The trail maps of Aspen are a comprehensive and in-depth layout of Aspen’s four resorts, but there is an underground and secret side to our mountains that aren’t portrayed on the maps. Secret shrines are sprinkled throughout the trees and tucked into the nooks and crannies of Aspen, Snowmass, Highlands, and Buttermilk. Copious amounts of time to explore and/or a knowledgeable local willing to show you around are needed if you want to ski the secret side of Aspen; however, I’m willing to introduce you to a couple personal favorites so long as they are treated with respect and enjoyed as they were intended. (By no means am I an authority on the shrine subject, so if you’re interested in more information check out the go-to resource for shrine-loving locals and in-the-know visitors: aspensnowmassshrines.com.)
Eulogizing fallen friends and late characters, commemorating iconic rock bands, lauding literary legends, and extolling favorite sports teams (Aspen’s full of “Mass. Holes”—New Englanders that love their Red Sox more than fresh powder), the shrines that are hidden throughout our mountains add new dimension to the Aspen ski experience.
If you’re sliding around on Aspen Mountain there are literally hundreds of shrines, plaques, and memorials tucked into random locations. Keep your eyes peeled while skiing Gretl’s, a popular run near the mid-mountain Bonnie’s eatery, and you will see the 9/11 shrine. The Fenway/Boston Red Sox shrine is a must-see if the “Yuck the Fankees” chant means anything to you. You’ll get a glimpse of it from the Back of Bell 2 run if you’re alert. You can immerse yourself in local history if you are near Blondie’s Cabin (at the confluence of the Blondie’s and Silver Dip runs). The Aspen Ski Hall of Fame, tucked into a tree grove near the cabin, commemorates a laundry list of iconic skiers that have schussed in Aspen.
The other three mountains have shrines, too. Longtime Aspen (technically Woody Creek) local and surrogate poet laureate of the Roaring Fork Valley, Hunter S. Thompson, is canonized on Snowmass near the Gunner’s View run. A tree near Bull’s Run on Snowmass is dedicated to Baby Blue Eyes - six photographs of Frank Sinatra adorn the tree trunk. Though it’s not as intricate as the one on Ajax, John Denver’s shrine on Buttermilk’s Red Rover run is pretty cool to see.
Lastly, if you have ever relished the mind-blowing experience of hiking Highland Bowl and skiing down the best in-bounds, big mountain terrain in the country then you need to take a moment to swing by the Kessler, Snyder, Soddy Plaques located skier’s right side on Broadway. These three Highlands patrolmen were tragically killed during an avalanche at Highlands and are the main reason why Highlands Ski Patrol maintains Highland Bowl.
Again, if this information wetted your whistle (if that’s possible), check out www.aspensnowmassshrines.com for an in-depth guide of Aspen’s shrines, and, if you’re into this stuff, pick up the newest issue of Aspen Peak magazine for an exploration behind the nomenclature of Aspen Mountain’s ski runs.
Photos courtesy of AspenSnowmassShrines
Related Articles:
Extra Special Condos in Aspen and Snowmass
Top 10 Ways To Do Aspen on a Beer Budget
