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It’s December—which means that Aspen, Colorado is officially entering its peak season. The area’s ski resorts, from Ajax to Snowmass, have opened their snowy slopes. Five-star hotels such as Hotel Jerome and the Little Nell are buzzing with business, while Aspen’s famed après-ski haunts like The Snow Lodge and Cloud Nine have maintained their spirited (and in the case of the former, champagne-spraying) debauchery. Meanwhile, the line for Paradise Bakery is almost perpetually out the door.
This winter, the mountain town has a number of openings to report, from boutique hotels, to critically acclaimed restaurants, to sleek designer boutiques. Below, a definitive list of what’s new in Aspen.
Hotels
With its Japandi-style (that’s Japan and Scandi) interiors by the famed Post Company, this new boutique hotel right in town has a cozy-yet-zen atmosphere that’s perfect for those seeking some respite after a day on the slopes. (Wind down with a hot chocolate, or a cocktail courtesy of acclaimed mixologists Death & Co.) The rooftop, meanwhile, boasts a spa pool and 180-degree views of Aspen Mountain.
Restaurants
The Milan and New York eatery’s first Western outpost opened this summer. Designed by Giampiero Tagliaferri Studio, the space has a Milan-meets-mountains interior: Le Bambole sofas by Mario Bellini and chairs by Carlo Ratti sit among faux Mongolian and corduroy fabrics, while a bar is made of Verde Alpi marble. Order a piping hot latte after a long day on the slopes.
James Beard-nominated chef Mawa McQueen will open a second location of her beloved Snowmass Village creperie, the Crepe Shack, in downtown Aspen. Order the classic Plain Jane (cinnamon, butter, Vermont maple syrup) for a sweet treat, or indulge in something luxuriously savory like the Bougie, made with Maine smoked salmon and fried egg, and topped with dill cream sauce and 30 grams of Petrossian Osetra Caviar.
As the name implies, the Jade Room at the St. Regis is swathed in an array of jungles jewel tones and vintage furniture, like a 1980s sofa which is flanked by ostrich-feather lamps. A bespoke bar in the fashionable lounge will offer cocktails as well as a champagne and caviar selection.
Shopping
With temperatures regularly in the teens, Aspen has perfect teddy-bear-coat weather. Fittingly, MaxMara has a pop-up this winter at the Hotel Jerome, which celebrates 10 years of the brand’s signature plush camel hair style. Go for the classic Icon, or splurge on the only-available-in-Aspen Sparkling Teddy Coat, which is adorned with crystals. Other winter accessories, like snuggly mittens and suede bucket hats, will also be specially curated for the store. You might wear them then-and-there: outside is a courtyard with a roaring firepit and adirondack chairs complete with fuzzy blankets.
Just in time for peak season, the luxury brand has opened a store on East Hyman Avenue. With a predominance of soft winter colors like white, cream, and beige, the store takes inspiration from the natural Colorado surroundings. Clothing racks are meant to evoke aspen trees, while seating areas resemble mountain rocks and stones.
The Italian house has also pledged commitment to the local Aspen Art Museum. This winter, they’re supporting a John Chamberlain exhibition curated by Urs Fischer, The Tighter They’re Wound, The Harder They Unravel.
Arts, Culture, and Wellness
This winter, The St. Regis Aspen embraces Eastern medicine with its new RAKxa Wellness Spa, the first U.S. outpost of the famed Bangkok healing retreat. Undergo a Thai Chakra hot stone healing message, or a restorative treatment that focuses on re-centering the body for optimal sleep. The spa also offers aromatherapy and lymphatic drainage treatments.
The Snow Lodge—the buzzy apres-ski concert venue, lounge, and restaurant—is back at the St. Regis, boasting an impressive roster of performers including Diplo, Bob Moses, and Blondish. This year, they will partner with e-commerce behemoth Revolve to produce their performance lineup. Snowboarder Shaun White's label, Whitespace, has designed the uniforms for the waitstaff.
Starting December 21, Sotheby’s Aspen will present This is the Color of My Dreams, an exhibition exploring the cool brilliance of the color blue. It will include works by acclaimed artists like Alex Katz, David Hockney, George Condo, Alexander Calder, and Jonas Wood—that are also, yes, all for sale.
In addition to the John Chamberlain show, Aspen Art has a number of noteworthy exhibits this winter. Cauleen Smith’s In Mines to Cave artistically explores capitalism, consumption, and land development, while a new bronze structure, “You and your Vim” by Lena Henke, has been installed on the roof.