A toast to Winter: Aspen’s 2010 Wintersköl January 14-17th

Aspen’s Wintersköl celebration or "a toast to Winter", is perhaps the best party, celebration and community gathering in all of the West’s mountain towns. This year is the 59th annual celebration and the year’s theme is “Epic Steeps and Decades Deep”. This slogan captures the essence of what Aspen is about: Winter! And the calendar is packed for the 5 days of free (or nearly free) events suited for the whole family.
Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter,” dates back to a quiet January in 1951 when the lifts had closed and the local Aspenites decided to celebrate Aspen’s unique Nordic lifestyle with an eclectic weekend of festivities. Now a-days town in still thriving and tourists and locals alike get to have fun in the snow.

Activities:
Don’t miss the Wintersköl sculpt where six teams race to free their creation from enormous 8’x8’x8’ blocks of snow in only 48 hours! Or catch the "Surfing 50 States" and Surfwear Competition at the Wheeler, and don’t forget your crazy beach outfit- you might win $200! Hear incredible music from Keller Williams and The Wailers. Chill out with Men’s and Women’s Health Magazine as they drink wine, play games and dance away in the Gondola Plaza. You could race your way to piping hot apple streusel at the Apple Streusel Downhill or take you favorite family member (the dog of course!) to learn how to Skijor (it’s a combo of Nordic skiing and dog sledding). And no matter what events you get yourself into during Wintersköl - do not miss the torchlight descent and fireworks extravaganza! They really are some of the most fantastic winter fireworks. See complete schedule of Wintersköl events.

Be in Aspen for the celebration of winter! The Inn at Aspen Hotel is featuring phenomenal winter lodging deals and it's ski in ski out location will let you ski by day and play by night!