Fantom Man's #1 Official Website

Archive for November, 2009

Finding things to do in Aspen, Colorado during the
day isn’t difficult ? get out on the slopes and ski or
enjoy one of the other winter sports that you love.
At night, however, Aspen really comes to life with
Aspen nightlife! No matter how old or young you are,
there is something to do in Aspen twenty-four hours
a day, seven days a week.

Music and dancing are the biggest Aspen nightlife
attractions, but there is more to do than just that ?
so if you aren’t quite old enough to get into the
various bars and clubs in the area, don’t think that
you will be bored at night ? you won’t be! Start by
finding out what activities are planned for the
evening at your lodge or hotel. Most lodges and
hotels have events planned throughout the season
? and this is a good place to start finding things to
do after the slopes have closed for the day.

Shopping in Aspen is another highlight. There are
many galleries and specialty shops that you won’t
find in your own hometown. Take advantage of this.
Most shops are open after the slopes have closed
for the day, and many stay open late because they
understand that you want to spend your daylight
hours out on the slopes.

If you aren’t old enough for the club scene, take
advantage of the teen nights that are offered by many
of the resorts. These are safe fun nights for teens,
which parents will approve of. Teens also enjoy the
offerings at many of the spas. Spas aren’t just for
adults. Enjoy the skin treatments, massages,
saunas, and hot tubs. Some resorts also have game
rooms for the teens and younger kids.

If you are old enough for the bars and clubs ? finding
something to do won’t be hard at all. Again, find out
what is happening in the evening at your lodge or
hotel first. If you aren’t interested, hit the streets.
Almost everything is within walking distance in Aspen,
and anything that is out of walking distance is
accessible by bus or taxi. If you will be drinking,
do not drive your car to the bar or club ? find
alternate transportation.

The Aspen Recreation center has many planned
events throughout the season that are appropriate for
adults and kids. However, if you are planning to bring
the kids, but you want to enjoy some adult Aspen
nightlife as well, child care may be available through
your lodge or hotel.

(word count 415)

PPPPP

No matter what time of year it is when you visit
Aspen, there is always something going on ?
even in the off season. The town is small, but
there are usually several types of entertainment
offered each evening in different parts of the
small town. Generally, you won’t have to search
too hard to find some entertainment ? but it is
better to know exactly what is going on all over
town, so you can choose the Aspen nightlife
that best suits your interests.

First, call the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen
a few months before your trip if possible. Ask
them what events are planned for the time
period that you will be there. Events are usually
scheduled well in advance, and finding out
about these events well in advance will not only
help you to better make your plans, but it will
also allow you to purchase needed tickets in
advance. Nothing will be more disappointing
than arriving in Aspen and finding out that your
favorite band is in town for a sold out show!

Events can come up at the last minute as well.
Upon your arrival to your lodge or hotel, ask the
concierge about events that will be taking place
during your stay. If you have already contacted
the Chamber of Commerce, you will know most
of what is going on around town ? but there may
be a few surprises in store for you.

Don’t forget to check with the Chamber of
Commerce offices in nearby towns and villages!
Snowmass is a village that almost seems to
be a part of Aspen ? but it isn’t. Contact the
Snowmass town hall to find out what events
are scheduled in the village during your visit.

Have a plan before you arrive in Aspen. Use
Internet resources, as well as the information
that you learn from the various Chambers of
Commerce and your lodge to plan your daytime
and night time activities while you will be in
Aspen. Again, there is always something to do
in Aspen, and if you don’t plan ahead, you will
waste a lot of time trying to decide what you
want to do.

While you want to go in with a plan, leave a
day or two open ? with no plans. Use these
days for shopping expeditions or simply take a
quiet walk through the quiet Victorian
neighborhoods. Go to a restaurant that isn’t in
your plans, or spend some time in the Great
Room at your lodge. There is always
something to do?but sometimes, it is nice to
have nothing to do as well!

(word count 431)

PPPPP

There is more to do in Aspen than ski! The
Aspen nightlife is like nothing you will
experience elsewhere. The warmth and
camaraderie of all of the skiers, from all of the
different lodges is quite special, and remarkable.
You will have a good time in Aspen, no matter
what you choose to do, but there is one thing
that you should be very aware of before you
start your party ? the altitude.

Aspen sits about 8000 feet above sea level.
Unless you live in a high altitude area, you will
need to adjust to this altitude. You may find
yourself feeling dizzy or light headed, and you
may even find it a bit difficult to breath. Altitude
Sickness is a serious problem, and if your
symptoms become extreme, you should seek
medical attention.

If you will be drinking, you need to know that the
altitude will have a large impact on the way your
body handles the alcohol. Many people who are
not used to such a high altitude find that they
become drunker on much less alcohol, in a very
short period of time. It is best that you avoid
drinking alcohol at all until you have adjusted
to the altitude.

It is also important to recognize the signs of
both Altitude sickness and Acute Mountain
Sickness (AMS). Altitude sickness can be
recognized by hyperventilation, shortness of
breath during exertion, increased urination,
changed breathing patterns at night, strange
dreams, and frequently waking from sleep
during the night. Acute Mountain Sickness, on
the other hand, is recognized by loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, fatigue or weakness,
dizziness, light-headedness, difficulty sleeping,
confusion, and a staggering gait.

