Lectures, Poetry, Ski & Snowboard Opens, Music, Art, Ballet, Benefits, Celeb Downhill Races, Fashion Week: It's All Happening Right Here!

All Sorts of Doings In And Around Aspen

February

4 Maggie & Nick DeWolf's Free Lecture Series, Wheeler Opera House, 970-925-2585
5 Aspen Writers' Foundation, Winter Words, Jane Hirshfield, 970-925-3122
5-8 Aspen/Snowmass Ski & Snowboard Open at Buttermilk, 970-925-1220
16 Aspen Music Festival presents Jeffrey Kahane, 970-925-9042
11 Maggie & Nick DeWolf's Free Lecture Series, Wheeler Opera House, 970-925-2585

12 Aspen Music Festival presents Joshua Bell, joined by pianist Jeremy Denk, Harris Concert Hall, 970-925-9042
12-13 Mai-Thu Perret and Jim Hodges, Aspen Art Museum, 970-925-8050
13-14 Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, 970-925-7175
16 CSO Music Director Jeffrey Kahane, performing on the piano, Aspen Music Festival and School, 970-925-9042
21 Theatre Aspen's Annual Spring Benefit, 970-920-5770
25 Aspen Music Festival presents Andreas Haefliger, accompanied by his wife Marina Piccinini on flute, Harris Concert Hall, 970-925-9042
27-28 Aspen Youth Experience 13th Annual Celebrity Downhill weekend, 970-925-6671
27-Mar 1 Colorado Freeride Championships, 970-925-1220

March
1-5 Aspen Fashion Week, 970-315-4127
5 Aspen Writers' Foundation, Winter Words, Sara Gruen, 970-925-3122
14 Aspen Music Festival presents pianist Simone Dinnerstein, Harris Concert Hall, 970-925-9042
14 America's Uphill, Aspen Recreation Center, 970-544-4100
20-22 Aspen/Snowmass Bud Light Spring Jam, 970-925-1220
26 Aspen Writers' Foundation, Winter Words, Andrew Sean Greer, 970-925-3122
28 Aspen Santa Fe Ballet presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet, 970-925-7175
29 Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls, Aspen Highlands, 970-925-1220

April
1-5 Aspen Film presents Aspen Shortsfest, 970-928-6882
2 Aspen Writers' Foundation, Winter Words, Augusten Burroughs, 970-925-3122
5 Closing Day - Buttermilk & Aspen Highlands, 970-925-1220
7 Anderson Ranch presents Spring Open House, 970-923-3181
12 Closing Day - Snowmass & Aspen Mountain, 970-925-1220
17 Young Curators of the Roaring Fork: Glitchery, Aspen Art Museum, 970.925.8050
30 Silent Spring, AAM video and film exhibition, Aspen Art Museum, 970.925.8050

May
5-15 Anderson Ranch Presents Children't Art Exhibition, 970-923-3181

*All dates subject to change

Source: Aspen Chamber

More For Your Money in March!!!!

One Free Night — For Every Two Paid Nights!

We think you should get more out of a vacation. Like more space, more privacy and more amenities. More value for your vacation dollar. In short, more vacation in your vacation. That’s why we’re offering One Free Night for every Two Paid Nights at any of our ResortQuest locations during the month of March!*
That’s right, pay for 4 nights and receive 2 additional nights free! Pay for 6 nights and receive 3 additional nights free!

Take advantage of a few more days on the slopes or spend them relaxing beach side. With ResortQuest you can choose from the best of both worlds! Call and speak to a reservations specialist 1.800.222.7736

Aspen Ski Company "On-Line Store"

Thanks to the blog viewer who left the comment/inquiry about the price of lift tickets for a single day.

We just saw your comment from late December today asking for the price of a one day lift ticket. Sorry!

You surely have it by now, but here it is:

Skico confirmed with me this afternoon a single day pass is $96.

Here is the link to all of Aspen-Snowmass pricing:

www.aspensnowmass.com/RESORTQUEST

Winter X Games 13 Gets Underway

Winter X Games 13 opened at the Buttermilk ski area Thursday morning. The annual trick ski and snowboard event wraps up Sunday evening with men’s snowboard super-pipe finals. Snowmobiles are part of the event, too.

