Closing day weekends are always a bittersweet transition from winter to spring as we look back and celebrate a ski season well-spent. With four mountains all throwing their own farewell parties there is no shortage of festivities to enjoy. The lifts might be stopping, but the ski and après cultures stay alive and well throughout April. Use this post as a guide to pick which closing day festivities you and your family/friends should attend. Maybe it’s all four!
Buttermilk Closing Day – April 3, 2022
If a family friendly day full of enough bacon to hold you over until next ski season sounds like your speed, you won’t want to miss Buttermilk’s closing day. Buttermilk likes to celebrate Bacon Appreciation Day by having savory, salty and sweet snacks all over the mountain from the Cliffhouse down to Bumps, almost all of them including bacon! They also host an uphill race starting at 8am if you feel like you need to earn not just your turns but also your bacon. Buttermilk is always the first mountain to close.
Highlands Closing Day – April 10, 2022
Undoubtedly the most popular of the closing day ceremonies. Highlands closing day is a must-go for those wishing to send winter off like a true Aspen local. Start the day by hiking the bowl one last time to be met by ski patrollers barbecuing at the top. After enjoying a hotdog and a bowl lap, head over to Cloud Nine where you can say goodbye to the hottest après scene in Colorado until next season. On your way down from Cloud Nine, stop by ‘Picnic Point’ just below the Cloud Nine lift where plenty of skiers/riders enjoy camaraderie and the views towards Pyramid Peak and Maroon Bells. Finally, and most notably, make your way to the Alehouse at the base to dance the winter away at one of the most iconic annual parties in Aspen. This portion of Highlands closing day is recommended for those 21 and up as the scene always gets rowdy with a live DJ and drinks all around. Be sure to where a costume! This year is 80’s themed and awards will be given to those sporting the best get-ups.
Snowmass Closing Day – April 17, 2022
Originally, Snowmass and Aspen Mountain were both set to close on April 17th, but with the late snowfall in March, Aspen Mountain will be staying open a week later than planned meaning you can attend both Snowmass and Ajax closing parties. What a treat! Snowmass will be hosting events all weekend from Elk Camp down to Base Village. You’ll be able to enjoy snow volleyball, DJ’s all over the mountain and a swimwear themed top-to-bottom run to close out the day on the 17th. The whole family can enjoy closing weekend at Snowmass!
Ajax Closing Day – April 24, 2022
As previously mentioned, and thanks to the extra snowfall this spring, Aspen Mountain will be closing on the 24th, one week later than planned. Hooray for an extra week of skiing! If you want to close out your season in the most ‘Aspen’ way possible, you must attend the Ajax closing party at the birthplace of Aspen skiing. Don’t miss the hilarious and sometimes dangerous “Bump Off” as locals gather at Ridge of Bell at 1 pm for an all-out race down the mogul field under the gondola. You can either join in on the race yourself or watch from Gent’s Ridge as skiers/riders hurl themselves down the bumps. Some make it, some yard sale trying – either way it is a spectacle to behold! DJ’s will be present at the Sundeck and at both Chica’s and Ajax Tavern at the base. Don’t throw away your costumes from Highlands, as there will be a contest at the Sundeck as well.
If you manage to make it to all four closing parties, good for you! A small percentage of locals have the stamina to do so. However you choose to celebrate the mountains closing, we hope you have a blast and stay safe doing so. Here’s to a great summer ahead!
It is no secret that January and February are the most sought-after months for ski vacationers looking to experience heavy snowfall after the holiday season ends. March can sometimes be slept on, but we are here to tell you why March is just as viable a month, if not better depending on what you’re looking for, to make some unforgettable days on the slopes!
Historically, Aspen experiences the most snowfall from late December through late February, but March isn’t too far behind with an average of 29 inches in Aspen according to US Climate Data. What March has that the other months don’t, however, is spring powder. It’s hard to beat floating on a fresh coat of powder knowing you won’t be freezing your toes off as you head back up on the chairlift. The sunny days of March also allow for better visibility when skiing steep and deep powder, as opposed to some of the more overcast days in the preceding months.
