The Little Nell prepares its last winter before renovation
The Little Nell in Aspen has announced a 2026–27 winter programme of culinary residencies, spa appointments, guest activities and long-standing festive traditions. The ski-in, ski-out property released the calendar on 15 October 2026, outlining events from Thanksgiving through the spring. This season carries additional significance because the hotel plans to begin a comprehensive renovation in April 2027, taking the property out of normal operation for an extended period.
Management now expects the construction programme to continue until early summer 2028 rather than the previously proposed early-winter return. Visitors planning holidays further ahead should distinguish the availability of this coming season from dates during the expected closure. The winter programme celebrates the hotel's history before that next phase, rather than announcing that construction is already under way.
A festive season for Aspen families
The courtyard tree-lighting ceremony will return, accompanied by seasonal experiences aimed at families and the Aspen community. The programme includes Letters to Santa, cookie decorating and a children’s story hour with local author Jill Sheeley. Such events extend the hotel's holiday offering beyond a restaurant meal or a single festive evening, giving visitors opportunities to take part between ski outings.
The announcement covers a broad calendar, and guests should not assume that every activity operates every day. Particular sessions may require reservations or adult supervision, especially for younger children. Travellers who want a specific event should confirm its time before planning mountain activities around it. The hotel also intends to welcome local residents, so availability may vary.
Christmas dining across two restaurants
Both Element 47 and Ajax Tavern are preparing seasonal menus around Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. Their different characters allow guests to choose between more formal dining and the familiar slopeside atmosphere of Ajax Tavern. The Living Room is also introducing a limited seasonal offering with luxury ingredients, expanding the number of places where guests can celebrate at the property.
Those experiences are separate from normal room reservations and should be checked individually. Holiday menus may be available only on specified dates and may involve different pricing from ordinary service. Guests organising a special meal should ask about current menus, tables and dietary arrangements in advance. The winter programme does not state that all food and drink are included with accommodation.
New Year's Eve revisits several decades
The hotel's New Year's Eve celebration returns in partnership with Dom Pérignon with a Through the Decades theme. Individual rooms will evoke different eras, from Dynasty-inspired glamour in the Living Room to Studio 54 in the Grand Salon and a 1990s atmosphere at the Wine Bar. Live performances and a late-night DJ are planned as the celebration moves towards midnight beneath Aspen Mountain.
The concept acknowledges the hotel's history while giving guests more than one social setting. Attendance and the particular experiences offered may be subject to tickets, private event rules or separate reservations. An ordinary room booking does not automatically establish access to all parts of the programme. Travellers celebrating New Year should confirm arrangements well in advance.
Georgia Louise returns for spa residencies
Facialist Georgia Louise is returning to The Spa at The Little Nell for select in-residence dates. Appointments will be available with Louise herself during announced appearances and through hotel estheticians trained in her techniques. The seasonal programme also includes a hands-on skincare masterclass, giving visitors another way to learn about her products and approach beyond a private treatment session.
The hotel frames these spa experiences around high-altitude comfort and recovery from mountain activities, as well as personalised skincare. They are hospitality treatments and should not be presented as evidence of particular medical outcomes. Demand may be high for sessions with the visiting specialist, and the exact dates are not universal throughout winter. Travellers should check the spa's appointment schedule.
Maybe Sammy brings cocktails to Aspen
The Sydney cocktail team Maybe Sammy is scheduled to take up a residency at the hotel's Wine Bar from 22 January to 30 March 2027. The collaboration will introduce an international drinks perspective into Aspen's established après-ski scene. It forms part of a longer programme rather than a one-off evening appearance, creating several opportunities for eligible visitors to explore a different style of bar service.
The exact programme, reservations, drinks and operating hours should be confirmed as the dates approach. A residency does not mean every guest can obtain a table on demand, or that special drinks are included in a room rate. For the hotel, it is an opportunity to broaden the winter experience through a recognised hospitality partner while retaining the atmosphere of its own venues.
Boutique experiences and floral workshops
Seasonal retail and decorating experiences form another strand of the programme. The Little Nell Boutique is planning a holiday takeover, and the hotel's floral partner Aspen Branch Design will offer opportunities for guests to learn festive decorating skills. These options give visitors something to do beyond skiing and dining, and may appeal to those who prefer a slower winter afternoon.
Such activities depend on schedules and the availability of specialists and materials. Visitors should check whether a workshop requires a booking and whether there is an additional charge. The announcement describes temporary experiences tied to the festive season rather than a permanent expansion of the hotel's retail operations. Choosing the right dates is important for anyone making these sessions central to a visit.
Planning around the 2027 closure
The Little Nell remains an established Aspen ski hotel with mountain access, restaurants, a spa and seasonal events. Winter 2026–27 now has particular importance because the property is expected to close for major renovation from April 2027 until early summer 2028. That timing may influence repeat guests who usually visit at the same point each year.
For this winter, travellers should match bookings to the residency dates, festive meals and planned activities they most want to experience. Anyone looking further ahead must account for the extended closure and verify any future reopening timetable directly. The October announcement offers a clear view of the hotel's final full winter programme before refurbishment, while leaving room for dates and practical arrangements to change.
