This year, Thanksgiving and opening day are the same day. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass are scheduled to open Thursday, November 26, 2026, so you can take your first turns of the season in the morning and sit down to turkey by evening.
Thanksgiving week is one of the most relaxed times to visit the Roaring Fork Valley. Most restaurants and shops have reopened for winter, the holiday crowds of late December are still weeks away, and the whole valley is buzzing about the new season. Here is how to plan a memorable Aspen Snowmass Thanksgiving, from first chair to pumpkin pie.
Opening Day Falls on Thanksgiving in 2026
Aspen Mountain and Snowmass both open on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, with Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk following on December 12. Opening dates always depend on snow and conditions, so check the official Aspen Snowmass site before you go.
This season carries extra meaning. Aspen Snowmass is celebrating its 80th anniversary, and Aspen Mountain is expected to debut the new Nell Bell lift, a high-speed quad running from Gondola Plaza to the top of Bell Mountain that replaces the old Little Nell and Bell Mountain chairs and cuts the ride from 21 minutes to about eight. Its exact opening date has not been announced. Over on Snowmass, the rebuilt Ullrhof restaurant is also scheduled to debut this winter.
A few things to know before you click into your bindings:
- Terrain is limited early. Opening day is about the celebration more than the vertical. Last season, Snowmass opened with only the beginner Meadows area, served by the Elk Camp Gondola and Meadows lift. More terrain opens through December.
- Watch for opening parties. In 2025, Aspen Snowmass hosted opening weekend parties at Elk Camp on Snowmass and the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain, with music, food and drink specials, and a holiday sweater contest, plus a free Thanksjibbing freestyle event at Low Down Park on Snowmass. Non-skiers could ride the gondola up free after 1 p.m. to join in. Aspen Snowmass has not announced its 2026 opening weekend plans, so details may differ this year.
- Book lift tickets and rentals early. Aspen Snowmass offers savings of up to 25% on lift tickets booked 30 days ahead and up to 20% booked 7 days ahead. Rentals booked 30 days out save 20%. For a Thanksgiving Day ski, the 30-day window opens October 27. Last year, Aspen Mountain also discounted adult lift tickets to $119 over Thanksgiving weekend. Opening weekend pricing for 2026 has not been released.
For a deeper dive into first chair, terrain and festivities, read our locals’ guide to opening day at Aspen Snowmass. You can also review our lift ticket information, our ski and snowboard rental guide, and our beginner skiers’ guide to Aspen Snowmass if anyone in your group is new to the sport.
Where to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner in Aspen
You have three good options: dine out, order a chef-prepared meal to go, or cook in your rental. Thanksgiving reservations fill fast in Aspen, so book as soon as menus are released.
Restaurant Dining
Two Aspen restaurants have already opened Thanksgiving 2026 reservations on Resy:
- Element 47 at The Little Nell is serving Thanksgiving dinner from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Prospect at Hotel Jerome is hosting Thanksgiving Day from 1:30 to 7 p.m.
These spots offered Thanksgiving menus last year, according to the Aspen Chamber, but have not announced 2026 plans yet. Menus, hours and participation can change, so confirm directly before booking:
- Ajax Tavern, at the base of Aspen Mountain, served a Thanksgiving plat du jour alongside its regular menu as part of The Little Nell’s annual Thanksgiving lineup.
- Wayan offered a French-Indonesian prix fixe built around a Turkey Tumpeng.
- West End Social at Aspen Meadows hosted a holiday feast with mountain views.
- MOLLIE Aspen served an appetizer buffet, carving station and family-style sides.
- Home Team BBQ offered smoked turkey for dining in or catering at home.
Looking for more ideas? Our roundup of new restaurants in Aspen covers the latest additions to the dining scene.
Thanksgiving To Go
If you would rather eat in your pajamas by the fire, several local kitchens have offered holiday meals to go in past years:
- The Little Nell has offered a pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal for pickup on Thanksgiving morning the past two years, with wines by the bottle.
- Mawa’s Kitchen offers holiday catering packages, from full meals to a la carte mains and sides.
- Meadows Cafe at Aspen Meadows took preorders for Thanksgiving pies.
None of these has posted 2026 details yet, and order deadlines have fallen anywhere from two days to a week before the holiday, so check early.
Cooking in Your Rental
For many families, the best Thanksgiving is the one cooked together. Many of our Aspen vacation rentals and Snowmass vacation rentals come with full kitchens and spacious living areas, so the whole group can gather around one table. Check our grocery shopping guide to stock up for the feast, and see our shipping information if you want to send ahead a favorite roasting pan, family recipes or holiday decorations.
Run a Turkey Trot
Earn that second slice of pie with a Thanksgiving morning race. Several valley races support community causes. None has posted 2026 details yet, so the information below is based on recent years and may change.
Basalt Education Foundation Turkey Trot. This family event in Basalt raises money for Basalt schools, funding in-school programs, outdoor adventures and Teacher Appreciation Week. Last year it started at 9:30 a.m. at 51 School St., with a 5K, a one-mile fun run, raffle prizes and team or family entries. The race has run on Thanksgiving morning each of the past three years.
Aspen Turkey Trot. Aspen Valley Young Life has hosted a Thanksgiving morning 5K starting at the Aspen Golf Course and winding through the Cemetery Lane and Silver King neighborhoods, plus a 1K kids run and prizes for the best costumes. It still appears as a late-November race on the Aspen Trail Finder race calendar.
