CALENDAR
The 12 Days of Christmas
Dec. 14 – 25
The St. Regis Aspen Resort comes alive with Christmas spirit during the “12 Days of Christmas.” Guests and visitors alike are invited to participate in captivating holiday events each day of the celebration. Featuring local author book readings, visits from Santa Claus, bespoke ornament making with the Aspen Art Museum, gingerbread house design with the resident St. Regis pastry chef, savory culinary experiences and more. (970-920-3300)
Teddy Bear Tea Buffet
DEC. 15 – 16, 22 – 23, 3 – 5 p.m.
The Shadow Mountain Lounge at The St. Regis Aspen Resort invites guests to participate in a unique fundraiser to benefit the Shining Stars Foundation for children with cancer and life-threatening diseases. Each attending child is asked to bring a new teddy bear or toy for collective donation to the foundation. An assortment of handcrafted culinary treats, miniature desserts and beverages for all ages will be served. Reservations are recommended. (970-429-9633 or 970-429-9641)
Performances
Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series
Nov. 24 – March 30, 2013; Aspen/Snowmass
Enjoy the free Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series that stretches throughout the winter, making it a highlight among local events. The outdoor concerts, which are held in locations in Aspen and Snowmass, feature a variety of musical performers. Artists and performance venues are announced throughout the season with the first concerts taking place during Thanksgiving weekend. (970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com)
Punch Brothers
Dec. 8; Wheeler Opera House
Listen to the smooth and soothing sounds of progressive bluegrass as the musical group Punch Brothers mark their third visit to the Wheeler Opera House this winter. The New York City-based quintet will play songs from their third album, which has received positive reviews from The New Yorker and Vanity Fair. (970-920-5770; wheeleroperahouse.com)
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 15 – 16; Aspen District Theater
With visions of sugarplum fairies, handsome princes and courageous soldiers, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” is filled with holiday wonder. Marvel at the magic of this spectacular production with its magnificent sets, dazzling choreography and cast of 60 dancers, actors and circus artists. (970-925-7175; aspensantafeballet.com)
New Year’s Eve Bash with Marc Broussard
Dec. 31; Wheeler Opera House
Singer-songwriter Mark Broussard, one of the stand-out performers from the 7908 Songwriters Festival, comes to the Wheeler Opera House to ring in 2013 on New Year’s Eve with his own style of Louisiana soul music. Celebrate the new year with your loved ones while enjoying dancing, an open bar, delicious food, party favors and an exclusive fireworks viewing from the Wheeler Opera House’s second-floor lobby. (970-920-5770; wheeleroperahouse.com)
Festivals and Special Events
The 12 Days of Aspen
Dec. 20 – 31; Downtown Aspen
The town of Aspen becomes a winter wonderland during this annual holiday
event with a variety of festivities taking
place each day. Making the holiday season even more enjoyable is free skating at Silver Circle Ice Skating Rink, s’mores-making parties, holiday drink specials at venues throughout town and more. The event culminates with a fireworks display over Aspen Mountain on New Year’s Eve. (970-925-1940; aspenchamber.org)
Wintersköl
Jan. 10 – 13, 2013; Downtown Aspen
Come celebrate winter at Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual toast to winter. The event dates back to 1951 when Jack DePagter, a bartender at the Hotel Jerome and later owner of the Holland House, created the event to bring in business during the three weeks after Christmas when the ski lifts were closed. The winter carnival, similar to those at European ski resorts, took off and now Wintersköl celebrates its 62nd anniversary in 2013. (970-920-7146; aspenchamber.org)
The Aspen Laff Festival
Feb. 21 – 23, 2013; Wheeler Opera House
The Aspen Laff Festival returns to the Wheeler Opera House for its third season of comedy. Focused on finding the fastest and funniest stand-up comedians, the festival in its previous years has featured well-known comics like David Brenner and Caroline Rhea. (970-920-5770; wheeleroperahouse.com)
WINTER SPORTS
Aspen Winternational
Nov. 24 – 25; Aspen Mountain
Spectators can view the 2012 Nature Valley Aspen Winternational race from grandstands at the base of the mountain and watch the world’s fastest female skiers as they cross the finish line vying for the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. A free shuttle to the event will run every 20 minutes from The St. Regis Aspen Resort, so there’s no reason to miss out. (970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com)
World Snow Polo Championship
Dec. 15 – 16; Marolt Park
Polo aficionados will adore seeing the world’s top players compete in the 13th annual World Snow Polo Championship, presented by Roaring Fork Polo Club. International polo star and St. Regis Connoisseur Nacho Figueras has regularly played in this tournament, which is free to the public. (970-566-0818; worldsnowpolo.com)
Aspen Gay Ski Week
Jan. 13 – 20, 2013; Aspen Mountain and Snowmass mountain
Enjoy a premier gay and lesbian winter travel and vacation event at Aspen Gay Ski Week. In its 36th year, the event includes skiing and snowboarding, dining, parties, shopping and a host of other fun happenings, such as a comedy show and downhill costume parade. (970-925-4123; gayskiweek.com)
ESPN Winter X Games
Jan. 24 – 27, 2013; Buttermilk Mountain
Get a glimpse of the top male and female extreme winter sports athletes as they compete in snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling at the 17th annual ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen. In addition to winter sports thrills at the competition, which includes snowboard superpipes, snowmobile best tricks and more, you can meet the athletes, hear live music and enjoy good food. (xgames.com)
Aspen/Snowmass Freeskiing Open
Feb. 21 – 24, 2013; Buttermilk Mountain
The Aspen/Snowmass Freeskiing Open features men and women showing off
their skiing talents on the slopestyle course and SuperPipe from the ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen. (970-925-1220; aspensnowmass.com)
