11:32 PM
|
72 °FWeather Temperature
  • About
  • Membership
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • SearchGo to Search
ASPEN - Defy Ordinary MENU
  • Explore
    Experience
    • Arts & Culture
    • Family Friendly
    • History & Heritage
    • LGBTQ+
    • Seasons
    • Sustainability
    • Tours & Sightseeing
    • Wellness
    Things to do
    • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Maroon Bells
    • Recreation
    • Restaurants & Nightlife
    • Shopping
    • Skiing & Snowboarding
  • Plan Your Trip
    Travel
    • Hotels & Lodging
    • Travel Agents & Travel Advisors
    • Visitor Centers
    Guides
    • How To
    • Itineraries
    • Local's Tips
    • Trip Highlights
  • Events
    What's Happening in Aspen
    • Event Calendar
    • Submit Event
    • Event Planning Toolkit
    Signature Events
    • FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen
    • Wintersköl™
  • Groups
    Corporate
    • Meetings & Incentives
    Leisure
    • Social Groups
    Tie the knot
    • Weddings
  • Book Now
    Hotels, B&Bs, and Condos
    • Book Lodging
    Maroon Bells
    • Maroon Bells Reservations
  1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. What's New This Winter in Aspen

What's New This Winter in Aspen

Aspen Town

With winter season on the horizon this winter is especially exciting as we welcome new eateries as well as big culture news. Besides the rumor of another amazing year of snow, there are plenty of new openings and activities for visitors and locals alike to look forward to. Check out some of the highlights below:

Winterskol Fireworks over Aspen

Dining Scene:

The W Aspen has joined forced with globally renowned Chef Eyal Shani to bring his signature Mediterranean restaurant, HaSalon, to life through an exclusive pop-up.

ZigZag Aspen, the highly anticipated modern French-American bistro, has opened their doors this winter, taking over the iconic Mezzaluna space at 624 E Cooper Street. The brainchild of co-owner and operator Romain Pavee, ZigZag Aspen blends nearly two decades of luxury hospitality experience, cultivated across France, New York, and Las Vegas, with the local expertise and passion of long-time Aspen residents Scott and Carly Weber. The restaurant will feature the only traditional wood-burning oven left in Aspen, making it a culinary destination for lunch, brunch, après-ski, dinner, and beyond. 

The Gant introduces Origin, a new dining experience in collaboration with The Farmer & Chef. Showcasing western Colorado's regenerative agriculture, Origin features fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches. Scratch-made breakfast, lunch, and brunch signature dishes include avocado toast, sourdough pancakes, and huevos rancheros, alongside unique barista offerings such as the decadent peanut latte and the carda-bomb. This partnership aims to elevate The Gant’s culinary offerings while supporting the local community. View menus here.

Wayan Aspen Cedric and Ochi Vongerichten, the celebrated duo behind NYC’s Wayan and Ma•dé,have opened Wayan Aspen in collaboration with restaurateur Ezra J. William and Raphael Derly. Following two successful pop-ups at The Little Nell, this marks their first permanent venture in Aspen, bringing their award-winning French-Indonesian cuisine to the Rockies.

Aosta offers Italian-American cuisine and is the newest member of CP restaurant group. Aosta showcases  Northern Italian flavors with a distinct alpine influence and is located in the old Almresi space.

Yogi's Aspen will serve affordable sandwiches, salads, barbecue, and fried chicken. Yogi's is located at 455 Rio Grande Pl. adjacent to City Hall and across from Rio Grande Park.

AM7, a private membership club, is nestled above Belly Up Aspen and Yuki restaurant. Centrally located and perfectly situated, the site offers both unbeatable views of the mountains and a never-before seen collaboration of dining, comfort, and entertainment all in one.

Gravity Haus Aspen is now open for coworking, fitness and a private restaurant and bar experience for members.

Angelo’s, formerly Casa D’Angelo, underwent a renovation and rebrand in summer 2024 and offers classic dishes and an expanded wine program.

Jimoto Ramen has expanded with a bar and expanded menu with later hours.

