This week, Aspen is in the throes of its most glittery, celeb-drenched time of the year, ushering in four months of high-season high jinks. All winter long, billionaires and boldfacers share the streets and slopes of this tiny Colorado village, vying for the best hotel suites, hottest dinner reservations and prime seats at the bar. So pack your Moncler coat, Buccellati jewels and plenty of cash, and follow this primer on where you need to be.
STAY
The plush, 92-room Little Nell (from $950) is at the swirling center of Aspen’s social scene, with an enviable location mere steps from the base of Aspen (a k a Ajax) Mountain. Everyone from the Obamas to Kate Hudson to Beyoncé and Jay-Z flock to the on-site Ajax Tavern for the addictive truffle fries, or for gourmet comfort food at the fine-dining spot Element 47, which replaced restaurant Montagna last year.
New at the Nell this season: Interior designer Holly Hunt renovated two of the top VIP suites; there’s a new après-ski resto-bar, Chair 9, for pitchers of mai tais, freshly shucked oysters and live music; and master sommelier Carlton McCoy launched the first private tasting and pairing experience in the hotel’s 20,000-bottle wine cellar.
Next door is the St. Regis Resort and Spa (from $699) which underwent a $40 million renovation this summer and includes chic new rooms and butler service. Not into skiing? The hotel can hook you up with winter fly-fishing, snow-shoeing and dog-sledding. The St. Regis also sponsors occasional — and thrilling — snow-polo matches.
EAT
Since its debut this summer, local luminaries have lined up to power-lunch at the wildly popular White House Tavern, a table-service sandwich joint housed in a charming historic cottage. Reservations aren’t accepted, but the maître-d will text you when your name’s up.
Phone lines open Jan. 2 for seatings beginning Feb. 10 at acclaimed chef David Burke’s new eatery, David Burke’s Kitchen — sure to be this season’s most sought-after reservation. Expect Burke-esque bites straight from his New York menus, such as peanut butter maple bacon dates and pretzel-crusted crab cakes, plus lots of Colorado-sourced dishes, including venison and trout.
Then there are ever-popular, tried-and-true restos, including Matsuhisa, which has served up world-renowned Japanese in Aspen for 16 years (yet there’s still nightly competition for its 225 seats).
Casa Tua features sumptuous Northern Italian fare at its first-floor restaurant, which (unlike the upstairs club) is open to the public. Food & Wine magazine’s concept resto, Chefs Club, at the St. Regis is best as a four-course gourmet experience; this year’s guest chef “curators” include New York’s Missy Robbins and LA’s Bryant Ng.
Since dinner in Aspen often evolves into a table-dancing party by dessert, there’s always a raucous crowd at perennial hot spots Cache Cache, Cloud 9 , Campo de Fiori, Ellina , Jimmy’s and Steak House No. 316.
DRINK
If you’re one of the Cristal-Maybach-diamonds-on-your-timepiece set, then you’ll want to join the scene at the members-only Caribou Club (Christmas through New Year’s week memberships from $1,500; otherwise week-long memberships from $500, or annuals from $3,000), or the second-floor, members-only club at Casa Tua Aspen (Christmas through New Year’s week memberships from $1,500; otherwise week-long memberships from $500, or annuals from $2,500).
But, thankfully, the town offers watering holes to satiate all kinds of thirsts. Superstars and cowboys alike congregate at the Irish pub-cum-sports bar FinBarr and the landmark Hotel Jerome’s popular J-Bar, which was stylishly renovated last year and maintains its historic relevancy and a Wild West sensibility. Hipsters will surely prefer funky, off-the-beaten-path Woody Creek Tavern or live music at Belly Up .
SHOP
There are all the usual luxury suspects (Gucci, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton), but look for local multi-label favorites such as Max, Nuages, ski clothier Gorsuch and the eponymous jewelry store owned by Mariah Carey’s close friend Joan Boyce.
Western-wear retailer Kemo Sabe, one of the oldest stores in Aspen, stocks exotic-skin cowboy boots; Arnold Schwarzenegger and Aerin Lauder have shopped for elephant and sanded lizard boots, respectively. George Lucas has been known to swing by Omnibus Gallery to buy hundreds of vintage movie posters.
And this season, Rag & Bone , Helmut Lang and Valentino open outposts.