Christmas In Aspen – Aspen Nightlife

Aspen, Colorado is a great place to spend your
Christmas vacation. You can spend your days
on the slopes, and your nights taking advantage
of all of the planned Christmas activities, as
well as the usual Aspen nightlife. No matter
what your interests are, there is always
something to do in Aspen.

During the Christmas season,
 “Its A Wonderful Life” is presented at the
Wheeler Opera House. Santa’s Village can be
 found in Snowmass Village and you will hear
carolers there as well. White Elephant Parties
are common Christmas activities, and you can
even enjoy the Aspen Film festival.

The Holiday Torchlight Parade in Snowmass
village is a sight to behold. Make sure that you
don’t miss this! You can even participate in
this parade! There are many Christmas arts
and crafts programs offered around Aspen
that your children will love to participate in as
well. Make plans to attend the Winter
Wonderland Christmas Party at the Aspen
Recreation Center also.

For the ultimate Christmas adventure, make
sure that you get in on the sledding and hot
chocolate festivities and go for a sleigh ride as
well. Christmas in Aspen is a very magical time
of the year, and you should plan to spend at
least one Christmas vacation here. Plan to
stay at Snowmass.

Aspen Nightlife – Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

Aspen Nightlife isn’t always about music and
dancing. The Aspen Center for Environmental
Studies is a great place to go at night! There
are many planned activities related to
environmental studies, and you shouldn’t miss
the weekly Potbelly Perspective Series.

The Potbelly Perspective Series takes place
one night each week, usually starting about 7pm.
This is a lecture series presented by local
people, as well as visiting guests. Adventures,
pictures and stories are presented that are very
interesting to anyone who has a love of nature
or the environment. This series is not only
interesting; it is also a very inexpensive way to
spend an evening. Admission for adults is only
$3.

Naturalist’s nights are also offered once each
week. Here, you will learn facts about the
natural world, and issues concerning the
natural world. With expert speakers, many
topics are covered, and these nights are planned
in advance. This is a wonderful learning
experience, and a great way to spend an evening
in Aspen.

Many daytime programs are also offered
through the Aspen Center for Environmental
Studies, including ski tours and snowshoe tours.
Call ahead to find out what events are planned,
and to make reservations as necessary.

Aspen Nightlife – Winterskol

Since Aspen is a wintertime playground for so
many people, it is only fitting that everyone in
Aspen during the month of January participates
in Winterskol. This is literally a celebration of
winter, cold, and snow – which is a great deal
of what makes Aspen, well, Aspen! Winterskol
is the ultimate Aspen party.

Winterskol is held during the month of January
each year, and it is the wildest winter
celebration you will ever experience. The
highlight of Winterskol is the Canine Fashion
Show, where pets are dressed up in crazy
clothing, such as miniature bridal gowns.
Winterskol has been an Aspen tradition for
more than fifty years – and it will continue for
at least another fifty! The first Winterskol
celebration was held in 1951.

During Winterskol, more than 40 events are
scheduled in the downtown area, Aspen
Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk
Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain. The
entire area gets involved in the activities.
Winterskol is a celebration of Aspen’s Nordic
ancestry, as well as a celebration of winter.
While most events are scheduled in advance,
Winterskol also brings several surprises as
well. You just never know what you will find at
the Winterskol celebration – until you are there.

Favorite traditional activities include the Canine
Fashion Show, Winter sculpt, the Buttermilk
Uphill Race, and Snowmass Splash. Don’t
miss the torchlight descent and the fireworks
display over Aspen Mountain. Don’t miss the
unique competitions happening all over town.
There is constant live entertainment all around
town as well. If you are planning a ski vacation,
and you want to have the time of your life –
your destination should be Aspen, and your
arrival date should coincide with the start of
Winterskol.

Winterskol is an ongoing week long party with
something for everyone. Amusement,
entertainment, parties, and celebration are top
priorities during the week of Winterskol. You
have to experience Winterskol at least once in
your lifetime – and after you have been once,
you will be back. Winterskol is a celebration
that is comparable with Mardi Gras in New
Orleans – but a lot safer, and in many
opinions, more enjoyable.

As they do for Mardi Gras, people come from
all over the world for Winterskol. Event
packages are available, but all of the lodges,
hotels, motels, condos, cabins, and
campgrounds sell out early. Make sure that you
book lodging for Winterskol well in advance,
and take advantage of the packages that the
various lodges offer. Packages typically
include lodging, airfare, rental cars, and
other things that you may require as well.

Aspen Nightlife – The Wheeler Opera House

The Wheeler Opera House has been an
integral part of Aspen nightlife, history, and
culture since 1889 when Mr. J.B Wheeler and
the Conried Company presented The King’s
Fool. While the building started out as an
Opera House, it was only used for town
meetings and such by 1893, when the silver
mines had played out.

