Sneaky’s Tavern closes for good

Many area restaurants have closed for offseason, but one Snowmass eatery has closed for good.

Aspen Skiing Co. officials confirmed this week that the company’s lease on the Sneaky’s Tavern space in Base Village has ended and that the restaurant is closed.

Skico’s lease on the prime “beachfront” location at the bottom of Fanny Hill, owned by Related Colorado, terminated on April 15. The company proposed opening a D&E location in the space, but Related decided to seek another tenant, said Jeff Hanle, Skico spokesman.

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Steve Alldredge, spokesman for Related Colorado, said with the current zoning for that area, “it’s our understanding that food needed to be a component of that building.”

“We’re actively working with several new prospects for that prime space on the Base Village plaza.”
Dwayne Romero
President of Related Colorado

Hanle said Skico was considering incorporating a coffee and après-ski operation in the store. That probably would have been legal, Alldredge said, but Related didn’t think that was the best thing for the space.

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“We didn’t feel that it was the best thing for Base Village,” Alldredge said. “We just felt that it would be better served as a restaurant.”

Alldredge said his company understands Skico’s desire for more of a presence in Base Village.

“We continue to work with them on other plans,” he said.

Related is in discussions with other restaurants about leasing the space, Alldredge said.

“We’re actively working with several new prospects for that prime space on the Base Village plaza,” said Dwayne Romero, president of Related Colorado. “The interest level has been positive and encouraging.”

Sneaky’s Tavern, which served a variety of dishes and often featured live music during après-ski hours, opened at the start of the 2008-09 ski season. Hanle was unaware how many people were on staff at the end of the 2012-13 season.

Skico isn’t looking to open another off-mountain restaurant, but it would consider one “if it tied to a larger strategic objective,” Hanle said.

“We are going to concentrate on Elk Camp this summer, along with expanded on-mountain activities,” Hanle said.

jbeathard@snowmasssun.com