Aspen has a reputation for many things, but finding a good man is not one of them. True, many people have found love in Aspen, but for the single women who live here, the opportunities are scarce.
If one has images of cozying up by the fire with a manly man, think Cole Hauser, sipping hot toddies while a winter storm howls outside, the only place you will find that is up in the actual mountains. Rustic lodges in Aspen aren’t a thing anymore and the rugged mountain men are up in the mountains too busy to look for a gal, and when and if they decide to come to town, they get swooped up before they know what hit them, like a Bald eagle catching a rabbit in its talons. And no, wearing a cowboy hat won’t fool them. Finding love in Aspen is not as easy as one might think. Truth of the matter is that it’s pretty difficult to find a good man up here where the air is thin and the lips are large.
Finding Love in Aspen
If you’re single in Aspen, you’ve probably had that moment, the one where you scan the room at a bar, a fundraiser, or at après-ski and realize you’ve already dated, worked with, or rejected every single man in sight. And if you haven’t? Well, congrats, you must be new here.
I don’t wish to burst your romanticized vision of moving to Aspen and finding your dream man. I’m just saying that if you are hoping for champagne and roses, Cloud 9 here is no Nirvana, but rather a place where the Champagne you dream about will more likely get jet sprayed into your face full force from a boy trapped in a man’s flexed body living out his dream of wasting his money on spraying Veuve on beautiful half-naked women, rather than saving the world. Pro tip: Don’t wear leather, unless it’s a Pleather bikini.
As someone who’s been bringing professionals together for years, relationship building is all the same. Whether it’s bringing investors together or people looking for love, everyone wants to find like-minded people who understand the importance of trust and support. Having met my mountain man here and raising three Aspen boys of our own, I know that good men do exist and that it has been possible to find love in Aspen. There is an influx of new single men moving to the Roaring Fork Valley who can work remotely, and single men visiting all the time and if they don’t live here, they may not be too far away. Just the other day, I went to Whole Foods in Silverthorne. Perhaps because I’ve opened up my curiosity, I am attracting men, and there they were in every aisle. I was tempted to set up a table outside with a sign to attract them for my friends, but I have yet to come up with a creative slogan that will lure them to me without making them feel as though they are in the spotlight. Maybe it could say something like “Catch and Release.” And before you read any further, those women are looking for UNMARRIED, caring, loyal, and understated gentleman.
Gentleman originally referred to a man of good family and birth, and was used to describe a member of the landed gentry in England. It was also used to describe men who were entitled to bear arms but were not part of the nobility.
Modern meaning
In modern times, the term “gentleman” is used to describe a man who is courteous, honorable, or chivalrous. It can also be used to describe a man who has a high standard of conduct or propriety.
~ Wikipedia
In my curiosity to see where the single men are, I used my platforms to reach my targeted audience, people who love authenticity and have ties to Aspen, and published a post to Facebook with the title, “WHERE ARE ALL THE SINGLE MEN?” It worked and suddenly the men are coming out of hiding direct messaging me privately. When asked to reveal what they would want in a woman, the replies have been beautiful, poetic even. Since trust is everything in a relationship, I would never jeopardize their trust in me but thought I should share a few of my favorites without revealing any information:
What Real Men Want in a Woman
“My new future partner is honest and caring and moves through these mountains with grace and beauty. She has a love for skiing that she passes to her children and could be among these parents at AVSC drop off today or tomorrow. Perhaps in a similar situation as me, with half custody of two amazing children from a previous marriage that I am committed to raising in this valley for the next decade. She is calm and natural, smart and professional, and takes advantage of living in this valley by exploring and enjoying its wonders.”
“She is kind and compassionate and knows how to stand up for herself. She, like me, walks into a room and instantly, the room gets brighter. She has a positive attitude 90% of the time. She knows herself.”
“I’ve been through a lot lately so I’m hesitant to put myself back out there especially since I have a baby girl. I’m not looking for a hookup or a girlfriend but a woman that wants a good life… I was engaged to be married and she decided to sabotage our lives together. It’s all fine, just heartbreaking and I’m having some major adjustments to make. I’m not in a hurry as I’m waiting for the perfect match but I know she’s not going to come knocking at my door. Haha. … I think age is just a number but mature and not too old to have children. I’d like to have more kids if possible.”
~ Anonymous Men
What I’m hearing from my research is that both men and women have major burn out with the dating apps that make them feel shallow and exposed, and what I know is that the need to return to organic connections.
Men: This Is Your Invite
To all the amazing, single men who either have a love for our Roaring Fork Valley, or who live within 200 miles of here, I invite you to step into the light.
If you’ve been wishing for an incredible woman who can keep up with you on the slopes, hike a fourteener before brunch, and actually hold a conversation, email [email protected], with Aspen Real Love in the subject line and I’ll add you to my private database and be in touch if I decide to start a singles club.
I don’t know about you but I am needing to feel that love is indeed in the air right now.