All events are free and open to the public.

Here's the schedule.

Thursday, Jan. 22

8 - 9:45 a.m. — Snowboard Superpipe Practice (women)
8:30 - 11 a.m. — Boardercross Practice (men and women)
9 a.m. - noon — Snowboard Slopestyle Practice (men and women)
10 a.m. - noon — Snowboard Superpipe Elimination (women)
11:15 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. — Skiercross Practice (men and women)
Noon - 12:30 p.m. — Snowmobile Next Trick Practice
12:30 - 2 p.m. — Snowmobile Speed And Style Practice
12:30 - 4 p.m. — Ski Slopestyle Practice (men)
2 - 2:30 p.m. — Snowmobile Speed And Style Seeding
2 - 4 p.m. — Monoskiercross Practice
3:30 - 5 p.m. — Snocross Practice
4 - 5:30 p.m. — Ski Superpipe Practice (women)
5:30 - 7 p.m. — Ski Superpipe Practice (men)
6:30 - 8 p.m. — Snowboard Big Air Practice
7 - 7:45 p.m. — SNOWMOBILE SPEED AND STYLE FINAL
7:15 - 8:30 p.m. — MEN’S SKI SUPERPIPE FINAL
8:30 - 9 p.m. — SNOWBOARD BIG AIR FINAL

Friday, Jan. 23

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. — Boarderercross Practice (men and women)
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Snowboard Slopestyle Practice (men)
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Skiercross Practice (men and women)
12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Skiercross Seeding (men and women)
12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. — Snowboard Slopestyle Elimination (men)
1 - 2 p.m. — Snowmobile Next Trick Practice
2 - 3 p.m. — Snowmobile Freestyle Practice
2 - 4 p.m. — Skiing Slopestyle Practice (men and women)
2 - 4 p.m. — Monoskiercross Qualifying
4 - 6 p.m. — Snocross Practice
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. — Ski Supersipe Practice (women)
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. — Ski Supersipe Final (women)
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. — Snowboard Supersipe Practice (women)
7 - 8 p.m. — Ski Big Air Practice
7:30 - 8:30 p.m. — Snocross Round 1
7:45 - 9 p.m. — WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD SUPERPIPE FINAL
9 - 9:30 p.m. — SNOWMOBILE NEXT TRICK FINAL

Saturday, Jan. 24

9 - 10 a.m. — Skiing Slopestyle Practice (men and women)
9 a.m. - noon — Snowboard Superpipe Practice (men)
10:30 - 11 a.m. — Skiing Slopestyle Practice (women)
11 - 11:45 a.m. — WOMEN’S SKIING SLOPESTYLE FINAL
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — Snowmobile Freestyle Practice
10:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. — Boardercross Practice (men and women)
11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. — Snowboard Slopestyle Practice (women)
1 - 1:45 p.m. — WOMEN’S SNOWBOARD SLOPESTYLE FINAL
1 - 2:30 p.m. — MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BOARDERCROSS FINALS
2:30 - 4 p.m. — Monoskiercross Practice
2:30 - 4 p.m. — MEN’S SNOWBOARD SLOPESTYLE FINAL
4 - 6 p.m. — Snowboard Superpipe Practice (men)
4 - 6 p.m. — Snocross Practice
6:30 - 8 p.m. — Snowboard Superpipe Elimination (men)
7 - 8:15 p.m. — Skiing Big Air Practice
7:15 - 7:25 p.m. — Snocross Last Chance Qualifier
8 - 8:30 p.m. — SNOCROSS FINAL
8:30 - 9 p.m. — SKI BIG AIR FINAL

