39 Degrees Lounge at Sky Hotel
709 E. Duran Ave., Aspen
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Located at the base of Aspen Mountain, poolside lounge 39 Degrees is the spot to celebrate another day of not breaking your neck in a double-black-diamond chute. Although you might think of Aspen as a stuffy playground for wealthy retired Baby Boomers, 39 Degrees is the après-ski destination for the young and restless crowd in the mood for extreme good times. Since Colorado weather rarely gets too cold, you'll see hot girls in bikinis no matter the season. In the off-season, stop by on a weekend for the best crowds. During ski season, every day is a good day to take in the stunning Rocky Mountain views -- that is, if you can take your eyes off the gorgeous snow bunnies sipping cocktails around the hotel's half-moon pool, with the word "sky" inlaid in tile on the bottom. On cooler nights, staffers crank up the tiny outdoor bar's fire pits and the fireplaces inside in the lounge. Aspen's hotel guests get preferential treatment, but you don't have to be staying here to knock back Botox martinis (cranberry, vodka and Red Bull) and chill out to down-tempo house music, which they've dubbed "hiptronica." Seize any opportunity to score a coveted spot in the hot tub just above the pool, where you can swap stories about gnarly X-Games-worthy wipeouts while servers bring you another drink. Come to think of it, now we see why all those folks want to retire in Aspen.
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Photos: Courtesy of 39 Degrees Lounge