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Christmas in Aspen

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7 Nov 2024
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Cultural Events

Christmas in Aspen is a magical time of year filled with seasonal beauty, a bustling atmosphere, and an abundance of fun activities. A buzz of excitement fills the air as busy shoppers line the downtown streets, restaurant tables are filled with diners, and skiers and snowboarders pack the slopes of Aspen's four resorts. December’s chilly weather meets the warm holiday spirit as we welcome the Christmas season in the Roaring Fork Valley

There are many available activities for you to enjoy with your family and friends during a holiday stay at Aspen Square. Here is a sampling of some of our favorite ways to enjoy the season across our four mountains and two towns:

Skiing and Riding

It wouldn't be an Aspen winter holiday without some time spent on the slopes. All four mountains are open by Christmas week, offering thousands of acres of skiable terrain at all levels to explore. Peruse the Aspen Snowmass Tickets and Passes page for up-to-date lift ticket and pass prices, and be sure to book at least ten days in advance to lock in the best rates. Please contact our concierge team at concierge@aspensquarehotel.com with questions about ski rentals, lessons, or lift tickets.

Aspen Square’s prime location, across the street from the Silver Queen Gondola at the base of Aspen Mountain, puts you directly in the center of the action. Free buses at Rubey Park, just a few blocks from Aspen Square, are also available to take you to the three other ski areas ― Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk, and Snowmass. Buses run all day, every 15 minutes, for convenient accessibility.

For cross-country ski enthusiasts, the Aspen Cross Country Center has you covered with maps of the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System and its list of groomed trails and tracks. Located just out of town on Hwy 82 at the Aspen Golf Course, the Cross Country Center offers gear rentals, lessons, cross-country ski tours, ski tuning and repair services, and men’s and women’s locker rooms. It’s a great spot to start exploring.

Ullr Nights in Snowmass

The Ullr Nights winter festivities at Snowmass are set to return in 2024-2025 during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Honoring the Norse God of Snow, Ullr, these special evenings at Elk Camp on Snowmass Mountain transform the area into a winter wonderland of activities including tubing, rides on the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, snow biking, and snowshoeing. Warm up by the bonfire with s’mores and hot chocolate or explore the á la carte dining options available in the Elk Camp Restaurant. Tickets are available for purchase online, with limited availability during Christmas week.

Purchase your Ullr Nights Activities Ticket to access unlimited tubing and Breathtaker Alpine Coaster rides. This ticket is $76 per person, for any age, and gondola access is included in the cost. Reservations are strongly encouraged and waivers are required to be signed by participants, parents, or guardians. The Activities Ticket also grants you access to the complimentary activities offered with General Admission.

The Breathtaker Alpine Coaster

Looking for a rush off the slopes? Get your winter thrills on the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, located next to Elk Camp Restaurant. Featuring speeds up to 28 mph, the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster is open daily from December 20-April 1 and on weekends from November 28-Dec 1, Dec 6-8, and 13-15. 

Reservations are required, weather-dependent, and subject to cancellation. Buy online, in person, or call 866-857-8769. Coaster tickets may sell out and close early so it is best to plan on arriving no later than 1:00 pm. Click here to view our activities status. Winter activities tickets are non-transferable.

Snow Tubing

Aspen Snowmass offers tubing facilities for the winter season at Snowmass. Multiple lanes are carved into The Meadows at Elk Camp with lift service and lighting facilities to illuminate the runs at night during Ullr Nights.

Ice Skating

A perfect way to enjoy downtown Aspen's Christmas decorations is to glide around the Silver Circle Ice Rink (right outside CP Burger and just a short walk from the Silver Queen Gondola and Aspen Square). The Silver Circle generally opens in December, and ice skates are available for rent at the rink. 

If you prefer the warmth and comfort of skating indoors, the Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice Arena are both open for public skating and special events. 

Snowmobiling 

If you’re eager to explore the Aspen Valley over Christmas break but prefer the solitude of the backcountry to busy groomed runs, the T-Lazy 7 Ranch offers winter snowmobile tours in the White River National Forest (which includes the Maroon Bells). You can rent all the equipment you’ll need (helmets, boots, extra layers) before being taken for a ride (literally) by experienced and knowledgeable snowmobile guides. It’s the best way to see more of Aspen’s spectacular winter wonderland up close.

Snowshoe and Ski Tours

During the winter, snowshoe and ski tours are led daily by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) at both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. ACES partners with Aspen SkiCo and the US Forest Service to offer free educational naturalist tours for children and adults. Check online to buy tickets for your snowshoe and ski tour.

