Aspen in December is a magical time of year! Lights glitter on every building and the scent of chocolate and cinnamon floats from every doorway. Nothing will put you quite in the holiday spirit like visiting this winter wonderland!
What Are the Best Things to do in December in Aspen?
Aspen, Colorado has moderate winter weather with lots of snow, making it the perfect destination for outdoor activities. These are the most popular activities for visitors:
- Horse drawn sleigh rides
- A luxury shopping trip
- The Wintersköl festivities
- Christmas tree lighting ceremony
- Skiing or snowboarding
- Snowcat dining adventure
- Uphilling
- Ice skating
- Snowmobile tour
- Cross-country skiing
- Spa day
- Ride the alpine coaster
- Attend Christmas events
- Explore seasonal specialty menus
The winter festivities will make you fall in love with Aspen! There’s no better place to spend the holidays than our beautiful, little town.
When you plan your trip with Aspen Luxury Concierge, you can get access to the VIP treatment for all your activities. Come see the best of the Roaring Fork Valley this winter!
1. Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
A sleigh ride is a wonderful way to embrace the holiday spirit. As you relax under cozy blankets, you are gently guided through the enchanting landscape of trees. Evening rides offer a perfect opportunity to admire the beauty of the night sky and the stars above.
There are two options available for sleigh rides: you may choose to incorporate the sleigh ride into your dining plans or enjoy the ride as a stand-alone activity. Some sleigh rides can take you to Pine Creek Cookhouse for dinner or lunch, while others provide hot chocolate and photo stops.
Sleigh rides are ideal for families with children, offering a charming experience reminiscent of a holiday film. Alternatively, couples may appreciate a romantic outing on a sleigh ride together.
When planning your visit, please collaborate with Aspen Luxury Concierge for smooth bookings and valuable local insights. Simply inform your concierge of your interest in a sleigh ride, and we will take care of the arrangements.
2. Let’s Go Shopping
The local shopping scene is exceptional. This mountain town certainly competes with New York in terms of fashion. Come see why celebrities are drawn here and check out all the star-studded stores.
Kemo Sabe sells incredible, authentic, custom rental gear, which is in style year round. Gucci and Dior offer an impressive selection of the latest winter apparel, featuring exclusive items available only in Aspen.
As you stroll along Hyman Avenue, you’ll discover a variety of unexpected treasures, including art, beauty products, and unique vintage items. It’s an ideal destination for enjoying a day of skiing followed by a rewarding shopping experience.
3. Join the Wintersköl Festivities
Wintersköl is a local tradition that is all about greeting the winter season. Although it is traditionally held in January, it has been moved to mid-December to be more seasonally appropriate.
The festivities sprawl out over the town with the annual Soupsköl contest, ice sculpture carving, fireworks, maker’s markets, live music, and the torch parade down Aspen Mountain.
4. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Aspen in December is full of Christmas tree lighting ceremonies. Select your tree and take a moment to enjoy the vibrant colors.
The St. Regis will host the lighting of a 40-foot tree in the courtyard. Guests are invited to enjoy refreshments, holiday cookies, live music, visits with Santa Claus, and a performance by the high school band.
The Little Nell also hosts a tree lighting where guests are invited to sing Christmas carols, drink hot chocolate, and pet the Aspen Animal Shelter’s “reindeer puppies”.
All of these events are complimentary, and therefore, no RSVP is required.Just dress for the weather and bring your holiday spirit.
5. Hit the Slopes on Skis or a Snowboard
Aspen, Colorado in December is the prime ski and snowboard destination in the state. You have 4 ski resorts to choose from:
- Ajax – Closest to downtown, several hotels have ski in/ski out access, and it has something for all skill levels.
- Buttermilk – The best mountain for beginners and families
- Aspen Highlands – The most difficult mountain, which is home to the Highland Bowl, a legendary ski area of black diamonds where you have to “earn your runs”
- Snowmass Mountain – The mountain local to Snowmass Village, which is home to several terrain parks, and is known for having liminal lift lines.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, book your adventure with ALC! We offer special ski and snowboard packages that include rentals, gear tuneups, lift tickets, on-mountain storage, personal shopping for new gear, and transportation to all 4 mountains.
