What’s New For Winter 2022-2023 At Aspen’s Little Nell

Winter is underway in Aspen with an abundance of snow, signaling an early start to the ski season. The hotel is currently being dressed for festive season with décor both indoors and outside. To celebrate the finest in service, amenities, wining, dining and adventure, The Little Nell serves as the ultimate ski hotel all winter long with a number of exciting programs and amenities in store. Please see below for details and stand by for additional updates this season.

• Wine Education + Tastings - Beginning Tuesday, January 3, the knowledgeable wine team at The Little Nell will guide a complimentary wine tasting exclusive to hotel guests from 3 - 3:30 pm every Tuesday and Saturday afternoon this ski season. Learn about wine pairings, explore various regions of the Old World and New World and garner insights from the expert sommeliers at The Nell. Offered on a first come-first served basis.
• Jazz Nights at Element 47 – The Little Nell has partnered with Jazz Aspen Snowmass to bring sensational jazz duos to Element 47's intimate dining room. Wine, dine, and unwind with live jazz music on Thursday and Sunday nights from 6- 9 p.m. starting Thursday, December 1. Experience the innovative cocktails and award-winning wine program paired with seasonally-inspired dishes from Culinary Director Matt Zubrod and Executive Chef Oscar Carrasco.
• Happy (Hot Cocoa) Hour at The Little Nell - A new ritual at The Little Nell this year take place every Friday from 2 - 2:30 p.m. Guests in the Living Room will be presented with complimentary samples of the hotel’s iconic hot chocolate, topped with a homemade marshmallow.  
• Arrival Toast – A new amenity upon check-in is a complimentary, refreshing beverage with the choice of a glass of San Pellegrino sparkling water or a flute of champagne chosen by Wine Director Chris Dunaway. Currently being served is Pierre Paillard 'Les Parcelles' Bouzy Grand Cru Extra Brut. 
• Ladurée Arrival Amenity - The Little Nell is the exclusive hotel in Colorado to offer Ladurée macarons as an arrival amenity in guest rooms and suites, packaged in elegant boxes and making for a memorable souvenir. The iconic French manufacturer and retailer of high-end pastries and candy, known as “douceur” in French, was founded in 1862, Ladurée is world renowned for its elegant and colorful macarons – prepared with a secret recipe that’s been passed down through several generations of pastry chefs. 
• Private Label Dobel Tequila – The Little Nell collaborated with Maestro Dobel Tequila, a Mexican brand of blended tequila owned by the Beckmann Family, who also own the Jose Cuervo tequila brand. Element 47 General Manager Colton Black worked directly with Dobel to create our own private Barrel Wheatley, made of 50% French and 50% American oak, with a blend of reposado and anejo tequila in "cristalino" style meaning purified through charcoal to have the cleanest flavor expressions). Available on the bar menu and throughout the hotel.
• Sister’s Sauce Bloody Mary – Offered throughout the hotel outlets this season, this clean, 100% organic Bloody Mary mix is handcrafted in Georgia. Founder Nat Hendricks’ father, Pete, created the original recipe. “Sister” was Pete’s first English Setter bird dog and Nat’s first word.
• Author-Inspired Specialty Cocktails – Little Nell mixologist Andy Zurita created seven special cocktails this ski season poetically named and inspired by late, great authors, paying homage to each with a quote. Try the Fellowship of The Ring, a tribute to JRR Tolkien, made with Stranahan’s blue peak, Caffo Amaretto, Italicus and lemon. Or order the Letter to My Daughter for Maya Angelou made with Leblon Cachaça, Limoncello, pineapple, lime and tonic. And of course, Hunter S. Thompson is honored with the Aspen Diary made with Ilegal Joven Mezcal, El Maestro Sierra, blood orange and orgeat.
• Ajax Tavern’s Boozy Builds – Embrace your creative senses with a new cocktail offering at Ajax Tavern where you choose a liquor, a base and a topping to make your own concoction. Or opt for signature drink such as the Hot Apple Pie with Van Gogh Salted Caramel, Cider, Caramel; Chocolate Caliente with The Nell’s Dobel Barel, Hot Chocolate, Cinnamon-Chili Rim; Bad Santa made with Amaretto Cookie Liquor, Hot Chocolate, Crushed Peppermint Rim and an Irish Coffee made with Jameson, Coffee, Whipped Cream.
• StyledByTrianaMaria (SBTM) - Wardrobe stylist Triana Trujillo whose background includes being a PR manager at Valentino where she styled celebrities, and working with luxe designers from Dolce & Gabbana to Chanel, exclusively offers her services this ski season to guests of The Little Nell. SBTM offers a guest-stylist consultation in order to curate the proper selection of clothing, researching and sourcing apparel, to be ready for guests to try in room upon arrival at The Little Nell or at Aspen boutiques. All clothing is available on consignment therefore the client only pays for the selection they approve. SBTM also offers personally guided shopping tours in Aspen. The initial consultation fee is $100 with an hourly rate of $150. Book directly through Triana (triana@trianamaria.com).
• ASPENX Beach Club with Gray Malin - For twelve weekends this winter, The Little Nell’s sister brand ASPENX will revive the mountainside pop-up at the top of Aspen Mountain, complete with music, food, drinks and 360-degree views of the surrounding slopes and peaks. The one-of-a-kind activation unites ASPENX’s premium style, event expertise and dedicated service with fine art photographer Gray Malin’s eye for artistry and design, infusing playful pops of color into the aesthetic. Dates of operation are January 27 to April 16 (Fridays through Sundays) from noon to 3 p.m. with a limited availability of up to 100 people per day. Guests must be 21+ to enter and a lift ticket is required to access the Beach Club via the Silver Queen Gondola.
• Winter Wonderland – The courtyard at The Little Nell will be set with a winter wonderland theme this ski season. A birch and aspen tree winter wall accented with lights, twigs and oversized snowflakes as the work of Aspen Branch and serving as a festive photo op backdrop. Several firepit seating areas replete with plush throws offer an inviting outdoor experience with après-ski service provided by Element 47’s Bar.
• Après Magazine – The Little Nell partnered with NMG Network, the leading creator of custom media programs for luxury and leisure travel, hospitality and premium residential partners, to launch an exclusive new omnichannel entertainment platform. Found throughout the hotel’s common areas and guest rooms and suites, Après magazine is a bi-annual print publication, currently in its second season, with an emphasis on the culture, lifestyle and sophistication of Aspen told by celebrated writers and content creators. As a complement, Après TV can be found on Channel 1 in guest rooms and suites with custom video content. A digital experience will soon follow. 

EVENTS SCHEDULE (subject to change)

• Sunday, December 11 Tree Lighting at The Little Nell – A holiday tradition, this festive, family-friendly event takes place in the courtyard at The Little Nell where we’ll count down to the exciting tree lighting, provide complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, sing carols with the Aspen High School choir and offer photo ops with Santa Claus. Complimentary and taking place from 5 – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, December 17 The Wine Bar Opening Party - Don your most impressive skiwear for a vintage-themed après-ski party at The Little Nell’s chic wine bar. Enjoy $10 cocktails, large format wines by the glass and DJs spinning vinyl. No cover, open to all. 3:30-6:30 pm.
• The White Truffle Dinner at Element 47 – Exclusively offered at Element 47, enjoy a 4-course, wine-paired menu for this elegant dinner. Reservations are available from 6 – 9:30 p.m. Pricing TBA. Saturday, December 24 + Sunday, December 25
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner at Element 47 - Enjoy a four-course. prix fixe menu featuring indulgent favorites like duck, lobster, wagyu beef, hand-made pasta, venison, foie gras, scallops and decadent desserts for every sweet tooth. Reservations available from 6 – 10 p.m. $350++ /guest with a $250 wine pairing option. $50++ per child.
