Wintersköl Returns Next Thursday, Dec. 12
Wintersköl, Aspen’s “toast to winter” festival, will officially kick off the season for locals on Thursday, Dec. 12 with an action-packed evening of programming to celebrate the community and winter’s return.
This year’s festival takes place from Thursday, Dec.12 through Sunday, Dec. 15 with a full weekend of exciting events, both new and recurring, in both Aspen and Snowmass Village.
Historically a January event, this marks the first year of a shift to December for the event, held for more than 70 years. The multi-day festival showcases on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest, a beer festival, a torchlight descent and fireworks on Aspen Mountain plus much more.
“We are thrilled to usher in the winter season with the return of Wintersköl,” Julie Hardman, senior events director for Aspen Chamber Resort Association said in a prepared statement. “This year’s signature Aspen event will offer a reimagined experience for our local community. We are excited to showcase fresh offerings alongside beloved traditions.”
New this year, attendees can look forward to gathering as a community during Thursday evening’s Icebreaker Bash; “Aspen Extreme” film screening; and at Belly Up Aspen for the O’Connor Brothers Band to kick off the weekend’s celebrations. Following are day-by-day highlights, not a comprehensive list of events.
The weekend kicks off with the opening night of Aspen Historical Society’s Winter Retro Film Series at the Wheeler Opera House. The inaugural Icebreaker Bash at Mi Chola features bites and a live DJ from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The 1993 ski flick “Aspen Extreme” shows at the Isis Theatre with doors opening at 7 p.m. New roots/rock group O’Connor Brothers Band plays Belly Up at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.).
The AHS film series, Icebreaker Bash and “Aspen Extreme” screening are all free to attend but require advance RSVP or ticket reservation. The O’Connor Brothers Band show is $5 per ticket.
The traditional all-day snow and ice carving exhibition once again brings talented artists to Wagner Park on Friday. At 2 p.m., the Game of Stones curling competition hits Snowmass Base Village Ice Rink, pitting teams of two against each other. Registration is free and will be held at the venue.
On Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Mountain’s opening days, the Wintersköl Beer Festival returns, running from 2-6 p.m. at Wagner Park. General admission is free; an unlimited tasting ticket is $45; and a limited edition ticket, offering a commemorative mug, is $75.
Starting at 3 p.m., Soupsköl pits local restaurants against each other, also at Wagner. Live music from The Ten O’One Band and Mountain People will entertain beer sippers and soup slurpers from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday concludes with the torchlight descent and fireworks display at 7 p.m.
Uphill Breakfast Club rewards skinners with a free breakfast with giveaways at the Cliffhouse on Buttermilk Mountain from 8:30-10 a.m. Then, over at Aspen Highlands from 10:30 a.m. to noon, race down the slopes and take home some apple strudel in the Apple Strudel Downhill.
Wintersköl originated in January 1951 as a “toast to winter” and has become a cherished annual tradition for the Aspen community, celebrating the town's distinctive mountain culture with a weekend of festivities. For the full calendar of events and more information, including tickets and RSVP info, visit aspenchamber.org/events/winterskol.
By: I Aspen Daily News I December 3, 2024