Since 1951, Wintersköl has been the ultimate “toast to winter,” honoring the town’s mountain spirit with a packed weekend of fun and tradition. This multi-day festival brings the mountains to life with on-mountain activities, stunning snow sculptures, a hearty soup contest, a lively beer festival, live music, a roaring bonfire, a torchlight descent, and fireworks lighting up Aspen Mountain—plus so much more. Wintersköl continues to deliver a one-of-a-kind winter experience for locals and visitors alike.
2025 Schedule of Events
Aspen doesn’t just endure winter, we celebrate it. This year, we are channeling Üllr, the Norse god of snow. Wintersköl™ proves that winter is way cooler—with a little help from Üllr. Please check back again soon as more events are being confirmed for the weekend.
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All Day
WINTER WINDOWS | Snowmass Village
A partnership with Buckhorn Public Arts and GoSnowmass, returns to Snowmass, December 11-14, 2025. Roaring Fork Valley artists and designers are paired with businesses on the Snowmass Mall and in Base Village to create custom window displays, with 2D and 3D installations that celebrate the winter season and the character of Snowmass.
3:30 - 5:30pm
WINTERSKÖL ICEBREAKER BASH | NEW! JAS Center Aspen
Join us for the Icebreaker Bash, the official opening event of Aspen’s renowned Wintersköl™! Whether you're a long-time Aspenite or a newcomer, the Icebreaker Bash is all about connection, great conversation, and embracing the season ahead.
ACRA will be announcing our Wintersköl Royalty, Business and Nonprofits of the Year, THRIVE Award and our Molly Campbell Award Winner.
Enjoy live music, delicious bites, and great company as we toast to another exciting season in Aspen. Tickets available now.
3:30pm
SNOWMASS S'MORES | Snowmass Mall & Base Village
Presented by Snowmass Tourism, guests of all ages can enjoy Snowmass S’mores for FREE! Look for the branded s’mores carts (which resemble oversized marshmallows).
When: 3:30 - 4:30pm
Where: S’mores Carts in Base Village (near Base Camp Bar & Grill) and on the Snowmass Mall (near Tower Stage and Four Mountain Sports)
6:00 & 7:30pm
RETRO SKI FILMS (6pm) & ASPEN EXTREME MOVIE 1993 (7:30pm) | Wheeler Opera House
Kick off the Wintersköl™ weekend and see Aspen’s hot doggin’ past come to life on the big screen with a special double feature at the Wheeler Opera House, including retro films from Aspen Historical Society followed by the iconic 90’s hit Aspen Extreme. FREE Admission!
Tap into Aspen nostalgia with two short films from the Aspen Historical Society archives featuring scenes from Wintersköls of old, plus a brief presentation on the 74-year history of the beloved annual event!
Retro films attendees will enjoy a complimentary beer during intermission.
Then get pumped for the season with a screening of the cult-favorite ski film Aspen Extreme, which tells the well-known and oft-repeated story of two ski bums who ditch everything to live the ski instructor dream in Aspen.
Come in your ski gear or get out your retro fits to get in the winter spirit! 118 minutes.
These special events are offered for free in partnership with ACRA, the Wheeler Opera House, and Aspen Historical Society in the spirit of Wintersköl™ to celebrate the season ahead.
10:00pm
ASPEN EXTREME COSTUME CONTEST | ZIGZAG Aspen
Après Like It’s 1993! Get rad, get weird, and get ready for a night straight out of Aspen Extreme. We’re talking neon, mullets, headbands — the kind of drip only the 90s could love. Following the Aspen Extreme screening at the Wheeler Opera House, keep the hype and roll in for DJ beats, late-night drink specials, and a costume contest that will separate the powder heroes from the posers. Bring your boldest Aspen Extreme look and you could snag the prize for Best Aspen Extreme Costume.
Let’s party like the 90s never ended — because at Wintersköl, it kinda hasn’t.
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9am-12pm
Anderson Ranch Arts Center KIDSCULPT | Wagner Park, Aspen
Come witness a frosty festival of creativity as the Anderson Ranch Arts Center presents KIDSCULPT! Local school teams will be challenged to roll up their sleeves and transform snow into spectacular works of art.