If deep snow and sun-drenched days aren’t enough to get you excited for March skiing, maybe extended lift operating times will be. Longer days and an extra hour of sunshine during daylight savings means more time to shred! Lifts have already extended run times until 4:00pm or 4:15pm, giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy those long spring powder days.
March in Aspen also marks the official start to après season, which continues until the mountains close for good. If you need recommendations on where to après, check out our recent blog post on the après scene in Aspen Snowmass. Not included in that post is the new instillation at the top of Ajax called Snow Beach from Aspen X and Gray Malin. Check out our Tik Tok video from opening weekend in February for what to expect at the beach!
As the cherry on top, spring is one of the best times to get deals and discounts on all things ski/snowboard in Aspen Snowmass. Not only will you find deals on gear and passes, but many lodging options come down in price this time of year, making March an incredible opportunity to experience everything our little ski town and four mountains have to offer. We hope to see you on the slopes soon and, as always, reach out for any real estate or tourism questions big or small. We are happy to help make your time in the valley as special as possible.
Aspen’s annual “toast to winter,” dates to a quiet January in 1951 when locals decided to celebrate Aspen’s unique alpine lifestyle with an eclectic weekend of festivities. The four-day celebration features on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a torchlight descent down Aspen Mountain, fireworks and more. One could spend the next four days attending events from 8:00 am to 12:00 am, but we would like to highlight a few of our favorites for you!
Apple Strudel Downhill – Highlands – Friday, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
This race, where everybody wins, started in 1988 when Gretl Uhl began making apple strudel at the Merry Go Round Restaurant. It became a fun race held during Winterskol on the Apple Strudel Run at Aspen Highlands. Follow the signs from top of Exhibition Lift, past the Merry Go Round Restaurant to top of Apple Strudel Run to enter race. No pre-registration necessary! Join the race on Friday, January 14th from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, run the course, then join the other racers at the finish line for strudel and hot chocolate.
Anderson Ranch Arts Center Kidsculpt – Aspen – Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Looking to entertain the kids instead? Kidsculpt is a lively snow sculpting competition as part of Wintersköl festival. With a little teamwork and a few good pairs of mittens, kids work together to transform their four square foot snow cubes into freestanding creations. Snow sculptures available for viewing throughout the weekend.
Location: Mill Street Mall adjacent to Wagner Park. In Aspen
Anderson Ranch Arts Center, 970.923.3181 or andersonranch.org
Snowmass Luminescence – Snowmass – Daily After Dusk
When the lifts close at Snowmass, things really light up. Snowmass Luminescence, an interactive art and light display presented by Snowmass Tourism and Aspen Snowmass, immerses guests and community members in a dazzling world of light and art. Skip the Skittles Gondola ride between the Snowmass Mall and Base Village and instead, stroll through The Tunnel, an interactive series of LED illuminated walkways and arches that will ignite the senses.
JAS Café, Diego Figueiredo with special guest Adrian Cunningham – Aspen – Friday/Saturday, 7:00 pm and 9:15 pm
Grammy Nominated Diego Figueiredo (pronounced fig-a-ray-doe) is considered one of the most talented guitar players in the world today. He is the winner of several important competitions including the Montreux Jazz Competition and the VISA Prize. Diego has released over twenty albums to date, three DVD’s, and several instructional books. His music is a fusion between Jazz, Bossa Nova and Classical. Diego’s unique interpretations, along with his phenomenal technique and emotion, has created an explosion of adoring fans and concert goers. Diego has performed in over forty countries around the world.
Tickets: https://www.axs.com/series/13427/jas-cafe-winter-series-tickets?skin=jasaspen
Torchlight Descent & Wintersköl Fireworks – Aspen – Saturday, 8:00 pm
This iconic event is the pièce de résitance of Wintersköl! Seeing a line of torchlight skiers descending the face of Ajax is a magical experience only to be made even more memorable by the fireworks to follow. If there is one event to see this weekend, this is it!
Wintersköl Snow Sculptures – Aspen – All Day, Every Day
Finally, stop by the fountain at the end of Hyman Street Mall all weekend to see incredible, live artwork. The Aspen Chamber Resort Association presents snow sculptures created by local artist Thomas Barlow. Two 8’ x 8’ snow blocks will be carved into works of art beginning on Thursday, January 13th. The 2022 installations are inspired by the “Wintersköl 2022 – Positive Altitude”. We hope you enjoy this historic weekend in Aspen/Snowmass. See you out there!
