AspenINTEL: Aspen’s OLYMPIC connection& market, music, restuarant updates.

MILAN OLYMPIC GAMES plus market, music & restaurant updates

(pictured: Casey “Five-Time” Puckett at the Vancouver Olympics, 2010)

COMING UP:

Milan Winter Games 2026 — Team USA athlete and Aspenite ALEX FERRERA performs in Freestyle Ski events starting February 19. Due to heavy snow in Livigno, many races are being postponed. Keep track of the action here.

DID YOU KNOW:

The OLYMPIC GAMES share a deep-rooted history with Aspen, which has served as a premier training ground and home to nearly 30 Olympians since the 1930s—including 5-time Olympian Casey Puckett (pictured). Since 1946, Aspen was a strong influencer in putting alpine ski racing on the map, cementing Aspen’s legacy in ski racing. Who has skied the "America's Downhill" on the Ruthie’s side of Aspen Mountain? That’s the same track that has hosted the world’s best racers…

(Video: the SuperG finish of Jackie Wiles’s 2026 bronze medal run: Team USA's Alpine Ski members Paula Moltzan and Jackie Wiles competed in the COMBINED TEAM event and won bronze with Jackie’s SuperG run and Paula’s Slalom run.

🥇So happy for MICHAELA SHIFFRIN for winning a gold medal in slalom this morning in Cortina! 🥇

MORE DID YOU KNOW:

Aspen/Snowmass was designated to host the OLYMPIC alpine ski events when Denver was awarded the 1976 Winter Games. However, Colorado voters rejected the funding, making it the ONLY time a city has turned down the Olympic Games.

The Olympics, the X GAMES and The POWER OF FOUR have made Aspen/Snowmass a premier destination for alpine ski racing, Nordic racing, progressive freestyle racing, and “ski-mo” (ski mountaineer) racing , attracting top talent globally in all disciplines.

NEW EATS : Restaurant Updates

ANGELOS rooftop ‘Yurt’, seats up to 12 people. ***photo courtesy Angelo’s and NikHouseMedia.

ASPEN BREWING COMPANY has added Detroit-style pizza to its winter menu. A best seller are the duck-fat French fries.

***MORE restaurant updates HERE including Lola41 !

LUXURY MARKET: $4.6 trillion transfer

T R I L L I O N D O L L A R T R A N S F E R

According to a January 16, 2026, Wall Street Journal report by Katherine Clarke, we are entering a historic era of wealth transition. Globally, roughly 1.2 million individuals with a net worth of $5 million or more are projected to pass down over $38 trillion. This includes a staggering $4.6 trillion in global real estate set to be inherited by Gen X and Millennials over the next decade—with $2.4 trillion of those properties located in the United States.

-Shifting Strategies and Values
This is more than just a transfer of assets; it is a shift in priorities and values, and a shift in expectations. High-Net-Worth (HNW) families are no longer just waiting for an inheritance to trigger. Instead, parents are proactively buying luxury properties for the next generation now, using intentional structuring to manage long-term tax implications and ensure a smooth transition of control. How many stories of “complicated” (or worse) estate transfers have we all heard?

-Market Trends
Aspen real estate has averaged 14.1% annual appreciation over the last 33 years, significantly higher than the 7.3% average for the S&P 500 for example. The city of Aspen is merely 3.6 square miles, surrounded by mountains and national forest lands. This, combined with the truly unique Aspen/Snowmass amenities and mind/body/spirit ethos, has created enormous global demand for the coveted Aspen/Snowmass lifestyle assets and strong financial investments.

-What This Means for Sellers
To capture this new wave of Buyers, Sellers must pivot. The priorities of the next generation have evolved over the last 25 years. In Aspen/Snowmass, even with the intense global Buyer demand, savvy Sellers will demand comprehensive and creative marketing plans focused on : Lifestyle & Wellness, Design/Architecture & Technology, Flexibility & Sustainability. (Happily, as a top-producing luxury specialist, this happens to be my specialty 😁 )

QUALITY IS REMEMBERED
LONG AFTER PRICE IS FORGOTTEN” - Aldo Gucci

MUSIC update:

***FREE CONCERT*** (yes free!) On Sunday 2/15/26, the Chainsmokers performed at the top of Aspen Mountain for a free high-alpine concert, hosted by Belly Up Aspen. This is a first-of-its-kind concert high above town. (pictured: ear protection advised for all, photo courtesy of AlexPall) HUGE HUGE THX TO BELLY UP: we love you guys!!!