2 - 4pm
GAME OF STONES | Snowmass Base Village Rink
Curling comes to Snowmass with the new Game of Stones curling series in which teams of two will compete in a head to head elimination competition. The first team that reaches 10 points wins! FREE; Registration required and will occur at the ice skating rink prior to the event.
2-8pm
FREE Community Day | Snowmass Collective Game LoungeEmpty heading
Enjoy the Game Lounge today for FREE in celebration of Winterskol and Community! Check out The Collective Snowmass for more details and full schedule of events.
2:30-4:30pm
MUSIC ON THE MALL with Hugh Phillips Band | Snowmass Village Mall
Turn up the winter fun in Snowmass! This free live music series brings the heat with a variety of local bands hitting the Tower Stage on the Snowmass Mall. Bundle up, grab a drink, and jam out under the stars — because après is better with a beat. FREE.
3:30pm
SNOWMASS S'MORES | Snowmass Village
Presented by Snowmass Tourism, guests of all ages can enjoy Snowmass S’mores for FREE! Look for the branded s’mores carts (which resemble oversized marshmallows).
When: 3:30 - 4:30pm
Where: S’mores Carts in Base Village (near Base Camp Bar & Grill) and on the Snowmass Mall (near Tower Stage and Four Mountain Sports)
5-7pm
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING | Viewline Resort Snowmass
Celebrate the season at the Viewline Resort with a tree lighting, hot chocolate station, and assorted Christmas cookies. Warm up in the Lounge with spiked hot chocolate, Glühwein, hot toddies, eggnog, and festive specialty coffees. Pair your drinks with seasonal bites and cozy up for a night of holiday cheer and alpine vibes!
5 - 8pm
HOLIDAY MARKET | Snowmass Village Conference & Event Center
Featuring local artisans and their wares. Discover unique, handcrafted gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures, while enjoying festive cocktails, lively tunes, and supporting local artists. FREE to attend.
5-7pm
AVSC RAIL JAM | Aspen Mountain, Little Nell Run
Join the Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club (AVSC) for an action-packed community Rail Jam where skiers and snowboarders of all ages will help kick off Wintersköl™ in style by showing off their best tricks. Registration & Practice 4-5pm. FREE to watch.
5-9pm
SLOPE & HATCH Grand Opening | Snowmass Collective
Help us welcome Slope & Hatch to the Snow globe in style! FREE Food, DJ, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Drink Specials.
5:30-9:30pm
BOTH/AND: A WINTER SYMPHONY IN LIGHT| Wheeler Opera House
An installation by LUCIA
In the mountains, winter asks everything of us. It strips life to its essentials — cold and light, silence and motion, solitude and community. Yet within that starkness, something luminous persists.Both/And is a meditation on contradiction: how beauty and hardship coexist, how darkness sharpens our sense of light, how stillness holds its own kind of movement. Like carving a line down a mountain, it moves between grace and gravity — between surrender and control. Through projected light and sound, the piece mirrors the dual nature of mountain life — the wonder and the weight of it, the shimmer and the quiet, the warmth we create when the world grows cold. In Aspen, winter is not one thing or the other. It is both, and.
6-9pm
DECEMBERWEEN | New Belgium Ranger Station, Snowmass Village
Winter is coming… but so are the monsters. Decemberween, the Halloween-in-December bash kicking off the Snowmass winter season with a Stranger Things twist. Think spooky meets snowy: Upside Down vibes, eerie lights, killer costumes, and the first big party before the mountain wakes up. Costumes are a MUST — go creepy, clever, winter-themed, or full Stranger Things. Best Costume wins an epic prize, so bring your A-game… or your alter ego.
Grab a drink with your fellow creatures and step into a night where ski-season magic collides with Halloween chaos. Get ready for the chill… and the thrill.
7:30pm
DOWNHILL RACER MOVIE SCREENING | Aspen Film's ISIS Theatre
$7.40 Tickets | A 1969 American sports drama about an arrogant, ambitious young skier named David Chappellet (Robert Redford) who joins the U.S. ski team and clashes with the coach (Gene Hackman) while competing for Olympic gold. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of professional skiing, using a documentary-style approach to immerse the audience in the tension and speed of the sport. It explores Chappellet's ruthless drive for success, his struggles with teamwork, and his personal relationships. Watch Trailer!
