Celebrities in Aspen – 5 Reasons Stars Flock to Aspen, CO
Celebrities in Aspen are just another Tuesday. Everyone knows that Aspen, Colorado, is where movie stars and musical artists come to unwind. But it isn’t just the world-class skiing or Michelin-starred restaurants that draw them in. It’s the exceptional service, discretion, and knowledge of the Aspen Luxury Concierge team that facilitates once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
WHAT DO CELEBRITIES IN ASPEN DO WHILE VISITING?
The Kardashians and Jenners are known to visit Aspen during the winter holiday season. Justin and Hailey Bieber, Nina Dobrev, and Shaun White have also been spotted hitting the slopes on skis or snowboards. Some celebrities, like Kurt Russel, Goldie Hawn, and Kevin Costner have made Aspen their permanent homes by buying luxury properties. Mariah Carey is a long-time visitor; she can usually be spotted shopping in Aspen in an all white get up.
Aspen has been known as a playground for the rich and famous since the 1970s. You never know who you may rub shoulders with at Kemo Sabe or Madame Ushi.
WHY IS ASPEN SUCH A POPULAR DESTINATION FOR CELEBRITIES?
There has always been a connection between the slopes and the silver screen. In the 1930s, the owners of Aspen ski resorts started inviting movie stars to come spend a weekend in Snowmass. The Aspen Film nonprofit further established Aspen as a celebrity destination. By the 1990s, the Academy Screenings took place in Aspen every year.
It might have been the films and slopes that brought the stars to Aspen, but it has been the service of Aspen Luxury Concierge that kept them coming back. ALC creates bespoke experiences for luxury-seeking clients. A celebrity’s concierge defines their travel by facilitating the high-end accommodations and private events that A-listers value. But ALC’s services aren’t only for movie stars. Anyone can access the lux life when they hire Aspen Luxury Concierge to manage their trip!
WHICH CELEBRITIES HAVE HOMES IN ASPEN, COLORADO?
Over the decades, various stars have made Aspen one of their permanent homes. The most famous resident celebrities in Aspen are Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. The pair have owned a sprawling property near Aspen for decades. Their children, Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson, make annual trips to Snowmass for family time. In fact, when his children were younger, Oliver moved the family from L.A. to Aspen. This allowed his kids to have the same Aspen childhood that he had where they could ski after school all winter.
In 2022, Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky from Real Housewives bought a new home in Aspen. The couple have been Aspenites for years, but they simply needed to upsize for their growing family.
Even stars who don’t own property here, routinely spend the winters in luxury vacation rentals. The Kardashian clan routinely rents a mansion to spend the holidays in beautiful, snowy Aspen.
But what is it about Aspen that appeals to all the movie stars, business moguls, musicians, and politicians? It’s probably the same 5 reasons why everyone loves Aspen:
1. THE FASHION SCENE
You wouldn’t expect a mountain town perched at 8,000 feet to have a luxury fashion scene. This one, however, does. Shopping in Aspen is like shopping in New York City, Zermatt, and L.A. at the exact same time. Aspen has storefronts for Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Dior, as well as other major brands. These clothes are completely unique to Aspen, inspired by the alpine atmosphere and the local ski scene. Kemo Sabe is also a big draw for fashion icons. It isn’t uncommon to see Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Rhianna, and A$AP Rocky browsing for new western gear, sometimes at the same time.
In a place that’s a hotspot for designer storefronts, it makes sense that Aspen style is on a whole other level. When you walk down the streets, you’re guaranteed to see someone in a 5-figure fur coat and sunglasses. Sometimes that person is Kendall Jenner, who just finished dinner with Hailey and Justin Bieber. Then there’s Mariah Carey, who is known as the fashion queen of Aspen. For years, she has shopped in Aspen and then hit the streets in new jaw-dropping, white ensembles.
2. THE EXCEPTIONAL SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING IN ASPEN
The Aspen, Colorado ski resorts are so exquisite that the Aspen X Games are hosted on Buttermilk Mountain every year. As a ski paradise, it only makes sense that the celebrities would make the trip just for the fresh powder. Celebrities in Aspen can often be spotted on Ajax sporting Ferragamo coats.
Recently, Olympian and X Games gold medalist, Shaun White, was spotted snowboarding with Nina Dobrev. The pair ran into the Bieber and Jenner crew. According to Kendall’s Instagram story, Shaun White gave her a mini-snowboarding lesson.
Like all things Aspen, there’s always more than what you expect. One draw of Aspen is that a snowsuit can be optional. Recently, pop stars Anitta and Lele Pons posted a video of themselves skiing in towels and drinking champagne. At other ski resorts, that might have warranted a call to ski patrol. However, in Aspen, partying and skiing have always been intertwined. There’s a long history of unique skiing outfits thanks to Aspen Gay Ski Week and daily parties at Cloud 9.
That wasn’t even the first time Anitta has braved the cold. Back in 2021, she decided to spontaneously film her “Loco” music video on the Aspen slopes wearing a bikini.
3. THE MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD
After a day on the slopes, celebrities in Aspen cozy up at one of the gourmet Michelin-starred and recommended restaurants. Aspen is the perfect romantic destination in the cold weather. Celebrity couples like Megan Fox and MGK or Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble may be spotted leaving Element 47.
If you want to romance your beloved, there’s no better place than Aspen. Try taking them to Cache Cache for French-American food in an elegant atmosphere. Steakhouse No. 316 is one of the best restaurants in Aspen in terms of service. You will feel like a celebrity as the attentive staff effortlessly handle your every request. You may also enjoy French Alpine Bistro, which envelopes you in a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The bistro is the perfect end to a ski day with their menu of fondue and crepes.
