By Jen Murphy
First Tracks
There’s nothing like being the first skier on the mountain after a fresh fall of snow—but guests of The Little Nell don’t have to rise at dawn to wait in line for that privilege. Throughout winter, our ski concierge offers exclusive pre-opening access to Aspen Mountain’s Silver Queen Gondola. Guests can upload with the ski patrol at 8:15 a.m. to score crowd-free first tracks.
Backcountry Pursuits
For an afternoon of untouched snow, nothing tops a snowcat experience with Aspen Mountain Powder Tours. The Little Nell reserves seats just for guests every Friday and elevates the day by serving lunch at a woodstove-heated cabin in the Elk Mountains with après-ski wine selected by the hotel’s team of sommeliers. Hardcore skiers who prefer to earn their turns should head to Aspen Highlands to hike the fabled Bowl. The trek up takes 45 to 60 minutes, but you’re rewarded with wide-open, beautiful powder turns.
Beyond the Slopes
There are just as many thrills to be had off the slopes. Guests love the guided snowmobiling excursions we arrange with T-Lazy-7, Aspen’s oldest ranch. They offer single and double snowmobiles and routes that cruise up to Maroon Lake at the base of the famed Maroon Bells, or wind through White River National Forest to a rustic cabin for a lunch of burgers made with beef raised on the ranch. A snowy meal at Pine Creek Cookhouse is a classic Aspen experience. The charming alpine restaurant can’t be reached by car in winter. Guests can choose to snowshoe or cross-country ski three miles round trip (a trail pass is included with dining reservations), or arrive and depart in the restaurant’s old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh.