Things to do in Aspen besides Skiing

Fireworks over Aspen Mountain (Photo Credit: Rich Pearce)

One of my favorite things to do in Aspen besides skiing is taking in the Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series shows, co-sponsored by the Aspen Skiing Company.

The FREE Bud Light Hi-Fi outdoor concerts are among the more popular nighttime, off-hill winter events in Aspen, entertaining  young and old and visitors and locals alike. The series features an eclectic mix of musical genres, such as folk and bluegrass, reggae, jazz, dance rock and roll, and country. It has showcased such acts as Elephant Revival, Savoy, Cash’d Out, Black Uhuru, The Magnificent 7, and Reverend Horton Heat.

Early Skiing in Aspen! He's Ready - Are You?

He's Ready - Are You!

We may not be getting as much snow as Buffalo is, but we definitely have enough to get the season rolling! The Aspen Skiing Company has announced early skiing in Aspen this year, with the lifts on Aspen Mountain opening up this Saturday, November 22.

The Silver Queen Gondola and Ajax Express lift will be running, allowing top-to-bottom access to "...the most vertical feet in the country...". Ajax Tavern and the Sundeck will be open for food and drink as well.

Have fun - we will!

About Aspen and Snowmass – Why I’m Grateful I Live Here

Aspen Art Galleries (Photo credit: richpalpine)

I’m a little biased because I grew up here, but all of a sudden I find myself in the middle of the summer season in Aspen and I realize how truly grateful I am that I live here. First, a little background about Aspen and Snowmass:

Where is Aspen?

Aspen, Colorado is nestled in the Elk Mountain Range of the central Colorado Rockies, approximately 218 miles southwest of Denver. The town is known internationally as a high-end destination resort, luxurious vacation home locale and “Rocky Mountain playground for the rich and famous”.

Upcoming Aspen Community Social Dance - July 19, 2014

Like to dance salsa? Haven't tried it yet? Looking for something different to do in Aspen this summer? Check out the fun at the next Aspen Community Social Dance - Rio Grande Plaza (above Tasters in Aspen), July 19, 2014.

Lessons for beginners start at 6:30pm, followed by an intermediate lesson at 7:15pm and open dancing from 8:00pm - ?

For more information, please call 970-925-8536. Lots of fun!

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Having a laugh or two in Aspen – Things to Do Besides Skiing

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a really good laugh – and I needed one. Even though I had really been enjoying the skiing in all of the great snow we’ve had this year, having to shovel all of it was making me grumpy. I needed something else to do besides skiing to get out of my funk, and the Aspen Laff Festival was just the “ticket”.

Aspen Cross-Country Skiing Extravaganza

Aspen Events - Cross-Country Ski Extravaganza - Lesson Time (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Cross-country skiing is a hot, cold weather topic in Aspen these days. Locals Simi Hamilton and Noah Hoffman have just been named to the 2014 Sochi Olympics cross-country ski team, and the Owl Creek Chase (self-proclaimed as “Colorado’s largest x-country ski race”), just took place.

Additionally, for the rest of us merely recreational cross-country skiers, the recent annual Aspen Cross Country Center’s free Aspen Cross-Country Ski Extravaganza event once again ignited fantasies of reaching those levels of cross-country skiing prowess.

Winterskol - Aspen Event’s Rich History

Aspen Winterskol 2007 - Blowing Off Some Steam! (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Now that the winter holidays have officially passed, it’s time to look forward to one of the most anticipated and fun Aspen events of the entire ski season, Winterskol - a celebration of "Aspen's unique Nordic lifestyle".

This exciting annual winter carnival in the internationally renowned ski resort town of Aspen, Colorado, started as an attempt to bring people into the town during an annual lull in business during the 3 weeks after Christmas. 

 

Aspen Holiday Events - Annual Traditions Make the Season Special

Aspen holiday tree lighting event with Dan Sheridan (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Last Sunday, I once again took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy one of the most cherished annual Aspen holiday events – the annual Sardy House holiday tree lighting.

Occurring before the big winter holiday tourist rush, this festive event kicks off the holiday season in Aspen for the locals. It features free homemade cookies and hot chocolate, live music, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. It, of course, culminates in the lighting of what is believed to be one of the tallest live Christmas trees in the nation.

Things to do in Aspen (Besides Skiing) – Community Theatre’s a Hit!

The Producers (1968 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ok, I know the buzz around Aspen last weekend revolved around all of that great snow arriving just in time for the lifts to open for the season, but this did not overshadow some of the other much-anticipated things to do in Aspen in November.

