Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
74th Wintersköl, Dec. 11-14
The 74th annual Wintersköl kicked off Thursday and will run through Sunday, Dec. 14, with events happening across Aspen and Snowmass. Since 1951, Wintersköl has been a “toast to winter,” honoring the town’s mountain spirit with a weekend of fun and tradition. The multi-day festival brings the mountain to life with a variety of events. Dec. 12 events include: Anderson Ranch Arts Center Kids Sculpt (snow art), Game of Stones curling, live music, a free game room, Music on the Mall, Snowmass S’mores, a holiday tree lighting, a holiday market, an opera in town, rail jam, a Decemberween costume party, and movie screening. Dec. 13 events include: Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Opening Day, Terrain Park Boot Camp, holiday market, Drumbots, beer festival, Soupsköl competition, Snowmass S’mores, a bonfire, Disco on the Rink, Torchlight Parade and Fireworks, professional comedy show, and more. Dec. 14 events include: winter market, breakfast club breakfast, compelling history presentation, Terrain Park Boot Camp, pup portraits, movie screening and more. For a full list of the 2025 schedule of events, visit Wintersköl.
ACRA Wintersköl highlight: Winter Windows, Dec. 12
Winter Windows returns for its second season during Wintersköl, with an awards ceremony from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 13 in the lobby of Viewline Snowmass. Now expanded to include Snowmass Base Village.
ACRA Wintersköl highlight: Beer Festival, Dec. 13
Wintersköl Beer Festival will run from 2-6 p.m. Dec. 13 at Wagner Park. This event is ticketed. Attendees must be 21 and older to sample.
ACRA Wintersköl highlight: Special historical presentation, Dec. 14
“Wintersköl 90 Pound Rucksack and the Dawn of Outdoor Recreation in America Talk” will take place at noon Dec. 14 at Aspen Community Church, located at 200 E. Bleeker St., as part of the annual Wintersköl celebration. Mountaineer and historian Christian Beckwith will share his presentation on the 10th Mountain Division’s WWII legacy and its enduring impact on Aspen’s outdoor culture.
ACRA Wintersköl highlight: Wintersköl Royalty nominations announced
The Wintersköl community nominated Charla Belinski and Bruce Etkin as Wintersköl royalty — two local residents whose dedication and community involvement embody the Wintersköl spirit.
Author Michael Bourne discusses his latest novel in three events, Dec. 12-14
Former Aspen reporter and author Michael Bourne will present his latest novel, “We Bring You an Hour of Darkness,” from 3-5 p.m. Dec. 12 at Hotel Jerome Living Room at 330 East Main St. The fictional story is a ski town mystery set in the 1980s, inspired by Bourne’s experience as a reporter in Aspen and the 1998 arson on Vail Mountain. The thriller, published by DoppelHouse Press, will be discussed at the Aspen Community Book Club Social — with both book club members and casual readers welcome. For his second event, Bourne will present his novel, along with Brent Gardner-Smith and Elana Royer, from 4-5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Basalt Regional Library, located at 14 Midland Ave. During the third event, Bourne will discuss his book along with investigative journalist Curtis Wackerle from 4-5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Explore Books, located at 221 E. Main St. In the final two events, prominent local journalists will join in a discussion about the importance of journalism in our communities and in Bourne’s novel.
While working as a reporter in Aspen for three years, Bourne covered the controversial development of the Ritz Carlton at the base of Aspen Mountain, now the St. Regis.
“One thing that hasn’t changed in Aspen is the vibrant local media scene,” Bourne said. “You have two newspapers and local radio, and now nonprofit journalism. If anything, there’s more going on now than there was when I worked here.”
For more information, visit explorebooks.org/events-explore-books, and basaltlibrary.org.
Annual Cup Auction, Dec. 12
Carbondale Clay Center will host the 28th annual Cup Auction, which will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at The Old Thompson Barn at River Valley Ranch. It’s a big fundraiser sharing about 250 handmade cups from around the country. The fun includes bidding in an auction format and directly supporting Carbondale Clay Center’s mission to enrich lives through ceramic arts. The donations fuel artist residencies, exhibitions, kids’ activities, and community outreach. For more information, visit carbondaleclay.org/annual-cup-auction.
‘Holiday Lights’ youth ballet, Dec. 13
For only one show, AGS Ballet Aspen and Dance Tech will be performing “Holiday Lights” from 4-5 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Aspen District Theatre, located at 199 High School Road. The festive program includes about 50 local ballet students ages 4 through 17. Tickets are $20 in advance at agsballetaspen.com. Tickets on the day of the show will be available at the door for $25.
Aspen Meadows Resort ornament decorating, Dec. 13
Ornament Decorating will take place from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Aspen Meadows Resort. It’s an opportunity to create your own ornament and decorative design. Tickets are $25 per person. Aspen Meadows is located at 845 Meadows. Rd. For more information, visit squadup.com/events/ornament-decorating.
Community Menorah Lighting, Dec. 14
The Aspen Jewish Congregation hosts a Chanukah celebration with the annual “Basalt Community Menorah Lighting” from 5-6 p.m. at Triangle Park in Willits, followed by hosted appetizers at Sure Thing Burger.
Aspen Meadows Resort’s “S’mores on the Patio” during December
Each week during the month of December, “S’more on the Patio” will be provided from 4:30-7 p.m. (or until sunset) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at West End Social at the Aspen Meadows Resort, located at 845 Meadows Rd. It’s $10 for two people. For more information, visit aspenmeadows.com/activities/event-calendar/smores-on-the-patio.
43rd Food & Wine Classic tickets are on sale
Tickets for the 43rd annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen from June 19-21, 2026, are now on sale. Presented by American Express and Resy, the legendary three-day event brings together the most celebrated chefs, winemakers, and culinary visionaries for this special weekend. Several chefs hosting cooking demonstrations for the 2026 event include Maneet Chauhan, Tiffany Derry, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Stephanie Izard, Ayesha Nurdaja, Chris Shepherd, Brooke Williamson, Claudette Zepeda, and Andrew Zimmern. Leading wine and beverage experts featured include Andy Chabot, Arjav Ezekiel, Anthony Giglio, Ray Isle, Victoria James, Carlin Karr, Wanda Mann, Amanda McCrossin, Mark Oldman, Femi Oyediran, June Rodil, Bobby Stuckey, and Miles White. For tickets, visit www.classic.foodandwine.com.
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