Aspen Snowmass Issues Winter Events Calendar 2018/2019

Throughout the winter season, Aspen Snowmass serves up a thrilling schedule of races, concerts, parties and other events – each drawing spectacular crowds and rave reviews. But its signature events are a cut above the rest, hosted in the town of Aspen and across each of the four mountains: Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands.  

December

Ajax Cup – 30^th December

Taking place 30^th December, the Audi Ajax Cup features head-to-head slalom races on the storied run of Little Nell at Aspen Mountain. In its ninth year, the event will feature teams of six going head-to-head until one team is named the winner and awarded the famed Gorsuch Cup. Visitors can cheer on the racers as they navigate the challenging course and then stick around to experience one of the hottest après ski parties of the year. www.audiajaxcup.com

January

Wintersköl – 10^th – 13^th January

Now in its 68^th year, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter” event – Wintersköl – celebrates what makes winter in Aspen so special, with four days of celebrations across town as well as on all four mountains. Those who join the festivities can see magnificent snow sculptures and fireworks, a canine fashion show, fat-bike races on the snow and join an evening torchlight descent on Aspen Mountain followed by lively après ski parties. www.aspensnowmass.com

Aspen Gay Ski Week – 13^th – 20^th January

Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW) is the oldest annual, week-long gay ski event in the US. Visitors can enjoy four mountains of varied skiing and snowboarding terrain, as well as cross-country skiing, snowshoe and winter hiking trails in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. The week-long celebration encompasses a wide variety of LGBTQ+ friendly events, from dedicated skiing days on each of the mountains, a fashion and art night out, club night festivities, a pool party, comedy show, hosted dinners and much more. www.gayskiweek.com

X Games Aspen – 24^th – 27^th January

X Games returns to Aspen, Colorado’s Buttermilk Mountain for the world’s best action sports, music and festival experience – on snow. The free sports events are open to the public, with more than 200 of the best athletes across ski, snowboard and snowmobile. Throughout the four days of events, musical performances will be hosted by Lil Wayne, Louis The Child, The Chainsmokers and Kygo as they take the stage alongside the most progressive winter athletes. www.xgames.com/aspen

February

Aspen Snowmass Freeskiing Open – 14^th – 16^th February

The Aspen Snowmass Open is one of the last and longest running independent open competitions in the US. It opens up the X Games Aspen Slopestyle and Superpipe and Big Air courses at Buttermilk to amateur and professional level athletes. Last year, the open drew around 200 competitors from six nations to test their skills. www.aspensnowmass.com

March

Power of Four Ski Mountaineering Race – 2^nd March

The Audi Power of Four Race Series is a premier endurance race series utilising the unique and amazing terrain of each of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains. Covering 24 miles and more than 10,000 vertical feet of climbs, each race is designed to test the limits and skills of both elite and recreational athletes. Teams begin in Snowmass Village, head to West Buttermilk, then on to Aspen Highlands where they ski over to Aspen Mountain and end in gondola plaza. www.aspensnowmass.com