Skiing enthusiasts rejoiced last week when Aspen Mountain announced it would reopen for Memorial Day weekend [2] and remain open on subsequent weekends as long as the snow sticks around. If you head west to take advantage of the late-season riding, make time for dinner at Ute City [3].

The two-year-old restaurant's contemporary dining room and upbeat bar area offer a well-edited menu of American eats with classic European flair. On a recent visit, I enjoyed a generous portion of slow-cooked Colorado lamb shank. The fall-off-the-bone meat rested atop a fall-colored array of risotto, artichoke and red pepper ragu, and apricot and walnut gremolata—a filling après-ski meal.

End dinner with an order of house-made ice cream or sorbets. The flavors change, but keep an eye out for the caramel ice cream and apricot sorbet—and order a scoop of each when available.

Tip: If you're staying for the weekend, grab breakfast at Peach's Corner Cafe [4] on Saturday (it's closed on Sundays). The farm-to-table dishes are to die for, especially the Open Face: two poached eggs on crusty artisan bread with peach butter, applewood-smoked bacon, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, and shaved Parmesan.

Ute City, 308 E. Hopkins Ave., Aspen, 970-925-2900

Peach's Corner Cafe, 121 S. Galena St., Aspen, 970-544-9866