Vacations are supposed to be relaxing and stress-free! However, for the seasoned skier/snowboarder looking to crush the best terrain possible at a new resort, finding it can be a hassle. Given that we got over a foot of snow in the last 24 hours, we would love to help you get the most out of your time on our incredible mountains in Aspen Snowmass. We asked some of our dear friends and long-time locals to give their two cents on where they ski and why. Here is what they wrote:
“By far my favorite runs on Ajax are Blazing Star and Buckhorn. I like Blazing Star because it goes right under the lift and there are multiple jumps in a row that everyone can see from the lift, so it is the perfect time to have some fun and strut your step in front of a crowd. I love Buckhorn because it is on the far skiers left side allowing beautiful views of Highlands ski area and it’s a great place to soak up the sun.”
-Alex Ferreira, 2-Time X-Games Gold Medalist, Olympic Silver Medalist, Life-long Aspen Local
"Although peak snow conditions are necessary for optimal riding, my all-time favorite run, Kessler’s, is found off the Deep Temerity lift on Aspen Highlands. The lengthy run gives a humbling perspective of fitness and offers such a diverse set of natural features for the most creative of skiers and riders to express themselves. When I’m not tearing up leftover pow on Kessler’s, you can find me laying trenches on Aspen’s classic downhill, Ruthie’s, on Ajax. Nothing better than starting your day with a high-speed groomer and an espresso from Gorsuch’s.”
- Erik Wehse, Expert Skier, Aspen Snowmass Ski Instructor, Long-time Aspen Local
“For me, on a powder day, first tracks on Kessler’s to Deep Temerity is as good as it gets but it is best super early. I agree with the above summation. It features a variety of varying pitches that will work every level of your expert skiing ability. For cut up powder, or crud, Sheer Bliss is amazing and stays solid for hours. It is good for the advanced skier and the intermediate advanced. Groomer skiing is best on Golden Horn and Thunderbowl. It is fast and much less crowded than other great groomers like Ruthies. The Highland Bowl is fantastic for powder/crud skiing. Lastly, Aspen Mountain on a powder day, Bell, Dumps, Walsh’s, it is hard not to find amazing snow.”
- David Bach, Expert Skier, KNFO Radio Host, Long-time Aspen Local
Talk about some incredible advice from trusted sources. How often do you get hometown skiing advice from a 2-Time X-Games Gold Medalist? We hope you take what you read here and tear it up on the mountains! See you out there!
Happy Thanksgiving from Klug Properties! Whether you are a full-time resident in the Aspen Snowmass area, a regular visitor, or if this is your first time in this incredible valley; there are plenty of ways to enjoy this Thanksgiving holiday. Let us give you some ideas for how to spend your turkey day!
The quintessential Aspen Thanksgiving experience has to start with spending opening day on Ajax Mountain with the other skiers and riders who has been eagerly awaiting the lifts turning again since they stopped last April. Opening day is an electric time to be on the mountain! Smiles spread ear to ear as we all can’t help but feel like a child again doing the thing that caused most of us to move here. Conversations on the gondola are filled with gratitude and excitement, making it nearly impossible to be in a bad mood if you’re out there. After a day on the slopes, cooking a full Thanksgiving meal might seem like a lot. Don’t worry, Ajax Tavern at the base of Ajax Mountain will be offering traditional Thanksgiving favorites including roasted organic turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and all the classic trimmings, complete with pecan pie. Dinner will run from 5-9 pm and starts at $55+ per guest. For this experience, you don’t even have to leave the mountain to get your Thanksgiving fix! Call 970.920.6334 for reservations.
For a similar experience in Snowmass, we recommend skiing or riding all day and enjoying a four-course Thanksgiving dinner at The Artisan in Snowmass Village. Seating starts at 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm in the upper dining room. For the bar area, seating starts at 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm. Pricing is $55 for adults and $20 for children under 12. Call 970.923.2427 for reservations.
