Aspen Health & Beauty

We’ve all had that moment when you land somewhere new and need a wax, pronto. Aspen Vida Medi Spa is the spot that locals will always recommend, a one-stop-shop for all your massage, hair-removal, facial, and cutting-edge-treatment needs. The facials in particular are excellent. Owner Eden Henschel is no stranger to the effect Aspen’s dry air and high altitude can have on skin. Her slew of treatments address everything from parched, flaky complexions to melasma, all utilizing the latest in facial technology. We’re fans of the massage offering, especially the quick thirty-minute sessions targeting wherever hurts—like tech neck or achy legs after long days on the slopes.

A fresh, cool hit of mountain air is great and all, but altitude sickness is real. Rescue Lounge’s menu of IV therapies, supervised by a physician and nurses, can be incredibly reviving. We’re partial to the Signature Hydration Cocktail (a combination of B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C), though you can customize your bag to your needs. Be sure to book in advance.

Nowhere is the spa scene more critical than at a ski resort, where back-aches and sore muscles (not to mention altitude sickness) are par for the course. That's probably why the RAKxa Wellness Spa at the St. Regis is widely regarded as one of the chain's best. There are several Aspen-specific treatments, which include oxygen therapy for those adjusting to the mountain air, as well as deep moisturization for parched skin. Even if you don't splurge on a treatment, the plunge pools and series of hot tubs in the lounge are worthy of an entire afternoon.

Shakti is best known for excellent yoga classes (which are taught in a gorgeous studio that's built out with reclaimed barn wood). There's also a very well-curated shop.

O2 is part studio, part spa, and part boutique, each with compelling offerings, but we like it best for its pilates and yoga classes. They're one of the only outfits in town with a serious collection of machines, making it a life-saver if you're the kind of person that can't go a week without a reformer. Private sessions book up quickly during Christmas and other peak times, so call in advance of your trip to get something set up. Schedule a facial afterwards for the full experience.

This airy, heated yoga studio right on Hopkins Avenue downtown is known for a heated Ashtanga practice that's just as spiritually calming as it is physically difficult. Since Aspen vacations are often family affairs, it's an excellent escape from complaining kids or demanding in-laws. Instructor Jaime's Inferno Hot Pilates class is a wild experience, and a great way to escape the cold.