Is there a better place to spend the holidays than Aspen Snowmass? We sure don’t think so! It’s the perfect setting for making those magical holiday memories with the ones you love most – and there’s certainly no shortage of things to do over the holiday season, from special celebratory activities; to the world-class skiing and snowboarding Aspen Snowmass is famous for; to the vast range of off-the-slopes outdoor winter recreation opportunities the area has to offer; to top-notch dining, shopping, entertainment and more…
This skiers’ paradise is also a holiday utopia. Want to be sure you’re taking full advantage of this special time of year, but not sure where to start? Read on for our recommendations of the best things to do in Snowmass over the holidays, and get ready for your best holiday season yet, with fun for the whole family!
Special Holiday Festivities & Events
- Grand Opening Party for The Cabin at Snowmass, Dec. 21st from 2-4 pm – Kickstart your holiday festivities with an early celebration at The Cabin, Snowmass’ newly renovated on-mountain hangout and restaurant, offering gourmet indoor dining, outdoor après, and snowcat dinners. Located mid-mountain, the Cabin is now easily accessible for both ski and foot traffic via the new Coney Express Lift, just steps from the door of Woodrun V! This Grand Opening Party will celebrate the fresh renovation of The Cabin’s outdoor patio space, with a variety of food and drink specials from Sumo Dog and Vueve Sun Club.
- Experience the pure magic of Christmas as The Collective Snowmass transforms into ‘Santa’s Village’ for four days, Dec. 21st to 24th, complete with snowmen, twinkling lights, nutcrackers, festive photo booths, and more. Each day is packed full of special holiday activities – from cookie making to caroling, to photos with Santa, to ornament painting, and plenty more – that are sure to inspire anyone to find their holiday spirit. Check out the full daily schedule here.
- Of special note, visitors can even enjoy a meet-and-greet with Santa’s Reindeer on Dec. 23rd, from 4-6pm at the Ice Rink!
- Holiday Caroling with the Holiday Bell Tones – Nothing embodies the spirit of the holidays quite like the sounds of classic holiday carols, and the Holiday Bell Tones will be spreading joy and cheer through their harmonious voices throughout the Snowmass Mall and Snowmass Base Village, daily from Dec. 21st to 24th, on the following schedule:
- 1-1:40 pm @ The Collective Snowmass
- 2-2:40 pm @ Snowmass Base Camp
- 3-3:40 pm @ Tower Stage
- Christmas Eve Services at the Snowmass Chapel – Services will be offered at three separate time slots on December 24th: 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8 pm.
- Hanukkah Celebration at The Collective Snowmass, Dec. 25th through Jan. 2nd. The Collective will have a large Menorah on display, along with a special Menorah Lighting Ceremony with Town of Snowmass Village Mayor Alyssa Shenk, in partnership with Aspen Jewish Congregation, on Sunday, Dec. 29.
- For New Year’s Eve, there’s simply no better way to ring in the New Year in true mountain town style than the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks at Snowmass. The parade begins at 6 pm, and will feature skiers and snowboarders descending the mountain with festive lights to illuminate the sky. Spectators are in for a real treat with this magical show of lights – and for those who want to participate, up to 250 intermediate-and-above skiers/riders (ages 8+) with valid ski passes are welcome to participate in the fun! To take part, skiers must sign up online in advance (visit here for more info), with registration opening at 8 am MT on Dec. 29th, and open until the slots fill up. Following the parade, Fireworks will launch over the mountain at 10 pm.
- The Collective Snowmass will also host a family-friendly New Year’s Eve ‘Open House’ celebration from 6-10 pm, featuring live music by local band Groove Syndicate, beats by DJ Tenza, food and drinks available for purchase, a champagne toast alongside the fireworks show, and more.
Photo: Sam Ferguson
Daily Winter Activities at Snowmass
- SKIING, of course! With a full 75 trails and more than 2,600 acres of terrain currently open, conditions on Snowmass Mountain are excellent! Ski right from your door at Woodrun V, with better access than ever before to the full scope of the mountain via the new Coney Express Lift, and enjoy top-to-bottom skiing all day long! Click here for the daily snow report.
- For the Kiddos:
- Breathtaker Alpine Coaster at Elk Camp – While this is always a thrilling treat for kids (and adults, too!), Snowmass’ Breathtaker Alpine Coaster rides feel all the more special during the holidays, and make for a super fun way to take in the sights and sounds of winter off the slopes. Riders wind their way through more than a mile of forest on this exhilarating coaster ride, hitting speeds up to 28 mph.
- Tubing at Elk Camp – For those who prefer a slightly slower pace than the Alpine Coaster, tubing is another great family-friendly activity offered at Snowmass, and a unique way to be outside celebrating the joy of winter over the holidays. With multiple lanes and lift service to the top, there’s fun to be had for folks of all ages while slipping and sliding down the tracks.
- Ice Skating – Experience the magic of gliding on ice under twinkling lights at The Rink at Snowmass Base Village. The rink is open daily from 1 pm to 9 pm, and offers free skate rentals!
From all of us here at Woodrun V Snowmass: Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, and we hope you enjoy the celebrations in style! Cheers!
Photo: Jeremy Swanson
