25
Hotel Jerome’s 120th Anniversary Bash
This historic party will re-create the atmosphere and energy of the hotel’s original opening celebration on November 25, 1889. Guests will be escorted to the hotel in grand style via a horse-drawn carriage, passing street entertainers along the way. The evening affair includes live entertainment, ballroom dancing, authentic cocktails, a live auction and a classical gourmet French dinner. Tickets from $50 to $750. 970-429-6313; hoteljerome.com
26
Opening Day on Aspen Mountain and Snowmass
Ski season officially kicks off! 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
28-29
Aspen Winternational Audi FIS Alpine World Cup
The fastest female skiers in the world tackle the giant slalom and slalom events during this downhill competition. An action-packed weekend includes the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series at the base of Aspen Mountain. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
5-6
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Christmas time would not be complete without seeing a classic Nutcracker ballet performance. Top American dancers rejoice in the holiday spirit in this timeless tale of a winter wonderland, at the Aspen District Theatre. 970-920-5770; aspensantafeballet.com
5
Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club’s Winter Wh iteout Gala
“Olympians: Past. Present. Future.” headlines the seventh annual AVSC gala. Aspen Olympians will gather at the Hotel Jerome for a night of fabulous food, wine and outstanding live- and silent-auction items. Proceeds benefit Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club. 970-205-5100; teamavsc.com
11
Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s Annual Holida y Party
Join the Aspen community at Bumps Restaurant at the base of Buttermilk for a family holiday party. Toys and cash are donated for the chamber’s Holiday Gift Basket Program. 970-925-1940; aspenchamber.org
11-12
Annual Aspen Summit for Life Uphill Celebration
Local extremists reach for the stars as they climb more than 3,000 vertical feet and two and a half miles up Aspen Mountain for this Chris Klug Foundation benefit. Mountaintop festivities include a party to cheer on the athletes. 888-649-5982; stayaspensnowmass.com
12
Opening Day at Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk
All four mountains officially open for the 2009–10 season. Fingers crossed for powder days! 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com December
17-20
World Snow Polo 2009 Championships
Originating in St. Moritz, Switzerland, the snow polo championship is now held exclusively in Aspen. The best riders and horses in the world throw down in the center of town. 970-566-0818; worldsnowpolo.com
12/20-1/2
19th Annual Aspen Acad emy Screenings
The Aspen Film Academy adds celluloid excitement to Aspen’s winter holidays by screening the year’s hottest films by top directors and stars. Open to everyone, the two-week extravaganza is all the homework you’ll need to prepare for the Oscars. 970-925-6882; aspenfilm.org
28
Aspen Art Museum’s Dennis Basso “Freestyle”
This annual après-ski with the Aspen Art Museum is its premier winter fashion fundraising benefit. Sponsors Dennis Basso and auction house Phillips De Pury & Company present hors d’oeuvres, art and runway entertainment for a chic Aspen crowd. 970-925-8050; aspenartmuseum.org
28-30
Cirque d’Aspen
Prepare to have your breath taken away—and not just by the altitude. Performers from Russia, Bulgaria, Italy and more test their daring acrobatics in a show sure to impress the whole family. All proceeds go to the Aspen Youth Center. 970-544-4130; aspenyouthcenter.org
30
Best of the Fest: Th e Rooftop Comedy Class of 2009
The top three stand-up comics from the second annual Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival will give you tummyshaking chuckles during a rolling night of laughter. 970-920-5770; wheeleroperahouse.com |
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19-20
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Presents Pilobolus
This world-renowned dance company comes to Aspen for an enchanting two evenings. Watch the human shape take form on the Aspen District Theatre stage. 970-920-5770; aspensantafeballet.com
14-17
Wintersköl
Celebrate Aspen’s 59th salute to winter with four days of skiing, partying, shopping and nonstop fun. Soupsköl, a soup cook-off between Aspen restaurants, has become the newest tradition. Be sure to catch the fireworks extravaganza. 970-925-1940; aspenchamber.org
17-24
Gay Ski Week
For a full week, the Aspen Gay and Lesbian Community hosts après-ski parties, fabulous nighttime events with world-class DJs and nonstop skiing. With various happenings at Aspen’s hottest venues, it’s sure to top years past. 970-925-4123; gayskiweek.com
23
Aspen Hall of Fame Induction Banquet
Given Aspen’s numerous philanthropists, this night honors those who have made a lasting impact on the Aspen/ Snowmass communities, whether economically, physically, spiritually or intellectually. 970-925-3721; aspenhistorysociety.com
28-31
ESPN Winter X Games 14
