The holidays offer a great opportunity to gather with loved ones and celebrate with good fun, good food, and good company. Thanksgiving, in particular, is a favorite holiday for many who wish to do this. While people choose to spend Thanksgiving at home, having a destination Thanksgiving can make the holiday even more memorable and enjoyable—especially if you choose to travel for an Aspen Thanksgiving.

Aspen, Colorado is a gorgeous mountain town that boasts unbeatable scenic views, along with some of the best skiing in the world. To go to Aspen is to step into an enchanting world filled with sport, culture, and family values, making it a go-to holiday destination. Heading there towards Thanksgiving to hit the slopes? Enjoy these tips for making your destination Thanksgiving one for the books, from reserving a private chef and bartender to purchasing the perfect decor. 

TIPS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE ASPEN THANKSGIVING

TIP 1: PLAN AHEAD

Yes, Aspen is known as a top luxury destination in the world, but remember—it’s a small mountain town. As such, getting specific items may be challenging. That’s why it’s crucial to plan ahead and get your requests in for decor, flowers, specific ingredients for your Thanksgiving meal, and other key holiday elements. That way, your concierge can work with vendors to get you the best Aspen has to offer. If something is unavailable, your concierge can arrange to get alternatives in a timely manner. 

TIP 2: ESTABLISH AN ITINERARY 

A thorough and detailed itinerary can help you keep your Thanksgiving on track, especially if you’re spending the holiday with a large group. Your concierge will assist you in establishing an itinerary for your Thanksgiving plans and distribute them to guests. Include key information on any pre-Thanksgiving activities, what time drinks will be served, and when dinner will be prepared so guests are in-the-know. 

TIP 3: HAVE YOUR RESIDENCE DEEP CLEANED

You want to ensure our residence is clean for Thanksgiving, especially if you have guests joining you. Your concierge can arrange for your residence to be deep cleaned and well-organized before the holiday comes around. Communicate with your concierge if there are any places, in particular, you want the housekeeper or professional cleaner to pay special attention to. 

TIP 4: HIRE A PERSONAL CHEF 

If you choose to skip the reservations and have someone prepare dinner for you, hire a personal chef for in-home dinner service. Hiring a personal chef provides you with an exclusive Thanksgiving experience, complete with a custom menu filled with decadent dishes. Plan ahead for this service, though, as chefs often get booked up to six months in advance—especially around holidays. If you want a personal chef for Thanksgiving, your concierge can help make those arrangements. Also, get a headcount so you can properly prepare for dinner. The last thing you want is to be a plate short on Thanksgiving. 

TIP 5: FIND A BACKUP RESTAURANT (JUST IN CASE)

It’s always wise to have a backup option for Thanksgiving dinner. If, for some reason, a personal chef cannot be booked, your concierge can assist you in making a reservation at a local Aspen restaurant. According to the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, these are the Aspen restaurants that have Thanksgiving options:

• Ajax Tavern—If you are looking for those traditional Thanksgiving favorites, Ajax Tavern is your spot for $55 per person.
• Element 47—Take advantage of this fine dining restaurant offering  a three-course Thanksgiving meal for $150 per person ($50 per child).
• Prospect at Hotel Jerome—Located in the iconic Hotel Jerome, Prospect offers a four-course Harvest Feast menu featuring some classic and modern Thanksgiving dishes.

If you are interested in securing a backup option, tell your concierge what you’re looking for in terms of the meal, the drinks, the ambiance, and other important details you want present for Thanksgiving. That way, they have a clear understanding which types of dining establishments you’re looking for. 

Learn more about Hotel Jerome in our Best Places to Stay in Aspen article.

TIP 6: ARRANGE DECORATIONS

If you’re planning a Thanksgiving meal at your Aspen residence, make sure you make the place festive with classy and elegant Thanksgiving decorations. The right decor sets the mood, after all, which is why it’s crucial to establish a cohesive theme. Also, determine the decor pieces you’ll need, from wall art to florals. 

For table floral decor, we recommend between two and three low centerpieces, as larger arrangements can crowd the area. They also allow guests to hold conversations without any major distractions. It’s also important to get the right cutlery, plates, linens, and glassware to bring the whole table together—which we, as concierge services, can help arrange.

TIP 7: HIRE A BARTENDER 

Enhance your Aspen Thanksgiving by hiring a bartender to make delicious fall drinks you can’t get anywhere else. For instance, one of our favorite private bartending companies serves a cider sour and are featuring a carmel apple mule this year. Hiring your own bartender will spice up your Thanksgiving dinner and create a unique experience for yourself and your guests. If you do want to hire a bartender for your holiday, inform your concierge about it quickly so they can make arrangements as quickly as possible. 

TIP 8: DON’T FORGET THE SWEET TREATS

Dessert is essential for Thanksgiving, but be warned—Aspen doesn’t have many bakeries, however there are great local pastry chefs that can whip up your favorite treats. This means it’s important to have your Thanksgiving desserts picked out in advance; and yes, those even include the classics, like pecan and pumpkin pie. Select your desserts and send them to your concierge so they can coordinate accordingly. 

TIP 9: KNOW THE VENDOR CANCELLATION POLICIES

Things happen, and cancellations are sometimes necessary. Before you sign any contracts or reserve any services, make sure you understand vendor cancellation policies. Private chefs, for instance, may be strict with cancellations, especially if they turned down other business to serve you. Knowing specific cancellation policies can help you avoid the shock of unforeseen fees.

TIP 10: SCOUT OUT LOCAL ASPEN ACTIVITIES

The things that truly make an Aspen Thanksgiving so unforgettable are the special events that happen around town. Thanksgiving is a quieter time in Aspen, where there’s a lull before peak season hits. As such, the holiday activities feel more personal and exclusive. Some of these activities and events include:

• The Aspen Turkey Trot—Perfect for the group that wants to run up an appetite before indulging in a Thanksgiving feast.
• Throw Down in Low Down—This event is perfect for those spending Thanksgiving in Aspen Snowmass. Throw Down in Low Down will be the kick off event of Snowmass’ winter season, complete with some epic shredding from skiers and snowboarders. Head to Fanny Hill at Snowmass from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on November 25 for the event—entry is free. 

TIP 11: HIT THE SLOPES FOR WORLD-CLASS SKIING

This year, Thanksgiving (November 24) also marks the beginning of Aspen Mountain and Snowmass’ winter seasons (Aspen Highlands’ starts on December 10 and Buttermilk’s starts on December 17.) Your concierge can arrange for you and your guests to ski during this time, whether you want to work up an appetite for your exclusive Thanksgiving dinner or hit the slopes the day after. If someone left the skis at home, don’t worry—your concierge can help arrange equipment rental if needed. 

LET US TAKE CARE OF YOUR ASPEN THANKSGIVING 

If you’re planning an Aspen Thanksgiving trip, Aspen Luxury Concierge is here to help every step of the way. Our experienced staff, who know Aspen like the back of their hands, work with you to plan the perfect getaway that entrenches you in Aspen’s divine culture—and you don’t have to do any heavy lifting or time-consuming planning. Aspen is truly unlike any place in the world, and we want to ensure you see it in all its glory. Contact us today to start planning your trip with a personal concierge.