# Aspen in December 2026

> Aspen in December 2026: does it snow (NOAA normals), when all four mountains open, Wintersköl Dec 10–13, Christmas and New Year's Eve, and what to book first.

Canonical page: https://aspenprive.com/aspen-in-december/  
Updated: 2026-10-02 · Publisher: Aspen Privé (local Aspen stay planning and concierge)

December is two different trips. **Before about the 20th**, Aspen is in early season: emptier lodging, easier tables, Wintersköl (December 10–13) and, from **December 12, all four mountains open**. **From roughly December 20 to January 4** it is the peak of the year: holiday rates, fixed restaurant menus, and lessons, chefs and cars booked out.

Season dates from Aspen Snowmass, Wintersköl from the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, weather from NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Aspen 1 SW. Checked October 2, 2026. Holiday dining details for 2026 are announced from November.

## Does it snow in Aspen in December?

- **Snowfall**: Yes: 27.5 inches in town in an average December, and 2 inches of precipitation.
- **Average high**: 32°F.
- **Average low**: 10°F; single-digit mornings are normal.
- **A white Christmas?**: Snow on the ground at Christmas is typical in an average year, but no year is guaranteed; early-season coverage depends on how November and December storms arrive.

## Let us handle the holidays (what Aspen Privé arranges)

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve tables, lessons and rentals for the holiday week, the car at the airport and a house that already feels like the holidays. We ask for the things that fill first. [Send your December dates](https://aspenprive.com/contact.html?service=december).

## Things to do in Aspen in December

- **Early December**: Tree lightings in town and Snowmass (in 2025: Snowmass Village December 5, the St. Regis December 6, The Little Nell December 7; 2026 dates are announced closer to the time).
- **December 10–13**: Wintersköl's 75th year: snow sculptures, the Beer Festival and Soupsköl, a bonfire, and the torchlight descent and fireworks on Aspen Mountain on Saturday, December 12 at 7pm.
- **December 12**: Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open, joining Aspen Mountain and Snowmass.
- **December 24–25**: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: fixed menus, sleigh dinners and chefs at the house.
- **December 31**: New Year's Eve fireworks over Aspen Mountain, two-seating dinners and ticketed parties. The 2026 fireworks time isn't published yet.
- **Every evening**: Sleigh-ride dinners, snowmobiling and après. [Off the mountain](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-snowmobile-tours/) · [Après](https://aspenprive.com/apres-ski-aspen/)

## The two Decembers

- **December 1–19: the quieter window**: Lodging is noticeably emptier than the holiday weeks and tables are easier to get. Wintersköl weekend (December 10–13) is the exception: book Saturday dinner and the house early.
- **About December 20 to January 4: the peak**: Transfer operators publish holiday rates across roughly these dates, Pine Creek Cookhouse charged its peak sleigh-dinner rate from December 21 to January 5 last season, and restaurants switch to holiday menus. Expect every category to cost more and fill earlier; we confirm current rates before anything is booked.
- **Christmas week vs New Year's week**: Both are full. The days between Christmas and New Year's Eve are among the busiest on the mountain; ski early and book lunch.

## What to book first for December

- **1. Ski lessons for the holiday weeks**: Private instructors for Christmas and New Year go first; book before Thanksgiving. [Private ski instructor](https://aspenprive.com/private-ski-instructor-aspen/)
- **2. The 24th, 25th and 31st**: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve tables, or a chef for the house. Menus are usually announced from late November.
- **3. Cars and the airport**: Book the arrival and departure cars with the flights; December storms can divert Aspen flights to Eagle, so keep a plan B. [Private driver](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-private-driver/)
- **4. The house**: Groceries, a tree if the rental doesn't have one, rentals fitted the evening you arrive. [Grocery stocking](https://aspenprive.com/grocery-stocking-aspen/)

## What to pack for December

Full winter gear: an insulated jacket, a warm hat, gloves and insulated, grippy boots for icy sidewalks; mornings regularly start near 10°F. Something smart for holiday dinners, sunglasses and sunscreen, and ski layers rated for cold. [The full packing list](https://aspenprive.com/what-to-pack-for-aspen/).


