A Family Retreat in Snowmass is a Treasured Place to Relax

Year-round, this townhome provides the respite a busy Chicago family craves

March 25, 2024

Anne Hebert,

Photo by Dallas & Harris Photography

At the height of COVID-19, a Chicago family of five decided to get away from the city and enjoy quarantining in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. “It made perfect sense,” says Kathy Kroger, owner of Kathy Kroger Design in Aspen, Colorado. “Everything was remote, so the kids could attend school via Zoom and their parents could work from anywhere.” The stunning views of the Elk Mountain Range helped the family connect with nature and gave them a chance to feel less confined while weathering the pandemic.

The family rented a place in the Woodrun V development located in Snowmass Village with ski-in/ski-out access to the Village Express Lift and the Elk Camp Gondola. Offering amenities including a heated pool, hot tubs, private saunas, and an easy walk to the Base Village and The Snowmass Mall, the family fell head-over-heels with the location.

Photo by Dallas & Harris Photography

Their love of Snowmass Village led to the purchase of a three-bedroom townhome in the Woodrun V neighborhood as a home-base for school vacations, and in the summertime. A townhome provides the privacy the family enjoys, capitalizing on the relaxation factor.

“The first order of business was to virtually gut the interior,” Kroger explains. “The family envisioned a look reminiscent of a Swiss Chalet that offered lock-and-leave convenience.” The renovation included the installation of new flooring, carpet, countertops, hardware, and furnishings that are as beautiful as they are comfortable and durable. Kroger points out, “The best part of owning their townhome is that the family can all be together—something they really wanted.”

Photo by Dallas & Harris Photography

During the winter season, the family skis and takes part in mountain sports. Board games are a big hit, and the family even installed a portable poker table to keep everyone entertained on frigid winter evenings. During the warmer months, there are plenty of opportunities to hike, mountain bike, camp, and hunt. Travel is easy with a direct flight from Chicago to Aspen.

Snowmass hosts world-class sporting, family, and cultural events in Snowmass Village and nearby Aspen all year long. Fireworks on New Year’s Eve, gallery exhibitions, The X Games, and a free concert series all play a prominent role in ensuring that there is ample entertainment. It’s safe to say that the pandemic provided a wonderful chance for the family to reconnect, fall in love with new surroundings, and find a second home-away-from-home. As Kroger says, “This group couldn’t love the area more.”