The Little Nell, Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel, announces its Winter 2026-2027 programming, bringing a dynamic lineup of exclusive residencies, immersive après experiences, elevated culinary moments, and seasonal celebrations to the hotel.
“We are approaching this season with a real sense of curiosity, bringing new ideas and global talent and experiences into what our guests have long loved about The Little Nell,” said Sandra Estornell, Managing Director of The Little Nell. “For us, it’s about creating moments that feel highly personal and distinctly tied to the five-star level of service and experience that only we can offer.”
A Celebration of Winter & Legacy at The Little Nell
This winter marks a defining moment for The Little Nell, as it is set to undergo a comprehensive renovation beginning in April 2027. This season will honor the enduring traditions that have become synonymous with the property over more than three decades, while continuing to create new reasons to visit. Originally set to reopen in early winter 2028, the closure is now planned to run through early summer 2028, allowing the full completion of the renovation ahead of welcoming guests back to truly deliver on the five-star experience The Little Nell is known for.
This coming winter will bring a focus on celebrating the legacy of The Little Nell with continuing well-loved holiday traditions, unique programming across spa, food and beverage, and après, as well as bringing together guests and locals alike for the festive season.
Holidays at The Little Nell
From Thanksgiving through the New Year, The Little Nell will celebrate the holidays with a variety of gatherings for guests, families, and the Aspen community. Beloved traditions return, including the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the courtyard and family moments throughout the season, such as Letters to Santa, holiday cookie decorating and a children's storybook hour with local author Jill Sheeley.
Holiday dining will be offered across both Element 47 and Ajax Tavern, from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, serving both elevated festive experiences and a laidback holiday feel respectively, both with curated seasonal menus. Additionally, the Living Room will feature a limited-run decadent 'Naughty List' menu with caviar, truffles, and wine features, while Ajax Tavern will host festive après on the slopes with live entertainment and seasonal food and beverage options.
Guests can also shop a holiday takeover at The Little Nell Boutique and learn seasonal decorating techniques from the hotel's longtime floral partner, Aspen Branch Design, offering a fun and interactive way for them to take the festive feel of the property home.
A Journey Through the Eras: New Year’s Eve at The Little Nell
A signature annual celebration on The Little Nell’s winter calendar, the hotel’s New Year’s Eve party returns in partnership with Dom Pérignon and a Through the Decades theme – a nod to Aspen’s ever-evolving style and spirit over the years.
The evening will unfold room by room: Dynasty glamour in the Living Room, the energy of Studio 54 in the Grand Salon, the edge of the 90s in the Wine Bar, and a time capsule lounge spanning every era and inviting guests to leave their mark on The Little Nell before its next chapter begins. Live performances carry attendees from one decade to the next before a late-night DJ takes the night to midnight, as Aspen Mountain lights up beneath the New Year's sky.
Georgia Louise In-Residence at The Spa at The Little Nell
The Spa at The Little Nell delivers a highly personalized, results-driven approach rooted in The Aspen Idea, a holistic lifestyle philosophy that integrates mind, body, and spirit. Treatments are thoughtfully designed around three core pathways: high-altitude recovery, post-adventure restoration and high-performance living, reflecting the natural rhythm of time spent in the mountains. Beyond advanced skincare, the expansive treatment menu includes therapeutic and restorative massages, personalized bodywork and targeted body treatments, blending traditional practices with advanced performance and recovery technologies.
World-renowned celebrity facialist Georgia Louise will return to The Spa at The Little Nell for the coming winter season, with The Little Nell continuing to serve as the only destination for new clients to experience her sought-after treatments. Known for her pioneering work in facial architecture, fascia and lymphatic techniques, Louise’s methods go beyond traditional treatments to support long-term skin health and overall vitality, earning her a devoted celebrity clientele that includes Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston and Emily Blunt.
Throughout the season, Georgia Louise’s signature approach will be brought to life through select in-residence moments, with appointments available both with Louise herself during scheduled residencies and with The Little Nell’s expert estheticians trained in her methods. Louise will also host a hands-on skincare masterclass, giving guests a chance to experience her products and learn her signature techniques. Inspired by high-altitude living, each session will guide guests through techniques and products tailored to individual skin needs.
Maybe Sammy’s Residency at The Wine Bar | January 22 – March 30
Sydney, Australia’s internationally acclaimed Maybe Sammy will bring its signature theatrical approach to cocktails and hospitality to The Wine Bar for a seasonal Aspen residency, infusing one of Aspen’s quintessential winter gathering places with a distinctly global perspective. Founded in 2019 and inspired by the glamour of 1950’s Hollywood and Las Vegas, Maybe Sammy is renowned for turning bar service into a performance, pairing inventive cocktails with playful tableside presentations.
Ranked No. 75 on The 50’s Best Bars 2026 list and the inaugural recipient of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award, Maybe Sammy will introduce a curated menu of bespoke cocktails inspired by The Little Nell and the unique experiences only found at altitude. Members of the Maybe Sammy team will work alongside the hotel’s bar team to translate the concept to its mountain setting, bringing the unexpected touches that have become hallmarks of the Sydney bar to The Little Nell’s guests throughout the season.
Chefs & Sommeliers Series
Globally renowned for its acclaimed wine program, The Little Nell boasts a 20,000-bottle cellar, is a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner every year since 1997, was recently awarded The Best Hotel Wine List in the World by the prestigious World of Fine Wine Awards for the fourth consecutive year. It is also home to more Master Sommeliers over its history than any other establishment in North America. To honor its rich history of wine excellence, the property is launching a recurring Chefs & Somms dinner series, bringing acclaimed chefs and sommeliers from across the country to Aspen for intimate culinary and wine experiences throughout the season.
Each installation of the exclusive series will offer a rare taste of the visiting talent’s unique perspective, expertise, and style through specially curated menus, wine pairings, and opportunities for guests to engage directly with the chefs and sommeliers. More information will be on The Little Nell website about these events and how to register for them by the end of October.
Additional Winter Experiences at The Little Nell
Longstanding winter favorites will return alongside the season’s new experiences, pairing The Little Nell’s defining traditions with active and joyful celebrations of winter in Aspen, including fine dining at Michelin Guide-recommended Element 47, alpine-inspired cocktail menus in The Living Room and festive après at Ajax Tavern.
Nestled at the base of Aspen Mountain, The Little Nell also offers unparalleled access to winter adventure, with Aspen Mountain scheduled to open for the 2026-2027 ski season on November 26. The hotel’s dedicated Ski Concierge team handles every detail, from equipment storage and tuning to seamless transitions from room to run. Guests can take the first turns of the day with First Tracks, joining an early gondola ride before the mountain opens, or venture into untouched terrain on Friday Snowcat Powder Tours, a full-day backcountry experience culminating in a fireside lunch at a secluded cabin in the Elk Mountains, paired with fine wines hand-selected by the property’s sommeliers.
The Little Nell Boutique will also be host to a rotating line up of pop-ups and activations from coveted fashion and lifestyle brands, giving guests the chance to discover distinctive pieces throughout the season.
For more information on Winter 2026 programming at The Little Nell, please visit www.thelittlenell.com/experience/events-calendar or contact concierge@thelittlenell.com.