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ALL DAY
ASPEN HIGHLANDS & BUTTERMILK OPENING DAY
Stay tuned for opening day celebrations.
12 - 3pm
TERRAIN PARK BOOT CAMP | Pocket Park on Fanny Hill, Snowmass
Intimidated by the park? Terrain Park Boot Camp is the perfect opportunity to learn rails, boxes, and jumps from professional coaches and athletes. The clinic offers features that are the perfect size for beginners of all ages. Helmets are required. Minors must have waivers signed by their guardian. FREE.
1-5pm
HOLIDAY MARKET | Snowmass Village Conference & Event Center
Featuring local artisans and their wares. Discover unique, handcrafted gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures, while enjoying festive cocktails, lively tunes, and supporting local artists. FREE to attend.
2-6pm
WINTERSKÖL BEER FESTIVAL | Wagner Park, Aspen
Raise a mug to the true spirit of Wintersköl! Introducing the newest addition to the winter festivities – the 'Toast of Winter' Beer Festival, brought to you by ACRA and Radiate Events. Gather for an evening of frosty festivities, live music, and the unmistakable warmth that comes from celebrating the season with good company. Open to everyone; must be 21 years or older for beer/spirits tastings. Tickets on sale soon.
3-5pm
SOUPSKÖL | Wagner Park, Aspen
Celebrate our community's culinary creativity as restaurants from the Roaring Fork Valley come together for the legendary Soupsköl competition. You can be the ultimate judge as you taste your way through a variety of delectable soups. Winning restaurant will receive the coveted Soupsköl soup pot and bragging rights! FREE to attend and taste.
3:30pm
SNOWMASS S'MORES | Snowmass Village
Presented by Snowmass Tourism, guests of all ages can enjoy Snowmass S’mores for FREE! Look for the branded s’mores carts (which resemble oversized marshmallows).
When: 3:30 - 4:30pm
Where: Guest Services S’mores Carts in Base Village (near Base Camp Bar & Grill) and on the Snowmass Mall (near Tower Stage and Four Mountain Sports)
4:30-7:30pm
WINTERSKÖL BONFIRE | Wagner Park
Cozy up around the fire while soaking up the festivities! Enjoy the beer festival, live music, and catch the torchlight parade & fireworks starting at 7pm.
5pm
COMEDIAN COLIN QUINN | Wheeler Opera House
Acclaimed comedian, actor, and author Colin Quinn brings his signature wit and sharp cultural commentary to Aspen. Known for his iconic roles on Saturday Night Live and Tough Crowd, Quinn has continued to captivate
audiences with his HBO Max special Colin Quinn & Friends and his critically praised book Overstated: A Coast-to-Coast Roast of the Fifty States. His one-man shows, including Red State Blue State, have earned rave reviews for their timely humor and philosophical edge, making this event a must-see for fans of smart, thought-provoking comedy.Tickets are on sale now at aspenshowtix.com, by phone at 970-920-5770, or in person at the box office, 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO, Tuesday through Saturday, noon–5 p.m.
5-8pm
DISCO ON THE RINK | Snowmass Base Village Ice Rink
Get ready to groove and glide with DJ Tenza at Disco on the Rink! Whether you’re rocking your best disco diva outfit or just coming as you are, this is your time to shine under the glittering lights. Here's what to expect: Funky beats and classic disco vibes, FREE entry and FREE skate rentals, costumes encouraged but totally optional — it’s all about having fun! So grab your friends, lace up your skates, and let’s boogie on the ice. Don’t miss the coolest (and grooviest) party in town!
7pm
TORCHLIGHT PARADE & FIREWORKS | Aspen Mountain
Watch skiers and snowboarders adorned with lights descend the slopes of Aspen Mountain. Enjoy a dazzling fireworks show over Aspen Mountain to celebrate winter in style.
