What’s New for Winter 2024-25 in Aspen

ASPEN, Colo., (Nov. 12, 2024) – Today, Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) announced new and notable offerings for the destination ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 winter season. With new experiences, the return of annual winter events, and welcoming new restaurants, there’s much to experience in Aspen this winter. For more information on all there is to eat, play, and stay in Aspen, visit aspenchamber.org. 

Winter Event News

The 74th edition of Wintersköl™ will take place Dec. 12-15, 2024. Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter” dates back to January 1951 when locals chose to commemorate Aspen's distinctive mountain way of life with a diverse weekend of events.  The four-day 2024 event will continue to showcase on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest, and torchlight parade and fireworks on Aspen Mountain. 

Aspen Gay Ski Week returns Jan. 12-19, 2025. Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW) is the oldest annual, week-long LGBTQ+ ski event in the nation.

X Games Aspen will return to Buttermilk Mountain with some of the world's best action sports athletes competing in ski and snowboard events January 23-25, 2025. X Games Aspen 2025 will be a ticketed event and feature men's and women's ski and snowboard competitions in the disciplines of Superpipe, Slopestyle, Big Air, Knuckle Huck, and Street Style as well as the return of live music to the event. 

Aspen Snowmass is excited to welcome back the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix to Buttermilk Mountain. Freeskiers and snowboarders from across the globe will return to the slopes of Aspen Snowmass for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota January 30-February 6, 2025. 

Aspen Snowmass is proud to host the debut of The Snow League, the first professional snowboarding league created by legendary snowboarder Shaun White. From March 7-8, 2025, Buttermilk Mountain will set the stage for this highly anticipated event, bringing together top snowboarders from around the world.

 

On-Mountain News

New Coney Express Lift: This winter season, Aspen Snowmass will debut an all-new lift, the Coney Express on Snowmass. The new high-speed quad 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 and an expanded list of bookable experiences including après parties and specials, live entertainment, and snowcat dinners throughout the 2024-25 season. 

 

Arts & Culture

This winter, Aspen Art Museum welcomes new exhibitions: Shuang Li: I’m Not (Nov. 20, 2024-March 2, 2025), Heji Shin's America (Nov. 20, 2024-March 2, 2025), Ugo Rondinone: the rainbow body (Dec. 12, 2024-March 30, 2025), and Megan Marrin: Austerity (Dec 12, 2024-Feb 23, 2025). Visit aspenartmuseum.org to learn more about this winter’s exhibitions.

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. Additionally, Aspen Shortsfest is set to return March 31-April 6, 2025. 

Aspen Historical Society is thrilled to introduce complimentary admission to the Wheeler/Stallard Museum. This winter, the Wheeler/Stallard Museum will feature the exhibition Decade by Decade: Aspen Revealed. Newly refreshed and dual-language interpretive signage at the Holden/Marolt Mining & Ranching Museum grounds and Ashcroft Ghost Town welcome visitors to explore the historical properties on their own during the fall, winter, and spring. 

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 will present the fourth annual outdoor sculpture exhibition. This iteration of the exhibition includes 15 works by emerging and established artists. Anderson Ranch will host a holiday open house this December and 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. 

This winter, the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (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, guided by an ACES Naturalist. At the newly reopened Catto Center at Toklat, ACES will celebrate “10 Days of Toklat”, daily events taking place from the winter solstice on December 21st, through December 30th, to commemorate the holiday season. This is also the 75th anniversary of Toklat, with more celebrations to come throughout 2025.

 

Sustainability Initiatives and Recognition

In August 2024, Aspen announced their Mountain IDEAL certification as a sustainable destination. Following a years-long certification process, Aspen was officially third-party certified to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-Recognized Mountain IDEAL Standard by the GSTC-Accredited Green Destinations Certification Body in July 2024.

The City of Aspen, in partnership with the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) and with the support of the state of Colorado, announced the launch of the Colorado Green Business Network of Aspen (CGBN of Aspen) in August 2024. This free program empowers local businesses to adopt sustainable practices, reduce their environmental impact, and contribute to a greener future for Aspen. 

Aspen recently won a place among the 2024 Green Destinations Top 100 Stories. Aspen was recognized for their commitment to addressing climate change via policies, programs, and initiatives that holistically address the community’s sources of greenhouse gas emissions (energy, buildings, transportation, and waste). 

