Snowmass Wednesday

We wake to snow.  Even though the snow slows, fog continues to move down the mountain.  Eventually, CJ removes his ski pants and decides to exercise the free day on his 5 of 6 ski pass.

We drive in increasing rain to Aspen and have lunch at our newfound creperie, French Alpine Bistro Creperie du Village. After lunch the rain is harder. The plan to walk and shop downtown Aspen is scrapped and we return to the condo.

For dinner we are off to Aspen Highlands for the culinary adventure experience of the trip. From the base elevation of  2450 meters or  8040 feet, a snowcat delivers us up the mountain to Cloud 9, a fine French restaurant at 3299 meters or 10,825 feet. Pictured below is the restaurant taken from above (on a sunny day).  Note the valley deep in the distance.

We board the snowcat in rain which changes to snow as we climb the mountain. (There will be two feet of snow overnight, the most in this part of the state.)

This being our second time, it's a hoot watching the first timers when the cat hits the steeps. We hit the first one at a less speed than last time so it's not as disrupting.  They start coming out of the up-hill seats on some of the steeper slopes up mountain. They are fortunate.  Two of the men have long legs and can brace themselves against our seat.  Their wives clutch them for dear life.

The ride is 2.7 miles, has a maximum slope of 11 degrees.  Ski tracks tells us that the cat's maximum speed is 7.4 mph with an average of 3.6 mph.  The ride is about a half hour. Our route is the dark blue line.

Between the vibration of the snowcat and the vibration of the tracks on the snow, pictures taken from the snowcat tend to be a bit blurry.

Our destination is above that slope pictured over the top of the cat.

 Selfie taken at the top of the first of many climbs.

 Snowcat lights reflecting off the snow and trees lining the slope.

We've stopped at a restaurant buried in snow.

We enter the restaurant with wet clothing in search of heat, places to hang the outerwear and good food and grog.

The four course fixed meal is outstanding, just like the last time. There is foie gras, duck, Waygu beef, and a king crab/lobster bouillabaisse.

The return ride is a inverse repeat of the climb. It begins in heavy snow and ends in a rain/snow mix. Carol's cuddled up with CJ in a tight ball attempting to stop shivering.

CJ drives back to the condo in heavy snow.  A short night is had by all.



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