“You don’t have to ski to get in on the après action.”
It’s a sunny, bluebird day and we’re sipping margaritas and eating carnitas tacos from a chic red-and-white striped beach cabana. DJ beats fill the air drowning out a rowdy game of cornhole taking place to our left. To the right, a handsome guy on an oversized cherry-red lifeguard stand gives us a wave. Surfboards and beach loungers surround. The scene could be straight out of Nikki Beach in St Barts, except no one is barefoot or in bikinis. The sea and sand are miles away. Instead, we’re surrounded by sparkling snow and alpine vistas atop Ajax Mountain. This is Aspen’s most exclusive beach party.
The brainchild of ASPENX, a luxury retail and experiential company from Aspen Skiing Company and Aspen-based artist and entrepreneur Paula Crown, ASPENX Beach Club is back for its third season. Crown tapped fine art photographer Gray Malin, known for his aerial beach photography, to conceptualize the project in 2021. After referencing his archives and studying beach clubs in South Beach, he came up with vintage red-and-white striped cabanas and chairs, produced by one of Miami’s chicest beach-furniture manufacturers.
From year one, the fantastical pop-up has been the hottest scene on the Aspen slopes. “The never-ending flow of rosé and bubbles, deliciously warm nibbles paired with the pumping tunes from the best DJs in town, make the beach club hard to miss,” said Fraser Olender, star of the Bravo yachting hit Below Deck. “It’s a 10 out of 10 experience and one you’ll be sure to find me at every season.”
This next season ushers in a partnership with Burgess Yachts and more exciting special guests (think fashion designers and artists), rotating DJs, and a re-envisioned menu including whimsical charcuterie platters, stacked sliders, tacos, and hot pretzels to fuel the party. ASPENX Beach Club’s always lively bar cabana is back to provide bottle service for slope-side cabanas, espresso martinis, margaritas, and more. A merchandise cabana will be stocked with exclusive AspenX beanies, hoodies, hats, and blankets.
You don’t have to ski to get in on the après action. Guests may also arrive via the Silver Queen Gondola and walk to the club. And if you schuss-in from neighboring runs on Aspen Mountain and pop one too many bottles, downloading back to town is simple. ASPENX Beach Club accommodates 150 guests per day from noon to 3 pm. Reservations are an absolute must.
If you plan to dance the afternoon away, a beachgoer pass ($50) provides club access and à la carte drinks and food from the bar. If you’re digging the beach vibes and prefer to soak in sunny 360-degree mountain views more comfortably, lounge chair reservations are $130, two-person minimum, and include a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and appetizers. For ultimate Aspen social-scene bragging rights, book one of the signature striped cabanas with seating for two at $450 (additional beach chairs can be added if you’re with a bigger crew). Cabana guests are treated to a bottle of Veuve (or upgrade to Dom Pérignon), appetizers, and two AspenX Beach Club hats. Perched at 11,200 feet, it may be the world’s highest-elevation beach party, and, trust us, you don’t want to miss the surf-meets-snow revelry.
Related Posts
