Aspen Snowmass transforms into a winter wonderland throughout December, where festive celebrations, sparkling traditions and world-class skiing across all four mountains create an enchanting holiday escape.
*All details correct at time of publish (9 December 2025)
With its snow-dusted streets, lively après-ski scene and warm, welcoming community spirit, the destination promises a festive season full of atmosphere, joy and unforgettable memories.
Sparkling Traditions: Annual Tree Lighting
On 7 December, The Little Nell – Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel – welcomed guests to its Annual Tree Lighting Celebration, a sparkling start to the holiday season that transforms the Wine Bar and Courtyard into a cosy winter wonderland.
Visitors savoured freshly baked cookies, steaming hot chocolate and spiced apple cider crafted by the pastry team, while the Aspen High School sang Christmas carols. Santa made a festive appearance before the tree lit up at 5:30pm, signalling the official start of the holiday season in Aspen Snowmass.
A Toast To The Season: Winterskol
Wintersköl, a cherished Aspen tradition since 1951, returns from 11-14 December to celebrate the town’s unique mountain spirit. Over four days, the festival transforms the slopes and streets into a sparkling landscape with torchlight descents illuminating the night, live music filling the crisp air, roaring bonfires, dazzling fireworks, SoupSköl and intricate snow sculptures.
Celebrations span Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, offering early-season skiing alongside festive experiences such as free S’mores at Snowmass and a curling showdown with ‘Game of Stones’, creating unforgettable holiday memories for visitors of all ages.
Seasonal Feasts: The Little Nell
The Little Nell offers delicious Christmas dining experiences, with specially crafted menus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Guests can indulge in an elegant multi-course feast at MICHELIN Guide-recommended Element 47 or join a lively slopeside celebration at the hotel’s casual restaurant, Ajax Tavern. Both venues serve seasonal dishes bursting with festive flavours, providing a warm and welcoming setting to gather with friends and family after a day spent on the slopes.
Wondrous Journey: Pine Creek Cookhouse
For an unforgettable culinary adventure, visitors can also make their way to the Pine Creek Cookhouse, reached either by a horse-drawn sleigh or an invigorating ski or snowshoe journey. Guests can explore 735 acres of pristine winter trails by day, or embark on a guided nighttime trek with headlamps leading the way beneath the stars.
On New Year’s Eve, the experience becomes even more magical, with a special five-course dinner served in the cosy log cabin restaurant, a truly enchanting way to welcome the year ahead.
Festive Finds: Aspen Collection
Aspen offers a truly festive shopping experience, with a charming mix of luxury boutiques, outdoor retailers and locally owned stores throughout the downtown area.
Visitors can explore the Aspen Collection, which has two convenient locations, one in Aspen Gondola Plaza and another in Snowmass Base Village. Both stores are filled with carefully curated gifts, premium outerwear, accessories and unique mountain-inspired treasures, perfect for picking up thoughtful presents or stylish winter essentials.
Mountain Magic: Four in One
Skiing is at the heart of the holiday season in Aspen Snowmass, with four mountains accessible on one ski pass, offering something for every ability. Glide down the steep, classic runs of Aspen Mountain, explore the adventurous terrain of Aspen Highlands, enjoy gentle slopes at Buttermilk, or take in the wide, scenic pistes of Snowmass.
On 30 December, visitors can watch how the pros do it with the Audi Ajax Cup, a thrilling dual giant slalom on Little Nell Hill at Aspen Mountain, where sixteen teams race head-to-head for the prestigious Gorsuch Cup.
Fireworks Extravaganza: Ring in 2026
New Year’s Eve in Aspen Snowmass offers a range of celebrations to suit every style. The Little Nell will host its tenth annual New Year’s Eve Party with Dom Pérignon, an iconic evening featuring live performers, a headline DJ and lavish food and drinks set within a transformed, glittering event space.
For a more relaxed affair, Limelight Aspen hosts a lively, open-door party from 2 pm to 1 am, complete with great music, comforting seasonal food and a cheerful atmosphere.
In the evening, the sky above Aspen Mountain lights up with spectacular fireworks, while visitors can sip hot chocolate, toast marshmallows over a bonfire along Hyman and Cooper walking malls, dance to a DJ, or enjoy free ice skating at the Aspen Ice Garden, making it a truly magical way to ring in 2026.
Winter 2025–26 Operating Dates
Aspen Mountain: 27 November 2025 – 19 April 2026
Aspen Highlands: 13 December 2025 – 12 April 2026
Buttermilk: 13 December 2025 – 5 April 2026
Snowmass: 27 November 2025 – 12 April 2026
For more information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com.
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