CULTURE

How This Après-Ski Spot Brought Montauk to Aspen

The Snow Lodge pop-up has played host to everyone from Diplo to Miley Cyrus.

March 4, 2020

Ski season may be winding down, but in Aspen the lift lines are still packed, reservations are booked, and the trendiest new après-ski spot, the Snow Lodge, is a nonstop party. This winter, Jayma Cardoso took advantage of the Surf Lodge’s off-season to bring the spirit of the Montauk scene to Colorado. The pop-up is, in her words, “like Surf Lodge, with snow.”

Inside the Snow Lodge, which is conveniently located right at the bottom of Aspen Mountain, the atmosphere is rustic, with an elk chandelier and vintage skis. Outside, heat lamps border the large terrace, where there are couches layered with faux fur, pillows, and shearling blankets. It’s in no way Colorado’s first après-ski restaurant, but Snow Lodge stands apart—in large part thanks to its roster of live performers. On any given weekend this winter, you could ski down Ajax and straight into a set by Sofi Tukker, Anitta, Diplo, the Chainsmokers, or DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal).

Shaquille O’Neal, aka DJ Diesel, performs at a Snow Lodge x Bumble event in Aspen.

As for the crowd, there are those who’ve just come off the slopes and those headed for the lift, which is just steps away from the stage. There are Surf Lodge devotees like Nina Agdal and Christie Brinkley, who were all too happy to make the trek out west. And there are those who are relative newcomers: Kyra Kennedy, Caroline Vreeland, and Ashley Simpson have all been spotted taking in the mountain views from the cozy outdoor couches, making the most of Cardoso’s winter wonderland while they still can. (The restaurant closes in April, though Cardoso hinted it will return next year.)

A view of a Snow Lodge x Bumble event.

Even before the season was in full swing, Cody Simpson rang in the new year at the Snow Lodge while he performed as the ball dropped. Two weeks later, another Miley-adjacent celebrity joined the party: Her sister Noah also performed for the après-ski set. Since then, the Snow Lodge’s turntables have played host to everyone from Diplo, who DJed en plein air in a cowboy hat, to Shaq, a portion of whose set doubled as a tribute to Kobe Bryant.

The style at Snow Lodge is just as posh as you’d expect; brightly colored Kappa and Perfect Moment ski onesies, floppy-brim hats and a sea of fur pom beanies. The winter version, in other words, of Montauk cool.