Wintersköl™ Kicks off Dec. 11, 2025

Experience Aspen’s Beloved Winter Festival with New Surprises and Classic Favorites

 

ASPEN, Colo. (Nov. 21, 2025) – Aspen’s beloved winter celebration, Wintersköl, returns Thursday, Dec. 11 through Sunday, Dec. 14, bringing four days of mountain-town magic, community spirit, and festive fun to Aspen and Snowmass Village. The annual tradition marks the official kickoff to winter with a reenergized schedule of new experiences and returning favorites that capture the essence of winter in Aspen.

“Wintersköl has always been about the joy of winter and the strength of our community,” said Julie Hardman, Senior Director of Events for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA). “This year, we’ve curated an experience that honors our traditions while introducing new ways to celebrate what makes Aspen so special: its creativity, connection, and enduring mountain spirit.”

The multi-day festival celebrates the spirit of Aspen with a mix of mountain adventures, live music, winter treats, and creative community experiences. Attendees can cozy up with free Snowmass S’mores, connect at the Icebreaker Bash, and relive Aspen’s past with retro Wintersköl films and a screening of Aspen Extreme. The weekend also offers playful competitions, festive markets, and spirited après activities, from the charm of The Gant’s Winter Market to pup-friendly Yappy Hour gatherings. The festival emphasizes connection, creativity, and celebration, inviting locals and visitors alike to experience Aspen’s winter culture in fresh and memorable ways.

This year’s event highlights include:

Thursday, Dec. 11

• 3:30-5:30pm: Kick off Wintersköl at the Icebreaker Bash, the official opening celebration, at the new Paul JAS Center. ACRA will announce this year’s Wintersköl Royalty, Business and Nonprofits of the Year, THRIVE Award, and the Molly Campbell Award Winner. Savor tasty bites, enjoy live music and great company as the community celebrates the start of another exciting season in Aspen. Tickets now on sale.
• 3:30-4:30pm: Presented by Snowmass Tourism, guests of all ages can enjoy free Snowmass S’mores. Playful s’mores carts will be in Base Village and on the Snowmass Mall, designed to look like giant marshmallows.
• 6pm & 7:30pm: Enjoyretro Wintersköl films from the Aspen Historical Society, a brief festival history, and a complimentary beer, followed by the cult-classic ski film Aspen Extreme. Free admission. Dress in ski or retro gear and get into the winter spirit.
• 10pm: Get neon, mullets, and headbands ready for the Aspen Extreme Costume Contest. After the Wheeler Opera House screening, keep the party going with DJ beats and late-night drinks. Rock a 90s Aspen Extreme look for a chance to win Best Costume.

Friday, Dec. 12

• 9am-12pm: Witness local creativity at its finest as the Anderson Ranch Arts Center presents KIDSCULPT at Wagner Park! Come watch local school teams transform snow into spectacular works of art.
• 2-4pm: Try your hand at curling in the Game of Stones series. Teams of two face off in a head-to-head elimination - first to 10 points wins. Free to play; register at the rink before the event.
• 2:30-4:30pm: Enjoy free live music with The Hugh Phillips Band on the Snowmass Mall; bundle up, grab a drink, and dance under the stars.
• 5-7pm: Celebrate the season at Viewline Resort Snowmass with a holiday tree lighting, treats, and festive drinks in a cozy alpine setting.
• 5-8pm: Discover unique, handcrafted gifts from local artists while enjoying live music and cocktails at this year’s Holiday Market at the Snowmass Village Conference & Event Center.
• 6-9pm: Decemberween returns for the third year! Join this locals’ Halloween-themed party at New Belgium Ranger Station with DJs, drink specials, and a costume contest.
• 8pm: Spark the winter spirit at the ISIS Theatre’s screening of Downhill Racer, a 1969 the 1969 drama following a driven skier’s rise and rivalry on the U.S. ski team. Tickets go on sale soon for $7.40.

Saturday, Dec. 13

• 2-6pm: Wintersköl Beer Festival: the new ‘Toast of Winter’ will run from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at Wagner Park. This event is ticketed; attendees must be 21+ to sample.
• 3-5pm: Taste and vote for the best soup from local restaurants as they compete for the coveted title of “Best Soup” during Soupsköl at Wagner Park.
• 4:30-7:30pm: Gather around the Wintersköl Bonfire at Wagner Park and take in the festivities (the beer festival, live music, and the torchlight parade and fireworks) all from the warmth of the community fire. Enjoy special sets from the Drumbots and Almost Utah, with the Drumbots performing at lighting and again at 6:45pm ahead of the parade and fireworks.
• 5-8pm: Skate to funky beats with DJ Tenza; free entry, free rentals, and costumes encouraged but optional at Disco on the Rink in Snowmass Village.
• 7pm: This year’s Torchlight Parade proudly features talented young athletes of the Aspen Valley Ski Club and other Roaring Fork Valley ski clubs. Watch these talented locals descend the slopes of Aspen adorned with torchlights, followed by a dazzling firework show over Aspen Mountain.
• 8pm: Join JT and Chad from Chad Goes Deep at the Wheeler Opera House as they bring their new groundbreaking show to Aspen. JT delivers fresh stand-up while Chad presents his satirical TED Talk, “Chill Towards Enlightenment”, exploring his “stoke philosophy.” Tickets are on sale now at aspenshowtix.com.

Sunday, Dec. 14

• 8am-2pm: Discover local crafts and sip complimentary hot cocoa at The Gant’s Winter Market, celebrating Aspen’s winter creativity and community spirit.
• 8:30-10am: Uphill Breakfast Club at the Cliffhouse, Buttermilk Mountain: After a morning uphill, enjoy a free breakfast along with fun giveaways and the great camaraderie of our uphill community.
• 12pm-1:15pm: Join Christian Beckwith - founder and executive director of The Teton Climbers’ Coalition - at the Aspen Community Church for a special presentation of Ninety Pound Rucksack. Discover the remarkable legacy of the 10th Mountain Division and explore how a WWII unit of soldier-skiers transformed America’s mountains and inspired a culture of adventure that lives on today.
• 4-6pm: Dog lovers can enjoy free Pup Portraits and a pup-friendly Yappy Hour at Limelight Aspen.
• 4pm: Finish the weekend with a family favorite as Aspen Film’s ISIS Theatre screens Balto. FREE admission with RSVP. Google Form for RSVP, HERE.

Since its start in January 1951 as a “toast to winter,” Wintersköl has grown into a cherished Aspen tradition, celebrating the town’s unique mountain culture with a full weekend of events. For the complete schedule and details, visit the Wintersköl event page.

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Media Contact:

Jessie Vandenhouten, Backbone

[email protected] 

Press Releases Aspen’s beloved winter celebration, Wintersköl, returns Thursday, Dec. 11 through Sunday, Dec. 14, bringing four days of mountain-town magic, community spirit, and festive fun to Aspen and Snowmass Village. The annual tradition marks the official kickoff to winter with a reenergized schedule of new experiences and returning favorites that capture the essence of winter in Aspen.