Mountain Mayhem: Reset season

Mid-April to late May in the mountains, also known as “reset season” to a circle of my friends, presents a chance to experience town at a slower pace. There’s often easier access to get restaurant reservations or bar seats as walk-ins, a stream of free or reasonably priced concerts and performances, and lower room rates at the hotels that are open.

On the music front, Belly Up’s calendar has featured a range of regional acts, from Rolling Stones cover band Emotional Rescue, whose members hail from the valley and nearby, to the popular Peach Street Revival from Grand Junction. The Wheeler Opera House presented a sold-out magic show last month with illusionist Leon Etienne, who entertained an all-ages audience with disappearing acts, inexplicable card tricks, and more. 

Along the lines of hotels, MOLLIE Aspen remains open through spring and recently introduced a rooftop Lo-Fi Lounge accessible to the public. Their drinks menu, curated in-house by Executive Chef Jordan Hayes and Bar Manager Zac Snyder, contains canned cocktails for the deck and craft cocktails inside. They also feature a DJ from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday.

There’s also the transition of businesses either moving in or moving on. Dress hat designer Nick Fouquet had a closing sale in April at his boutique, which was here for five years on Hyman Avenue. Noting on the invitation that “the spirit of Aspen will always be stitched into the soul that is Nick Fouquet,” his styles can be shopped online and at his Venice Beach flagship store, as well as at pop-ups in interesting places.