Aspen is set to deliver an amazing 2024-25 winter season, offering a mix of new adventures, culinary delights, and cultural celebrations. Whether you are a seasoned skier or rider, a foodie, or an art enthusiast, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. From cutting-edge improvements on the slopes to chic new dining experiences and inspiring cultural programs, Aspen continues to evolve while maintaining its luxurious charm and deep connection to nature.
We’ve compiled a list of the latest highlights, dining news, and arts and cultural events to help you plan your time here. Get ready to discover what awaits you this winter and make the most of this snowy season.
Highlights
NEW CONEY EXPRESS LIFT
Snowmass debuted the high-speed Coney Express Lift, a high-speed quad that will effectively replace the Coney Glade chair but with a much larger footprint. Coney Express will feature a midway station for access from the world-class Snowmass terrain park.
THE CABIN EXPANSION
Located at mid-mountain on Snowmass, The Cabin (formerly Lynn Britt Cabin) will boast a renovation and expansion this winter with an extended patio, outdoor grill and bar area. An augmented list of bookable experiences has been added, including après parties and specials, live entertainment, and snowcat dinners throughout the 2024-2025 season.
Dining and Entertainment
Aspen continues to impress with a host of new dining and entertainment options:
NEW
Rock Island Bar and Grill
Nestled amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Rocky Mountains, Chef Jake Burkhardt combines coastal cuisine and mountain fare to create a truly unforgettable dining experience in the heart of Snowmass Village.
ZigZag Aspen
Situated one block from the base of Aspen Mountain, Zig Zag is a modern French American bistro taking over the iconic Mezzaluna space at 624 E. Cooper Street, across from the entrance to Aspen Square. ZigZag Aspen will feature the only traditional wood-burning oven left in Aspen, ensuring its spot as a culinary destination for lunch, brunch, après, dinner, and more.
HaSalon at W Aspen
Located at W Aspen, HaSalon showcases Chef Eyal Shani’s Mediterranean menu with dishes that take broad inspiration from Israel with additional French and Japanese influences. Eyal's innovative culinary approach, where fresh, locally sourced ingredients take center stage, celebrates natural flavors and delivers a memorable dining experience. With a vibrant atmosphere and creative flair, HaSalon reflects the richness of the Mediterranean.
Westy’s Tap and Tavern
Following Westbound & Down Brewing’s acquisition of Aspen Brewing Co. in early 2024, visitors can enjoy craft beers and tavern-style pizza.
Angelo’s
Formerly, Casa D’Angelo, the newly renovated and rebranded upscale Northern Italian restaurant offers classic dishes along with an expanded wine program.
Jimoto Aspen
This counter-service spot dishes out Japanese favorites such as flavorful ramen, oozing soup dumplings, and fresh poke. Newly remodeled for the season, Jimoto will transport you to Japan while you share hot sake with friends.
Wayan Aspen
With its acclaimed NYC flavors brought to Aspen, Wayan Aspen is set to make history as the first Indonesian restaurant in Colorado. A restaurant created by Chef Cedric Vongerichten, Wayan blends Indonesian cuisine with French sophistication, offering dishes like Chicken Satay, Nasi Goreng, and Lobster Noodle alongside new creations unique to Aspen. Set in a cozy, family-style setting, Wayan Aspen offers an unforgettable dining experience, where tradition meets innovation.
AM7
This private membership club is nestled above Belly Up Aspen and Yuki restaurant. Centrally located and perfectly situated, the site offers both unbeatable views of the mountains and a never-before-seen collaboration of dining, comfort, and entertainment all in one.
Gravity Haus Aspen
The newest Gravity Haus outpost is a reimagined mountain clubhouse grounded in Aspen's Wild West roots.
Yogi’s Aspen
Set to open this winter, Yogi’s will offer an inviting mix of affordable comfort food including sandwiches, salads, barbecue, and fried chicken. The relaxed, mountain-friendly atmosphere will be enhanced by an outdoor beer garden, live entertainment, and weekly events. Guests can also enjoy seven free-to-play arcade games tucked into the corner of the restaurant, making it a great experience for all ages.
MICHELIN GUIDE NEWS
The MICHELIN Guide to Colorado announced that Bosq Aspen has retained its one star, cementing the restaurant’s status among the state’s finest dining destinations. Retaining a MICHELIN star is a testament to the restaurant's consistent excellence and attention to detail, making it a must-visit for culinary enthusiasts seeking world-class dining in Aspen.
Element 47, Mawa’s Kitchen, and Prospect made the list of recommended restaurants in the guide, while Chris Dunaway of Element 47 was awarded MICHELIN Guide Colorado 2024 Sommelier of the Year.