Sunday, Jan. 25

9 - 10:45 a.m. — Ski Slopestyle Practice (men) 9 - 11 a.m. — Snowmobile Freestyle Practice 9 - 11:45 a.m. — Skiecrosss Practice (men and women) 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Skiercross Elimination (men and women) Noon - 2 p.m. — MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SKIERCROSS FINALS 1 - 2:30 p.m. — Snowmobile Freestyle Elimination 1 - 2:15 p.m. — Ski Slopestyle Practice (men) 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. — MONOSKIERCROSS SEMIS AND FINAL 2:30 - 4 p.m. — MEN’S SKI SLOPESTYLE FINAL 5 - 7:15 p.m. — Snowboard Superpipe Practice (men) 7 - 7:45 p.m. — SNOWMOBILE FREESTYLE FINAL 7:30 - 9 p.m. — MEN’S SNOWBOARD SUPERPIPE FINAL TV Broadcasts:

ESPN, ABC AND ESPN INTERNATIONAL TO TELEVISE EVENT LIVE

ESPN and ABC will feature 15 hours of live programming January 22 – January 25. ESPN2 will present daily late-night highlight programs resulting in 19 total hours of original programming for Winter X Games 12. Additionally, the Winter X Games will also be televised on ESPN's International networks to more than 121 countries and territories in Latin America, the Pacific Rim, Middle East, Africa and Israel.

SportsCenter, ESPN's flagship daily news program, will report from Aspen/Snowmass starting Thursday, January 24 through Sunday, January 27. Each of those nights, the 11 p.m. ET SportsCenter will contain event coverage from Winter X Games 12.

Mountain Safety Demonstrations Scheduled; Avalanche Dogs Featured

Aspen/Snowmass will host safety demonstrations and team up with ESPN Winter X Games 13 during NSAA safety week, January 17 – 23, 2009

Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., January 19, 2009 – Aspen/Snowmass will host on mountain demos, the annual Kids Poster Contest at Buttermilk and will partner with ESPN Winter X Games 13 to spread safe skiing and riding messages during NSAA’s Safety Week, January 17 - 23, 2009.

In addition to annual on-mountain demonstrations with avalanche dogs, there will be an increased discussion on rope ducking dangers and consequences. Most exciting, due to the overlap of the ESPN Winter X Games 13, Aspen/Snowmass is partnering with ESPN on safety messaging throughout the event.

Safety Week 2009 Schedule:
Wednesday, January 21 – Buttermilk – 11:30 a.m.
The annual Kids’ Poster Contest resumes at Bumps where children are invited to color safety posters to be displayed at Buttermilk. All children 12 and under (locals and visitors) are invited to participate.

Thursday, January 22 – Buttermilk – X Education Day, for local fifth grade students, is at Buttermilk on January 22. This provides an opportunity for high profile athletes to discuss safe skiing and riding with youth from the Roaring Fork Valley, among other topics such as the environment.

Thursday – Sunday, January 22 – 25 – Buttermilk – A safety week message, featuring Gretchen Bleiler, will air on the jumbotron throughout ESPN Winter X Games 13, reminding skiers and riders of park etiquette.

This week’s past events:
Saturday, January 17 – Aspen Highlands – 12:15 p.m.
Ski Patrol conducted Ski Area Boundary and Avalanche Dog Demos in front of the Merry Go Round. Children were invited to “get buried” and then were searched for by avalanche dogs.

Sunday, January 18 – Aspen Mountain – 12 p.m.
A “Beyond the Ropes” presentation conducted by Aspen Mountain Ski Patrol, educated guests on locating beacons, probing and dog searches in the case of an avalanche.

Monday, January 19 – Snowmass – 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Ski Patrol conducted a “Share the Mountain” exhibit in the new Snowmass base village, sharing speed and space awareness. There were interactive quizzes and prize giveaways.

The National Ski Areas Association, along with the National Ski Patrol, the Professional Ski Instructors of America, the American Association of Snowboard Instructors, and Willis and AIG insurance companies, have created the Safety Initiative campaign to assist ski area operators nationwide address the topic of slope safety education for guests. The primary goal is to attempt to further reduce the frequency of accidents, and to unify the industry to focus on and communicate a proactive, strong safety message.