6. Dine in Style at Altitude
Some of the best food in town isn’t even in town; it’s 11,000 feet above sea level. There are several restaurants on the mountains that can only be accessed by skiing or on a snowcat.
Sam’s is a well-regarded restaurant located at the summit of Snowmass, offering stunning views. Guests can indulge in a generous serving of freshly made pasta or relax with an afternoon snack and cocktail.
Another notable casual establishment is Elk Camp Restaurant at the summit of Snowmass Mountain. The roaring fires will warm you from the outside while the grass-fed beef chili warms you from the outside!
Cloud 9 Alpine Bistro is the most well-known on-mountain dining experience. The vibe ranges from party central to luxury fine dining. The Cloud 9 après ski parties are legendary, with everyone dancing and spraying champagne like it’s the last time they’ll ever party. Once the ski day ends, Cloud 9 transforms into a decadent Swiss dining experience menu with curated wine pairings in front of a roaring fire.
The only thing better than the food is the view! Please note that snowcat dinners are very popular in Aspen in December. Please book your dinner adventure through ALC well in advance.
7. Year-Round Uphilling
The weather in Aspen, Colorado in December is ideal for some winter skinning or uphilling. Locals recommend Independence Pass as an easy skinning trail. If you want a challenge, Smuggler Mountain Road or Buttermilk. During the day, Buttermilk allows uphill traffic, so uphillers can trek up the mountain and then ride the ski lift back down for free
Keep in mind that winter uphilling is very different from summer uphilling. Here are a few things you’ll need to know before your trek:
- Dress in layers with a waterproof coat. Wear a base layer that breathes and wicks moisture away from your skin.
- Check the weather forecast and always have a physical copy of the trail map.
- Choose trails that are close to civilization, especially as a beginner.
- Always uphill in groups. You may consider hiring a professional uphilling guide to join your trip.
- Only uphill on trails that are designated multi-use. Do not uphill on ski runs.
- Wear proper foot gear, either uphilling shoes designed for winter use, snowshoes, or shoe spikes. Locals swear by Yaktrax as the go-to brand for maintaining traction.
- Poles are recommended for uphillers of all ages and skill levels.
If you have any questions about winter uphilling in Aspen, contact Aspen Luxury Concierge. Our team can recommend gear, handle gear rental, do trail research for you, hire your uphilling guide, and make a reservation for a hot post-uphill meal.
8. Take a Whirl on Ice Skates
There are two indoor skating rinks and one outdoor skating rink in town.
Silver Circle, the outdoor rink, is situated at the base of Ajax and is particularly popular among beginners and casual skaters, including children and families.
The indoor rinks, Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice, both offer free skating for visitors and host drop-in hockey games. Additionally, experienced skaters have the opportunity to reserve the ice for private skating sessions or events..
9. Experience the Scenery on a Snowmobile
Snowmobiling is an excellent alternative to cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and uphilling. The Roaring Fork Valley is home to so much natural beauty, but in the winter, much of it is not accessible by car.
A snowmobile tour allows you to experience the snowy mountains without physical strain. This option is ideal for adults of all ages as well as kids and teens.
Snowmobile tours can be booked as private excursions or be done with the group. All tours include gear, a lesson, a rented snowmobile, lunch, hot chocolate, and expert guiding.
If you see yourself on a snowmobile in Aspen in December, simply contact ALC to book your trip!.
10. Get a Workout with Cross-Country Skiing
Both downhill and cross-country skiing are widely enjoyed activities in Aspen during the month of December.
Cross-country skiing provides an excellent opportunity to escape the crowds on the slopes and to explore the extensive network of trails available.
While traversing the fresh snow, participants can enjoy scenic mountain views that are uniquely accessible through this mode of skiing. It is also an exceptionally good workout! .
11. Relax and Unwind with a Spa Day
Wellness is central to the spirit of Aspen in December. There are spas located throughout the city that each specialize in different wellness practices. The ALC team recommends that visitors check out these top spas:
- RAKxa – Situated within the St. Regis, RAKxa provides a diverse range of services, including massages, acupuncture, facials, and aromatherapy treatments.
- Yarrow – Located inside the Hotel Jerome, Yarrow specializes exclusively in herbal treatments, utilizing natural ingredients.
- O2 – This spa offers a variety of services, including yoga classes, eyelash enhancements, cupping therapy, massages, gua sha treatments, CBD oil therapy, waxing, and trigger point therapy.
