Aspen Has Seven More Weeks of Skiing — Here’s What’s New in the Celeb-Loved Mountain Town
Aspen is always a haven for titans such as Jeff Bezos, David Geffen and Rihanna, who was spotted in the mountain town over the holidays wearing a Giorgio Armani faux fur coat and sweatsuit paired with Icon Low cream faux fur Moon Boots.
The ski area’s 2023-2024 season still offers seven weeks for fun on the slopes, with Aspen closing for the spring on April 21.
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“Aspen is always a hot spot,” says Tiffany Layne, CEO of LaVon Private Luxury, whose travel clients include producers and studio executives. “My favorite property there remains The Little Nell for its luxury level of accommodations, style and service.” At hotels in Aspen/Snowmass, according to data from Mastercard Economics Institute’s global consumer spending analysis about the 2023-2024 ski season, consumers spent $1,146 on average per transaction, the second most expensive globally.
Here’s what’s new to check out and enjoy in the resort town.
This season, Aspen has unveiled Hero’s, a high-speed quad lift and 150 acres of expert terrain on the upper, eastern side of Ajax Mountain, along with Mollie, a new 68-room boutique hotel perched at Paepcke Park in the center of downtown.
Layne often books the newly renovated two-, three- and four-bedroom Residences at The Little Nell, (from $10,985 per night, through the hotel or via Hotels.com), affiliated with The Little Nell, the only five-star, five-diamond ski-in/ski-out hotel in town.
“Families love it, and the property has one of the most prime locations in town.” The redesign includes a flock of sumptuous new touches including woven wallpaper, plush sectional sofas, leather dining chairs, white oak wood flooring and new appliances in the open-air kitchens. There’s also a rooftop pool and ski concierge perched right at the base of Ajax Mountain to help guests pop in and out of their boots. Topping off the newness are a fitness center and spa redesign at the hotel that opened this December, featuring three treatment suites (two of which have fireplaces and infrared saunas) and a partnership with Seed to Skin Tuscany, the cult-favorite, natural skincare line handmade at celebrity hideaway Borgo Santo Pietro in Italy — the line is available both in the spa and as amenities in the guest rooms.
Industry executives also flock to The Gant (from $1,330, through the hotel or at Hotels.com), the condominium resort now celebrating its 50th anniversary, and where Aspen Distillers is sponsoring the resident Rooftop Golden Globe alpine-studded igloo for one of the most desirable après ski scenes in town. Aspen Meadows Resort (from $713, through the hotel or at Hotels.com), which plays host to Aspen Institute seminars, had a refresh as did Limelight Aspen (from $685, booking available through Hotels.com) where guests in need of post-shredding rejuvenation have complimentary access to their portfolio of Therabody recovery devices.
ASPENX — known for its ASPENX Beach Club — is offering a custom experience at Snowmass’ quaint Lynn Britt Cabin.
And on the dining front, Matsuhisa has renovated their upstairs space; basement bar Buck has just opened under Brunello Cucinelli, and quick serve joint Jimoto serves up ramen and soup dumplings.
Hotel Jerome’s Prospect restaurant, which landed on the Colorado Michelin Guide’s “recommended” list has a new Colorado Journey’s tasting menu, which showcases solely products from local ranchers, winemakers and farmers. In addition, New York-based Taikun Sushi has an epicurean takeover of Bad Harriett, the Hotel Jerome’s on-site cocktail experience, with a 13-course Omakase menu, while Colorado distillery Stranahan’s has just opened Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge tasting room on Mill Street.
Through March 18, shop the offerings at the Revolve & FWRD pop-up store or saunter in to the Kemo Sabe hat store, where Mariah Carey popped in on New Year’s Day to snap up this Stetson 20xGus felt hat.
Elsewhere in Colorado, Crested Butte is another emerging hot spot that Layne recommends to clients. “It’s lesser-known and great for a change of pace.” Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder and CEO of Indagare, the members-only luxury travel company, sees a lot of interest in Beaver Creek. “As other slopes have become busier, it’s very appealing.”
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