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.

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