Frosty Trails and Aspen Tales:

A Ski Road Trip Adventure

By Stephanie Araneta-Clifford

For as long as I can remember, I’ve savored travel: the thrill of embarking on an adventure never fails to warm my heart. “It’s the best education in the world,” my Grandma once told me, slowly spinning a globe with a beautiful world map by her nightstand. Traveling resets me, leaving me inspired to live and create my dreams.

My husband, Chris and I set out on our annual highlight: a ski road trip, centered around our favorite stop—St. George, Utah. With a charming downtown and proximity to Zion National Park, it’s a gateway to adventure. We love staying at The Advenire. We discovered this hotel in December 2020 and have been staying here two or three times a year since. The menu at Wood Ash Rye evolves, but their warm and buttery biscuit is one consistently delicious treat that we look forward to after checking in, and it’s available all day long. From there, we start our mornings with a hot cup of coffee or tea at Cafe Feel Love, a cute coffee shop a few steps from the hotel offering a variety of drinks and quick bites. 

I prepare for our 10-day trip by packing smartly for ski and après ski activities. I create versatile outfits that transition seamlessly from nature to city with a simple change of accessories. This trip, I heavily rely on puffer jackets that are warm on the slopes and stylish on the streets. You can never go wrong with a Moncler ski jacket and I also love my Prada convertible puffer jacket. Both withstood the cold on and off the slopes. It goes without saying that layering is key: look no further than Uniqlo thermals that will carry you through several seasons with their quality, pro-technology fabrics. My go-to warm footwear during off-ski days is Moon Boot, but I am forever grateful for my Chanel snow boots on icy days for their convertible and functional anti-slip soles. I also brought a cozy faux-fur coat and suede leggings for a more put together outfit, perfect for evening cocktails.

Our 2023-2024 ski season begins in Aspen, Colorado: an eight-hour drive from St. George. We stop overnight in Moab, Utah, exploring Arches National Park at sunset. Layering up for the cold, we navigate a short but challenging hike. We stay at the newer Element Hotel, enjoying the extensive burger offerings at Proper Brewing & Burger Co. next door.  

In Aspen, St. Regis Hotel serves as our base for 5 nights. It not only provides a central location, but it is dog-friendly for our six pound mini dachshund, Cheyenne. Our stay is graced by the presence of their resident dog (@kittythebernese on Instagram). This downtown property offers delightful daily activities, including s’mores, hot cocoa, breakfast buffets at Velvet Buck, and the St. Regis ritual of champagne sabering in the courtyard. We enjoy the entire week’s weather with a combination of shimmering snowfall and sunny days. On a morning gondola ride in Aspen, we bask in the beautiful winter wonderland.

Buses regularly run between Aspen and Snowmass: only a 15-minute drive. When we hit the fresh powder at Snowmass, our skis fly freely over the snow, and we see all levels from beginner to expert.

We pause in St. George once more on our way home, just in time for dinner at Pica Rica BBQ. We reminisce about our trip and our favorite moments over pastries from Farmstead Bakery down the road. Suffice it to say, we had a beautiful and memorable trip. Next time, the only thing we will add is more time. It never feels enough, but it does leave me inspired and wanting to live my dreams in an exciting way.