Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2024 i Denver Life Magazine

Welcome to our annual travel issue, where in the past we’ve explored locales across our country’s borders and around the globe. This year, we’re keeping it a bit closer to home—yet these adventures are still a world away. This month, we invite you to explore states bordering Colorado—New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming. In New Mexico, we begin our neighborly excursions in Taos. Smaller than Denver, but immense in charm, Taos boasts an artist colony origin that has evolved into a vibrant creative culture. Experience the globally inspired El Monte Sagrado hotel, whose Living Spa graces our cover. Venture further to the Earthship Biotecture community, an otherworldly creation of repurposed materials and mud-packed tires. Utah beckons with what I believe to be the finest resort in the United States. Amangiri,…

Social chatter Looking to escape the winter chill in favor of sun-soaked vistas? The PAD in Silverthorne (@thepadsilverthorne) has partnered with Buen Camino in Costa Rica to bring #ThePADLife to the lush rainforest. They tagged us in this post celebrating a stay in Tico-style casitas, complete with a boho flair and all the essential comforts. Where are you headed? We want to journey along, vicariously of course. Tag @denverlifemagazine in your photos for a chance to be featured. Online exclusive The Little Nell recently unveiled Aspen’s only ski-in, ski-out spa—and of course we had to check it out. Head to denverlifemagazine.com to discover how the pampering haven’s integrated approach to wellness seamlessly aligns with the Aspen Idea. REFINED SPACES Discover expert design tips and inside looks at lavish home renovations…

Doesn’t this sound lovely: Languishing the afternoon around a table of tapas and spritzes somewhere where palm trees dot your stunning water view. Dancing to Sofi Tucker at the avant-garde Élysée Montmartre in Paris. Lounging and laughing in the grotto after a mud bath at Two Bunch Palms. Embarking on a journey with friends can turn a simple getaway into an adventure that delivers lifelong memories. But like any great endeavor, it requires some finesse. Here are some golden rules to ensure you’re still friends with the people on your “friendscation” when the trip is done. Rule 1: Embrace the unspoken leader. In group travel, democracy often takes a back seat. Recognizing the natural leader in the group can streamline decision-making and keep plans on track. But make sure you…

Tucked away in Grand Junction, there’s a little company doing big things with small trailers. Vintage Overland carves out its niche in the caravan world with a flair for the nostalgic and a nod to minimalism. Britton Purser, the mastermind behind these caravans, combines his design school expertise with his carpentry skills to create bespoke, handmade teardrop trailers with a vintage vibe. They’re utilitarian yet aesthetically pleasing, rugged yet refined. Purser’s story is one of restless creativity culminating in the creation of Vintage Overland. With his wife, Ami, and two brothers, Cody and Cullen, by his side, he embarked on a mission to design a caravan that encapsulated the essence of open-road adventure and the elegance of Danish design. The team prides itself in designing and building collector-quality camping trailers.…

While the tranquility of the resort might be tempting, Taos’s streets are alive with culture. Begin your exploration along Paseo del Pueblo, where Taxonomy, an eclectic haven owned by LGBTQ+ and veteran entrepreneurs, offers an array of nature-inspired curiosities, from taxidermy to handcrafted jewelry. Strolling through the area surrounding Taos Plaza and Kit Carson Street, you’ll find the heart of Taos, best experienced on foot. Lun+Ojo, a gallery on Paseo, showcases a medley of prints, pottery, and jewelry from both rising and established artists, including textile creations by Laurel Taylor. This space doubles as a hub for artistic gatherings and musical evenings. Head into Reneaux consignment for unique finds, and explore ArrowSoul Trading Post, a Native-owned collective showcasing custom apparel and art. OmniHum, a woman-owned space, regularly hosts installations and…

In the grand tapestry of travel destinations, Arizona stands out like a mirage of wellness—and not just the kind that involves cucumber water and fluffy robes. This is where the desert, in its infinite wisdom, whispers secrets of well-being to those savvy enough to listen. It’s not just a state; it’s a state of mind. Think of Arizona as your unconventional therapist, with the sun as your lightbox and the red rocks as your couch. In places like Sedona, the red-hued terrain doesn’t just dazzle; it practically conducts therapy sessions. The energy vortexes here are the real deal—and they don’t charge by the hour. Let’s talk resorts, because, let’s face it, that’s why you’re reading this. Arizona’s spa scene is as varied as its landscapes. You’ve got the Hotel Valley…

Jackson is having a moment, and it’s not just because of its legendary slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, where the snow is deep, the slopes are steep, and the backcountry terrain is epic. The town of Jackson, Wyoming, is an increasingly chic place with a decidedly chill veneer—the sort that comes from being ruggedly itself. The real buzz in Jackson is its evolution—a transformation that’s put it on the map for more than just its snow. It might not have the glitz or the glam of Aspen or Vail, but it's got increasingly luxe offerings enhancing its Wild Western appeal. Think hip boutiques, great restaurants, lavish hotels drawing even more star power to town, and an après-ski scene to start the party, while heritage cowboy hotspots keep it going…