If skiing isn’t your thing, but fine Thanksgiving meals that you don’t have to prepare are, you’ll want to make a reservation at Element 47 in downtown Aspen. Here, you will enjoy a three-course dinner with festive favorites and gourmet twists on traditional Thanksgiving flavors. Enjoy your choice of soup or salad to start, turkey or crispy-skinned salmon for the main course, along with family-style sides and decadent dessert. Dinner is 3-9 pm, $150+ per guest with a $100 wine pairing option, $50+ per child. Call 855.920.4600 for reservations.
If you plan on having a more traditional at-home Thanksgiving, nightlife will be waiting for you if you don’t find yourself in a turkey coma. Some of the locals’ favorite spots will be happening into the late hours including Escobar, Eric’s Bar, Public House, and Silver City Mountain Saloon if a western vibe is your style. Nightlife really starts to come alive at this time of year with the holiday season upon us.
Regardless of what you choose to do this Thanksgiving, we at Klug Properties wish you and your family the happiest of times and most delicious meals. We hope to see you on the slopes and in town as the snow keeps falling!
Happy Friday from Aspen Snowmass! The winter season is officially coming to an end. Snowmass Mountain will close out their extended season this Sunday, April 25th. Check out the top three things you need to know about closing weekend at “The Mass”!
Dress up in your fanciest Canadian tuxedo, Hawaiian shirt and shorts, or festive wig! Don’t forget to wear your face covering, to social distance, and to have fun. Here’s to an amazing winter season at Aspen Snowmass!
Happy Friday from Aspen Snowmass! Spring hasn’t quite yet sprung around here yet. With almost two feet of fresh snow in the six days, and even more in the weekend’s forecast. The end of ski season is shaping up quite nicely here! Sunset Skiing and Riding on Aspen Mountain is happening tonight, March 26th and next Friday, April 2nd. Silver Queen Gondola and Ajax Express will run until 6pm, with food and drink specials at the Sundeck. There will also be outdoor live music! There are more exciting events to come before ski season ends. Read on to find out more!
Immediately following the season closing of Aspen Highlands, the 2021 US Alpine Championships will begin. This event is hosted by Aspen Snowmass, in collaboration with Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC), and will run for two weeks from Monday, April 5th through Friday, April 16th. It has been an exciting spring in Aspen Snowmass hosting events on the national and world stage. Between FIS Freeski and Snowboard World Championships, the US Grand Prix Olympic Qualifier, and the US Alpine Championships; Aspen Snowmass is on the map for elite ski and snowboard contest. This competition will include men’s and women’s downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom, and alpine combined, as well as national junior competitions. Finals will be held during the weekdays, with training over the weekend. There are rumors swirling around that Alpine Racing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin will compete! In order to keep race techs, competitors, and coaches safe, the event is taking place after Aspen Highlands closes to the public to promote social distancing, and no spectators— similar to the FIS Freeski and Snowboard World Championships and US Grand Prix at Buttermilk earlier this month. For more information and racing schedules, please visit usskiandsnowboard.org.
Concurrently happening over at Snowmass Mountain, the 2021 NASTAR National Championships will run from Monday, April 5th through Saturday, April 10th. NASTAR stands for National Standard Race. Racers of all abilities and ages can sign up to compete in the world’s largest recreational ski and snowboard racing program. NASTAR Nationals returns to where it began on Snowmass. The first NASTAR National Championship was held at the Spider Sabich race arena in the Spring of 1998. This is also the first National Championship after a year hiatus due the Covid-19 Pandemic. Each day of Nationals, there will be racing clinics taught by Snowmass instructors. Races start each day at 9:45am on the Blue Grouse trail. There are four divisions: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. In the midst of all the professional ski and snowboard events this spring, NASTAR Nationals provide an exciting opportunity to get involved in some of the competitive action! To sign up for NASTAR racing, ticket options, and more information, head over to aspensnowmass.com/events/nastar-nationals.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy the fresh snow and amazing conditions. Happy Trails! Be sure to stay healthy and safe out there.
