Annual "Toast To Winter," Winterskol Kicks Off This Week

Aspen Colorado's Wintersköl™ Celebration "Powder Days & Stellar Nights" January 8 - 11, 2009* A special thank you to Susan Melton for submitting the official 2009 Wintersköl slogan, "Powder Days & Stellar Nights." Susan was one of 100+ people who submitted various slogans for the contest. Susan has won (1) pass to the 2009 FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen. Congratulations Susan! The 2009 Wintersköl™ button is brought to you by 50% of all proceeds benefit AVH’s helmet program “Be smart. Wear a helmet!” 2009 Buttons are ON SALE NOW at these participating businesses: Aspen Locations: ACRA, Airport, Visitor Pavilion (across from Paradise Bakery), Wheeler Opera House, Alpine Bank Aspen, Community Banks of Colorado, Vectra Bank Colorado, Zele Café, Main Street Bakery & Café, Clark's Market, City Market, Carl's Pharmacy, Aspen Store, Great Western Grog Shop, Aspen Sports, Kenichi, Taster's, Morris & Fyrwald Real Estate. Snowmass Locations: Aspen Sports, Aspen Sports Outlet Highlands Locations: ZG Grill *Wear your button January 8-11 into the participating businesses below to receive these special offers! * ASPEN: Ajax Tavern 10% OFF Dinner Aspen Art Museum FREE Gift Aspen Historical Society 50% OFF Admission to Wheeler/Stallard Museum DishAspen FREE beer, wine or well cocktail with entrée purchase Helly Hansen 15% OFF Total Purchase Kenichi FREE small sake LUSH Spend $50 & receive goodie bag with 5 full-size products Montagna 10% OFF Dinner Optical Shop of Aspen $50 OFF Purchase (excluding sport loops) Taster's 15% off purchase Wienerstube Restaurant 10% off dinner & complimentary Haus schnapps Zele Café 20% OFF Total Purchase (food & drink) SNOWMASS VILLAGE: Christy Sports 20% OFF clothes and/or accessories Fuel 10% OFF Purchase Goodfellows Pizza 10% OFF Purchase Paradise Bakery & Café FREE Cookie ASPEN HIGHLANDS: Highlands Pizza Company $3 Aspen Brewery Pint Drafts (regularly $5) ZG Grill FREE beer, wine or well cocktail with entrée purchase SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (as of 12/18/08) THURSDAY 1/08/09: 8 a.m. Anderson Ranch Arts Center's “Wintersculpt” Anderson Ranch selects six teams to participate in this intense 48 hour snow sculpture competition. Each team receives a participation fee and cash prizes are awarded to the top three sculptures. Teams often work around the clock on Thursday and Friday of the event to transform their 8' x 8 'x 8' snow cubes into freestanding creations. By Saturday morning, the completed sculptures are judged by a panel of independent community members based on creativity, technical execution, and compliance to rules. Contact Sarabeth Bert 970-923-3181 ext. 204. For more information visit www.andersonranch.org. Noon ACRA Opening Luncheon The St. Regis Aspen. Tickets are $40 for members / $50 for non-members. After Jan. 5th $50 members / $60 non-members. For more information contact ACRA at 970-925-1940. 3 - 5 p.m. Wintersköl Snowman Building Contest Red Brick Center for the Arts. Prize awarded to most original. Red Brick Council for the Arts, 970-429-2777. 6 p.m. Poetry Reading and Soupsköl Preview Aspen Art Museum. Join 2007/2008 Soupsköl-winning chef, Clark Church, of Garnish Café for a preview taste of Friday night’s Soupsköl celebration and enjoy an in-gallery poetry reading and discussion with poet/writer/Parkett magazine U.S. Associate Editor, and Now You See It AAM exhibition catalogue contributor Jeremy Sigler. Aspen Art Museum, 970-925-8050 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. "Why Are We Going Back to the Moon" - A look at the space program's plans for returning to the Earth's moon, why are we spending resources now, and the significance of returning to the Moon with Harvard astronomy expert, David Aguilar Aspen Institute, Paepcke Auditorium. Free and open to everyone! Why, after all of these years, is NASA launching a new billion dollar program to take us back to the Moon? Some believe it is in response to the Chinese space program that will land astronauts on the Moon in the next 10 years. Others cynically think it is a way to keep the aerospace industries in California, Texas, and Florida employed. Space enthusiasts see the return to our nearest neighbor quite differently. For them this is a first step in paving the way for humans to extend their exploration to Mars. This adventure is the next step for humans to learn how to live and explore our own solar system. And this speaks directly to the spirit of the human race. What is it about our species that we are driven to explore, to reach out into hostile landscapes and to establish ourselves in totally new environments? Look at what drives us as a species to explore the rich rewards that may await us on Mars