The inaugural MICHELIN Guide to Colorado was launched in September 2023. In 2024 it was announced that Bosq Aspen retained its one star; Element 47, Mawa's Kitchen, and Prospect, are recommended restaurants in the guide; and Chris Dunaway of Element 47 was awarded MICHELIN Guide Colorado 2024 Sommelier of the Year.

 

Skiing:

New Coney Express Lift: This winter season, Aspen Snowmass will debut an all-new lift, the Coney Express on Snowmass. The new high-speed quad will effectively replace the Coney Glade chair but with a much larger footprint, including new loading access terminal in the Snowmass base area across from the Snowmass Mall, significantly increasing the mountain’s out-of-base capacity. Coney Express will feature a midway station for access from the world-class Snowmass terrain park and all-new access for foot traffic guests to Lynn Britt Cabin and Spider Sabich Race Arena. This lift will be the first major development of the latest Snowmass Master Plan, which was proposed in 2022 and includes potential improvements to the resort that could occur over the coming decade. 

Lynn Britt Cabin Expansion: Located at mid-mountain on Snowmass, Lynn Britt Cabin combines Western ambiance with a vibrant atmosphere for lunch and après. The venue will boast a renovation and expansion this winter with an extended patio, outdoor grill and bar area and an expanded list of bookable experiences including après parties and specials, live entertainment, and snowcat dinners throughout the 2024-25 season. Additionally, with the addition of the new Coney Express foot passenger access, Lynn Britt now will have access for non-skiing guests to join for après.

 

Activities and Events:

Wintersköl, Dec. 12-15  The 74th edition of Wintersköl will take place Dec. 12-15, 2024. Programming will include old favorites as well as new offerings that will entice locals and visitors alike. Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter” dates back to January 1951 when locals chose to commemorate Aspen's distinctive mountain way of life with a diverse weekend of events.  The three-day 2024 event will continue to showcase on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest, and torchlight parade and fireworks on Aspen Mountain. For more information, please visit aspenchamber.org.

Aspen Gay Ski Week returns Jan. 12-19, 2025. Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW) is the oldest annual, week-long LGBTQ+ ski event in the nation and the annual fundraising event for AspenOUT, a local non-profit and 501(c)(3) organization focused on anti-bullying and tolerance.

X Games will return to Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen Snowmass with some of the world's best action sports athletes competing in ski and snowboard events January 23-25, 2025. X Games Aspen 2025 will feature men's and women's ski and snowboard competitions in the disciplines of Superpipe, Slopestyle, Big Air, Knuckle Huck, and Street Style. In addition to sporting events, X Games Aspen 2025 welcomes the return of special music appearances each night.

Aspen Snowmass is excited to welcome back the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix. Freeskiers and snowboarders from across the globe will return to the slopes of Aspen Snowmass for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota January 30- February 6, 2025. Known for its world-class park and pipe setup, Buttermilk is the ideal stage for the thrilling competition.

Aspen Snowmass is proud to host the debut of The Snow League, the first professional snowboarding league created by legendary snowboarder Shaun White. From March 7-8, 2025, Buttermilk Mountain will set the stage for this highly anticipated event, bringing together top snowboarders from around the world.

 

Travel/Lodging:

The MICHELIN Keys, recognize exceptional hospitality experiences. Recognized hotels in Aspen include Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell, and MOLLIE Aspen. The three hotels all received One MICHELIN Key.

The Aspen Meadows, tucked away on 40 acres in Aspen's quieter West End neighborhood, has been making big moves recently with a total rooms renovation and the opening of West End Social. This winter is the first ski season for the resort's new Aspen Meadows Café (open daily from 7-3): a cozy spot to grab a coffee, work between laps, or fuel up with a breakfast burrito to take along for the gondola ride. 

Frias Properties celebrates 50 Years of Excellence this winter. Following last summer’s expansion to Snowmass Village, Frias boasts a portfolio of over 130 vacation rentals in Aspen and Snowmass.