Carbondale Turkey Trot. Carbondale Parks and Recreation hosted its eighth annual Thanksgiving 5K walk/run and one-mile fun run in 2025. It is a non-competitive, family-friendly race, and more than 700 people took part the year before.
Running at nearly 8,000 feet feels harder than at sea level. If you are flying in from lower elevation, take it easy, hydrate well and treat the race as a fun run.
Fun Beyond the Slopes
With early-season terrain still filling in, Thanksgiving weekend is a great time to mix in the valley’s other experiences.
Breathtaker Alpine Coaster
The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster sends riders through more than a mile of forest at up to 28 mph, right next to Elk Camp Restaurant on Snowmass. It runs every day of Thanksgiving weekend, November 26 to 29, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., then switches to weekends until daily operations begin December 18. An all-day coaster ticket is $70, and passengers as short as 38 inches can ride with an adult driver. Reservations are required, and the coaster can sell out, so arrive by 1 p.m.
Nordic Skiing
Skip the lift lines and get a great workout on the valley’s cross-country trails. The Aspen Nordic Center at the Aspen Golf Club offers lessons in winter. Early-season trail availability depends on snowfall, so check conditions before heading out.
Ice Skating
Aspen has two public ice rinks, the Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena. Public skate times change with hockey and lesson programming, so check the City of Aspen Recreation calendars before you go. Helmets are recommended and not provided, so bring a ski or bike helmet for the kids.
Fly Fishing the Fryingpan
Anglers do not have to wait for summer. The Fryingpan River offers 14 miles of Gold Medal water between Ruedi Reservoir and Basalt, and as a tailwater it fishes well through November and December when most Colorado rivers slow down. Book a guide through one of the Basalt fly shops for the best results.
Apres and More
When the lifts stop spinning, our winter apres-ski and nightlife guide points you to the best spots in Aspen and Snowmass. For even more ideas, browse our local things to do directory.
Plan a Return Trip for the 80th Anniversary Weekend
If Thanksgiving whets your appetite, mark December 11 to 14 on the calendar. Aspen Snowmass is kicking off its 80th anniversary celebration that weekend with throwback deals and on-mountain parties:
- $3.75 lift tickets on December 14, the 1946 price, on the day Aspen Mountain first opened.
- $80 lift tickets on December 12 and 13, valid at all four mountains.
- $19.46 food and drink specials at on-mountain restaurants, a nod to the year Aspen Skiing Company was founded.
Discounted tickets are limited and expected to sell out quickly. The weekend also lines up with the 75th year of Winterskol, Aspen’s long-running toast to winter, and with opening day at Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk on December 12.
See our guides to holiday events in Aspen Snowmass and Christmas in Aspen Snowmass for more on the season ahead.
Thanksgiving Trip Planning Tips
- Book lodging early. Thanksgiving week is a popular window, and ski-in, ski-out homes are the first to go.
- Reserve dinner now. Book your Thanksgiving table the moment menus are released.
- Leave the car at home. Free buses and village shuttles connect town and the mountains. Our guide to getting around Aspen Snowmass without a car covers every option.
- Pack for any weather. November can bring bluebird sunshine or a snowstorm in the same week. Our ski packing list covers layers, goggles and sun protection.
- Ease into the altitude. Drink plenty of water and plan a mellow first day, especially if you are coming from sea level.
- Protect your trip. Early-season plans depend on snow and flights, so consider travel insurance when you book.
Spend Thanksgiving in an Alpine Property Home
The easiest way to enjoy the holiday is with plenty of room for everyone and a kitchen big enough for the feast. Alpine Property manages luxury vacation rentals throughout Aspen and Snowmass.
Let our Alpine Experience concierge handle the details, from dinner reservations to ski rentals, so you can focus on family, fresh snow and second helpings. Browse our Aspen rentals and Snowmass rentals, or call 1-800-543-0839 to plan your Thanksgiving getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aspen Snowmass open on Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes. Aspen Mountain and Snowmass are scheduled to open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2026. Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk open December 12. All dates depend on conditions.
How much terrain is open on Thanksgiving weekend?
Expect limited early-season terrain. Last season, Snowmass opened with only the beginner Meadows area, and more runs open through December as snowfall and snowmaking allow.
Which Aspen restaurants serve Thanksgiving dinner?
For 2026, Element 47 at The Little Nell and Prospect at Hotel Jerome have opened Thanksgiving reservations. Ajax Tavern, Wayan, West End Social, MOLLIE Aspen and Home Team BBQ offered Thanksgiving menus last year but have not announced 2026 plans, so confirm directly.
Can I get Thanksgiving dinner to go in Aspen?
Yes. The Little Nell and Mawa’s Kitchen have offered holiday meals to go, and Meadows Cafe has taken Thanksgiving pie preorders. Order a few days ahead.
Is the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster open over Thanksgiving?
Yes. The coaster runs daily November 26 to 29, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required.
Is there a turkey trot near Aspen?
Yes. Basalt, Aspen and Carbondale have all hosted Thanksgiving morning turkey trots in recent years. None has posted 2026 details yet, so confirm before race day.
Is Thanksgiving a good time to visit Aspen?
Yes. You get opening day energy, reopened restaurants and shops, and a calmer pace than the late-December holidays.
