Asher on Aspen: Why Eleven212 is Aspen’s hottest new après spot
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
On what felt like the first true bluebird day of the season, I made my way up Aspen Mountain with skis in tow, ready for a full day of skiing and après.
This was no ordinary ski day, though.
Eleven212 had just opened — Aspen’s newest après-ski enclave, perched proudly at 11,212 feet. With panoramic views of the Elk Mountain range, it promised a fresh, modern twist on alpine tradition, blending Aspen’s storied past with something new and exciting.
My friend Anafer and I boarded the gondola, serendipity gracing us with an unexpected encounter — a friend we hadn’t planned on seeing but whose presence felt perfectly timed. There’s something about gondola rides that turn casual chats into soulful conversations, and soon, we were deep in discussion about life in our early 30s, reflecting on ambitions, missteps, and the strange, beautiful dance of figuring it all out. By the time we reached the top, that friend had joined our little crew, as if the mountain itself had orchestrated it.
After a single, satisfying lap on Chair 3, we surrendered to curiosity and made our way to Eleven212 to see what all the buzz was about. The sight that greeted us felt like stepping into an alpine dream: a collection of charming A-frame cabins, each with its own distinct personality. They weren’t just structures; they were stories, paying homage to Aspen’s colorful past: A nod to the rugged bravery of the 10th Mountain Division, the rebellious spirit of Hunter S. Thompson, the sleek legacy of Aspen ski racing, and the ever-evolving flair of ski fashion.
We found ourselves landing at the Aspen Ski Racing-themed cabin, its cozy aesthetic irresistible. Nestled into the plush couch, the heater humming softly beside us, we barely had time to settle in before our server appeared, cradling a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot. If there were ever a way to toast the end of Dry January in true Aspen fashion, this was it.
The menu was après perfection in bite-sized form. We started with champagne and caviar; the briny richness balanced perfectly by delicate chips. Buttery Maine lobster salad sliders disappeared almost too quickly, while the teriyaki beef tenderloin skewers delivered a savory punch with tender, flavorful bites. And of course, no après spread would be complete without a giant, golden pretzel — warm, soft, and served with a decadent dipping sauce that we couldn’t get enough of. All the while, a DJ spun effortlessly cool tracks, the beat syncing with our laughter and the clink of champagne flutes.
One of my favorite moments was watching two friends experience caviar for the first time —their expressions a mix of delight and surprise, the kind of spontaneous joy that après-ski moments are made of. There we were: Veuve in hand, caviar on crisp chips, the mountains sprawling endlessly around us. It felt luxurious yet grounding, a reminder that sometimes the simplest pleasures — good food, good friends, and good views — are the most extraordinary.
By the time the afternoon sun dipped low, casting a golden glow over the peaks, we found ourselves on our feet, dancing with carefree abandon. Full of snacks, a little tipsy, and completely wrapped in the magic of the moment, we skied down knowing this was just the beginning of many afternoons to come at Eleven212.
Nostalgic, yet novel, Eleven212 reinvents the former AspenX Beach Club with a fresh pulse, blending Aspen’s rich heritage with a modern alpine vibe. Open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. (extending to 3:30 p.m. after Feb. 20), entry is free, though private seating and cabins can be reserved for those who prefer their après with a touch more exclusivity.
Eleven212 isn’t just an après spot; it’s a reminder of why we live here. It’s about those moments — the simple joy of being exactly where you are, high above the world, with the sun on your face and that unmistakable feeling that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. If that’s not Aspen at its best, I don’t know what is.
