Caroling villagers, horse-drawn carriages with actual silver bells and
Mariah Carey teetering with champagne atop fur-trimmed boots - these are
the sights and sounds of Aspen
during Christmas. As high season begins in North America's poshest ski
town, a flurry of new development includes the record-breaking
$16-million sale of the Dancing Bear Penthouse, revamp of Residences at The Little Nell
and forthcoming W Hotel Aspen that's promising a rooftop pool, DJ
nightclub and private residences occupying the much-loved Sky Hotel.
Long our favorite ski hotel in North America, The Little Nell
is showing off a plethora of upgrades this season including its new
Little Nell boutique, just in time for Christmas. Later this year, the
hotel's guest rooms will undergo a full remodel by much-admired
Alexandra Champilamaud, whose work can be seen at Hotel Bel-Air, The
Carlyle and Topping Rose House. Those toasting New Year's Eve at the
hotel will again find The Little Nell Dom Perignon
“It-Party” offering bottomless Dom Perignon, Belvedere cocktails and
cuisine by Chef Matt Zubrod. As an added VIP perk, midnight fireworks
over Aspen can be enjoyed on Clicquot Cats. The Little Nell teams with
Veuve Clicquot to debut three branded snowcats available for groups up
to 12 to enjoy rides up the slopes with blankets, dedicated server and
caviar service under the fireworks until 1 AM.
As for what’s happening over the holidays, look for the ongoing Julian Schnabel exhibit at Aspen Art Museum with the artist's iconic plate paintings through February. Spin-junkies find a SoulCycle/SmartWater pop-up with 50-bike Rocky Mountain studio and SmartWater lounge through January 3rd. As for new dining, Gwyn's High Alpine gets a much-needed facelift on the mountain. In town, Aspen Kitchen tries it again this year while The Monarch proves one of the hottest new steakhouses in years - with NY-style martini bar that's virtually unrivaled. Our favorite, Meat & Cheese, tries spirits with Hooch, a hipster alternative to long-loved Justice Snow. And to close-out the year, Belly-Up
lures the heavyweights with The Flaming Lips on Dec. 29th and Chromeo
on New Year's Eve. There's something for everyone in North America's
best ski town.
