James Packer joins girlfriend Kylie Lim for an Aspen white Christmas

The billionaire has returned to Aspen, where he recovered from his break-up with Mariah Carey, with his new flame.

Billionaire James Packer with his girlfriend Kylie Lim. Picture: Backgrid

Australian billionaire James Packer will again be enjoying a white Christmas this year, after making for his mansion in the ski resort town of Aspen alongside his girlfriend Kylie Lim.

The 52-year-old gambling magnate, whose weight has fluctuated wildly over the years, has been spotted taking brisk strolls with the 38-year-old former model through the town, nestled high up in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, this week.

Aspen holds a special place in the hearts of the couple; they met here through mutual friends two and a half years ago following the breakdown of his relationship with American pop crooner Mariah Carey.

James Packer has moved on from his relationship with singer Mariah Carey.

Packer and his Canadian partner have been together for the past two years, and split their time largely between his $80 million Bellevue mansion in Los Angeles and Aspen mansion, which has become his annual Christmas retreat.

Lim has helped see Packer through some tough times, and been steadfastly by his side while he has increasingly withdrawn from corporate life, instead focusing on his mental health.

She has also grown close to Packer’s good friend Karl Stefanovic and his second wife Jasmine Yarbrough - and was seen sporting a large diamond ring while cruising the Amalfi Coast with Packer earlier this year in June, sparking rumours they were already planning their nuptials.

James Packer and his girlfriend Kylie Lim have grown close to Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough, pictured. Picture: Jonathon Moran

While Packer has said they’re not walking down the aisle just yet, if he does propose it would be his fifth engagement, following on from fellow models Kate Fischer (now better known as Tziporah Malkah), Jodhi Meares and Erica Baxter and singer Carey.

The vacation is sure to come as welcome respite for Packer ahead of a public inquiry into Crown, to be held at the NSW Industrial Relations Commission from January 21.

The hearing will examine whether Packer’s $8bn-plus gambling group was fit to hold a licence in NSW, and whether its $1.76bn sale of almost 20 per cent of the company, from Packer’s private CPH Crown Holdings to Hong Kong billionaire Lawrence Ho’s Melco, broke the law.

That deal was first struck in May, with half the shares transferred to Ho in June, but with the balance of the deal suspended until the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority and regulators in other states complete investigations into the transfer.