City or Slopes: The 2024 Festive Dilemma

Comparing the magic of Fifth Avenue with the exclusivity of Aspen Mountain for the holidays.

Deciding where to spend the holidays is a delightful problem to have. This year, we saw an even split among our members between the urban magic of New York City and the snowy exclusivity of Aspen.

New York City: The Classic

There is an energy to NYC in December that is unreplicable.

Stay: The Carlyle on the Upper East Side. It feels like home. The Bemelmans Bar remains the best spot for a holiday cocktail.

Aspen: The Scene

Aspen is where Hollywood goes to ski.

Stay: The Little Nell. It is the only ski-in/ski-out hotel on Aspen Mountain. The service is telepathic.

Dine: Casa Tua. It feels like a private club (and the upstairs part is). We secured reservations for the peak holiday nights, ensuring our clients had the best tables by the fireplace.

The Verdict: For shopping and theater, NYC. For relaxation and social visibility, Aspen. Many of our clients did both—Christmas in the city, New Year's on the slopes.