to stay with celebrities, sports stars, and many others creating accounts.
Netflix, Hulu, and all streaming services have seem to become one of the more popular pastimes in the last few weeks. You have definitely heard of it, if not already seen “The Tiger King” on Netflix. This documentary series focuses on the big cat culture in the United States, with eccentric characters, and a murder plot twist. This limited series only has 7 episodes, with a new one to be released this week. It may not be a trend that has staying power, but expect to see a lot of tiger themed costumes this Halloween.
Zoom has taken over for the lack of social interaction in quarantine. Whether it's for work purposes or casual social purposes, Zoom allows you to connect with your people via video chat for free once you create an account. Zoom allows you to have up to 100 people in a meeting. During quarantine, Zoom work meetings, happy hours, and even birthday parties have become the norm. This video chat platform was created in 2011, but might have strong staying power once the world returns to normal.
Happy April from Aspen Snowmass! While it feels like springtime in the mountains, we can’t help but look forward to summer. It may not seem like summer in Aspen and Snowmass will be the same without Food and Wine, Aspen Institute Ideas Fest, or an abbreviated Aspen Music Festival schedule. There are still plenty of events to look forward to a fun summer in Aspen Snowmass. Read on for the top three to keep you motivated!
One of Aspen’s best and longest summer traditions is the Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade on Independence Day. Aspen celebrates Independence Day with a whimsical twist. Local residents and visitors come together to honor the nation’s birthday in true American style. Festivities include a parade, concerts and family fun in Wagner Park. The parade is free to enter, but registration is required. Floats start to parade down Main Street promptly at 11am.
Another you can start training for now while you’re sheltering in place is the Audi Power of Four Trail Run. This year’s race is Saturday, August 1st. This race is a premier endurance race series utilizing the unique and amazing terrain of each of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains. The race starts at Aspen Mountain and ends at Snowmass. For more information and registration, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival is the event which says goodbye to summer and welcomes gorgeous fall with awesome concerts over Labor Day weekend. This year, Stevie Nicks, Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Kings of Leon are headlining. More acts and official times will be announced later this summer. Tickets are still available. For more information and tickets, please visit www.jazzaspensnowmass.org.
It's a sunny springlike day in Aspen Snowmass today. It is an ideal day to take advantage of going outside, whether its hiking, biking, skinning, or just a simple walk in the neighborhood. Watching Netflix and Hulu can get a little repetitive while practicing social distancing. Read on for four exciting ways to see the world, from the comfort of your home!
1. National Park Virtual Tours
Have you ever wanted to see the nation’s treasures? How about from the comfort of your couch? Get your fix of the great outdoors from the safe indoors, as the CDC recommends with these five national park virtual tours. Explore Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, and Dry Tortugas National Park down in Florida. Click here to begin your national tour!
2. International Museum Virtual Tours
With international, and even domestic air travel not possible right now, there is no better time than to do an international tour of the world’s most famous museums. If you’re ready for some culture and art in your quarantine, click here for twelve virtual museum tours. Go from Musée d’Orsay in Paris to Museu de Arte de São Paulo in Brazil to National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul instantly!
3. Virtual Tour of Aspen
Missing Aspen and all of its beauty? Are you craving a certain spot in town but can’t leave your house to look around? Lucky for you, Aspen Chamber has launched a 360 degree virtual tour of Aspen! You can use this tool to plan your trip from afar, or to venture back to your favorite spots, such as the John Denver Sanctuary, the Maroon Bells, and even the Grottos! Click here to start exploring now.
4. Klug Properties Virtual Home Tours
Have the urge to look at beautiful interior design, architecture, and coolest style? We are working remotely, but are here to help, and can accommodate showings and open houses virtually. Please visit our newly updated www.klugproperties.com/virtual-tours page for a virtual showing of our exclusive listings.
It is always top priority to take care of your mind and body, but especially now during these tough times. If you’re finding yourself a little restless while working from home, do not worry. Read on for four easy tips on how to take care of yourself.
1. Yoga, Home Workouts
Whether or not you currently have a favorite exercise routine, you’re probably ready to try something different. New practices in a new environment can be intimidating, so now is the perfect time to try from the comfort of your home. Local favorites such as Pure Barre, O2 Aspen, and Aspen Shakti are hosting live classes on virtual platforms such as Zoom and Instagram Live. For more information on class types and schedule, head over to Instagram and check out @purebarreaspen, @o2aspen, and @aspenshakti, respectively.
2. Stay Clean
Anytime you return home, it is essential to wash your hands properly. It's also a good practice routinely clean surfaces that you touch regularly. If you’re affected by the buying frenzy of toilet paper and cleaning products, click here for homemade recipes to create your own detergent, dish soap, window cleaner, toilet cleaner, and multi-purpose disinfectant. Its easy and fun!
3. Stay in Touch
It’s easy to feel lonely during self-isolation and shelter-in-place orders. We are so fortunate to live in a time where staying virtually connected is so simple. Whether you prefer FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, or the newly popular Zoom, staying connected to your loved ones is easier than ever to connect with one, or over 30 of your loved ones.
4. Plan Your Meals
Do you find yourself snacking more and more with less frequent but more fruitful grocery store runs? Are you out of quarantine snacks? Now is the ideal time to get into the long-standing practice of meal planning. With plenty of time to prep and cook meals, this is an easy hobby to pick up and a good practice to curb your quarantine snacking.
Hello from Aspen Snowmass. While springtime is different this year, Aspen and Snowmass has come together as a community to get through this uncertain time. Pitkin County recently called for a shelter in place order. There is a lot of unknown, but there is also a lot of hope. Read on for some inspiring community moments on how we are coming together, separately.
Aspen Skiing Company shut down all four mountains and ancillary businesses on March 14th, per the Governor of Colorado’s statewide order. With ski season effectively over, they’re still finding ways to connect to those affected. The skiing company hosted a market-style food giveaway over the weekend. Goods included dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits, and much more. The Little Nell, one of Aspen’s finest hotels and an Aspen Skiing Company ancillary business, donated food to over 300 of their employees after they announced their closure until Summer 2020. For updates on summer scheduling, head over to www.aspensnowmass.com
Local restaurants are getting into the community spirit as well. Mi Chola closed their doors for the rest of the winter season, but donated their food, such as rice, salsa, chips, and fresh vegetables to employees and community members over the weekend during their closing processes. Mr. Grey and Meat & Cheese are donating fresh soup outside their doors daily during lunch hours. Some restaurants in Aspen have elected to stay open for take-out and delivery during the shelter-in-place order. For a full list of restaurant hours and take-out menus, go to www.eataspen.com
Everyday, there is an amazing and inspiring story of hope and resilience in our small, tight-knit community. We look after each other, all the time. There are food drives, help centers, and many more resources for those affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. For more up-to-date information on how our Aspen Snowmass community is doing, please check out www.klugproperties.com/blog, www.aspentimes.com, and www.aspendailynews.com. Please stay safe and healthy. Be sure to get outside, socially distanced of course. Wishing you all the best from our Klug Properties team!