Flying down Ajax, elated by the year’s first snow, my feet throb and my face burns in the wintery air. Gratefully, my stay at The Little Nell proves serendipitous, boasting Aspen’s sole ski-in, ski-out spa that opened just a few weeks ago. Entrusting my sticks and boots to the Nell’s efficient ski valets, I, as any passenger princess should, beeline it to the spa. The treatment room sets the scene for an ideal après experience, complete with a warm fireplace and deluxe service, ensuring you leave more hydrated and revitalized than when you arrived. Designed by Luis Bustamante, the creative mind behind Nell’s inviting lobby, these rooms feature a fireplace, a hybrid infrared/halo-therapy sauna, and a steam shower providing a seamless transition from your adrenaline-fueled day on the slopes to…

Teach Wanderlust, a name that embodies its mission, is not just about teaching in the traditional sense. Founders Allyson Monroe and Amanda Wilson, teachers in Summit County, have taken on the mantle of awakening wanderlust—a love for travel and learning—in their students. Their innovative nonprofit program extends learning beyond the confines of the classroom, offering Summit County students transformative experiences through international travel. Research shows that students who study abroad have better grades, experience less attrition, and have improved knowledge of cultural practices and context compared to students who do not travel. Teach Wanderlust leverages these benefits, aiming to make international travel accessible to all students, not just those with financial means. “There is only so much a young person can learn in a classroom, and there is only so…

Snagging a concert ticket certainly doesn’t look like it used to. In 1996, the average price for a spot in a Garth Brooks crowd was just $30, but today, even triple that amount won’t get you through the door at a top headliner’s show. This is the month when tickets to the majority of the summer tours drop. But perhaps even worse than the sky-high prices is the competition to claim a seat in the first place. Luckily, every venue in the Denver area, from auditoriums to mega stadiums, comes with its own set of tips and tricks for securing a spot and cutting the cost. EMPOWER FIELD, BALL ARENA, AND RED ROCKS The big ones. Don’t let their high capacities fool you, events at these venues are almost guaranteed…

There’s nothing like a journey to work up an appetite, especially when the destination is a feast for all the senses. Aspen’s Pine Creek Cookhouse, nestled at the base of the Elk Mountains, invites adventurous souls on cross-country skis, snowshoes, or horse-drawn sleighs to the large, luxurious wood cabin with a central fireplace offering seasonal menus featuring American alpine cuisine. (Reservations are required.) For a taste of altitude, Copper’s brand new Aerie Lodge, featuring Feast and Forage, is accessible via the American Eagle Gondola and offers elevated on-mountain dining during the day. Fuel up on the athlete’s mountain with deluxe dishes like venison steak or potato-wrapped salmon. Atop Telluride Ski Resort, Alpino Vino—a quaint European chalet accessible via skis during the day and custom-crafted snow coach at night—promises a prix…

Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim Distance: Just under 2.5 hours from Amangiri Activities: With two billion years of history hidden in its striking erosional forms and layers of geologic color, the Grand Canyon—one of the deepest gorges on Earth—never fails to overwhelm the senses. Bryce Canyon National Park Distance: 2.5 hours from Amangiri Highlights: Known for its distinctive hoodoos, Bryce Canyon offers breathtaking vistas and hiking trails. The park’s higher altitude provides a cooler climate, ideal for summer visits. Consider a scenic flight for a bird’s-eye view of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in one unforgettable journey. Lake Powell Distance: 30 minutes from Amangiri Activities: Lake Powell is perfect for boating and water sports, with its expansive shoreline and secluded bays. Winter offers a serene, unspoiled view of…

It’s long been an open secret that the best way to add more competitive highway and towing power to a stock Jeep Wrangler is a do-it-yourself engine upgrade. But rather than spending hundreds of hours of Frankenstein work in their garage, Jeep enthusiasts can now get an off-road-ready, top-of-the-line, four-door Wrangler Rubicon with a tire-smoking Hemi engine, direct from the factory. It’s not cheap, but it’s going to impress all your Jeeping buddies, plus every other vehicle on the road or trail. The 2024 Wrangler Rubicon 392 offers one of the fleeting applications of the Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge family’s oversized engines, as production recently ended on gasoline-powered Challenger and Charger models, which sported Hemis topping 1,000 horsepower. In the Rubicon 392’s case, it’s a still-impressive 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 470 horsepower, beating…

In Denver’s Golden Triangle, the city’s cultural nerve center, stands The Art, a Hotel. This boutique property shatters the mold of the conventional hotel experience, offering a stay that’s less about the pillow count and more about the transcendent power of art. The creative enclave gives you a glimpse of the art in store from the moment you arrive: Leo Villareal’s mesmerizing light installation in the portico is a dazzling display that envelops the valet stand. Pass through the lobby doors, and you’re greeted by Sol LeWitt’s vibrant abstracts, an audacious welcome. Art from world-renowned artists and architects, including Frank Gehry and Tracey Emin, guides your path to the elevators. On the fourth floor, The Living Room, the hotel’s social hub, offers complimentary treats like coffee, newspapers, infused water, and…