Winter daredevils hit the slopes on skis, boards and snowmobiles at max velocity during this spectacular showdown, for which professional athletes from around the globe congregate on Buttermilk Mountain to compete for X Games glory. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
11-14
Aspen/Snowmass Ski & Snowboard Open
Ambitious skiers and snowboarders compete in this four-day freestyle event that includes men’s and women’s divisions of the superpipe and slopestyle competition. Held on Buttermilk Mountain. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
2/12-4/4
Mark Bradford Exhibit at Aspen Art Museum
Mark Bradford’s dense paper collages are created from informal advertising posters found around his Los Angeles community. Evoking a captivating response to the social and visual layering of the urban environment, this will be a highlight of the museum’s winter season. 970-925-8050; aspenartmuseum.org
12, 19 & 26
Bud Light Big Air Fridays
Top professional and amateur skiers and boarders kick off these weekends in Snowmass by hucking their hottest moves off a 40-foot jump each Friday afternoon. Live music, cash prizes and giveaways make Snowmass’ TGIF scene one to remember. Held on Fanny Hill. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
2/13-14 & 3/6
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
The company’s anticipated performance includes “Hidden Seconds” by Nicolo Fonte, “Sëchs Tanze” by Jiri Kylian and a new piece to be premiered in Aspen by Helen Pickett. Held at the Aspen District Theatre stage. 970-920-5770; aspensantafeballet.com
16
Snowmass Mardi Gras Parade & Celebration
Snowmass celebrates 28 years of Fat Tuesday revelry with the biggest Mardi Gras bash in the mountains. From a wild uphill race at the crack of dawn to mask-making for kids, this authentic fête offers Cajun fun for every age. 800-766-9627; snowmasstourism.com
26-27
Colorado Freeride Championships at Snowmass Big-mountain skiers and riders put it all on the line in judged runs down the cliff-littered steeps of Snowmass. The Freeride Championships draws a full field of top athletes and amateurs from around the globe. Watch the action from the Hanging Valley Headwall base or Gwyn’s High Alpine restaurant. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
27
14th Annual Downhill Gala
Aspen Youth Experience’s annual fundraiser consists of parties, ski racing and a magnificent gala to celebrate its mission to empower at-risk youths from all over the US. 970-925-6671; ayexp.org
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13
America’s Uphill
For this favorite local event, strap on snowshoes or skis and make the steep, two-and-a-half-mile trek up 3,267 feet from the base of The Little Nell to the top of Aspen Mountain. 970-544-4100; aspenrecreation.com
14-19
Aspen Fashion Week
The second annual Aspen Fashion Week takes center stage in downtown Aspen, featuring the finest in winter resortwear and accessories. Designers from across the country and abroad showcase 2010–11 lines during dazzling runway shows and après parties. aspenfashionweek.com
17
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration in Snowmass
Kiss me, I’m an Aspenite! Join the biggest blarney bash in the mountains featuring the Lucky Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt for kids and adults, green beer and Irish fare. Celtic dancers and bagpipe players are sure to be in attendance. 800-766-9627; snowmasstourism.com
19-21 & 26-28
Bud Light Spring Jam
The annual Bud Light Spring Jam boasts two weekends full of music, art and athletic competitions that keep spectators on the edges of their seats. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
27
Red Bull Schneetag
This third annual wacky event invites teams to create a craft to pilot down Snowmass’ Fanny Hill in an attempt to float across a 75-by- 20-foot pond. Each themed team performs a skit before they descend. Previous prizes have included a trip to a Nascar race and paragliding flights with the Red Bull Airforce. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
28
Helly Hanson Battle in the Bowls
Start training! Teams of two ski the many bowls of Aspen Highlands on a course designed by pro athlete Chris Davenport. Every run on the course must be completed; GSP devices track athletes as they tackle the mountain. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
2-4
CoverGirl Snow Angels Invitational
Host Gretchen Bleiler and top female snowboarders rendezvous in Snowmass for a superpipe competition, spa treatments, CoverGirl makeovers and industry seminars. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
4
Closing Day on Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk
Don’t miss the locals’ biggest bash of the year at Aspen Highlands. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
7-11 
Aspen Shortsfest
In its 19th year, the Aspen Shortsfest is considered one of the world’s top international short-film and video showcases. More than 2,500 entries from over 60 countries enter the esteemed five-day, Oscar-qualifying international competition, and the winning films are shown at Harris Concert Hall. 970-925-6882; aspenfilm.org
11
Closing Day on Aspen Mountain and Snowmass
Say goodbye to the slopes for another year. 970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com
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