Aspen Nightlife – Winterskol

Since Aspen is a wintertime playground for so

many people, it is only fitting that everyone in

Aspen during the month of January participates

in Winterskol. This is literally a celebration of

winter, cold, and snow – which is a great deal

of what makes Aspen, well, Aspen! Winterskol

is the ultimate Aspen party.

Winterskol is held during the month of January

each year, and it is the wildest winter

celebration you will ever experience. The

highlight of Winterskol is the Canine Fashion

Show, where pets are dressed up in crazy

clothing, such as miniature bridal gowns.

Winterskol has been an Aspen tradition for

more than fifty years – and it will continue for

at least another fifty! The first Winterskol

celebration was held in 1951.

During Winterskol, more than 40 events are

scheduled in the downtown area, Aspen

Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk

Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain. The

entire area gets involved in the activities.

Winterskol is a celebration of Aspen’s Nordic

ancestry, as well as a celebration of winter.

While most events are scheduled in advance,

Winterskol also brings several surprises as

well. You just never know what you will find at

the Winterskol celebration – until you are there.

Favorite traditional activities include the Canine

Fashion Show, Winter sculpt, the Buttermilk

Uphill Race, and Snowmass Splash. Don’t

miss the torchlight descent and the fireworks

display over Aspen Mountain. Don’t miss the

unique competitions happening all over town.

There is constant live entertainment all around

town as well. If you are planning a ski vacation,

and you want to have the time of your life –

your destination should be Aspen, and your

arrival date should coincide with the start of

Winterskol.

Winterskol is an ongoing week long party with

something for everyone. Amusement,

entertainment, parties, and celebration are top

priorities during the week of Winterskol. You

have to experience Winterskol at least once in

your lifetime – and after you have been once,

you will be back. Winterskol is a celebration

that is comparable with Mardi Gras in New

Orleans – but a lot safer, and in many

opinions, more enjoyable.

As they do for Mardi Gras, people come from

all over the world for Winterskol. Event

packages are available, but all of the lodges,

hotels, motels, condos, cabins, and

campgrounds sell out early. Make sure that you

book lodging for Winterskol well in advance,

and take advantage of the packages that the

various lodges offer. Packages typically

include lodging, airfare, rental cars, and

other things that you may require as well.