Happy Friday from Aspen Snowmass! It’s a new month, and we received some fresh snow yesterday. This weekend is expected to be perfectly bluebird, with highs in the 50s! Bring on the sun! We are so excited for March; spring skiing is back and there are plenty of cool and interesting events throughout the month. Read on for some of the exciting events happening in the beginning of March 2021!
Tomorrow, Saturday March 6th, is the local and elite athlete favorite: Audi Power of Four and Power of Two. This endurance race captures the most unique and amazing four mountains that surround us everyday. Power of Four begins at 6am in Snowmass Base Village. Power of Two begins at 8am in Aspen Highlands Base Village (base of Thunder Bowl). Both races finish at the Base of Aspen Mountain. This year, the race will complete at the bottom of Lift 1A, also known as Shadow Mountain Lift. The new race finish is to prevent base crowding and promote social distancing, due to the ongoing pandemic. If you’re out early on Saturday morning, skiing Aspen Mountain or Highlands, you will be sure to see competitors racing! For more information on the course and race, head over to aspensnowmass.com
The first weekend of March is certainly a racing weekend! Sunday, March 7th is The Owl Creek Chase. This is one of Colorado’s best cross-country ski races, and has been since 1985. This race is challenging, yet fun! Starting at 9am in Snowmass and ending around noon on the Aspen Golf Course, this 21K race follows the scenic Owl Creek trail. This year’s event does not allow for spectators on the race course. However, if you’re driving from Aspen to Snowmass Village (or vice versa) on Sunday morning, you’ll be able to safely cheer on racers from your car, socially distanced of course. Sunday should be a beautiful sunny day for racers!
For the first time since the 1950 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships at Aspen Mountain, Aspen Snowmass will host the 2021 FIS Snowboard and Freeski World Championships at Buttermilk Mountain. Events will include Ski and Snowboard Halfpipe, Big Air, and Slopestyle. Qualifications begin on Wednesday, March 10th, with finals scheduled through the weekend and ending on Tuesday, March 16th. Similar to Winter XGames in January, there will be no spectators at the event whatsoever. However, if you’re skiing Buttermilk during the day, you will have the best moving view of the competition from the Summit Express chairlift. There will also be no crowding around the event. The best views and commentary will be on the FIS Championship YouTube channel.
March and April are chock full of exciting events, races, and competitions. Be sure to check out Klug Properties’ blog for weekly highlights of all that’s happening in and around Aspen and Snowmass. Have a great weekend! Think (some) snow!
Happy Friday from Aspen Snowmass! We are certainly excited about this long, holiday weekend here in mountains. With almost two feet of fresh snow last week, and more on the way this weekend, the skiing and riding couldn’t be better right now. Aspen Mountain is now 100% open after last week’s storm. Snowmass, Buttermilk, and Aspen Highlands are about 95% open. This weekend’s storm is expecting up to 14 inches of fresh snow over the three day weekend, which will make for epic shredding conditions across all four mountains! This Saturday, February 13th also marks the point in the season where lifts stay spinning later in the afternoon. Lifts spinning until 4pm daily will include Silver Queen Gondola, FIS Chair, and Ajax Express at Aspen Mountain, Exhibition and Cloud 9 at Highlands, Summit Express at Buttermilk, and Village Express, Elk Camp Gondola, and the new and improved Big Burn Chair at Snowmass. We are certainly ready for longer ski days!
If you find yourself on any of our four mountains this weekend, be sure to of course wear your mask, stay socially distanced, and keep your ears perked up for Bud Light’s Music on the Mountain! This concert series is continuing the local favorite tradition of Hi-Fi Concerts, but in a safe manner. Local and regional artists will be featured every weekend through March at various locations on and at the base of each mountain. For the most up-to-date artist announcements, concert locations, and set times, follow @aspensnowmass on social media.
Are you looking for last minute Valentine’s Day plans this weekend with that special someone? Yes, Valentine’s Day is this weekend too! Sunday to be exact. If you’re hoping to support a fantastic cause, be heart healthy, and get outside, you are a great candidate for Ski for the Pass race on Sunday, February 14th. This is a 7K classic race on Independence Pass beginning at 10am, starting at the Winter Closure Gate on Highway 82 and finishing at the Lincoln Creek Road turnoff. There are new rules for this year’s race, which include no spectators, 30 second interval starts for proper social distancing, and a cap on the number of racers. Registration is still open and can be found at utemountaineer.com, along with more information. This is a family favorite, and friendly, event that benefits the Independence Pass Foundation. I hope to see you up there! I’ll be racing with my daughter this year.
