Aspen Sojourner’s 2016 Holiday Season Celebrity Superlatives
Oh, holidays in Aspen, how we love thee. But with hardly a hotel room available here from Christmas to New Year’s, our town operates at maximum capacity: parking is non-existent, restaurants are beyond booked, and lift lines are long. Some locals find even more reasons to complain, but this infamous week is one of the very things that make Aspen, well, Aspen. Our glitz and glam reputation goes way back with its hey-day in the ’90s (we miss you Jack Nicholson)—a legacy that's ingrained in Christmas and New Year's here and one that continues to draw celebrities to the mountains for the ultimate hideout and celebration in our winter wonderland. It was no different in 2016, so, here, we present the first annual Aspen holiday season celebrity superlatives:
Class Clown: Kevin Hart
The comedian and actor took a break from skiing at Snowmass with his family to send his fans a hilarious Happy New Year greeting.
Biggest Diva
In the midst of her New Year’s Eve debacle, the (still) reigning queen of Christmas is reliving happier times the week before when she donned a shiny swimsuit for her annual hot tub photo shoot. She was also spotted shopping at The Original Leaf dispensary decked out in a ball gown.
Most Likely to Become President: John W. Hickenlooper
The governor of Colorado returned to town to support the Aspen Art Museum at its annual benefit "The Now" and also took in The Flaming Lips's encore performance at the Belly Up Aspen. Yes, Hick really is just that cool, and we can only hope he's thinking about 2020.
Most Athletic: SoulCycle
The cult studio for city folk has left the Boogie’s building, and we already miss it. And sorry to all the local haters, but sometimes working out indoors is just as good for the soul—especially when the best instructors from across the country fly in to lead a spin class that kicks ass.
Most Likely to Become Billionaires: Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick
We get it guys, you’re rich AF!
Biggest Jerry of the Day: Paris Hilton
Although she’s one of the longest running holiday visitors, the socialite turned DJ did Jerry proud again this year, posing in a knee-length Pucci number on the deck at Bonnie’s restaurant on Aspen Mountain before pizza-ing her way down Spar Gulch.
Cutest couple: Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell
Holiday houseguest Chelsea Handler said it best below, but these two are just the kind of celebrities we love having as locals and whose everlasting love is enviable. Bonus points for cruising Basalt!
Best conscious uncoupling: Heidi Klum & Seal
The now-friendly exes reunited on the slopes of Buttermilk for their used-to-be-annual family vacation—a first since their split in 2011.
Biggest Gossip(s):
The Real Housewives love to see and be seen in Aspen, and this year Bethenny Frankel and Kyle Richards caught up on Gondola Plaza before ducking into the living room at The Little Nell with Carole Radziwill and her beau, Adam Kenworthy. Yolanda Hadid didn't get involved in the gabfest though, rolling solo with her three supermodel kids, Gigi, Bella, and Anwar in tow.
Best Best Friends: Lady Gaga & Elton John
The singers were spotted doing some shopping on Christmas Eve at Burberry before grabbing a bite to eat at White House Tavern.
Best Party: The Dom Pérignon Party at The Little Nell
When it's holiday season in Aspen, our main hang is the infamous mountainside resort and on New Year's Eve, there was no better place to party with bottomless bubbles and the most VIP of views for fireworks and beautiful people.
Best Dressed: Bella Hadid
The supermodel stepped out to introduce her debut collection for the Los Angeles jewelry label Chrome Hearts—exclusively on Instagram, natch.
Biggest Flirt: Kate Hudson
Cute NYE lewk, Kate. The actress pretty much live-streamed her picture-perfect family vacation all over Instagram and Snapchat, which we aren't even mad at. Other highlights? A beautiful rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and a swing sesh on Smuggler Mountain with Chelsea Handler.