Award-winning hotel MOLLIE Aspen is offering an array of exciting events and experiences this winter. Guests and local community members can enjoy an evening of cozy sophistication with live acoustic music in the lobby every Thursday from 3-5pm (Dec. 5-March 27), Après with Naturopathica on Fridays, and weekly winter events (event locations will be noted on the MOLLIE events page). New this year, NATUROPATHICA Spas will be bringing their signature botanical treatments to their dedicated spa suite at MOLLIE Aspen, creating a relaxing haven for time away from the slopes. Additionally, MOLLIE’s new partnership with Rivian offers guests complimentary access to eco-friendly vehicles for scenic winter exploration while supporting sustainable travel.

The Gant, one of Aspen’s legendary mainstays, presents an extraordinary collection of experiences enhanced by premier resort amenities, inviting guests to embrace the splendor of the Rocky Mountains both on and off the slopes this winter season. New this winter, The Gant has partnered with Base State, a new Aspen longevity studio, to offer travelers exclusive wellness packages to help acclimate to altitude (details are available here). Also new this winter, The Gant is thrilled to introduce Origin, a new dining experience in collaboration with The Farmer & Chef. Showcasing western Colorado's regenerative agriculture, Origin features fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches. Scratch-made breakfast, lunch, and brunch signature dishes include avocado toast, sourdough pancakes, and huevos rancheros, alongside unique barista offerings such as the decadent peanut latte. This partnership aims to elevate The Gant’s culinary offerings while supporting the local community.

Gravity Haus Aspen is now open for coworking, fitness and a private restaurant and bar experience for members. The newest Gravity Haus outpost is a reimagined mountain clubhouse grounded in Aspen's wild west roots. 

 

Sustainability:

Mountain IDEAL

In August 2024, Aspen announced their Mountain IDEAL certification as a sustainable destination. The Mountain IDEAL destination standard was developed to address sustainability in mountain environments that include winter and summer activities. These unique challenges and opportunities include issues such as water and energy use related to snow-making and snow-melting systems, affordable housing for residents and seasonal employees, collaborating with public land managers and the business community, and embracing mountain cultural heritage.  Following a years-long certification process, Aspen was officially third-party certified to the Global Sustainability Tourism Council (GSTC)-Recognized Mountain IDEAL Standard by the GSTC-Accredited Green Destinations Certification Body in July 2024.

Colorado Green Business Network of Aspen

The city of Aspen, in partnership with the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) and with the support of the state of Colorado, announced the launch of the Colorado Green Business Network of Aspen (CGBN of Aspen) in August 2024. This free program empowers local businesses to adopt sustainable practices, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to a greener future for Aspen. CGBN of Aspen offers technical assistance, recognition opportunities, and a supportive network to help businesses implement environmentally friendly practices. 

 

Arts & Culture:

This winter, Aspen Film looks forward to hosting a screening of Aspen Extreme at the Isis Theatre to kick-off Wintersköl in December, and the return of Radical Wednesdays, a retro ski film series with a few special guest appearances, in Feb. 2025. Additionally, Aspen Shortsfest is set to return March 31-April 6, 2025. 

Aspen Historical Society is thrilled to introduce complimentary admission to the Wheeler/Stallard Museum. This winter, the Wheeler/Stallard Museum will feature the exhibition Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed. Newly refreshed and dual-language interpretive signage at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum grounds and Ashcroft Ghost Town welcome visitors to explore the historical properties on their own during the fall, winter, and spring. 

The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies (the Bayer Center), located on the Aspen Institute campus, presents "Bauhaus Typography at 100", on view through April 26, 2025. The exhibition draws a throughline from the Bauhaus’s iconic style to the shape of typography today. 

Anderson Ranch Arts Center will present the fourth annual outdoor sculpture exhibition. This iteration of the exhibition includes 15 works by emerging and established artists. Anderson Ranch will host a holiday open house this December where attendees will follow candlelit paths through campus while touring the studios filled with work made by the Artists-in-Residence. All proceeds will directly support artistic programming. More information on this winter’s rotating gallery exhibitions and event schedule can be viewed at andersonranch.org. 