12. Experience the Thrill of the Alpine Coaster
If you believe that skiing allows for thrilling speeds, you will find the alpine coaster to be an exhilarating experience. Open year-round, guests can secure themselves in a solo racer and navigate through the trees at high speeds.
The drops and elevation changes deliver a similar adrenaline rush to that of a traditional roller coaster.
The Alpine Coaster is situated on Snowmass Mountain near Elk Camp.
Following your ride, we recommend enjoying a meal at the Elk Camp restaurant on-site, where you can savor warm cornbread, hand-tossed pizzas, and hot chocolate to help you warm up.
13. Join Us for Christmas!
When you visit Aspen in December, you can partake in all the Christmas cheer!
Taking a leisurely walk through our charming town offers a delightful experience reminiscent of a Hallmark movie.
The streets are adorned with lights, and with the picturesque snowy weather typical of Colorado, a white Christmas is almost assured.
14. Enjoy Culinary Delights of the Winter Season
December in Aspen marks a vibrant and festive period for the community. It is an opportunity to enjoy exquisite dining experiences and seasonal celebrations.
During this time, many local Michelin-starred restaurants unveil their winter menus, offering a remarkable culinary experience that surpasses their usual fare, especially with their winter signature dishes and thoughtfully curated wine pairings.
Aspen Luxury Concierge is well-equipped with insights into the finest dining establishments for lunch, dinner, and special events. Here are a few restaurants that feature exceptional winter menus:
Bosq
At Bosq, no two wine pairings are ever quite the same, so all visitors get a unique dining experience. During the winter season, the menu includes cocktails made with foraged blue spruce, stuffed mushrooms, and exotic roasted meats.
Betula
Betula brings a French feel to the holiday season with a traditional 5-course holiday menu.
Guests start with an apéro of champagne and cheese to wet your appetite for delectable soups, seasoned turkey or rabbit, a cheese platter, and finishing with authentic Bûche de Noël for dessert.
Parc
As one of the best restaurants in town, the winter menu does not disappoint! Parc serves up courses of cozy holiday food, all served with Colorado touches.
The extensive wine list has something for all palettes. Their signature cocktails utilize rosemary, piney gin, ginger, cranberries, and mint to bring a hint of winter into the beverages.
Sway Thai
Sway offers a slightly different take on holiday food.
The winter menu highlights the similarities between Colorado winters and the colder regions of Thailand by featuring warmed cocktails and traditional Thai dishes that use local ingredients.
You haven’t experienced the best food in Aspen until you’ve dined from the specialty seasonal menus! Restaurants book up fast during the ski season, so be sure to start planning your trip ASAP. If you are interested in any of these culinary delights, contact ALC to get a reservation!
Where to Stay in Aspen in December
When you visit the Roaring Fork Valley, you have two options for your accommodations: A luxury hotel or a private vacation rental.
The main hotels in town are The Little Nell, Hotel Jerome, St. Regis, The W, and Limelight Hotel. There are a few benefits to staying at a luxury hotel:
- You’re closer to all your activities, since the major hotels are located in Downtown Aspen
- Hotel concierges are very attentive to your wishes and needs
- Extravagant on-site dining options
- The luxury amenities, which can include ski concierge, room service, pools and gyms, laundry service, turndown service, and more
- Hotels always have events going on for their visitors, especially around the holidays
Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals are desirable to certain visitors because it is very easy to find the perfect home to meet your needs. Aspen is home to a wide range of villas, homes, and condos that visitors can rent.
Some of the benefits to staying at a vacation rental are:
- Rentals offer a lot of space, including fully functional kitchens, garages, home gyms, pools, and more.
- Some rentals have unique amenities, like a private chef or concierge
- Vacation rentals are ideal for groups and families traveling together
- Compared to a hotel, rentals offer more privacy
- Rentals are located all over town, so you can easily find accommodations close to your activities
Start Planning Your Bespoke Stay Today!
Aspen in December is a magical place full of delicious food and holiday cheer! While the area is stunning year round, the winter season is when the place truly comes to life.
Whether you’re spending your holidays with us or hitting the slopes earlier in the month, you’ll fall in love with our little mountain town.
Contact Aspen Luxury Concierge today to start planning your trip!
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