The Wheeler Opera House remained open until
1912 when it was gutted by not one, but two
fires in one week! The Opera House did not
open again until June of 1946 when it was
leased by the Aspen Company. The total
restoration went on until 1960. Between the
years of 1912 and 1946 the Wheeler Opera
House remained empty, and it was used as
a playground by the local children.

During the 1960’s and 1970’s, The Wheeler
Opera House was mainly used as a movie
theater. However, in 1979, the city decided to
restore the Opera House to its original
grandeur, and this restoration was completed
in 1984. The cost was 4.5 million dollars.
Today, the Wheeler Opera House is on the
National Registrar of Historical Places.

Many events, such as lectures, concerts, plays,
 films, and musicals are held at The Wheeler
Opera House today. You can see Broadway
shows, jazz concerts, country and rock
concerts, and even children’s theater here.
Any type of cultural event you can imagine
is held here – and shows are scheduled
throughout the year. Locals consider the
Wheeler Opera House the ‘crown jewel of Aspen.
’ Nationwide, it is considered a world class theater
– and with the detailed woodwork it is certainly a
sight to behold!

The Opera House is still in its original location
on Hyman Avenue, in the heart of downtown
Aspen. You can call to find out what events are
planned, and to purchase tickets. Remember
that this is a popular place, and shows do sell
out quickly – so purchase your tickets as early
as possible. You should also be aware that
children under the age of three years old are
not permitted for live performances, unless the
performance is for children specifically.
Cameras and recording devices are not
permitted for performances.

The Wheeler Opera House can also be rented
for a variety of special occasions and events,
such as parties, receptions, weddings,
conferences, and seminars. Events such as
these are usually held on the second floor,
where guests will enjoy a breathtaking view of
Aspen Mountain, as well as the city.

Aspen Nightlife – The Ultimate Taxi

This isn’t your ordinary taxi ride! The Ultimate Taxi
is actually entertainment that is not to be missed.
This is a thirty to forty minute musical ride around
Aspen – but it’s not like any other ride you will take
in your lifetime.

The taxi you will be riding in is a 1978 Checker cab.
It has been greatly modified and boasts four red
lasers, a laser projector, black light effects, light
washers, light orbs, mini-strobes, color changing fiber
optics, a sound system, stage lights, a mirror ball, a
fog machine, a keyboard, digital drums, a digital
camera, a DV cam, a notebook computer, a printer,
and much, much more.

Your driver will be Jon Barnes, and he has been
driving tourists around Aspen since 1984. He throws
in a pair of 3-D glasses, so you can view Aspen as
you never have before. Featured online, in radio
interviews, magazines, and newspapers, the Ultimate
Taxi has become very popular. Many famous people
have taken this cab ride as well, including Clint
Eastwood and Jerry Seinfeld.

Get ready for a wild ride! Jon plays the keyboard
and the horn while driving! With your 3-D glasses
and the other toys that are included in the ride,
combined with the psychedelic lighting effects, this
is one ride that you will never forget! In fact, Jon
makes sure of it, because there will be pictures to
help you remember the event.

Make sure you buy some souvenirs before you leave.
The Ultimate Taxi gift store is located right outside
the doors, in the trunk. You will also have a web page
memory of your ride in the Ultimate Taxi hosted on
Jon’s server for all time. Take your toys and 3-D
glasses home with you as well.

The Ultimate Taxi is not a ‘normal’ taxi ride. You
don’t call Jon Barnes to take you where you want to
go. The Ultimate Taxi is more of a musical show
and adventure. It has been called the world’s
smallest recording studio.

Make sure that you get your Ultimate Taxi ride while
you are in Aspen, and join the ranks of Ivana, Kevin
Costner, George Hamilton, Jerry Jeff Walker, Dudley
Moore, the Beatles, Clint Eastwood, Jerry Seinfeld,
and even Regis Philbin! Due to the popularity of the
Ultimate Taxi, it is probably best to call in advance
for a reservation. The Ultimate Taxi is in operation
from 7pm to 10pm most nights.

Aspen Nightlife – The Sneaker Ball

You may have been to many balls in your
lifetime, such as Christmas Balls, Spring Balls,
and even Debutante Balls – but if you haven’t
been to the Sneaker Ball in Aspen, Colorado,
you are missing out on all the fun! Known as
‘Aspen’s Greatest Party,’ the Sneaker Ball is
held annually at the St. Regis Hotel on East
Dean Street every March.