As you can see, the symptoms of both Altitude
Sickness and Acute Mountain Sickness
somewhat resemble the symptoms of drinking
too much alcohol. The only way to rule out being
drunk is to not drink for at least 48 hours after
your arrival in the higher altitude. You should
also seek medical attention if your symptoms
last more than 48 hours, or if you show signs
of Acute Mountain Sickness. AMS can be
deadly if it is not treated.

Health care professionals suggest that you
avoid drinking alcohol because the effects are
magnified at a high altitude. Avoid strenuous
activity for the first couple of days after arriving
at the higher altitude. Drink extra fluid and visit
a doctor if you have symptoms of AMS
immediately for treatment.

(word count 404)

PPPPP

This isn’t your ordinary taxi ride! The Ultimate Taxi
is actually entertainment that is not to be missed.
This is a thirty to forty minute musical ride around
Aspen ? but it’s not like any other ride you will take
in your lifetime.

The taxi you will be riding in is a 1978 Checker cab.
It has been greatly modified and boasts four red
lasers, a laser projector, black light effects, light
washers, light orbs, mini-strobes, color changing fiber
optics, a sound system, stage lights, a mirror ball, a
fog machine, a keyboard, digital drums, a digital
camera, a DV cam, a notebook computer, a printer,
and much, much more.

Your driver will be Jon Barnes, and he has been
driving tourists around Aspen since 1984. He throws
in a pair of 3-D glasses, so you can view Aspen as
you never have before. Featured online, in radio
interviews, magazines, and newspapers, the Ultimate
Taxi has become very popular. Many famous people
have taken this cab ride as well, including Clint
Eastwood and Jerry Seinfeld.

Get ready for a wild ride! Jon plays the keyboard
and the horn while driving! With your 3-D glasses
and the other toys that are included in the ride,
combined with the psychedelic lighting effects, this
is one ride that you will never forget! In fact, Jon
makes sure of it, because there will be pictures to
help you remember the event.

Make sure you buy some souvenirs before you leave.
The Ultimate Taxi gift store is located right outside
the doors, in the trunk. You will also have a web page
memory of your ride in the Ultimate Taxi hosted on
Jon’s server for all time. Take your toys and 3-D
glasses home with you as well.

The Ultimate Taxi is not a ‘normal’ taxi ride. You
don’t call Jon Barnes to take you where you want to
go. The Ultimate Taxi is more of a musical show
and adventure. It has been called the world’s
smallest recording studio.

Make sure that you get your Ultimate Taxi ride while
you are in Aspen, and join the ranks of Ivana, Kevin
Costner, George Hamilton, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dudley
Moore, the Beatles, Clint Eastwood, Jerry Seinfeld,
and even Regis Philbin! Due to the popularity of the
Ultimate Taxi, it is probably best to call in advance
for a reservation. The Ultimate Taxi is in operation
from 7pm to 10pm most nights.

(word count 404)

PPPPP

Since Aspen is a wintertime playground for so
many people, it is only fitting that everyone in
Aspen during the month of January participates
in Winterskol. This is literally a celebration of
winter, cold, and snow ? which is a great deal
of what makes Aspen, well, Aspen! Winterskol
is the ultimate Aspen party.

Winterskol is held during the month of January
each year, and it is the wildest winter
celebration you will ever experience. The
highlight of Winterskol is the Canine Fashion
Show, where pets are dressed up in crazy
clothing, such as miniature bridal gowns.
Winterskol has been an Aspen tradition for
more than fifty years ? and it will continue for
at least another fifty! The first Winterskol
celebration was held in 1951.

During Winterskol, more than 40 events are
scheduled in the downtown area, Aspen
Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk
Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain. The
entire area gets involved in the activities.
Winterskol is a celebration of Aspen’s Nordic
ancestry, as well as a celebration of winter.
While most events are scheduled in advance,
Winterskol also brings several surprises as
well. You just never know what you will find at
the Winterskol celebration ? until you are there.

Favorite traditional activities include the Canine
Fashion Show, Winter sculpt, the Buttermilk
Uphill Race, and Snowmass Splash. Don’t
miss the torchlight descent and the fireworks
display over Aspen Mountain. Don’t miss the
unique competitions happening all over town.
There is constant live entertainment all around
town as well. If you are planning a ski vacation,
and you want to have the time of your life ?
your destination should be Aspen, and your
arrival date should coincide with the start of
Winterskol.

Winterskol is an ongoing week long party with
something for everyone. Amusement,
entertainment, parties, and celebration are top
priorities during the week of Winterskol. You
have to experience Winterskol at least once in
your lifetime ? and after you have been once,
you will be back. Winterskol is a celebration
that is comparable with Mardi Gras in New
Orleans ? but a lot safer, and in many
opinions, more enjoyable.

As they do for Mardi Gras, people come from
all over the world for Winterskol. Event
packages are available, but all of the lodges,
hotels, motels, condos, cabins, and
campgrounds sell out early. Make sure that you
book lodging for Winterskol well in advance,
and take advantage of the packages that the
various lodges offer. Packages typically
include lodging, airfare, rental cars, and
other things that you may require as well.

(word count 418)

PPPPP