For more on the MICHELIN Guide and its selections, visit the official MICHELIN Guide Colorado page.
Arts and Culture
Aspen Film
This winter, Aspen Film looks forward to hosting a screening of Aspen Extreme at the Isis Theatre to kick off Wintersköl in December and the return of Radical Wednesdays, a retro ski film series with a few special guest appearances in Feb, 2025.
Aspen Historical Society
Aspen Historical Society is thrilled to introduce complimentary Wheeler/Stallard Museum admission. This winter, The Wheeler/Stallard Museum will feature the exhibition Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed. Newly refreshed with dual-language interpretive signage at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum grounds and Ashcroft Ghost Town, the Historical Society welcomes visitors to explore the area’s historical properties during the fall, winter, and spring.
Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies
The Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies (the Bayer Center) located on the Aspen Institute campus presents "Bauhaus Typography at 100" on view through April 26, 2025. The exhibition draws a throughline from the Bauhaus’s iconic style to the shape of typography today.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Anderson Ranch Arts Center will present its fourth annual outdoor sculpture exhibition this winter. The 2025 iteration of the exhibition includes 15 works by emerging and established artists. Anderson Ranch will host a holiday open house this December where attendees will follow candlelit paths through campus while touring the studios filled with work made by the Artists-in-Residence. All proceeds will directly support artistic programming. More information on this winter’s rotating gallery exhibitions and event schedule can be viewed at andersonranch.org.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
This winter, ACES will again offer their Potbelly Perspective series in partnership with ACRA, as well as Wild Perspectives and Naturalist Nights lectures. ACES looks forward to the return of guided snowshoeing experiences at Ashcroft this winter, lunch tours to Pine Creek Cookhouse, and beloved snowshoe tours on Aspen and Snowmass Mountains. At the newly reopened Catto Center at Toklat, ACES will host a Winter Solstice Opening Celebration on December 21 with live music, drinks, and food.
Special Winter Events
The 74th edition of Wintersköl is scheduled for December 12-15, 2025, with a diverse mix of events. Join the locals for a four-day celebration featuring on-mountain activities, concerts, a craft beer fest, Soupsköl™, a torchlight descent down Aspen Mountain, a bonfire, and fireworks.
Now in its 15th year, the Audi Ajax Cup promises to be an exhilarating celebration and the ultimate holiday festivity in Aspen. Get ready for a thrilling day of high-speed competition as sixteen teams go head-to-head for the famed Gorsuch Cup, all while raising money for Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club.
Aspen Gay Ski Week (January 12-19)
Aspen Gay Ski Week is a premier LGBTQ+ winter celebration offering a vibrant mix of skiing, snowboarding, and an extensive lineup of social and cultural events both on and off the mountain. This week-long celebration draws visitors from around the globe, creating an inclusive atmosphere that embraces community and adventure.
Winter X-Games (January 23-25)
The Winter X-Games return to Buttermilk Mountain for an action-packed weekend of extreme sports, live music, and energetic community vibes. Top athletes from around the globe will compete in adrenaline-fueled events in skiing and snowboarding, while attendees enjoy music, activities, and interactive experiences.
Toyota U.S. Grand Prix (January 30-February 6)
Aspen Snowmass welcomes back the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix to Buttermilk Mountain. This prestigious event, part of the FIS World Cup series, brings together some of the most elite freeskiers and snowboarders from across the globe to compete in slopestyle and halfpipe disciplines.
For more details, visit the Aspen Snowmass event page.
Aspen Snowmass is proud to host the debut of The Snow League, the first professional snowboarding league created by legendary snowboarder Shaun White. Buttermilk Mountain will set the stage for this highly anticipated event with snowboarders from around the world set to compete.
With a focus on both head-to-head matchups and a season-long points system, each competition will build toward crowning the first Snow League champion. Fans can follow their favorite riders as they push boundaries and set new standards for the sport, making their mark on snowboarding history.
STAYING IN DOWNTOWN ASPEN THIS WINTER
Experience the best of Aspen by staying in the heart of downtown. Our condominium hotel offers all of the amenities of home with the convenience of being just steps from the Aspen Mountain Gondola. Whether you are hitting the slopes, exploring downtown, or dining at one of Aspen’s many famed restaurants, you’ll have everything within easy reach.
Make your Aspen winter getaway effortless, memorable, and filled with all of the charm this mountain town is known for. Contact us at 970-925-1000 x3515 or concierge@aspensquarehotel.com to plan a winter vacation you’ll never forget!