When the temperatures drop, Aspen begins to hit its stride. Opening day marks the unofficial start of winter, with Aspen Mountain and Snowmass scheduled to open on Thanksgiving, November 23rd. With the debut of a new expansion on Aspen Mountain, new restaurants, shops, and other epic events, winter ‘23-’24 is sure to be a good one.
New and Noteworthy
ASPEN MOUNTAIN TERRAIN EXPANSION
Aspen Mountain will unveil a new high-speed quad chairlift and terrain expansion for the winter season. Aspen Mountain’s new Hero’s terrain will add 152 acres of skiing and riding, increasing its skiing and snowboarding acreage by more than 20%. The expansion is named in honor of those who were instrumental in bringing the project to life, most impactfully Jim Crown, the late managing partner of Aspen Skiing Company.
The new high-speed quad chairlift and expansion with 1,220 vertical feet and more than 150 acres of new chutes, glades, and trails marks the first major expansion in the area since the addition of the Silver Queen Gondola in 1985. This addition will also add more skiing options on the upper portion and help diversify the mountain’s mix of terrain.
The trail and lift are scheduled to open this winter once conditions allow.
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL
2024 marks the 75th anniversary of Aspen Music Festival and School, regarded as one of the top classical music festivals in the country. Renowned for its concert programming and musical training, Aspen Music Festival and School features orchestral concerts, chamber music, opera, and solo recitals presented by the world’s top classical music artists, orchestral professionals, teaching artists, and rising young student musicians from around the globe.
2024 STIFEL ASPEN WINTERNATIONAL
Aspen Snowmass will host the last leg of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit in the U.S. in the form of the 2024 Stifel Aspen Winternational on March 1-3, 2024. International racers will compete in slalom and giant slalom on Aspen Mountain while Aspen Snowmass hosts ceremonies and events surrounding the races. Enjoy the action-packed spectating in combination with community-centered events and ceremonies and amazing ski racing across the four resorts.
ART IN UNEXPECTED PLACES PARTNERSHIP WITH CLAUDIA COMTE
Inspired by the long history of Aspen's vibrant arts and culture community, Aspen Snowmass created the Art in Unexpected Places program, which brings well-known artists to Aspen to share contemporary art with wider audiences using innovative methods.
The 2023-24 season marks the 19th year of the program and a partnership with renowned Swiss multimedia artist Claudia Comte. Five of Comte’s recent works will be displayed on limited-edition lift tickets to be shared with skiers and riders for the 2023/2024 season.
The exhibit of Claudia Comte’s work at Aspen Snowmass will run through September 2024.
Dining News
From coffee and light breakfast fare to amazing Italian, Aspen adds to its already impressive dining options with new restaurants and a One MICHELIN Star award winner.
NEW
Alpin Room (New Chef and Menu)
The Alpin Room opened in winter 2021 and offers a thoughtful, handcrafted reimagination of Alsatian home cooking. Chef Emily Oyer, former Executive Sous Chef at Cloud Nine, has taken the helm and re-created the restaurant’s menu and personality.
Chef Oyer’s fresh take on the Alps-inspired cuisine will feature approachable comfort food with an elevated twist, and a focus on locally-sourced ingredients. A Food Network-featured chef, Chef Oyer won Chopped in 2021 and competed on Beat Bobby Flay in 2022. Chef Oyer aims to bring new warmth, energy, and community to the ski-in/ski-out fine dining restaurant.
Le Bateau
This new restaurant by Gravity Haus offers French-inspired cuisine and celebrates the emergence of a new style of French food using coastal ingredients with modern influences.
Sant Ambroeus
With a menu that focuses on Italian classics for breakfast through dinner, this cafe, gelateria, and restaurant opened in late July.
Alpina
This Alpine-inspired restaurant offers coffee and light breakfast along with a brunch/lunch menu with wine and cocktails.
The Crepe Shack
This breakfast and lunch cafe by Mawa McQueen recently opened a new location on the pedestrian mall.
AWARD-WINNING
Bosq
A one MICHELIN Star family-owned restaurant, Bosq uniquely offers innovative and inspired cuisine sourced from local farms and foraging in our mountains and Streams.
COMING SOON
Stranahan’s Tasting Room
Opening this winter on the walking mall is this tasting room and restaurant by Denver-based Stranahan’s® Colorado Whiskey.
Wild Fig
After vacating its old location of 19 years, this new location on Mill Street will soon be offering its menu inspired by the cuisines of France, Spain, Italy, and Greece in a newly expanded space.
Buck (Bar Under Cooper and Kitchen)
With a focus on affordable comfort food, Buck will offer a small menu of offerings such as lasagna, burgers, and chicken sandwiches set in an old-school Aspen ambiance.
Yogi’s
Set to open during ski season, Yogi’s plans to offer affordable American comfort food with a variety of vegetarian options and arcade games to entertain kids and teens.
Hai Si
This Japanese Izayaka concept plans to open on restaurant row in 2024.
Sway Thai
With both basic and elevated Thai dishes, Sway Thai will bring the modern Thai food created in their original Austin location to Aspenites in the winter of 2023-2024.
Shopping News
Well-known for luxury shopping, Aspen adds to its retail selection with these new retail stores.
NEW
The Bayer Center Store
Located in the Bayer Center on the campus of the Aspen Institute, the merchandise includes custom apparel, books, jewelry, Bauhaus product re-editions, home items, accessories, games, and textiles.
Bundles Gift Co
Founded by Aspenite Wesley Jacobs, Bundles offers home goods, local Aspen gifts, custom-designed logo apparel, and more.
LD Ceramics
A ceramics studio and gallery by artist Lori Dresner offers wall paintings, sculptures, and hand-painted porcelain ceramics for purchase
COMING SOON
Banana Republic
Returning to Aspen this winter after a 20-year hiatus.
Special Winter Events
Wintersköl (January 11-14)
Returning for the 73rd year, this four-day celebration is Aspen’s annual toast to winter. This year’s theme is “Uniting Snow Bums and Bunnies since 1951” and features on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest, a torchlight descent down Aspen Mountain, a craft beer festival, and fireworks!
Aspen Gay Ski Week (January 14-21)
Aspen Gay Ski Week is a premier LGBTQ+ winter celebration with a full schedule of events both on and off the Aspen Snowmass mountains.
Winter X-Games (January 26-28)
Returning for its 23rd year, Aspen will again host the premier action sports competition with three days of heart-pounding action on Buttermilk Mountain.
Staying in Downtown Aspen this Winter
Be close to the action when you stay downtown Aspen with all of the comforts and amenities of home. Our condominium hotel is located in downtown Aspen, just a few steps from the Aspen Mountain Gondola. This means easy access to all the great things Aspen offers.
Contact us at 970-925-1000 x3515 or concierge@aspensquarehotel.com to get ready for a winter vacation you’ll never forget!