Pine Creek Cookhouse

The 21 Essential Aspen Restaurants

"For you need a break from the Aspen scene, head out to the nearby ghost town of Ashcroft (about a 30 minute drive from the downtown core), where you can take a festive, picture-perfect sleigh ride, powered by Percheron draft horses, to lunch or dinner at Pine Creek Cookhouse. For a more adventurous experience, you can opt for snowshoes or cross-country skis, rentable upon arrival through Ashcroft Ski Touring. Either way, make your way to the restaurant’s prix-fixe feast, which features long-standing favorites like Rocky Mountain trout, wild elk, and oxtail ragu. Reservations are required." - Katie Shapiro