Since I live in Aspen, winter is one of my favorite seasons. I love seeing the mountains sprinkled with fresh powder, getting hot chocolate at Paradise in the frigid weather, and, of course, skiing – , as many locals docan relate to that. If they have lived in Aspen for most of their lives they have been skiing for a long, long, time, but for those who don’t ski, what else is there to do in town when it seems to be all that people want to do in the winter?
Ice Skating
For those who enjoy drifting on the snow while skiing but want to do it in a more confined, flat space, bring out your inner Tanya Harding and ice skate.! In the winter, CP Burger turns its mini-golf course into an open rink next to the dining area. It is open to all skill levels and you can either bring your own skates or rent them. The open arena allows those who are capable to do jumps and twirls, but personally, I’ll be holding the railing or using a skate helper. It’s the perfect activity to do when in town with friends in the afternoon, and if you’re hungry, grab a burger and fries afterward.!
Snowshoeing
If you still want to be on the mountain but not on skis, snowshoeing is a unique way to traverse the natural environment of Aspen and Snowmass. If you have your own snowshoes, you can choose your own path, but there are also guided snowshoe tours through The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES). It’s a good way to stay active and the sights and wildlife are like no other.
Belly Up
Just because Aspen is small and doesn’t have any large concert arenas doesn’t mean that it is a music-free town– If you’re looking to do something at night that doesn’t involve being outside, The Belly Up is an underground venue that has musicians performing all throughout the year, but is ideal in the winter because you’re inside, away from the cold. It’s a small space but provides an intimate experience for those in the audience indulging the music. Be aware that some of the events are 21+ so before buying tickets, check the website to make sure you’ll be permitted access.
X Games
For the past 24 years, Aspen has hosted the Winter X Games at the base of Buttermilk. X Games weekend is always filled with giveaways, thrilling events, concerts, and an exciting atmosphere overall. There’s stuff to do during the day, but in my opinion, the nights are where all the action happens – lights, music, and people from the valley and beyond illuminate the base of Buttermilk. Seeing the athletes do crazy flips and jumps in person instead of the classic ESPN broadcast is a surreal experience, and it truly is one of the highlights of winter time in Aspen. If you do decide to attend X Games next year, make sure you bundle up, because the end of January cold mixed with the long night is not a good combo if you’re not warm.
While skiing is what Aspen is known for and one of the aspects that makes it stand out from other tourist towns, indulging in other activities is a great way to broaden your horizons. Getting out and partaking with the other small beauties in Aspen is a good way to engage your inner environmentalistinner-environmentalist without having to put on skis and explore it that way.
