Aspen is gearing up for a spectacular 2025-26 winter season, offering a blend of fresh mountain adventures, elevated dining, and rich cultural experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or rider, a gourmet traveler, or an arts and culture fan, there’s something new and also something timeless to discover. From on-mountain enhancements to novel culinary arrivals and special events, Aspen continues to evolve while maintaining its luxurious ski-town charm and deep connection to nature.
We’ve curated a refreshed list of the latest highlights, dining developments, and arts & cultural events to help you plan your time here. Get ready to discover what awaits you this season and make the most of the snow-y days.
Highlights
Here are the big new or enhanced features for winter 2025-26 in Aspen/Snowmass Village:
NEW Elk Camp Six-Pack & Cirque T-Bar at Snowmass
For the 2025-26 season, Snowmass will launch two major on-mountain upgrades: the Elk Camp Six-Pack (replacing the Elk Camp quad) and the Cirque T-Bar (replacing an older platter lift) to dramatically boost capacity and access in high-altitude terrain.
These upgrades follow last season’s installation of the Coney Express high–speed quad.
Why it matters: Better access to advanced terrain, reduced lift-line wait times, improved ride experience. For advanced skiers/riders these lifts open up new possibilities.
Season Opening & Mountain Dates
The mountain opening day for 2025-26 is scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025 at both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. Followed by Highlands (December 13, 2025 to April 12, 2026) and Buttermilk(December 13, 2025 to April 5, 2026).
Projected closing date for the season: April 19th, 2026 though this is open to changes.
Tip: Booking early (Nov/early Dec) may yield better snow, less crowding, and the novelty of new lifts onsite.
Family-Friendly Highlight: Ullr Nights Return
The beloved family-friendly event series, Ullr Nights at Elk Camp (Snowmass) is back for 2025-26, on select evenings: Dec 26th, Jan 2nd, Feb 13th, Feb 20th, Mar 13th, Mar 20th (5:00pm-7:30pm).
Activities include tubing, alpine coaster, gondola rides, bonfire and s’mores, and option to dine.
Why it’s a highlight: A magical après-ski experience that’s ideal for families and non-skiers too.
Dining and Entertainment
Aspen and Snowmass continue to impress with an influx of new restaurants and evolving culinary scenes. Below are updated and new offerings for 2025-26:
NEW & NOTABLE
- Petit Trois Aspen – Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s acclaimed French bistro is opening at the MOLLIE Aspen hotel this December.
- LoLa 41 – Planned opening in February 2026 in the new White Elephant Hotel on Main Street.
- Wayan Aspen – Indonesian-French cuisine by Chef Cedric Vongerichten, blending global flavors into the Aspen dining scene.
- ZigZag Aspen – French-American bistro at 624 E. Cooper St., featuring a rare wood-burning oven in Aspen.
- AOSTA – Alpine Italian cuisine (opened in summer 2025) now a key option for winter dining.
MICHELIN Guide Recognitions
The 2025 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Colorado edition confirms that several Aspen restaurants maintained or achieved recognition:
- Bosq Aspen’s first and only one star restaurant. Bosq was born from the idea that the best meals come from the land they’re grown in—and the hands that know it best. Chef owned and operated by Barclay Dodge.
- Element 47 (at The Little Nell) continues as a recommended restaurant; sommelier awards again.
- Mawa’s Kitchen and The Prospect are also recommended. For culinary enthusiasts, this reinforces Aspen’s serious dining credentials.
Arts and Culture
Aspen Film
This winter, Aspen Film presents its 34th Annual Shortsfest from March 31 to April 5, 2025.
Also returning is the Radical Wednesdays retro-ski film series with weekly showings every Wednesday in February 2025.
Aspen Historical Society
The Wheeler/Stallard Museum continues the exhibition “Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed” throughout the winter season.
Daily tours and self-guided visits with refreshed dual-language signage are available at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum grounds and Ashcroft Ghost Town this winter.
Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies
Located on the campus of the Aspen Institute, the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies presents the exhibition “Sculpting the Environment: The Three-Dimensional Art of Herbert Bayer” from June 10, 2025 through April 18, 2026. The show highlights Bayer’s deep connection to Aspen’s landscape through his site-specific outdoor sculptures, land art, drawings, models, and photographs. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm with free admission.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
This winter, Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village continues to be a cornerstone of Aspen’s vibrant arts community. The 2025–26 winter season features the fifth annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, showcasing new large-scale works by both emerging and established artists displayed throughout the scenic campus.
Season highlights include a series of engaging community events and creative gatherings. The popular Sip & Sketch evening returns on December 11, 2025, inviting guests to enjoy wine, conversation, and guided drawing sessions in the studios. On December 17, 2025, the Ranch hosts its Winter Benefit Dinner from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, an intimate celebration of art and philanthropy that supports the organization’s year-round programming.
Throughout the season, visitors can explore open studios, attend artist lectures, and experience the inspiring work of Artists-in-Residence who bring fresh perspectives to this storied mountain arts hub.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Guided snowshoe tours begin December 17-19, 2025 at Ashcroft.
The Potbelly Perspectives lecturer series and Naturalist Nights run on select evenings this winter (dates to be confirmed by ACES).
Mark the Winter Solstice Opening Celebration at the Toklat Catto Center on December 21, 2025, with live music, food, and drinks.
Special Winter Events
Wintersköl
This annual celebration kicks off the winter season from December 11-14, 2025. Expect a four-day mix of on-mountain activities, live music, craft beer fest, the Soupsköl™ soup competition, a torchlight descent down Aspen Mountain, a big bonfire, and fireworks to light up the slopes.
Audi Ajax Cup
Now in its 16th year, the Audi Ajax Cup takes place on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Sixteen teams will race head-to-head on Aspen Mountain for the Gorsuch Cup, all while raising funds for youth athletes via the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club.
Aspen Gay Ski Week
Set for January 11-18, 2026, this premier LGBTQ+ ski and snowboard celebration blends mountain sport, social events and cultural gatherings across Aspen and Snowmass, creating an inclusive and festive vibe.
Winter X Games
The Winter X Games return to Buttermilk Mountain from January 23-25, 2026, featuring top international athletes in skiing and snowboarding, live music and festival-style energy.
Toyota U.S. Grand Prix
Hosted at Buttermilk Mountain, this event is part of the FIS World Cup series and runs January 7-10, 2026. It brings elite freeskiers and snowboarders competing in slopestyle and halfpipe.
The Snow League
Returning to Aspen Snowmass on February 27-28, 2026, The Snow League brings the world’s top snowboarders to Buttermilk for head-to-head competition, part of a new season-long league format.
Staying in Downtown Aspen This Winter
For maximum convenience and charm, staying in downtown Aspen remains the recommended base. Whether you're hitting the slopes, exploring lively streets, or enjoying world-class dining, you’ll be just steps from it all. Plan ahead, book early, and let your concierge guide you to the best spots for 2025-26.