Klaus Obermeyer’s Aspen Black Book, Then and Now

BREAKFAST PLACE

For 40 some years, Obermeyer ate breakfast at the Wienerstube, an Austrian restaurant with chefs who hailed from Vienna and Switzerland. Since the restaurant was torn down in 2011, Aspen Meadows (845 Meadows Road) has become his morning spot.

ON-PISTE DINING

Obermeyer’s favorite on-mountain restaurant was Gretl’s. The late owner, Gretl Uhl, was a competitive ski racer from the Bavarian ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. “She served the best European dishes, like apple strudel and baked apples,” he says. Gretl passed the restaurant on to a local friend who changed the name to Bonnie’s. Other than adding a great chili, the cuisine is pretty much the same. When he skis Snowmass, he breaks for a bite at Gwyn’s High Alpine.

SPECIAL-OCCASION DINNER

He loves the sushi at Kenichi (533 E. Hopkins Ave.). “The quality is superior,” he says. “There are not many restaurants like this around in ski towns.”

APRÈS SKI

“Back in the day when I first came to Aspen, the Hotel Jerome (330 E. Main St.) had a great après ski,” he recalls. “Everyone who was skiing went to the 4 o’clock Tea Dance. Stumpy’s band played, and everyone danced and did the Samba and the Rumba.” Today, people ski straight down to Ajax Tavern at the Little Nell (685 E. Durant Ave.)

FAVORITE ANNUAL EVENT

“I love when we have had a big winter and the mountain is open past closing day so I can ski in June during the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen,” he says. “I always enjoy the opening event held at the Hotel Jerome. I’m not a drinker, but I will have a German beer.” He also loves the annual Fourth of July party hosted by the Crown family (owners of Aspen Skiing Co.) at the top of Aspen Mountain.