Winter 2024-25: New Events, Restaurants, and Action in Aspen | Avant Garde Aspen Luxury Real Estate

As the snow begins to fall, Aspen is gearing up for an unforgettable winter season. With fresh experiences, exciting events, new dining spots, and sustainability initiatives, there’s no better time to plan your Aspen adventure. Here’s a guide to what’s new and notable for the 2024-2025 winter season.

Winter Events: Traditions and Excitement Return

1. Wintersköl™ (Dec. 12-15, 2024)
   Aspen’s beloved winter festival celebrates its 74th year with on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest, a torchlight parade, and fireworks over Aspen Mountain.

2. Aspen Gay Ski Week (Jan. 12-19, 2025)
   The nation’s oldest week-long LGBTQ+ ski event is back, offering incredible skiing and a vibrant lineup of parties and community events.

3. X Games Aspen (Jan. 23-25, 2025)
   Witness the world’s best action sports athletes compete in disciplines like Superpipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air. The ticketed event will also feature live music performances.

4. Toyota U.S. Grand Prix (Jan. 30-Feb. 6, 2025)
   Top freeskiers and snowboarders return to Buttermilk Mountain for thrilling competitions in freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

5. The Snow League Debut (Mar. 7-8, 2025)
   Shaun White’s groundbreaking professional snowboarding league premieres at Buttermilk Mountain, bringing world-class athletes together for an epic showdown.

On-Mountain Upgrades

1. Coney Express Lift
   A high-speed quad lift debuts at Snowmass, replacing the Coney Glade chair. This new lift increases base capacity, eases congestion, and features a midway station for easy access to Snowmass Terrain Park.

2. The Cabin Expansion
   Formerly Lynn Britt Cabin, this mid-mountain retreat has been renovated with an expanded patio, outdoor grill, and new après-ski experiences, including live entertainment and snowcat dinners.

Arts & Culture: A Vibrant Winter Ahead

1. Aspen Art Museum Exhibits

   • Shuang Li: I’m Not (Nov. 20, 2024-March 2, 2025)
   • Ugo Rondinone: the rainbow body (Dec. 12, 2024-March 30, 2025)
   • Megan Marrin: Austerity (Dec. 12, 2024-Feb. 23, 2025)

2. Aspen Film’s Radical Wednesdays
   A retro ski film series returns in February, celebrating Aspen’s ski culture.

3. Aspen Historical Society
   Complimentary admission to the Wheeler/Stallard Museum, featuring Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed, and enhanced signage at the Holden/Marolt Mining Museum and Ashcroft Ghost Town.

4. Bayer Center at Aspen Institute
   Explore Bauhaus Typography at 100, showcasing the evolution of modern design, on view through April 2025.

Culinary Delights: New Restaurants & Michelin Accolades

1. New Dining Spots

   • ZigZag Aspen: A modern French-American bistro with a wood-burning oven.
   • HaSalon: Mediterranean dishes with French and Japanese influences at the W Aspen.
   • Wayan Aspen: Indonesian cuisine debuting this winter.
   • Yogi's Aspen: Affordable BBQ, fried chicken, and sandwiches near Rio Grande Park.

2. Michelin Guide Recognition

   • Bosq Aspen: Retained its Michelin Star.
   • Element 47, Mawa’s Kitchen, Prospect: Recommended by Michelin.
   • Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell, and MOLLIE Aspen: Each awarded a Michelin Key for exceptional hospitality.

Lodging Innovations

1. Aspen Meadows
   Newly renovated rooms and the addition of Aspen Meadows Café offer a cozy ski season retreat.

2. The Gant
   Partnering with Base State for wellness packages and introducing Origin, a new dining concept featuring locally sourced ingredients.

3. Gravity Haus Aspen
   A new mountain clubhouse with coworking spaces, fitness facilities, and a private restaurant for members.

Sustainability Achievements

Aspen has been recognized among the 2024 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories for its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With the launch of the Colorado Green Business Network of Aspen, the city empowers local businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices.

Aspen Snowmass also continues its environmental advocacy through partnerships with Protect Our Winters (POW) and compostable product initiatives.

Plan Your Aspen Winter

From thrilling events and cutting-edge amenities to a thriving arts scene and sustainable practices, Aspen continues to set the gold standard for mountain destinations. Visit Aspen Chamber to learn more and start planning your winter adventure today!