St. Regis Ushers In Aspen’s Festive Season At World Snow Polo Championship

High off Argentina’s win at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, St. Regis team polo captain and proud Argentine Nacho Figueras strolled into the 2022 St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship - held earlier this week at Aspen’s Rio Grande Park - with a celebratory swagger.

Joining Figueras at the chicest event on the Aspen social calendar was George Fleck, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, and notable VIPS and attendees, such as Kate Hudson, Danny Fujikawa, Shaun White, Sara Foster, Kate Bock, Hilary Rhoda, Rebel Wilson, Tommy Haas, and Aspen Valley Polo Club Owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi.

“The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championships are always a celebratory way to end the year – all the more so on the heels of Argentina’s World Cup victory this year,” said Figueras. “My family loves coming to Aspen, especially in December, and to be able to play polo here, surrounded by so many friends and family, is incredibly special.”

The St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship not only marks the beginning of Aspen’s festive season, but has evolved into a global draw for the tony ski town as well as for The St. Regis Aspen Resort, whose iconic property near Ajax Mountain lures fashionable skiers and non-skiers seeking a luxe mountain holiday. Whether guests are found sipping champagne in the Mountain Social lounge, soaking at Remède spa, or perusing luxury boutiques just blocks away, St. Regis Aspen is ground zero for the Aspen experience and embodies everything guests love about snow polo itself.

“Snow Polo is one of the most glamorous events of the year for St. Regis and the best way to kick off the holiday season,” said Fleck. “We are thrilled to continue to introduce the sport to so many new fans and to carry on the legacy of St. Regis’ founding family, the Astors, who were preeminent patrons of the sport of polo.”

Throughout the event, guests were granted access to prime viewing from an exclusive St. Regis marquee, a classic mountain chalet inspired atmosphere with chandeliers fashioned from antlers and bedecked with magnolia, leather furniture, tartan prinited accent walls, and cozy throws. They enjoyed culinary delights provided by St. Regis Aspen, including a raw bar, decadent tomato soup, a selection of tacos and desserts, including a gingerbread layer cake.

A Bloody Mary bar served up the signature St. Regis cocktail (the original drink was perfected at the King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York in 1934) featuring the localized libation served at St. Regis Aspen, and the recipes from the upcoming St. Regis Chicago and St. Regis Kanai, Riviera Maya. Celebrating the best of the brand’s glamorous spirit, St. Regis created an exquisite environment to socialize while cheering on the teams.

The St. Regis connection to polo runs deep. St. Regis has long been associated with the world of polo, beginning at the turn of the last century when St. Regis’ founding family, the Astors, were a prominent fixture at the matches on Manhattan’s Governors Island.

Nacho Figueras has been a St. Regis Connoisseur since 2010. In this role, Nacho helps shape future guest experiences for the brand and cultivates the next generation of St. Regis guests, while bringing awareness and appreciation to the international sport of polo. St. Regis, which today has 50 hotels worldwide, will open a series of properties, from Riviera Maya to Chicago, in 2023.

Fleck added, “As the brand continues to grow over the next 5 years in the world’s most glamorous urban and leisure destinations, from London and Chicago to Kanai and Marrakech,” we are thrilled for even more guests to experience our celebrated traditions.”

By: Caroline Tell I Forbes I December 2022