and beyond as we race further into the 21st century. Join us to learn more about these fascinating observations and this suddenly highly controversial mission by NASA to return to the moon. For more information, ACRA, 970-925-1940 8 p.m. Free Comedy Night Wheeler Opera House. Free Admission. For more information, please contact the Wheeler Opera House at 970-920-5790 or www.wheeleroperahouse.com FRIDAY 1/09/09: 8 a.m. Anderson Ranch Arts Center's “Wintersculpt” Sculpting continues. Aspen Mall Area. Anderson Ranch, Sarabeth Berk, 970-923-3181 ext. 204 www.andersonranch.org 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Anderson Ranch Arts Center's "Kidsculpt" Snow sculpture competition, Aspen Mill Street Mall Anderson Ranch, Sarabeth Berk, 970-923-3181 ext. 204 www.andersonranch.org 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Men’s Health Village Chill at the Men’s Health Village and get sköled on the hottest new products while enjoying complimentary food and drinks to fuel your day. Free and open to everyone.http://www.menshealthaspen.com/home.htm. 9 - 4 p.m. - Zero Limits - Stop by the POWERade ZERO display and enter to win the "Zero Limits" sweepstakes. 4 - 6 p.m. - Après Ski Party 8 p.m. - Snow Jam featuring George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Belly Up Aspen. Doors open at 8 p.m. Show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets in advance $60. Day of $65. Belly-Up, 970-544-9800 or www.bellyupaspen.com 10:30 a.m. – Noon Apple Strudel Downhill Aspen Highlands, Apple Strudel Trail Free to everyone! All participants receive a complimentary piece of apple strudel and a hot chocolate drink at the finish line! For more information, contact Doreen Clavell, Aspen Ski Co., 970-544-3011 Noon – 4:30 p.m. Wintersköl ™ Rail Jam at Snowmass 12 - 1:30 Registration outside Snowmass Ticket Pavilion $20* for all athletes *All entry fees are combined for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. Open to Skiers, Snowboarders, Men & Women. 1 - 1:45 Rail Jam Practice 2 - 3 Rail Jam Competition Rail Jam Awards Ceremony immediately following 2 - 9 p.m. "Inside Out" Artist Celebration LIVASPENART, Aspen Highlands 2 - 5 Live music by the Funky Miracle, Highlands Mall 5 - 9 Artists cocktail reception featuring photography, painting and prints at LIVASPENART. Free to everyone! For more information, please contact Olivia Daane at 970-544-0411 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. "Soupsköl" 6th annual cook-off Cooper Avenue & Hunter Street. Soup contest. Restaurants offer a FREE sample of their soup. Public votes for best soup. Sign up to compete TODAY! Click here for the 2009 registration form. All soup must be made in a certified/licensed kitchen. Each business will be provided a 6’ banquet table, 10’x10’ tent space, 2’x4’ participant name banner, and serving cups for samples. Any decorations and serving equipment must be provided by the participant. Each participant should make at least 25+ gallons of soup for consumers (approximately 2,000-3,000). 7 p.m. Fireworks at Snowmass 8 p.m. Ryan Shupe & the Rubber Band Wheeler Opera House. Tickets $5 for locals within Aspen City limits (proof of residency required) and includes free drink tickets. $17.50 all others. For tickets call 970-920-7770 or www.wheeleroperahouse.com. SATURDAY 1/10/09: 9 - 10:30 a.m. Anderson Ranch Art Center's "Wintersculpt" Judging and awards. Aspen Mall Area. Anderson Ranch, Sarabeth Berk, 970-923-3181 ext. 204 or www.andersonranch.org 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Men’s Health Village Chill at the Men’s Health Village and get sköled on the hottest new products while enjoying complimentary food and drinks to fuel your day. Free and open to everyone. www.menshealthaspen.com/home "First Tracks" Ski Run - Be the first to make your marks on the morning's fresh powder. Space is limited. Visit the Men's Health Village to reserve your spot. Zero Limits, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Stop by the POWERade ZERO display and enter to win the "Zero Limits" sweepstakes. Après Ski Party, 4 - 6 p.m. 10 a.m. Canine Fashion Show – registration Corner of Cooper Ave. and Galena St. Free to participate. Registration required and takes place day of. For more information, contact ACRA at 970-925-1940. 11 a.m. Canine Fashion Show Corner of Cooper Ave. and Galena St. 11:15 a.m. - 1:15p.m. Wintersköl Public Skate Aspen Recreation Center, Lewis Ice Arena. Free Admission. For more information, call 970-544-4100. 11:30 - 4 p.m. “WinterFest” Cooper Avenue Mall, Downtown Aspen. Featuring FREE concert by James Hyland Band (1-4 p.m.) clowns, face painters, and more! Produced by ACRA, 970-925-1940 Noon Wintersköl™ Parade Downtown Aspen. Free to participate. Registration is required, contact the ACRA at 970-925-1940. 