This year’s parade proudly features the talented local athletes of the Aspen Valley Ski Club (AVSC) and our local athletes across all disciplines in the ski and snowboard world. Watch as these young athletes illuminate the slopes of Aspen Mountain showcasing their skill and passion for the sport. Please note: Participation in the torchlight is exclusively for kids involved with AVSC and/or any Roaring Fork Valley Ski Club; it is not open to the public.
8pm
COMEDY: CHAD GOES DEEP | Wheeler Opera House
Chad and JT, the bros known for their viral city council appearances, are bringing a groundbreaking new show to Aspen. JT delivers fresh stand-up with his signature blend of vulnerability and bro eloquence, while Chad presents his satirical TED-style seminar “Chill Towards Enlightenment”, exploring his “stoke philosophy.”Learn The Chill Method and reclaim your joy in this radical journey through life.
Tickets are on sale now at aspenshowtix.com, by phone at 970-920-5770, or in person at the box office, 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO, Tuesday through Saturday, noon–5 p.m.
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8am-2pm
WINTER MARKET | The Gant Aspen
Celebrate the season at The Gant’s Winter Market — a monthly showcase of local artistry and community spirit. Discover handcrafted jewelry, art, leather goods, soaps, and more from talented Roaring Fork and Crystal Valley artisans. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa from The Dreamery Co. as you browse one-of-a-kind Aspen gifts. Shop local. Sip cocoa. Celebrate winter creativity.
Molly Campbell Conference Center
Dec 14 (Wintersköl Weekend), Jan 17, Feb 28 & Mar 21 | 8 a.m.–2 p.m.8:30 - 10:00am
UPHILL BREAKFAST CLUB | Buttermilk Mountain
Elevate your Wintersköl experience with a delicious breakfast, fantastic giveaways, and the unbeatable camaraderie of our uphill community. Compliments of ACRA, breakfast will be FREE to all uphillers until the food runs out!
12-1:15pm
NINETY POUND RUCKSACK: The Story of the 10th Mountain Division and the Dawn of Outdoor Recreation in America | Aspen Community Church
Discover the remarkable legacy of the 10th Mountain Division and its pivotal role in shaping modern skiing and outdoor recreation. This engaging presentation explores how a World War II unit of soldier-skiers transformed America’s mountains and inspired a culture of adventure that endures today.
Christian Beckwith is the founder and executive director of The Teton Climbers’ Coalition and has spent more than three decades immersed in the world of alpinism. He began his career in Jackson, Wyoming, launching climbing organizations and publications before becoming the youngest editor of The American Alpine Journal in 1996. In 2002, he co-founded Alpinist Magazine, hailed by Reinhold Messner as “the greatest climbing magazine in the world today.”
Christian has organized film festivals, developed public climbing spaces, and founded SHIFT, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing nature as a determinant of health. His expeditions span Kyrgyzstan, Alaska, Peru, and Tibet, and he has skied the Grand Teton multiple times. In 2023, he was inducted into the 10th Mountain Division’s Warrior Hall of Fame for his contributions to preserving its history. He lives in Jackson, Wyoming, with his wife and daughter.
12 - 3pm
TERRAIN PARK BOOT CAMP | Pocket Park on Fanny Hill, Snowmass
Intimidated by the park? Terrain Park Boot Camp is the perfect opportunity to learn rails, boxes, and jumps from professional coaches and athletes. The clinic offers features that are the perfect size for beginners of all ages. Helmets are required. Minors must have waivers signed by their guardian. FREE.
4-6pm
PUP PORTRAITS | Limelight Aspen
Calling all dog lovers! Treat your furry friend to a tail-wagging good time with FREE Pup Portraits at the Limelight Aspen. Join us for an exclusive Yappy Hour where your pup is more than welcome!
4pm
BALTO | Aspen Film's ISIS Theatre
FREE admission; RSVP recommended | A 1995 animated adventure film about a half-wolf, half-husky dog who leads a sled team to deliver life-saving medicine to Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria epidemic in 1925. The film, which is loosely based on the true story of the sled dog Balto, features animated sequences alongside live-action framing scenes. It tells the story of how Balto, an outcast who is not trusted by most people, overcomes adversity to become a hero. escription