(pictured, venue of Palm Tree Festival 2025, courtesy of PTF, The 2026 festival is Feb 20, 21, 2026)

PALM TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL: Feb 20,21: The 4th annual festival is headlined by Calvin Harris at Rio Grande Park. He will perform alongside Kygo, Mau P, BLOND:ISH, and other DJs. The festival is produced by Palm Tree Crew, Belly Up Concerts, and C3 Presents:

Date: Feb 20-21, 2026, with Calvin Harris performing on Friday, Feb 20.
Location: Rio Grande Park, 427 Rio Grande Pl, Aspen, CO.
Lineup: Calvin Harris, Kygo, Mau P, BLOND:ISH, Cloonee, and Sammy Virji
Festival Type: All ages event with no camping.
Tickets: Click here for the official site

PAUL JAS CENTER: Congrats to JimHorowitz and JAS Aspen: There’s a new live music venue in town! Even their food is good (via partnership with Epicure catering for food and beverage services). Friends went for Valentines and I was told they had an outstanding meal … plus the world class music for only $75 each. Nice! Kudos to JAS.

AIRPORT update:

ONE MONTH AIRPORT CLOSING: coming up this April 23, 2026 to May 21, 2026, for pavement work, plus weekend closures in September 2026 for ongoing modernization.

9 MONTH AIRPORT CLOSURE: next spring: March 2027 to October 2027: closing for 9 months in order to expand the runway width and start the terminal upgrade. The goal is to eliminate the annual spring closures in the future.

for more info CLICK HERE

DEAL alerts

Electric Pass Lodge #404, a great value in Snowmass Base Village

SNOWMASS BASE VILLAGE : Electric Pass Lodge #404: for the ultimate in full amenity luxury slope side lifestyle, this base village ski-in/out, fully furnished 2-bdrm, 2bath was recently built. The outstanding views orient downvalley, away from other buildings. Further more, this unit is finished with every upgrade offered and has a strong rental performance. Priced to sell at $3,299,000 (reduced from $3,600,000) this represents one of the best values per square foot in Snowmass’s base village. Call for more 970-948-6786

49 Elk Ridge Lane mid-century modern home with unlimited potential

SNOWMASS VILLAGE: 49 ELK RIDGE LANE, (Ridge Run neighborhood) this midcentury modern home with indoor/outdoor glass walls and doors, abundant natural light and 4061 SqFt is a slice of authentic mountain living. The 6 bedrooms and 5 baths allow many options, and the outdoors come inside with 1563 SqFt of deck space, hot tub & al fresco dining. End-of-road ski access, 3 wood-burning fireplaces. $6,700,000. Call for more 970-948-6786

ASPEN RENTAL, 302 Roaring Fork Drive, Aspen: excellent value for 6+ mths until Oct.2026 only. 3/4 miles to central core located in East Aspen , 3-bed, 3-bath home with over 2500 SF, Great views, vaulted ceilings, 0.3 unfenced acres, fire pit. *🏠 NOTE the 3rd bdrm is an office LOFT with twin daybed+trundle and full bath. Available ONLY through October 2026. The 6+ month term is now discounted at $13,000. More for shorter terms. For availability and short term rates call 970-948-6786.

O F F - M A R K E T (not listed on MLS) :
Global interest in Aspen/Snowmass has created a real estate market where ownership is both a lifestyle asset and/or a pure financial investment. That said, many luxury home sellers who might consider selling, are reluctant due to privacy and discretion concerns. I currently have several outstanding off market opportunities: Contact me for more : 970-948-6786

(Looking for your next legacy property? Scroll down for several options 🏠 )

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I’m here to guide and advise those looking to SELL, BUY, RENT or EXPLORE Aspen/Snowmass real estate. As a top producer, I provide deep connections, expert market knowledge, hard work and do my best to keep it fun: Check out what my clients say by clicking HERE

Susan Plummer,
Christies International Real Estate Aspen 970 - 948 - 6786

(pictured: Casey “Five-Time” Puckett at the Vancouver Olympics, 2010)

COMING UP:

Milan Winter Games 2026 — Team USA athlete and Aspenite ALEX FERRERA performs in Freestyle Ski events starting February 19. Due to heavy snow in Livigno, many races are being postponed. Keep track of the action here.

🥇So happy for MICHAELA SHIFFRIN for winning a gold medal in slalom this morning in Cortina! 🥇

MORE DID YOU KNOW:

Aspen/Snowmass was designated to host the OLYMPIC alpine ski events when Denver was awarded the 1976 Winter Games. However, Colorado voters rejected the funding, making it the ONLY time a city has turned down the Olympic Games.

The Olympics, the X GAMES and The POWER OF FOUR have made Aspen/Snowmass a premier destination for alpine ski racing, Nordic racing, progressive freestyle racing, and “ski-mo” (ski mountaineer) racing , attracting top talent globally in all disciplines.

***MORE restaurant updates HERE including Lola41 !

PALM TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL: Feb 20,21: The 4th annual festival is headlined by Calvin Harris at Rio Grande Park. He will perform alongside Kygo, Mau P, BLOND:ISH, and other DJs. The festival is produced by Palm Tree Crew, Belly Up Concerts, and C3 Presents:

Date: Feb 20-21, 2026, with Calvin Harris performing on Friday, Feb 20.

Location: Rio Grande Park, 427 Rio Grande Pl, Aspen, CO.

Lineup: Calvin Harris, Kygo, Mau P, BLOND:ISH, Cloonee, and Sammy Virji