These luxury establishments cater to the needs of the wealthy and influential in Aspen. But you don’t need to be on the Forbes 100 list to get a reservation. Visitors who want luxury experiences work with local concierge services to have all their needs taken care of. Aspen Luxury Concierge is the premiere source for high-touch services in Aspen-Snowmass. Our concierges have connections with bespoke establishments all over town.
When you plan your trip with ALC, your concierge will use their connections to get you access to the best restaurants, clubs, shops, and more. Schedule a consultation with ALC to get access to exclusive experiences in Aspen, Colorado.
4. EXCLUSIVE ESTABLISHMENTS OFFER PRIVACY AND SECURITY
Many stars get mobbed with paparazzi wherever they go. L.A. and Hollywood are hubs for stalker fans and opportunistic paps. In Aspen, those stars can get a reprieve from the cameras to relax and unwind. Concierges in Aspen are known for their discretion as they protect their client’s privacy.
Aspen has been long established as an elite destination. Another draw of this little mountain town is the number of exclusive, private clubs, hot ticket events, and Aspen DJ events. The most well-known private club in Aspen is the Caribou Club, which is a bar, lounge, and networking opportunity all in one. Celebrities in Aspen often frequent private clubs in order to get away from prying eyes.
Another popular venue for upscale events is AspenX Mountain Club at the top of Ajax Mountain. Complete with a bar, restaurant, and a view, AspenX is one of the best venues in town for private parties and gatherings. Last December, AspenX became a celebrity hotspot when Nicky Hilton, Nina Dobrev, Ashley Benson, Paul Wesley, and Shaun White ascended the gondola in heels and furs. Fashion house Max Mara took over the lux establishment to celebrate 10 years of exceptional design.
HOW TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY EVENTS IN ASPEN
Star-studded guest lists are the backbone of Aspen nightlife. However, there is a secret: you don’t have to star in Vampire Diaries to get a Max Mara teddy bear to take home. Getting into the best parties is just a matter of knowing the right people.
For more information about accessing private clubs in Aspen, contact Aspen Luxury Concierge for a list of our high-touch services.
5. LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS FIT FOR THE STARS
Celebrities in Aspen expect the best for their visit and Aspen always delivers. The world-class skiing is matched by the concentration of world-famous luxury hotels, many with ski in/ski out access. When celebrities vacation in Aspen, they’ll generally either stay at a hotel or rent out an entire villa for optional privacy.
WHICH HOTELS DO CELEBRITIES STAY AT IN ASPEN?
During the winter season, celebrities gravitate towards The Little Nell and the St. Regis Aspen.
The Little Nell is an unassuming establishment located at the base of Aspen Mountain. One of its biggest draws is that it has ski in/ski out access – or snowboard in/snowboard out if the guest is Shaun White. Like Caribou Club, The Little Nell takes privacy very seriously. The concierge and bellhops are famous for their discretion and quality of service.
This hotel appeals to celebrities for a few reasons:
- Privacy
- Easy ski access
- The large rooms with a great view
- On-site bar and dining options
- An onsite spa
- The exceptional hotel service
Another popular venue is the St. Regis Aspen. While this one isn’t directly ski in/ski out, it is steps from the Aspen Mountain gondola and has easy access to designer shopping in downtown Aspen. The St. Regis also has a greeter dog, Kitty, who Nina Dobrev and Zoey Deutch love to cuddle with whenever they visit. The St. Regis also has sprawling rooms with fireplaces, the Velvet Buck restaurant on-site, and the Snow Lodge.
LUXURY VACATION RENTALS FOR VIP VISITORS
For celebrities who want greater privacy and more space, an Aspen luxury vacation rental is the way to go. Elite guests tend to like rentals because they get an entire house to themselves. Vacation rentals often come with amenities. When celebrity families travel together, a rental also allows them to all stay in the same space.
Back in 2021, Kendall, Kylie, and Kris Jenner spent a month skiing and shopping in Aspen. Their jaw-dropping rented mansion had:
- 7 bedrooms
- 7 full baths and 2 half baths
- Ski in/ski out slope access
- A bowling alley
- Pool and hot tub
- Home movie theater
- Sprawling fire pit
- Full time staff, including chef and chauffeur
The celebrity lifestyle can be accessible to you too when you plan your winter adventure with ALC. In fact, ALC has access to the same caliber of vacation rentals as well-known celebrities. These properties include mansions on Billionaire Mountain, where Ann Walton and the Bezos family reside part of the year. Your concierge can also book you a luxury condo in the heart of downtown, a villa with sprawling grounds, or a chalet near the slopes.
One of the vacation rentals where ALC often hosts events is Dunbar Ranch. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s Kevin Costner’s 160-acre property. Just 10 minutes from downtown Aspen, the ranch has three main buildings, and, in the winter, an ice rink, a private lake, dog sledding, and a tubing track. In the summer, visitors can take archery lessons, hit baseballs, kayak, ride horses, fish, and hike. There’s no better way to feel like an A-lister than to step into the shoes – and the home – of America’s favorite actor.
COME SEE WHY CELEBRITIES LOVE ASPEN!
All the celebrities in Aspen are right: this is the best place in the world to vacation.
Just imagine waking up in a winter wonderland. You read The Aspen Times as your private chef makes you breakfast in your airy vacation rental. The air is crisp as you fly through the fresh powder on Ajax.
Later that night, you step into Matsuhisa – it’s been booked out for months, but your concierge landed you a reservation.
One door after another opens for you. You glide past every line, each velvet rope into a glittering world of endless opulence.
As you experience the world of the stars, you wonder how you could ever go back. Like many celebrities before you, you might love it so much that you decide to buy a home in Aspen too!
Aspen Luxury Concierge specializes in providing all clients with the glamorous lifestyle that they desire. Schedule a consultation today to discuss how the ALC team can help you live the lux life!