Aspen Skiing Company operates the four mountains in the Aspen/Snowmass area - Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk - as well as the award-winning Ski & Snowboard Schools of Aspen/Snowmass. The area offers unparalleled nightlife and off-slope activities as well. Aspen/Snowmass is accessible by two of the most convenient airports in the mountains – Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) (3 miles from Aspen) and Eagle County Airport (EGE) (70 miles from Aspen). For more information on Aspen Skiing Company, please call 800-525-6200 or 970-925-1220, or visit the company’s website at www.aspensnowmass.com.

From a press release from Aspen Skiing Company.

Lar Lubovitch Dance Company To Perform On Sunday

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Presents Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 7:30 P.M.

This is the famed dance company's first tour in 13 years.

Lar Lubovitch
January 18, 2009 7:30pm
Celebrating their 40th anniversary, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company is in the midst of their first US tour in over 13 years! Making an exclusive one-night stop in Aspen, Colorado, they will perform one of their signature pieces, the haunting Men’s Stories along with several other classic and new pieces TBA.

Lar Lubovitch has been hailed by The New York Times as "one of the ten best choreographers in the world," and the company has been called a "national treasure" by Variety.

In addition to the work for his own company, Lubovitch has created ballets for many companies, including the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Avin Ailey American Dance Theater, and NDT.

"His dancers are lovely, his choice of music impeccable, and his work is fluid and extraordinarily crafted. Lubovitch manages to strike that delicate balance in modern dance between the onstage interplay of his dancers, and their direct appeal to the audience...These ingredients add up to a night of dance that is nothing short of inspirational."
-- Ilona Wall, ExploreDance.com

Performances are held at Aspen District Theatre at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $20 - $64 and can be purchased by contacting Aspen Show Tickets: 970-920-5770 or toll-free 866-449-0464, stopping by the box office (Aspen Show Tickets at the Wheeler Opera House) or online: www.aspensantafeballet.com.

Lar Lubovitch Dance Co. can be seen on YouTube.com.

“Breezy, fluid and engaging”

– Roslyn Sulcas, The New York Times

Source: www.aspensantafeballet.com

Aspen Nordic Festival Ready to Rock!

Aspen Nordic Festival Ready to Rock!
22nd Owl Creek Chase Held This Saturday, January 17

ASPEN, CO - Snow conditions are fantastic and the weather forecast looks perfect for this weekend's Aspen Nordic Festival, the next round of the USSA SuperTour and Colorado Cup. The elite SuperTour registration deadline is Tuesday Jan. 13th while late registration remains open for the Citizen races. The entry fee for the Owl Creek Chase goes up from $35 to $50 on Friday, Jan. 16th as well as on race day.

Weather looks great
Waxing for this year's races should be fairly straightforward with sunny skies and highs in the low 30's during the day and lows in the low teens at night. Should these conditions stay at a constant, the courses will be the best we've seen in a number of years and the possibility of a warm, sunny finish venue on Saturday looks good.

Interest remains high
Despite the World Cups in Canada on the same weekend, regional and national interest in the Aspen Nordic Festival remains high with entries coming in from across the country and even some skiers flying in from Europe to attend. With the addition of the University of Colorado Invitational to the lineup, the Aspen Nordic Festival should offer fantastic FIS point opportunities as well as a great racing experience for those traveling the SuperTour circuit.

Multiple events bring people together
The Aspen Nordic Festival is proud to host Rocky Mountain Junior Olympic qualifier races, the Colorado Cup citizen series, the AVSC Elite Sprints, and the opening round of the FIS North America Marathon Cup in addition to the CU Invitational and the USSA SuperTour. With all these events combined, the Aspen Nordic Festival and the Owl Creek Chase bring nordic skiers of all different backgrounds and interests together for a festive nordic atmosphere unlike any other. Make sure to check the host website www.owlcreekchase.com for all of the latest information on the upcoming schedule and logistical details.

Owl Creek Chase / Aspen Nordic Festival website: www.owlcreekchase.com
For media information: contact Mike Trecker at The Ute Mountaineer, (970) 925-2849 x17 or trecker@utemountaineer.com



Kristin Drake
Sales & Marketing Associate
City of Aspen- Parks & Recreation
p: 970-429-2098
f: 970-544-9447
www.aspenrecreation.com
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