This winter, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) will again offer their Potbelly Perspective series in partnership with ACRA, as well as Wild Perspectives and Naturalist Nights lectures. ACES looks forward to the return of guided snowshoeing experiences at Ashcroft this winter; lunch tours to Pine Creek Cookhouse, and beloved snowshoe tours on Aspen and Snowmass Mountains, guided by an ACES Naturalist. At the newly reopened Catto Center at Toklat, ACES will celebrate “10 Days of Toklat”, daily events taking place from the winter solstice on December 21st, through December 30th, to commemorate the holiday season. This is also the 75th anniversary of Toklat, with more celebrations to come throughout 2025.

 

Tag us in your winter adventures on social @AspenCo for a chance to be featured on our webpage and social channels! 

Not new, but never goes out of style: the proper way to carry your skis. Watch our video below for a step-by-step on how to carry your skis in Aspen.

Related Posts
Category: Travel Tips

Spring Events in Aspen
This Week in Aspen
Spring in Aspen
10 Things to Pack for Spring in Aspen
Mother's Day in Aspen
Aspen Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Las Montanas Dishes Aspen
Cinco de Mayo in Aspen
Aspen city view summer
Summer Guide: Arts & Culture Events To Attend This Summer in Aspen
Spring in Aspen
7 Secrets on Springtime in Aspen
McClainFlats cycling redmtnrprod
Discover Aspen’s Spring
Hiking in Aspen
Lower Elevation Hikes in Aspen
Spring in Aspen
A Guide to Spring Dining in Aspen
Hiking in Aspen
7 Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles
Sunny spring day in Aspen
24 Hours of Spring Adventures in Aspen
Spring in Downtown Aspen
Ditch the Car: Experience Aspen's Best by Foot and Bus
Maroon Bells Aspen
5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Month in Aspen
Aspen Bar and Dining Scene
Bar Menus in Aspen
Mollie Aspen Common Area
7 Coziest Après-Ski Spots In Aspen
View all blogs
  • Explore
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Events
  • Groups
  • Book Now
  • About
  • Membership
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • SearchGo to Search
Explore
Experience
  • Arts & Culture
  • Family Friendly
  • History & Heritage
  • LGBTQ+
  • Seasons
  • Sustainability
  • Tours & Sightseeing
  • Wellness
Things to do
  • Entertainment
  • Events
  • Maroon Bells
  • Recreation
  • Restaurants & Nightlife
  • Shopping
  • Skiing & Snowboarding
Plan Your Trip
Travel
  • Hotels & Lodging
  • Travel Agents & Travel Advisors
  • Visitor Centers
Guides
  • How To
  • Itineraries
  • Local's Tips
  • Trip Highlights
Events
What's Happening in Aspen
  • Event Calendar
  • Submit Event
  • Event Planning Toolkit
Signature Events
  • FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen
  • Wintersköl™
Groups
Corporate
  • Meetings & Incentives
Leisure
  • Social Groups
Tie the knot
  • Weddings
Book Now
Hotels, B&Bs, and Condos
  • Book Lodging
Maroon Bells
  • Maroon Bells Reservations

We use cookies on our website to support technical features that enhance your user experience.

We also use analytics & advertising services. To opt-out click for more information.

Newsletter Background
Sign up for our newsletter:
SIGN ME UP
back to top
ASPEN - Defy Ordinary The Official Online Guide to Aspen
  • ASPEN - facebook
  • ASPEN - twitter
  • ASPEN - instagram
  • ASPEN - youtube
  • ASPEN - linkedin
  • ASPEN - pinterest
  • ASPEN - email
  • ASPEN - tiktok
  • About
  • Groups
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Directory
  • Membership
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

Aspen Chamber Resort Association
590 N. Mill Street
Aspen, CO 81611

Local Phone: 970.925.1940
Toll-Free Phone: 877.702.7736
Email: [email protected]

ASPEN - Defy Ordinary The Official Online Guide to Aspen