Who said December has to be basic? 🏔️ Step into your main character era and let Aspen turn your winter around. Private fireside dinners, snow that feels imported just for you, the air smelling like pine, and the only decision you have to make is red or white wine. 🍷 Aspen is where A-listers, CEOs, and people who own private jets spend their winter — and this year, you’re invited.
So tell me, why are you just watching winter happen when you can literally own it? ❄️✨
If you’re going to splurge on one winter trip this year, make it Aspen. You’ll leave with memories, incredible pictures, and a renewed sense that life can, in fact, be this good.
🏨 Where to Stay: The Dreamiest Aspen Hotels
When we say Stay & Slay, we mean stay somewhere so iconic that the hotel itself becomes the experience.
- The Little Nell: Aspen’s crown jewel. Ski-in, ski-out luxury with a wine cellar that makes sommeliers cry happy tears 🍷. Rooms have fireplaces, the staff knows your name, and the après-ski scene here? Legendary.
- Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts: Old-school Aspen glam meets modern chic. Their bar is basically a time machine back to the town’s mining days — with better cocktails.
- St. Regis Aspen Resort: Think daily Champagne sabering (yes, they open bottles with swords), massive spa, and a lobby that looks like a Pinterest board.
Every one of these hotels is the kind of place where you half-expect to bump into someone from the cast of Succession. And honestly, you might.
🎿 What to Do: Slay the Slopes (and Beyond)
Here’s where Aspen separates itself from other ski towns: it’s not just about skiing, it’s about living the fantasy.
- Ski & Snowboard on Four Mountains: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Whether you’re a pro or just here for the après-ski selfie, there’s a slope with your name on it.
- Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro: It’s not just a restaurant, it’s an Aspen rite of passage. Lunch turns into a champagne-fueled dance party. Yes, you will be dancing on tables by 2 PM.
- Luxury Shopping: Gucci, Prada, Dior — Aspen’s little downtown is a luxury mall disguised as a snow village.
- Snowcat Dinners: Imagine being taken up the mountain by snowcat to a candlelit dinner. It’s giving romance, it’s giving “put your phone down and just breathe.”
- Wellness & Spas: Detox with Himalayan salt stone massages, hot tubs under the stars, and private yoga sessions.
Transition: And if you’re the type who thinks Aspen is too obvious? Slide right into St. Moritz (literally). We already wrote the guide — go read it and compare.
🍸 Après-Ski: Where Aspen Really Comes Alive
Skiing is optional. Après-ski? Mandatory.
- Ajax Tavern: Burgers and truffle fries that might just be Aspen’s most famous dish.
- Caribou Club: Exclusive, members-only, and the closest thing Aspen has to a speakeasy.
- Wheeler Opera House: For when you want a cultured night out after a day on the slopes.
Transition: After a day of skiing, dancing on tables, and pretending you’re in a Vogue spread, it’s time to talk money. Because Aspen is luxury — but luxury can be booked smart.
💳 When to Book & Insider Tips
- Book Early (Like Yesterday): Aspen in December sells out months in advance. If you’re booking now, you’re already competing with influencers, hedge fund managers, and three royal families.
- Use Points & Perks: If you’ve been hoarding credit card points, this is your moment.
- Fly Private (Or Fake It): Even if you don’t have a PJ, Aspen’s airport is iconic. At least fly in a window seat — the landing views are insane.
Transition: You’ve got the stay, the slay, the champagne plan. But what about what you wear? You’re not about to roll up to Aspen in a regular ski jacket, right?
🧥 What to Pack for Aspen
- Designer Ski Suit: Think Moncler, Fusalp, or Perfect Moment.
- Apres-Ski Fit: Faux-fur coat + chunky boots + sunglasses.
- Loungewear Luxe: Cashmere everything for cozy nights in.
Affiliate plug here: link out to Farfetch, Net-a-Porter, Revolve, etc.
✨ Wrap-Up: Make This December Your Aspen Era
Aspen isn’t just another vacation — it’s a personality trait. It’s the trip where you stop scrolling and start living. You’re not just spending money, you’re investing in a main character winter moment.
So, book the chalet, pack the faux fur, and get ready to live you r best life. Aspen in December is waiting — and trust me, she slays.