Sleigh Ride to Pine Creek Cookhouse

For an unforgettable sleigh ride paired with a scrumptious meal, reserve a spot at the Pine Creek Cookhouse for lunch or dinner. With Castle Creek Road closed to vehicles beyond Ashcroft in winter, a scenic sleigh ride becomes one of the best ways to reach this secluded spot. A classic horse-drawn wooden sleigh driven by experienced cowboys will carry you from the Ashcroft Adventure Lodge to the Cookhouse, with warm blankets to keep you cozy as you travel through snowy aspen groves, open fields and looming mountains—an especially magical experience under the stars in the evening.

The Pine Creek Cookhouse is a quintessential Aspen destination, famed for its diverse alpine-inspired menu featuring locally sourced, organic ingredients. Its cuisine delivers bold, vibrant flavors, complemented perfectly by the stunning mountain setting.

Snowmass Luminescence

Snowmass Luminescence is back for the 2024-2025 winter season, turning Snowmass Base Village and its surroundings into a breathtaking display of lights and art installations, open nightly from sunset until 9 p.m., from December through early April. This magical experience begins as the ski lifts close, offering a perfect evening activity for all ages.

Highlights of this year’s installation include The Wave by Squidsoup, with 500 illuminated orbs synchronized to create a stunning mix of light and sound. Another must-see is Electric Dandelion by Liquid PXL, where towering dandelion-like sculptures shimmer like fireworks when illuminated. The LED-lit Tunnel connecting Snowmass Mall to Base Village completes the experience with color-shifting lights, creating a visually immersive pathway ideal for photos.

Snowmass Luminescence is free and open to the public, making it a memorable way to extend your winter adventure in Aspen Snowmass.

Holiday Cabaret Series with Theatre Aspen

Celebrate the season with Theatre Aspen’s Holiday Cabaret from December 19-23. Each evening, the ballroom of the Hotel Jerome turns into a Holiday Cabaret, complete with a seated chef's dinner and a 60-minute Broadway-style performance by Theatre Aspen. Come and celebrate the holiday season with friends, food, and fabulous entertainment!

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Get into the holiday spirit by attending a performance of The Nutcracker by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Featuring a stellar cast of performers, this production will surely delight audiences of all ages and entertain with ballet, flamenco, Chinese ribbon dance, circus artists, and more! Bring family and friends to join this magical Aspen tradition and usher in the holidays. Check the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet website for event info and to purchase tickets.

Live Music

Aspen’s live music will be in full swing this holiday season, bringing a wide variety of performances sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Belly Up Aspen,  in top talent, starting with ZHU on December 20. The Chainsmokers will take the stage on December 28, followed by Chris Lake on December 29, and Diplo on December 23, making Belly Up a go-to spot for unforgettable holiday shows.

In addition, the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series will add to the festivities with free outdoor performances in scenic locations like Snowmass Base Village and Gondola Plaza. Featuring a line-up of established and emerging artists, this series will fill your holiday evenings with live music and a beautiful holiday atmosphere.

For more traditional holiday music, The Wheeler Opera House and Hotel Jerome offer seasonal concerts with performances ranging from smooth jazz to classical Christmas music, sure to add to the holiday ambiance of your celebration.

Christmas Dining

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining options are curated and published annually on the ACRA Holiday Dining page. Multiple restaurants in Aspen offer holiday menus for lunch and dinner, featuring a variety of choices suitable for everyone from Aspen’s finest dining establishments.

Check the event page frequently for updates, and contact restaurants directly for reservation information.

Christmas and Hanukkah Holiday Services

Aspen warmly welcomes all celebrations of faith and traditions during the holiday season. Throughout December, various Christmas and Hanukkah services are held, offering visitors and residents the opportunity to gather and celebrate. 

The Aspen Chamber website updates its Holiday Religious Services page regularly as new events are added. If you don’t see the service you are seeking, be sure to check back for the latest details and additional service options.

Holiday Memories Await at Aspen Square

Create the holiday of your dreams with a stay at Aspen Square! Located just one block from the Aspen Mountain gondola and the main freeskier bus terminal, we offer convenient access to Buttermilk, Snowmass, and Aspen Highlands. Enjoy everything Aspen has to offer right at your doorstep, from snow sports to abundant shopping, dining, and other cultural options.

Explore our available rentals and start planning your holiday getaway. For extra assistance, call us at (970) 925-1000 or reach out to our reservations team at reservations@aspensquarehotel.com