LIVING 2024 Colorado Garden and Home Show FEB. 24–MAR. 3 ■ Unlock a world of inspiration at the Rocky Mountain region’s largest and most prestigious home show. Lined with aromatic, professionally landscaped gardens, you can gather insight from over 500 companies to get your next home project on its feet. coloradogardenfoundation.org ARTS & CULTURE Artist In-Person FEB. 9–10 ■ Contemporary figurative painter Henry Asencio visits Cherry Creek’s Fascination St. Fine Art to meet with collectors and discuss his work. Snag a new statement piece for your home that’s a step above the rest—the artist is signing and dedicating any pieces purchased during the event. fascinationstart.com Jazz Roots FEB. 17 & 24 ■ Experience the rich history of jazz through live band performances, spoken word, poetry, and dance at this second-annual…

Wildsam Field Guides Denver by Taylor Bruce Wildsam specializes in city guidebooks with local appeal. The American travel brand is built upon telling true stories of place. It goes beyond the basics to reveal what’s real and what’s rooted—and what’s not to miss when it’s time to caffeinate, hydrate, satiate, and shop. Through curated lists, personal essays, short interviews with notable locals, and sketches that paint a city beyond the brochure, it reveals the authentic Denver through personal stories, travel intel, and modern lore. The Dirty Gourmet: Food For Your Outdoor Adventures by Aimee Trudeau, Emily Nielson, and Mai-Yan Kwan Just because you’re in the wild doesn’t mean your meals should be anything less than wildly delicious—not to mention fun and easy to plan and prep. With more than 120…

Taos, New Mexico, a gem nestled in the mountains, packs a punch well beyond its modest size. This town, a fusion of ancient heritage and contemporary culture, invites more than a fleeting glance. This enchanting locale, with its high-altitude clarity and cobalt horizon that stretches into eternity, has long been a haven for artists. In the late 19th century, the town, already steeped in Native American and Spanish heritage, turned into a magnet for artists when two East Coast painters, Ernest Blumenschein and Bert Phillips, stumbled upon it in 1898. Mesmerized by the ethereal light and kaleidoscopic skies set against the lofty Sangre de Cristo Mountains, they found their muse in this remote town. They were soon joined by others—Mabel Dodge Luhan, an influential socialite and patron of the arts,…

Set in a place where the idea of a world-class hotel seems almost implausible, Amangiri defies expectations amid the raw beauty of the desert. This pinnacle of luxury by Aman, the global hotel company known for its minimalist temples of moneyed zen, rises from the desert amid the wild, arid expanse of Utah’s Canyon Point to become one of the world’s most wanderlust-inducing hotels, globally celebrated for its almost mystically remote appeal. Since its inception in 2009, Amangiri has not just occupied space; it has commanded attention. Almost fully isolated from the rest of the world in Southern Utah’s Canyon Point on 600 acres that Aman needed Congressional approval to secure, Amangiri’s network of cubic concrete suites and pavilions are backed by a lofty 165-million-year-old rock escarpment. The resort’s architecture…

This is skiing at its absolute finest: no lines, no waiting, no crowds, no over-skied terrain. Just wide-open trails and a fat layer of powder between the trees—private powder, all for me. It’s just me, my guide, and a half-dozen or so other people zigzagging down the trails, plus the snowcat driver who’s waiting at the base to whisk us back up for the next run. Oh, and the chef who’s preparing a lunch of hearty ski day fare for us to enjoy in the heated mountaintop yurt. I could get used to this. A private ski mountain is a luxury most don’t even know to dream about. And it’s right in our backyard. Well, kinda—it’s about 3.5 hours north of Denver in south-central Wyoming, not too far from the…

Krimson Klover isn’t merely designing clothing; the brand is cultivating a ski bunny’s dream aesthetic. This year’s line features high-quality sweaters, sets, base layers, and outerwear in playfully bright, eye-catching designs, perfect for the slopeside scene or a cozy day at home. “Après-ski fashion conjures up feelings of what we wish we were out doing: playing in the snow, and then sitting by a cozy fire enjoying our favorite hot beverage,” says founder and creative director Rhonda Swenson. “There is something so romantic about that vision.” Prioritizing slow fashion, Krimson Klover uses high-quality, ethically sourced yarn in all its attire and works with third-party certification partners like The Good Cashmere Standard and The Responsible Wool Standard to ensure that all materials meet the brand’s requirements for minimally impacting the environment.…

Stacey Stegman, head of communications at Denver International Airport, holds the key to its many secrets. Did you know you can reserve a time slot on the Bridge security line or that there’s a Travel Assist program ensuring elevated service from curb to gate? Turn to Stegman for these insider insights. She knows it all—what’s the fastest security line, how to find Ethiopian espresso, where to catch the best view of a sunset, and what’s on the horizon. (Hint: the art collection that launched a million conspiracy theories is growing!) It’s all part of what makes DEN such a happening spot. In this exclusive, Stegman reveals her top tips and must-visit spots within the world’s third busiest airport, ensuring your travel is as delightful as your destination. Dining + Drinks…