Aspen Food and Wine Classic (Vail: hotels, tickets, deals)

[EasilyAmused]

Anyone ever gone? Is it worth the trip? What do the passes include?

The website is rather vague. Any inside info would be appreciated.

[wanneroo]

Are you talking about the one they usually have in June?

[EasilyAmused]

Yes, it's the 16th-19th this year.

[Dogmama50]

I've been and enjoyed it but didn't have to pay for passes, not sure if I would have liked it as much for $1,100. From what I remember you get into the Grand Tasting tents and a certain amount of seminars, but that's pretty much all that is included. Special dinners, parties and of course lodging is additional. It's fun and interesting if you are really into the food and wine scene, but it also is crowded and plays on what peoples perception of Aspen is rather that what it really is.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by Dogmama50

I've been and enjoyed it but didn't have to pay for passes, not sure if I would have liked it as much for $1,100. From what I remember you get into the Grand Tasting tents and a certain amount of seminars, but that's pretty much all that is included. Special dinners, parties and of course lodging is additional. It's fun and interesting if you are really into the food and wine scene, but it also is crowded and plays on what peoples perception of Aspen is rather that what it really is.

That's a good way of summing it up. I only ever did work for the event, much like the jazz festival. At least from what I was exposed to, I thought it was interesting but unless you are a foodie and want to visit Aspen for the sake of visiting Aspen, probably not something I'd knock myself out for.

However Aspen and Snowmass in the summertime, I really do enjoy it and spent a lot of time over there working some of the big events or other stuff. Always had a great time and got to meet a lot of interesting well known people.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

That's a good way of summing it up. I only ever did work for the event, much like the jazz festival. At least from what I was exposed to, I thought it was interesting but unless you are a foodie and want to visit Aspen for the sake of visiting Aspen, probably not something I'd knock myself out for.

However Aspen and Snowmass in the summertime, I really do enjoy it and spent a lot of time over there working some of the big events or other stuff. Always had a great time and got to meet a lot of interesting well known people.

Ah we'll we are foodies from Texas. June is a blistering here, so being in the cool air and mountains with some great food/wine entertainment sounds devine. I've really never gone into the CO mountains in the summer. Annually to Vail to ski though.

Sounds like paying for the extra dinners etc make the event more worth while.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Ah we'll we are foodies from Texas. June is a blistering here, so being in the cool air and mountains with some great food/wine entertainment sounds devine. I've really never gone into the CO mountains in the summer. Annually to Vail to ski though.

Sounds like paying for the extra dinners etc make the event more worth while.

Yeah I think you'll enjoy it then. It's a great time of the year. I do consider Aspen to be a bit fruity and freaky with some weird people of all extremes, however the summer is a lot of fun, much more laid back than the winter and overall, perfect weather. You might have some cool nights or thunderstorms but I'd expect temps in the 70's or 80's with it being in the 40's at night. Also you should probably be able to find some good deals on lodging, to me the summer season doesn't really kick into gear until the very end of June right before 4th of July(which is very busy).

[Dogmama50]

Here's a link to some of the events that are already planned. FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen - Additional Events 2010

You may be able to get a package deal through stayaspensnowmass.com also. Tickets sell out early every year and rooms will be more expensive for that weekend, but it really is a big food and wine geek party. The trip advisor forum for Aspen can give you great information on hotels, if you can get a flight directly to Aspen all the better, you won't need a car.