A new December tradition: After 73 years, Wintersköl kicks off holiday season with community party

Editor’s note: A version of this story appears in this year’s edition of the Winter in Aspen/Snowmass magazine.

Wintersköl, Aspen’s 74-year-old party, returns this year to build upon decades of tradition, creativity, and community spirit — with one major change. After being held in January for 73 years, this season’s Wintersköl moves to Dec. 12-15, right before tourism revs up for the holidays.

A group of locals originally launched it in 1951 to fill a lag in January tourism. Back then, a daily Aspen Mountain lift ticket cost $4.05, and ticket sales reached only 175,000 across Colorado’s ski mountains. Compare that with the 2023-24 season, when Colorado attracted 14 million visitors across its ski areas, and Aspen’s high-season population spiked to 27,000.

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These days, Wintersköl has grown into one of the hallmarks of Aspen’s winter celebration. It commemorates cold nights, deep powder days, and warm community connections.

“We want to keep that history and still modernize it, keeping it new and relevant,” says Julie Hardman, senior director of events at the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA).

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As Aspen expanded into the burgeoning tourist capital it is today, so, too, has Wintersköl.

“Wintersköl was this fun, wacky thing that grew in the community, and no matter what you were doing that day, you still stopped what you were doing and participated,” she says. “That’s kind of the goal for us to get back to. Newer people to the community don’t understand what Wintersköl is and why it exists.”

For the first time in its history, the event brings people together to celebrate the start of the winter season to reflect on hopes and intentions for the months to come.

This year’s slogan, Rock Your Soul Out at Wintersköl, revolves around a modern, fun vibe.

Wintersköl is about Aspen’s community: the businesses that make it run, the people who love it, and the locals. As Aspen has grown busier in January leading up to Gay Ski Week and into the X Games, it became difficult for locals and visitors to spare time for the event.

“We want to get the attention of the new workforce and locals again to share what these events are all about: community, celebrating where we live, and the fun things we have at our fingertips,” Hardman says.

The event is organized with the help of ACRA and other stakeholders, including Aspen Skiing Company, the city of Aspen, the Town of Snowmass, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, and more. In keeping with the spirit of Wintersköl, local organizations and businesses donate their time to help run the festivities, and the majority of funding for events comes through ACRA’s Wintersköl budget and the Town of Snowmass’ tourism budget.

ROYAL HONOREES

The 74-year-old tradition of crowning Wintersköl royalty recognizes locals who make a difference. Honorees are nominated by the public and selected by a committee based on who best exemplifies the spirit of Wintersköl by giving back to the community.

Once upon a time, the nominees also were judged on their skiing capabilities, but the Wintersköl spirit has become more defined by sportsmanship than skiing. And, in 2023, a personalized Kemo Sabe hat replaced the inaugural crown and scepter.

Either way, becoming Wintersköl royalty means a lot to recipients.

“When I look back at the royalty in years past, I think that’s why I’m so honored to be a part of this. We live in an amazing community with fabulous people,” says Nancy Mayer, who has lived in Aspen since 1981 and was the 2023 Wintersköl queen. “They tell your story at the luncheon, and I remember looking across the crowd of faces in my town that had inspired me, in awe that mine was the story being told.”

Still, this position is not only reserved for longtime locals. Kaleb Cook was Wintersköl Royal Honoree in 2024, after living in the valley for just two years. Cook founded the local nonprofit Cook Inclusive in 2021 to bring affirming care, access, and services to the queer and disabled community.

“It was honestly such a fantastic experience to really feel like I am a part of Aspen and have the sentiment that my work is valued and the services and programs that we have built for this community are actually seen as something that people really need and really want to share,” Cook says, adding that the visibility the Wintersköl nomination gave to their organization helped expand the program to students down valley.

Snowmass gets in on the action

This season, Snowmass participates in Wintersköl for the first time by hosting its own activities.

“We are able to support Wintersköl more this year because of the date change from January to December,” says Sarah Sanders, director of events at The Collective, adding “January is in the thick of winter season, but December has a nice local element.”

Key events include an illuminated tealight Lantern Walk on Dec. 14, along with extended hours for Snowmass S’mores and a free hot chocolate extravaganza. Folks can write intentions and wishes for the coming winter and place them along a path in Base Village.

“The idea is to make this about your intentions for this darkest time of year and embrace that darkness and the wintertime with your goals for the time,” says Sara Stookey Sanchez, public relations manager for the Town of Snowmass.

At 6 p.m. on Dec. 14, Open Snow talks about this winter’s general weather forecast to stoke skiers and riders.

Dec. 13-15, Base Village hosts the Winter Holiday Market, filled with more than 30 local vendors and artisans, as well as curling competitions on the rink.

Decemberween, a local Nightmare Before Christmas-themed, party complete with a costume contest and prizes, takes place Dec. 13.

The rest of the lineup

Thursday, Dec. 12

Wintersköl opens with a viewing of the cult film “Aspen Extreme” with all four theaters at the ISIS Theatre open to the public. Wear retro ski gear for the evening, which includes a special surprise celebration in the evening.

Friday, Dec. 13

KidSculpt is a fan favorite of Wintersköl programming. Commemorating snow sculpting contests of old, Anderson Ranch supports teams of students to bring the weekend’s theme to life.

Aspen Film presents  Champions of the Golden Valley (81 minutes.)Doors 6:30 p.m. Screening 7:00 p.m. Q+A to follow with producer Katie Stjernholm + director Ben Sturgulewski. $15 AF Members, $20 GA. *15% of all ticket sales will be donated to the Bamyan Alpine Ski Club website. Nurture and develop the current ski culture and community in Afghanistan by supporting the Bamyan Alpine Ski Club (BASC). BASC makes wooden skis for children, assists in ski training, and organizes an annual ski race for the youth. Just $30 is enough to gift a pair of wooden skis to a local athlete!

Tickets are available here or at the Aspen Film Isis Theatre Box Office.

Alishah Farhang is the main participant of our film — the Afghan ski coach and will be in America from 6-16 (and in Aspen from Dec 11-14). 

Saturday, Dec. 14

Apple Strudel Downhill returns for another year of friendly competition. Race to win Gretl Uhl’s famous apple strudel at Highlands on Saturday morning.

Then, head to Soupsköl at 3 p.m. in Wagner Park. It honors late Chef Reggie Barbour, as more than 30 local businesses compete for the title of best soup champion.

Skate off the afternoon’s soup at the Snowmass Village Rink before heading to Aspen Mountain for the traditional torchlight parade and fireworks display. Just beware: Nancy Mayer, 2023 Wintersköl queen, recommends wearing old gear, as sparks from the torches ruined her snowsuit when she raced down the mountain, torch in hand, years ago.

Buttermilk and Highlands also open for the season.

Sunday, Dec. 15

End the weekend at the Uphill Breakfast Club at Buttermilk, as you skin your way up the mountain to meet other breakfast fanatics.

This 74th Wintersköl is sure to recall years past while embracing its new timeslot. “It is definitely something that’s iconically Aspen,” says Nina Gabiabelli, long-standing Wintersköl committee member, “and it’s the old character of Aspen.”