If you’re hoping to have a more low-key plan with your Valentine, or want to avoid the hustle and bustle, as well as pressure of Sunday plans, treat your Valentine to Dinner and a Movie at Ajax Tavern! Continuing the popular Dinner and a Movie Under the Stars from this past socially-distanced summer, Dinner and a Movie at Ajax Tavern’s outdoor heated tent. Dinner starts at 6:30pm and features the fabulous regular menu at Ajax Tavern and Moet Chandon packages. Showtime is at 7:30pm. This week’s movie is the Chris Farley classic Tommy Boy. For more information, reservations, and upcoming movie showings, visit thelittlenell.com
Pitkin County is expected to move up to the State’s new dial, and into yellow restrictions, on Saturday, February 13th. This would mean restaurants can operate at 50% capacity for indoor dining, and move the last call for alcohol from 10pm to 11pm. Other businesses such as retail, offices, gyms, and personal services can also move to 50% capacity. Aspen Snowmass is (more) open! Have a fun and safe holiday weekend! Think snow!
Happy X Games weekend from Aspen Snowmass! We received some much-needed snow across all four mountains over the last week, and we are ready for the action! Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, this year’s X Games will be different than years past. This year’s events will focus entirely on the athletes and the competition at Buttermilk. Fans have the opportunity to enjoy this year’s event completely virtual. Read on to review the history and evolution of X Games, highlights from past events, and why X Games have become a favorite event for locals, spectators, and competitors.
ESPN’s Winter X Games first debuted at Buttermilk Mountain in the Winter of 2002, and has been a January staple in Aspen Snowmass ever since. This year marks the 20th anniversary of X Games in Aspen. When X Games first came to town, there were around 40,000 spectators over the entire weekend. Local schools took the long weekend off, and students took field trips with their class to the competition venue at the base of Buttermilk Mountain. While the local kids aren’t getting time off from school or busing to Buttermilk this year, X Games has evolved and the show will go on, just from the comfort of our homes, like many events this year. The Games normally command tens of thousands of fans daily, but not this year. Recent evolution in X Games programming include X Fest, a village of sponsors and vendors at the base of the Super Pipe, where we have hosted our Chris Klug Foundation booth in past years together with our volunteers. The biggest attraction, besides the competition, are the concerts at the base of Buttermilk. Past performances include The Chainsmokers, Rapper Lil Wayne, and DJ Calvin Harris. I joke that X games used to an action sports fest with a little music. The past years it became a weekend long concert with some action sports.
With what’s happening in our world today, there will be no concerts or X Fest village this year. X Games 2021 is going back to the original attraction, and will entirely focus on the competition and the athletes. Shawn White, The Flying Tomato, is making his return to X Games this weekend along with Chloe Kim? Shaun White dazzled in X Games Snowboard Superpipe contests in years past by revolutionizing freestyle snowboarding, and wowing crowds in the process. Only 500 executives, producers, and event staff are allowed on the grounds, including about 100 athletes. With Canadian snowboarder Mark Morrison, the most decorated X Games athlete, out due to Covid-19, all eyes are on Aspen local freeskier Alex Ferreira who is going for his third consecutive X Games Gold Medal. Ferreira is not the only local skier to compete. Basalt native Torin Yater-Wallace first took the X Games stage in 2011 and has won four medals since. Good luck Torin and Alex. We will be cheering you both on this weekend!
Looking back on how the Winter X Games has evolved in Aspen Snowmass, it’s easy to be amazed at the weekend-long event jam-packed with winter fun. X Games is celebrating 20 years in Aspen, and will definitely be a memorable anniversary. Here are a few reminders and tips to enjoy X Games safely this year.
Have a fun and safe X Games weekend! Remember, the best place to watch the competition and get in on the action is at home. No masks, no social distancing, and no cold feet from the comfort of your couch!
