ACRA highlights what will be new in Aspen this winter

The Aspen Chamber Resort Association released its winter season lineup this week, highlighting signature annual winter events, premier arts and culture experiences, new restaurants, and an elevated hospitality scene.

Among the extensive list, which can be found at aspenchamber.org/article/whats-new-winter-2025-26-aspen, a number of new features will be awaiting visitors and locals alike.

Two new lifts

Aspen Snowmass is debuting two “major” lift upgrades at Snowmass, including the Elk Camp Six-Pack and Cirque T-Bar, “marking the first time in nearly two decades that two new lifts debut in a single season,” a press release confirms. These upgrades reflect Aspen One’s mission to build on past enhancements like The Cabin renovation, Coney Express lift, and the Hero’s terrain expansion. 

The upgraded Elk Camp lift will increase capacity from four to six passengers, as previously reported by The Aspen Times. The new Cirque T-bar will replace the old platter lift with one of the highest lifts in North America and double capacity by carrying two riders instead of one to reduce wait times.

“Together, these upgrades directly address crowding issues across the mountain,” a press release previously stated.

New musical performance space

The Paul JAS Center aims to be an intimate performance and gathering space, celebrating its grand opening on Dec. 19 above the original, historic Red Onion. Andy Paul provided a $10 million gift to name the new building.

In August, Jazz Aspen Snowmass announced the highly anticipated opening musical schedule, which can be found at aspentimes.com/news/paul-jas-center-opens-in-aspen-with-spotlight-on-beloved-artists. Ten nights of live music will begin Friday, Dec. 19, and feature shows through the New Year.

New hotel

White Elephant Aspen is anticipated to open February 2026 and bring exclusive art, complimentary BMWs, Doggy Turn-Down Service, and more to Main Street. Fifty-four new guest rooms will be to Aspen’s lodging inventory, right across the street from MOLLIE Aspen hotel.

The new boutique hotel is a project by Boston-based New England Development, with additional locations on the East Coast. Read more about the hotel’s vision for Aspen at aspentimes.com/news/new-aspen-hotel-brings-exclusive-art-bmws-and-landscape-luxury.

New restaurant at MOLLIE Aspen

Petit Trois, the acclaimed French bistro from Chef Ludo Lefebvre, will open its third location at MOLLIE Aspen. It’s currently scheduled to open in December and offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a full-service dining room, lounge, and bar. The menu will blend bistro classics and modern dishes driven by local ingredients to connect guests with the surrounding Aspen landscape, the press release states, with an extensive wine list focusing on French and California wines curated by Chef Ludo’s partners: Master Sommeliers and Little Nell alums Dustin Wilson and Sabato Sagaria.

This is Petit Trois’ newest location and first restaurant outside of Los Angeles.

“Colorado and Aspen both hold special places in my heart,” Chef Ludo Lefebvre said in The Aspen Times’ announcement article from August.

New retail experiences

Arc’teryx will be opening its doors at its new U.S. mountain store in Aspen this fall. The store is aiming to be a hub for the local community, including scheduled events, on the corner of East Cooper Street and South Hunter Street.

“Arc’teryx is a premium outdoor apparel and equipment company known for its innovative design, exceptional quality, and commitment to performance in extreme conditions,” ACRA writes on its website.

Aspen Collection will also be debuting an entirely new line of new premium, mountain-inspired performance and lifestyle apparel. This is a new Aspen-inspired, ready-to-ski line, tested by local experts that included ski patrol and professional athletes, according to the release. Shop locations will be in Aspen’s Gondola Plaza and Snowmass Village, featuring rental services, luxury gear, and a coffee-wine bar.