• Christmas Dinner at Ajax Tavern - Enjoy a relaxed Christmas dinner at Ajax Tavern. The restaurant offers a three-course menu with holiday favorites like Brandt beef, gnocchi, Colorado lamb, oysters and more, in a casual, family-friendly setting. Reservations available from 5 – 10 p.m. $250++ /guest with a $150 wine paring option. $50++ /child.
• Saturday, December 31 New Year’s Eve Dinner at Ajax Tavern - Gather friends and family and usher in the New Year with a memorable meal at Ajax Tavern, perfectly timed to enjoy the fireworks show over Aspen Mountain. Chef de Cuisine Oscar Ibarra will offer a festive menu complete with oysters, king crab, scallops, wagyu beef, fresh pasta and decadent desserts. First seating: 7-8 pm, $300 per person for 3 courses, with a $200 wine pairing option, $50 per child. Second seating: 9-10 pm, $500 per person for 4 courses, with a $200 wine pairing option, $50 per child.
• New Year’s Eve Dinner at Element 47 - End the year with indulgence! Savor à la carte menu selections including seafood towers, sushi boats, steak, lobster, house-made pasta, decadent desserts and much more. Enjoy a live DJ and entertainment acts as you kick off the evening’s celebrations. Reservations are available between 6:45-7:45 pm. $750 minimum food & beverage spend per person, with the option to add The Dom Pérignon Party at a reduced price of $750.
• The Dom Pérignon Party - Ring in 2023 at The Dom Pérignon Party and step into an extravagant experience at The Little Nell. Enjoy bottomless Dom Pérignon and top-shelf liquor, indulge in sweet and savory bites all night and sip specialty cocktails. Multiple live music and entertainment acts are spread throughout three distinct venues. 10 pm – 1:30 am with a fireworks show over Aspen Mountain at midnight. $1,000++ per guest, the VIP Experience includes dedicated entry into the party, elevated private-table seating and bottle service for up to eight guests. $15,000. 
• Friday, January 20 46^th Annual Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW) – Celebrate at The Little Nell with three special events presented in part with AGSW including a Bingo Brunch in the Grand Salon on Sunday, January 15; an Après-ski at The Wine Bar on Friday, January 20; and a Friendship Dinner on Saturday, January 21, at Element 47.
• The Australian Wine Dinner with Michael Hill Smith – Join this Australian Master of Wine for a four-course, wine-paired dinner at Ajax Tavern with a 6:30 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. seating. $150++ per person.
• Thursday, January 26 Peay Wine Dinner with Andy Peay – Join for a four-course, wine-paired dinner at Element 47 with winemaker Andy Peay of Peay Vineyards set on the far northwestern corner of the West Sonoma Coast, 4 miles from the Pacific Ocean where they grow Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne grapes. Reservations available from 6 – 9:30 p.m. $200++ per person. 
• Saturday, February 11 Promontory Wine Dinner with Amanda Harlan Maltas and Ashley Oesterle – This special four-course, wine-paired dinner will take place in the Gallery at Element 47, led by Amanda Harlan Maltas, Director of Communications for The Napa Valley Reserve and Meadowood Napa Valley. Promontory was founded in 2008 by Amanda’s father Bill Harlan, the visionary behind Harlan Estate and BOND, featuring a highly distinct character that sets it apart. Price TBA.
• Thursday, March 9 Frasca Pop-Up with Bobby Stuckey – The James Beard award-winning restaurant, Frasca Food & Wine from Boulder, will take over Element 47 for an evening with Master Sommelier and Co-Owner Bobby Stuckey, formerly the Wine Director at The Little Nell. Offering refined Northern Italian plates based on locally sourced ingredients paired with top-shelf wines. Reservations available from 6 – 9:30 p.m. $300++ per person.