I Went to Aspen for a Seriously Ski-Centric Vacay, and Honestly? You Should Too
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One thing about me: I was basically born in the snow. Not actually, because my birthday is in June, but I *am* Canadian, so...same thing. My dad put me on ice skates before I knew how to tie my shoes, and I've eaten a concerning amount of tire d'érable (maple taffy made by pouring syrup onto snow). Long story short, I'm no stranger to below-zero temps and a few flurries. In fact, sometimes I'll choose a winter getaway over a beach vacay (no judgment, plz). And that's exactly what I did earlier this year, when I packed a carry-on full of cold-weather gear (and then a checked bag on top of that because I like to have at least three outfit changes on hand at all times) and booked a flight to Aspen, Colorado.
I was invited to the ritzy locale by Audi (yes, of Audi automobile fame) who was in town sponsoring the Audi FIS Ski World Cup, a downhill ski competition bringing in some of the fastest alpine skiers from across the world. The city seemed prepped and ready for the big event, which took place from March 3 to 5 on Aspen Snowmass Mountain, with ski fans (who are some very well-dressed folks) flocking for the festivities. I was thrilled to flock alongside them with my v lucky boyfriend, who came with.
The four days we were there were perhaps some of the bougiest of our lives, and, tbh, we're still trying to adjust to normal life. If you'd like to live it up just like we did, read on.
Stay
The Little Nell: From the moment we arrived at our five-star hotel, The Little Nell (in an Audi, natch), I felt like straight-up royalty. The staff is so wonderful, the decor is perfectly wintery while still being modern and chic, and it's literally steps from the Aspen Mountain ski lift.
There were two major things that made The Little Nell six-star-worthy in my book: the incredible restaurant downstairs, and the ski concierge. I'll go into more detail on the restaurant, Element 47, in the "Eat" section below, but I can't emphasize enough how GD nice it is to have one of the best eateries in Aspen just an elevator ride away. And the fact that you can get almost every single menu item for room service? Chef's. Freakin. Kiss. (Yes, we got room service every day, and yes, I regret nothing.)
While room service still feels like a new concept to me, one concept that was truly new to me was the ski concierge: basically, a team that takes care of all the shitty parts of getting ready to ski. Not only do they bring your equipment from the rental place to the hotel, but they also keep it for you in a little lodge attached to the hotel, located at the bottom of the ski hill. Anytime you want to ski, pop in and they'll bring your ski stuff out, passing your skis and poles to you riiiight in front of the lift. Can you say l-u-x-u-r-y?
Fancy amenities aside, I would also be remiss not to talk about the absolutely gorgeous suite we got, which was quite literally triple the size of our Manhattan apartment. There were two bathrooms (one of which had a massive bathtub and was probably the size of our aforementioned apartment lol), a front foyer with cubbies for winterwear; a spacious living room with a dining table, wet bar (with free snacks and non-alc bevs), and fireplace; and a stunning bedroom with an absurdly comfy bed and mountain views. The turndown service every night included a box of Ladurée macarons by the bed. Needless to say, I had to be damn near dragged out.
Play
Hit the slopes: When in Aspen, amirite? We took full advantage of the ski concierge and Aspen Mountain, which was truly right outside our door. If you don't clip into some skis or strap on a snowboard when in Colorado, you're seriously disturbed. Even if you don't know how to ski—this is the place to learn! The hills are just so. damn. perfect. Your mind will seriously be blown by the fresh pow and lengthy runs, especially if you've never skied on the West Coast before.
One thing I will note: make sure you come prepared for the change in altitude. I was struggling on my first day, despite being a pretty decent skier. I just felt like I couldn't breathe at times. But with Liquid IV, a canister of oxygen, and plenty of water, I was back on track.
Watch the races: Of course, we had to see the ski races everyone was buzzing about, and Audi hooked us up with some VIP tickets. (Honestly, it felt so good to rest our legs while still getting those slopeside vibes.) There are grandstands where anyone can post up and watch the skiers fly down the mountain, or you can pay $$$ to be in the VIP tent, which is a little higher up the mountain and has free food, an open bar, and an indoor section with TVs for when it gets too chilly. We were in the Fancy Tent and the other people in there were, well, hella fancy. Like, if you told me it was a Real Housewives reunion I would have believed you. So many designer snowsuits, so much Veuve, so little time. All in all, it was a great time and the energy was unmatched—especially when Americans competitors were racing!
Indulge in a spa treatment: The Little Nell doesn't have an in-house spa, so I popped on over to another swanky hotel to get a much-needed massage: The St. Regis Aspen. I would recommend booking a treatment here just to get a peek inside the hotel. It feels more like a museum than it does accommodations, with stunning architecture, moody lounges, and incredible art. The spa is in the basement, where you'll find treatment rooms as well as a smattering of hot tubs, a relaxation area with a fireplace, and an oxygen lounge, in which you can literally relax with a cannula delivering oxygen straight into your nose. I was so excited to try it because the altitude had been kicking my ass, but it started freaking me out because I'm a baby so I only used it for about a minute. But people say it's great!!!
Shop 'till you...run out of money: If there's one thing Aspen has in spades, it's opportunities to shop. You'll find pretty much every designer store you can think of in the downtown core, as well as chic boutiques and mom-and-pop shops. It's a little too easy to blow your entire paycheck in just half an hour, I'll say that. One place where you'll burn through cash but should absolutely do so is Kemo Sabe, a western-wear shop you've probably definitely seen on an episode of Housewives. We stopped in for some classic Stetson hats—you'll see them all over Aspen—which we had branded with our initials. So cute!
Enjoy the art: Whether you're a full-on connoisseur or more of the "I go to art museums to look chic on Insta" type, Aspen has something for you. The city is known for having galleries galore, many of which you can stop in and peruse on a whim. I also recommend checking out the Aspen Art Museum, a chill spot with an impressive view from the roof and free admission.
Eat (and Drink)
Paradise Bakery and Café: If you're looking to treat yourself, this is the hookup. In addition to being the best spot I found for a warm cuppa caffeine (the chai latte slapped), they also have incredible pastries—from muffins to croissants—and a killer selection of gelato flavors. Because yes, you can still eat gelato when it's sub-zero outside.
Element 47: As I mentioned earlier, Element 47 is the in-house restaurant at The Little Nell—and it's a big part of why the hotel has touted five stars and five diamonds for so long. Their menu is described as "Colorado contemporary," which to me just means "fancy but not too stuffy American grub," and every dish I tried was a winner. I recommend the Wagyu tacos and a charcuterie board—and make sure you start with an order of the Parker House rolls.
Campo de Fiori: Did I expect to find a great red-sauce joint in Aspen? No, no I didn't. But I did, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a carb fix. The mains were great (I tried the penne caprese and tagliata), but I could have eaten a whole meal from the apps alone. My faves: the burrata (duh), meatballs, and calamari fritti.
Ajax Tavern: Sometimes you just want to pig out on some good American cuisine, and that's more than acceptable. If you're in the mood for a rich cheese fondue, a fat cheeseburger, or a soul-warming French onion soup, this is the spot. It's technically also attached to The Little Nell, and is located right at the bottom of the slopes, so you can quit literally ski in and out for a bite to eat.
Casa Tua: If you want to feel like a socialite (and aren't afraid to pay to play), this is where you want to be. Designed to look and feel like a chalet in the Italian Alps, this hotspot has a cozy but moody vibe that you'll want to put on your chicest outfit for. The Pappardelle alla Bolognese and homemade bucatini Cacio e Pepe are both to-die-for, and you must try the artichoke salad to start.
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