Aspen has been our family’s favorite mountain town since our parents first took us skiing as little girls, and every winter it somehow gets a little more glamorous. It’s the rare ski town that’s equally fabulous for serious skiers and for those of us who are mostly there for the fur-trimmed après scene, the shopping and a very good glass of Champagne. With a crop of buzzy new hotels and restaurants opening for the 2026–27 season, here is everything we’d book for the most luxurious Aspen trip right now.

Where to Stay

The St. Regis Aspen Resort

Our home base on our last trip, and still one of our favorite hotels in Colorado. It’s a short walk to the gondola and downtown, the lobby is pure mountain-lodge glamour, and the spa is the perfect place to recover after a day on the slopes. It’s also home to the Snow Lodge, one of the liveliest après parties in town. Read about our full stay in our St. Regis Aspen hotel spotlight.

The Little Nell

If you want true ski-in, ski-out luxury, The Nell is the address. It sits right at the base of Aspen Mountain, so you can click out of your skis and walk straight onto the patio at Ajax Tavern. Service is legendary, and the location simply can’t be beat.

Hotel Jerome

Aspen’s grande dame dates back to the 1880s and feels like a stylish Western private club, with leather armchairs, crackling fires and some of the best people-watching in town. Even if you don’t stay here, plan at least one evening at the J-Bar.

White Elephant Aspen

The newest five-star on the block opened this summer in the West End and is welcoming its very first ski season. The Nantucket favorite brings its polished, preppy hospitality to the mountains, and guests get a complimentary ski shuttle, ski lockers and early access to runs on Aspen Mountain before the public. It’s the hotel everyone will be talking about this winter.

Where to Eat

Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro

The most famous lunch in Aspen. This tiny Swiss-style chalet sits high on Aspen Highlands and turns into a full-blown party in the afternoon, with fondue, raclette and more Champagne than you can imagine. Reservations are required and book up quickly, so plan ahead. Non-skiers can join the fun by booking a snowmobile or snowcat experience up the mountain.

Petit Trois at MOLLIE Aspen

Chef Ludo Lefebvre brought his beloved Los Angeles bistro to Aspen last winter inside the chic MOLLIE hotel. Think impeccable French classics, an excellent wine list and a cozy, very Parisian room that’s perfect for a date night.

LoLa 41 at White Elephant

Another Nantucket and Palm Beach import, LoLa 41 serves sushi and seafood inspired by destinations along the 41st parallel. Pair dinner with a nightcap at 41 Below, the hotel’s new subterranean speakeasy.

Matsuhisa Aspen

Nobu Matsuhisa’s Aspen outpost has been a see-and-be-seen staple for years for a reason. The black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeño are as good as ever, and the scene on a Saturday night is half the fun.

Mount Rubirosa

New York’s famous Rubirosa (yes, the one with the cult-favorite tie-dye pizza) now has a spot at the base of the Aspen gondola. It’s lively, it’s delicious, and it’s ideal for a relaxed family dinner or a long après lunch.

Element 47

The Little Nell’s signature restaurant is where we go to celebrate. It’s polished but never stuffy, with a seasonal mountain menu and one of the most impressive wine cellars in the country.

Where to Grab Drinks

• Ajax Tavern: The classic Aspen après. Grab a seat on the patio at the base of Aspen Mountain, order the truffle fries and watch skiers glide down the last run of the day.
• The Wine Bar at The Little Nell: The former Chair 9 has been reimagined as an intimate wine bar with a long by-the-glass list, a vinyl DJ booth and a very chic crowd.
• J-Bar and The Living Room at Hotel Jerome: Fireside cocktails in Aspen’s most historic setting. This is our go-to for a pre-dinner martini.
• The Snow Lodge at The St. Regis: When you want the energy turned all the way up, with live music, cocktails and an après party that runs well past sunset.
• 41 Below at White Elephant: A brand-new underground lounge for a late-night drink after dinner at LoLa 41.

Our Aspen Tip Sheet

• Getting there: Fly directly into Aspen for the easiest arrival, or fly into Denver and make a scenic road trip of it (with a stop in Vail along the way).
• Timing: Aspen Mountain and Snowmass typically open just before Thanksgiving, with Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk following in mid-December. Holiday weeks and Presidents’ Day are the most glamorous, and the most expensive.
• Book ahead: Reserve Cloud Nine, Ajax Tavern and your favorite dinner spots as soon as your dates are set. Peak weeks fill up fast.
• Getting around: Downtown is walkable, and the town’s free shuttle makes it easy to skip the car entirely.
• Altitude: Drink lots of water, go easy on the Champagne the first night and pack a rich moisturizer and lip balm. The mountain air is very dry.
• What to pack: A chic ski suit, a statement coat for town, snow boots with good grip and one dressy look for dinner.

Planning your trip? Read our original Aspen City Guide for even more of our favorite things to do on and off the slopes. See you on the mountain!