The Little Nell Unveils 2025-2026 Winter Calendar: A Season of Alpine Elegance, Festive Traditions and Unforgettable Mountain Adventures

The Little Nell ushers in another winter season of alpine adventure, curated luxury, and spirited celebration with a festive lineup of culinary, family, and community gatherings, along with signature skiing adventures that have been defining winter in Aspen for over 36 years. 

From holiday fine dining at the Michelin Guide-recommended Element 47 and the return of The Dom Pérignon Party on New Year’s Eve to local author-led children’s storytime and first tracks on Aspen Mountain, the 2025/2026 season offers something for everyone – inviting guests to embrace the joy of the mountains and the magic of togetherness in the heart of Aspen. 

Holiday Happenings 

From Aspen Mountain Opening Day on Thanksgiving through the end of the festive season, The Little Nell transforms into Aspen’s most luxurious winter retreat for guests and locals alike. 

The following pricing is not inclusive of tax and gratuity.

• On November 27, The Little Nell kicks off the holiday season with its annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Element 47 and Ajax Tavern, and a Thanksgiving To-Go menu. 
• The property’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 7 includes classic caroling, signature hot chocolate and a special visit from Santa. The festive evening is set against the backdrop of a sparkling tree, illuminating the wintry Aspen night. 
• Later in the month, families can gather for a cozy Children’s Storybook Hour with local author Jill Sheeley. Held Fridays December 12, 19, and 27 from 10–11 a.m., the event includes special readings from Sheeley’s books, milk and cookies, and plenty of holiday cheer. 
• Enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner at Element 47 with a special prix fixe menu from Chef Keith Theodore, featuring elevated takes on classic holiday dishes and optional wine pairings from Wine Director Chris Dunaway. Dinner is served from 5–9:30 p.m. and priced at $375 per guest, with an optional $250 wine pairing menu ($95 for children ages 4-12).  
• For a more relaxed Christmas Eve and Christmas Dinner, Ajax Tavern invites guests to gather for an à la carte menu featuring signature Ajax favorites and elevated seasonal specials and a curated selection of wines in a cozy alpine setting. Dinner is served from 6–9:30 p.m.; Reservations are available with a $275 minimum food and beverage spend per guest ($85 for children ages 4-12). 
• Ring in 2026 with the most refined Aspen celebrations, with a multi-course New Year’s Eve Dinner at Element 47 featuring an assortment of locally sourced ingredients, rare wines, and festive flair ahead of the midnight toast. Reservations are available with a $1,500 minimum food and beverage spend per guest. Over at Ajax Tavern, guests can experience an equally festive New Year’s Eve Dinner in a more relaxed setting with lively mountain-view revelry. There are two seatings: 5–7 p.m. ($225 per person) or 8:15–10:15 p.m. ($325 per person), $95 per kid for both seatings. 
• Inspired by the celestial beauty of the longest night of the year, The Little Nell’s New Year's Eve with Dom Pérignon is a can’t-be-missed, shimmering, winter celebration. Guests are invited to a night of live performances, astrology and tarot card readings, rare wines, gourmet bites, and a glam sparkle bar. The party is hosted on New Year’s Eve from 10 p.m.–1:30 a.m. 21+, with tickets priced at $1,000 for General Admission, $1,500 for VIP, and $15,000 for VIP Tables (up to eight guests). Dinner and Party packages will also be available at Dinner + GA Ticket $2,250 and Dinner + a VIP ticket being $2,625. 
• The following day, The Little Nell’s features a three-course menu New Year’s Day Brunch, complete with bottomless brunch cocktails and lively DJ sets from 10:30 a.m.–2:45 p.m. Brunch seatings are priced at $160 per person ($55 for children ages 4-12). 
• For more adventurous groups, New Year’s Eve Snowcat Experience invites guests from 5:45–9 p.m. to ascend the mountain by private snowcat for a panoramic firework show, Veuve Clicquot champagne toast, raw seafood bar, caviar, truffle and brie grilled cheese, and chocolate-covered strawberries cozied up next to a firepit reserved for your group. This over-the-top experience is priced at $15,000 (maximum group size of 10). 

Skiing and Winter Adventures 

As Aspen’s only Five-Star, Five-Diamond ski-in, ski-out hotel, a Little Nell adventure begins the moment you step outside. Guests can enjoy exclusive access to Aspen Mountain’s most unforgettable winter experiences curated by the property’s world-class Ski Concierge team. 

• First Tracks: There’s nothing quite like carving the first turns of the day on untouched snow. Guests are invited to join First Tracks, a complimentary early-morning ski experience available daily from December 2025 through April 2026. Beginning at 8 a.m., guests depart from the Ski Concierge and load the Silver Queen Gondola before the mountain officially opens, enjoying pristine corduroy and fresh powder runs from top to bottom.  
• Snowcat Powder Tours: Fridays are reserved for adventure. Limited to just 12 guests, this full-day excursion takes skiers deep into Aspen’s untouched backcountry for 10-12 untracked runs through pristine terrain, guided by expert hosts from The Little Nell team. The day concludes with a fireside lunch at a secluded cabin in the Elk Mountains, paired with fine wines hand-selected by the property’s sommeliers. The Snowcat Powder Tours are available exclusively to The Little Nell guests on Fridays from December through April, priced at $950 per person. 
• Last Tracks with Ski Patrol: As the sun dips below the Rockies, join Aspen Mountain’s Ski Patrol for a rare, behind-the-scenes experience. Guests join ski patrol on their final “mountain sweep,” ensuring all skiers are safely down for the day. Offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from December through March, this private tour is priced at $150 per group (up to four guests), with proceeds supporting the Ski Patrol Fund. Intermediate and advanced skiers only. 
• Groom the Mountain: Experience an intimate evening snowcat ride that reveals the art of maintaining perfectly smooth trails. Guests ride alongside Aspen’s grooming team as they shape the mountain under the stars, watching the town’s lights shimmer below. Offered Wednesday through Friday at 5:30 p.m. from December through March, this 45-minute experience is priced at $200 per outing for up to two guests. 
• Audi Snowshoe Adventures: New this year, guests can experience the luxury of the all-electric Audi Q6 e-tron with the serenity of Aspen’s snow-covered trails. Guests receive complimentary snowshoes and a dedicated vehicle for self-guided exploration of the panoramic Richmond Ridge views, Ashcroft’s alpine serenity and the famed Maroon Creek Trail beneath the Maroon Bells. For guided outings, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies offers expert-led tours daily.  

Whether beginning the day with powder turns or ending it with a fireside toast, The Little Nell’s Ski Concierge ensures every moment, from lobby to lift, is seamless. Personalized rentals, private fittings, and Carv Digital Ski Coach technology are available through Aspen Collection.  

For more information on The Little Nell’s 2025 holiday programming, visit the website here.  

Image credit: The Little Nell