Back in 1986, the very first Sneaker Ball was
held by Al Gross and David Nauss of Paine
Weber, Inc – in Boston. The party was a
celebration of Reebok shares trading on the
stock market for the very first time. This black
tie event was much like other balls – but
everyone was wearing Reeboks, and the first
Sneaker Ball was born.

The following year, Al Gross decided that this
was the kind of party that people really liked –
but instead of being limited to white Reeboks,
the idea would be for the guests to wear formal
gowns and tuxedos, with decorated tennis
shoes. The party was moved to Aspen, where
people know how to party – and thousands of
people from all over the world fly into Aspen to
attend.

One of the nicest things guests like about the
Sneaker Ball is that it is for a good cause. All
of the proceeds go to Grass Roots, which is a
program designed to help inner-city kids. These
kids are brought to Aspen to experience what
 life outside the city is. Many of these kids don’t
even realize that places like Aspen really exist.
 Tickets cost $125 per person, which isn’t too
bad considering that the money is for a good
cause.

People from diverse backgrounds attend the
Sneaker Ball each year. Famous people are
there, infamous people, and people who are
neither famous nor infamous attend – and
every one has a fantastic time. The party gets
started at about 9:30pm and ends around
1:30am – followed by many ‘after parties’ in
various locations throughout Aspen.

If you’ve ever wanted to attend one of those
glitzy ‘Hollywood type’ parties, here is your
chance! You will rub elbows with the famous,
show off your custom designed sneakers
along with your formal wear, and dance the
night away – and all for a very good cause.

This is an event that sells out fast. Contact the
Chamber of Commerce in Aspen to find out
when the Sneaker Ball is scheduled, and
purchase your tickets right away. Also check
with the various hotels and lodges to inquire
about package deals and get your
reservations set before everything is sold out!

Aspen Nightlife – The Caribou Club

According to The New York Post, the Caribou
Club is the absolute best private club in
America. This is a member’s only private club,
and the membership fee is quite high – but the
ambiance is top-notch!

The Caribou Club is located in Aspen,
Colorado on East Hopkins Avenue. The club
is open from 6:30pm until 2am every day, and
you can enjoy dinner and dancing, or lounge in
the Great Room before a roaring fireplace with
a fine cigar. The wine cellar houses over 5000
wines from around the world.

There is more to The Caribou Club than fine
dining and dancing, however. When you enter
the club, you are entering a world of elegance
that can only be experienced here. The walls
are covered with 19th century paintings. There
is a coat room, where your coat will be taken
from you, and you are made to feel like a very
welcome houseguest. You can then go to the
bar, the Great Room, or be seated for dinner
– the choice is yours.

The Caribou Club has only been open for about
ten years, but it has become an integral part of
Aspen nightlife for the rich and famous – and
even for those who are not famous, nor rich,
but who can afford to pay the membership
fees. When you enter the Great Room at The
Caribou Club, you will probably see faces that
you know – even if you don’t know these
famous people on a personal level.

You don’t even have to be in Aspen to enjoy the
cuisine offered by The Caribou Club. Your
event can be catered by the club, no matter
how large or small it is, or where it is located.
You can have your event catered anywhere
in the world! Private parties can also be held
at The Caribou Club.

Again, the cost is fairly high. Lifetime
membership for a couple is $10,000. Individual
membership for two people is $3000 for the
first year, and $1000 for each additional year,
paid annually. Family membership for up to five
people costs $4000 per year. A temporary
membership is available for one week. The cost
is $500 and covers one couple. However, during
Holidays and President’s Weekend, the cost is
$1000.

As you can see, The Caribou Club is quite
exclusive – but depending on the type of
 nightlife you enjoy, the cost of membership is
well worth it – even if you only visit once a year.

Aspen Nightlife – Theatre in the Park

Founded in 1983 by Kent Reed, Theatre in the Park
has become an Aspen tradition that adds to the
delight of Aspen nightlife. Theatre in the Park once
actually was theatre that was performed in a tent in
the park. Now, however, Theatre in the Park has
changed its name to Theatre Aspen, and a new
permanent structure is in development. This will
allow Theatre in the Park to hold year-round
performances, instead of summer-only performances.

Contemporary and classical plays are all presented
by the theatre. If you are in Aspen around Christmas
time, make sure that you see the theatre’s
presentation of “Its A Wonderful Life.” As a summer-
only venue, sixty shows are performed each year.
Once the company has its permanent structure, we
can expect many more each year.

The Theatre Aspen also has many training programs
for adults and children. Currently, performances are
held between June and August. The Theatre in the
Park is located in the Rio Grande Park. Heat is
provided on chilly nights, and there is an area to enjoy
cocktails during intermissions, as well as before and
after performances.