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Aspen Skating Club Wintersköl Skating Exhibition Aspen Ice Garden. 6 – 8 p.m. Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club Nordic Bonfire Dinner Aspen Cross Country Center AVSC, 970-205-5102 or www.teamavsc.com. Tickets go on sale December 15th at the Wheeler Box Office, the Aspen Cross Country Center, or the AVSC clubhouse. Tickets may also be purchased at the door but tickets sales are limited, advance purchase is encouraged. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of event. Children 13 and under are $10 in advance, $15 day of event, and Family Packages are $45 in advance and $50 day of event. Rental equipment will be available at the Cross Country Center. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. "Galileoscope Golden Telescope" - Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Galileo's 1st use of the telescope Wagner Park. Interactive viewing experience for the whole family using replica's of Galileo's first telescope and larger telescopes with Harvard astronomy expert David Aguilar and the Three Rivers Astronomy Club. Observe the Moon as if you were in orbit above it, the shining pearl-like Venus and the giant Jupiter and its four large moons above the amazing Aspen Sky while sipping hot chocolate and sampling “Mars Bars” and “Rocket Cookies.” (Weather permitting. If poor conditions prohibit the use of telescopes, please join David at the Wintersköl tent in front of Paradise Bakery in Aspen for an alternative presentation on the perils Galileo encountered when he pointed the first telescope to the heavens above). Free and open to everyone! Call ACRA for more information, 970-925-1940. 8:15 p.m. Torchlight Descent Little Nell –Aspen Mt. 8:30 p.m. Fireworks Extravaganza Little Nell – Aspen Mt. 9:00 p.m. Robert Earl Keen, Texas singer/songwriter Wheeler Opera House. Tickets $40. For tickets call 970-920-7770 or www.wheeleroperahouse.com. 10:00 p.m. Pepper with Passafire and Supervillians Belly Up Aspen. Dub rock power reggae roots trio. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets in advance $18. Day of $20. 970-544-9800 or www.bellyupaspen.com. SUNDAY 1/11/09: 7:30 a.m. Wintersköl™ Hike for Hope Uphill Race Buttermilk Mtn. 5th Annual Family Charity Event, 100% of funds raised go to research for a cure of Muscular Dystrophy. Registration is $25 & DOES NOT include the pancake breakfast at Cliff House. For more information and to pre-register, please visit www.hikeforhopeMD.com or call 970-925-6137. Day-of registration will be from 6 – 7:15 a.m. at Bumps Restaurant. Door prizes and a huge prize give-away , fun for all! 8 a.m. Pancake Breakfast. $5. Cliff House Restaurant, Buttermilk Mountain 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Men’s Health Village Chill at the Men’s Health Village and get sköled on the hottest new products while enjoying complimentary food and drinks to fuel your day. Free and open to everyone. www.menshealthaspen.com/home. Zero Limits, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Stop by the POWERade ZERO display and enter to win the "Zero Limits" sweepstakes. Après Ski Party, 4 - 6 p.m. 4:30 & 7:30 p.m. Wheeler Film Society presents The Band Wagon (1953) Wheeler Opera House. Film followed by a brief seminar with local film historian, Bob Kleinman. This is the 2nd segment of the Wheeler's The Artistry of Fred Asitare. Tickets $9. 970-920-7770 or www.wheeleroperahouse.com. 10:00 p.m. Pepper with Passafire and Supervillains Belly Up Aspen. Dub-rock power reggae roots trio. Doors open at 8 p.m.. Tickets in advance $18, day of $20. 970-544-9800 or www.bellyupaspen.com *Schedule of Events is Subject to Change* FRIENDS OF WINTERSKÖL: GOLD: Caribou Club SILVER: Boogie’s Diner Foundation Carl’s Pharmacy Great Western Grog Shop Merrill Lynch – Aspen Pacifica Seafood & Raw Bar BRONZE: Aspen Meadows Chepita City Market Darnauer Marketing & PR Depaz Blue Cane Rhum Agricole Little Annie's Restaurant Mezzaluna Mountain House Lodge Orthopaedic Associates of Aspen and Glenwood Savannah Ashcroft Stan Clauson Associates, Inc.

The History of Wintersköl Wintersköl, Aspen’s annual “toast to winter,” dates back to a quiet January in 1951 when local Aspenites decided to celebrate Aspen’s unique Nordic lifestyle with an eclectic weekend of festivities. Jack DePagter, previous owner of the Holland House, began Wintersköl in 1951. In 1949 Jack began bartending at the Hotel Jerome. Noticing a lull in business during the 3 weeks after Christmas when the ski lifts closed, Jack decided that there must be something he and his friends could do to bring people into Aspen. His idea: a winter carnival, like those at European ski resorts and Wintersköl, a “toast to winter,” was born.