 

Lodging & Hospitality

The Aspen Meadows, tucked away on 40 acres in Aspen's quieter West End neighborhood, has been making big moves recently with a total rooms renovation and the opening of West End Social. This winter is the first ski season for the resort's new Aspen Meadows Café (open daily from 7-3): a cozy spot to grab a coffee, work between laps, or fuel up with a breakfast burrito to take along for the gondola ride. 

Frias Properties celebrates 50 Years of Excellence this winter. Following last summer’s expansion to Snowmass Village, Frias boasts a portfolio of over 130 vacation rentals in Aspen and Snowmass.

The Gant, one of Aspen’s legendary mainstays, presents an extraordinary collection of experiences enhanced by premier resort amenities, inviting guests to embrace the splendor of the Rocky Mountains both on and off the slopes this winter season. New this winter, The Gant has partnered with Base State, a new Aspen longevity studio, to offer travelers exclusive wellness packages to help acclimate to altitude (details are available here). Also new this winter, The Gant is thrilled to introduce Origin, a new dining experience in collaboration with The Farmer & Chef. Showcasing western Colorado's regenerative agriculture, Origin features fresh, seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches. Scratch-made breakfast, lunch, and brunch signature dishes include avocado toast, sourdough pancakes, and huevos rancheros, alongside unique barista offerings such as the decadent peanut latte. This partnership aims to elevate The Gant’s culinary offerings while supporting the local community.

Award-winning hotel MOLLIE Aspen is offering an array of exciting events and experiences this winter. Guests and local community members can enjoy an evening of cozy sophistication with live acoustic music in the lobby every Thursday from 3-5pm (Dec. 5-March 27), Après with Naturopathica on Fridays, and weekly winter events (event locations will be noted on the MOLLIE events page). New this year, NATUROPATHICA Spas will be bringing their signature botanical treatments to their dedicated spa suite at MOLLIE Aspen, creating a relaxing haven for time away from the slopes. Additionally, MOLLIE’s new partnership with Rivian offers guests complimentary access to eco-friendly vehicles for scenic winter exploration while supporting sustainable travel.

 

Dining and Entertainment

NEW | ZigZag Aspen, the highly anticipated modern French-American bistro, is set to open in Winter 2024, taking over the iconic Mezzaluna space at 624 E Cooper Street. The brainchild of co-owner and operator Romain Pavee, ZigZag Aspen blends nearly two decades of luxury hospitality experience, cultivated across France, New York, and Las Vegas, with the local expertise and passion of long-time Aspen residents Scott and Carly Weber. The restaurant will feature the only traditional wood-burning oven left in Aspen, making it a culinary destination for lunch, brunch, après-ski, dinner, and beyond. 

Hasalon, a Mediterranean restaurant, will serve dishes that take broad inspiration from Israel, with additional French and Japanese influences at the W Aspen.

Following Westbound & Down Brewing’s acquisition of Aspen Brewing Co. in early 2024, visitors can enjoy craft beers and tavern style pizza at Westy’s Tap and Tavern.

Angelo’s, formerly Casa D’Angelo, underwent a renovation and rebrand in summer 2024 and offers classic dishes and an expanded wine program.

 

MICHELIN Guide News

The inaugural MICHELIN Guide to Colorado was launched in September 2023. In 2024 it was announced that Bosq Aspen retained its one star; Element 47, Mawa's Kitchen, and Prospect, are recommended restaurants in the guide; and Chris Dunaway of Element 47 was awarded MICHELIN Guide Colorado 2024 Sommelier of the Year.

The MICHELIN Keys, recognize exceptional hospitality experiences. Recognized hotels in Aspen include Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell, and MOLLIE Aspen. The three hotels all received One MICHELIN Key. 

 

 

Media Contact:

Jessie Vandenhouten, Backbone

[email protected] 

 

About ACRA

Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Aspen’s business community and enhancing the visitor experience. ACRA is a unique blend of a traditional chamber of commerce and a visitors' and convention bureau made up of approximately 750+ local businesses, a strong, diverse board of directors, and a dedicated staff.  ACRA’s four departments which support the Aspen business community are Destination Marketing and Group Sales, Membership, Special Events, and Visitor Services. For more information visit www.aspenchamber.org or call 970-925-1940.

 

Press Releases Today, Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) announced new and notable offerings for the destination ahead of the upcoming 2024-25 winter season. With new experiences, the return of annual winter events, and welcoming new restaurants, there’s much to experience in Aspen this winter.