## Wintersköl weekend, December 10–13

- **Thursday**: Arrive, rentals fitted at the house, an easy dinner.
- **Friday**: Ski Aspen Mountain or Snowmass; the Holiday Market in the evening.
- **Saturday**: Highlands and Buttermilk open: ski one of them; Soupsköl and the bonfire in the afternoon; torchlight descent and fireworks at 7pm; a late dinner.
- **Sunday**: A last morning on the mountain and an early car to the airport.

## Month by month, this season

- **November**: [Aspen in November](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-in-november/): Opening day on Thanksgiving, quiet early-season weeks.
- **January**: [Aspen in January](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-in-january/): Deep winter, Gay Ski Week and X Games.
- **February**: [Aspen in February](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-in-february/): Peak snow, Presidents' week, Palm Tree and the Grand Prix.
- **March**: [Aspen in March](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-in-march/): Spring break, Easter and the run to closing day.
- **Every month**: [Aspen weather by month](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-weather-by-month/) · [Best time to visit](https://aspenprive.com/best-time-to-visit-aspen/) · [The 2026–27 events calendar](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-events-calendar/)

## Questions

**Does it snow in Aspen in December?**  
Yes. Aspen averages 27.5 inches of snow in December by NOAA's 1991–2020 normals (Aspen 1 SW), with average highs of 32°F and lows of 10°F.

**Are all the Aspen ski mountains open in December 2026?**  
From December 12, 2026. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass open November 26; Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open December 12.

**What is there to do in Aspen in December?**  
Wintersköl (December 10–13, 2026) with fireworks on December 12, tree lightings, skiing on all four mountains from December 12, sleigh dinners, Christmas and New Year's Eve fireworks over Aspen Mountain.

**When is Aspen busiest in December?**  
From roughly December 20 to January 4, the holiday peak. Early December, apart from Wintersköl weekend, is noticeably quieter.

**Is Aspen expensive in December?**  
The holiday fortnight is the most expensive time of the year, with holiday rates on cars, lodging and some dining. Early December is the better-value window.

**Is Aspen worth visiting in early December?**  
Yes, if you want quieter slopes and easier tables: two mountains are open from November 26 and all four from December 12, though early-season terrain depends on snow.

## What Aspen Privé can arrange for this

The holiday tables, lessons secured early, the car at the airport and a house ready for the season.

- [Private ski instructor](https://aspenprive.com/private-ski-instructor-aspen/): A private lesson matched to the skier and the mountain.
- [Private chef](https://aspenprive.com/private-chef-aspen/): Dinner at the house, menu agreed in advance.
- [Private airport transfer](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-airport-transportation/) (From $195 per vehicle): From Aspen's airport to the door in a private SUV, timed to your actual landing.
- [Residence ready on arrival](https://aspenprive.com/first-evening-in-aspen/): Heat, lights, beds and the first evening sorted before you walk in.

## Sources (checked October 2, 2026)

- [Aspen Snowmass: 2026–27 season dates](https://www.aspensnowmass.com/visit/tickets-and-passes/2026-2027-season-passes)
- [NOAA NCEI: U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Aspen 1 SW (USC00050372)](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00050372&format=json&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL)
- [Aspen Chamber Resort Association: Wintersköl](https://aspenchamber.org/events/winterskol)
- [Aspen Chamber: holiday dining in Aspen (2025)](https://aspenchamber.org/blog/holiday-dining-aspen/)
- [Pine Creek Cookhouse: winter pricing 2025–26](https://pinecreekcookhouse.com/winter-pricing/)
- [Aspen Times: Snowmass 2025 winter and holiday events](https://www.aspentimes.com/news/snowmass-announces-2025-winter-holiday-events/)

## Related

- [Aspen in January](https://aspenprive.com/aspen-in-january/): Deep winter, Gay Ski Week and X Games.
- [Christmas in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/christmas-in-aspen/): Dinners, what's open, what to book.
- [New Year's Eve in Aspen](https://aspenprive.com/new-years-eve-in-aspen/): Fireworks, seatings and getting home.

To plan or request any of this: https://aspenprive.com/plan-your-trip/ · https://aspenprive.com/contact.html