One of those other things to do in Aspen before the ski season begins in earnest, is to take in the Aspen Community Theatre’s annual fall production. We did this for the first time last year and were so thrilled with the experience that we just had to do it again.

Last year, I was going to do a post about the theatre’s presentation of the romantic love musical,  “Crazy For You, but I got lazy and didn’t write the post, This year, I was determined to hammer one out.

Halloween Activities in Aspen and Beyond

Halloween Activities Near Aspen - Luigi (Photo credit: Amanda Ciccone)

I just finished downloading photos of a great pre-Halloween weekend with my step-kids and their kids in Palisade and Grand Junction, Colorado. Suddenly, it dawned on me that Halloween itself is coming up fast, and I have been so caught up with other things that I hadn’t even checked out all of the upcoming Halloween activities in Aspen itself.

A quick search on the internet led me to the Aspen Chamber’s website. Here’s what’s going on in Aspen for Halloween this year:

Cross-Country Running Event in Aspen, Co - Chris Severy Invitational

Aspen Cross Country Running Event 2013 - Boy's Varsity Start (Photo credit: richpalpine)

One doesn’t always have the opportunity to watch a cross-country running event in October in Aspen, Colorado. And, one especially doesn’t always get to see one run in the snow – but a couple of Saturdays ago, we did.

This annual event is named and run in memory of local aspen cross-country phenom, Chris Severy, who sadly died at the young age of 22 in a bicycle accident on Boulder, Colorado’s Flagstaff Road in 1998. Some years it has taken place in the warm Aspen fall sunshine, sometimes there has been rain - but this year we got snow!

Events in Aspen – USA Pro Challenge | Taj Mahal | Science Street Fair

Dr. Kaboom Aspen Science Street Fair 2013 (Photo credit: richpalpine)

As if one’s schedule of summer activities in Aspen wasn’t already filled to the brim with the “usual” outdoor pursuits, and cultural activities such as the Food & Wine Classic, art shows, the Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Institute events, when August arrives there are still more events in Aspen that await!

There was so much to choose from and work was taking up a lot of my time (I hate it when that happens), but I was fortunate to squeeze the annual Aspen Science Street Fair and the USA Pro Challenge into my busy schedule.

One of the lesser-known annual events in Aspen is the Science Street Fair, hosted by the AspenScienceCenter.

Stargazing Event in Aspen – My Telescope, Saturn and Me

Aspen Event - Aspen Science Center Fun (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Ok, it wasn’t really just Saturn, my telescope and me. I was actually among a few hundred other people, a couple of other planets and gazillions of stars; and it wasn’t really MY telescope, but I did get to operate it at the recent Stargazing event in Aspen near the sundeck on Aspen Mountain,

The event, co-hosted by the  Aspen Ideas Festival  and the Aspen Science Center, provided great science-oriented entertainment on the top of Aspen Mountain. It featured ice cream made using liquid nitrogen, several other interesting science demonstrations, tales of the stars from Spellbinders storytellers and a surprise guest appearance by retired astronaut and gun control advocate, Mark Kelly. The activities were capped off by amazing star gazing of the Colorado night sky.

Aspen Summer Events – Eco Food Wine Music Ideas Science

Aspen Summer Events - Eco-Fest Street View (Photo credit: richpalpine)

The snow has finally completely disappeared from the slopes, the annual burst of spring flowers is already dwindling, the vegetable gardens have emerged, the bikes and hiking boots have been dusted off, and all of a sudden Aspen summer events are in full swing.

I can’t believe it, but the Aspen Eco-Fest has already made its annual appearance, the Food & Wine Classic has blown through town, and before I could complete this post, the Jazz Aspen Snowmass June Jazz Festival once again entertained and energized visitors and locals alike.

Eco-Friendly Annual Aspen Colorado Events

Aspen Colorado Events - Eco-Friendly Electronics Recycling (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Assorted Aspen is a blog about Aspen Colorado events, activities and other things to see and do in our small but high-profile little town.

While I often write about entertainment and recreation-oriented activities and events, I recognize that there are activities that also take place here that revolve around eco-friendly themes as well.

Aspen Colorado Activities – Live Musical Entertainment Downtown

Aspen Bud Light Spring Jam concert - Billy Morrison from Billy Idol band (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Aspenites and visitors were treated to some great live entertainment a couple of weekends ago. We heard some great hard rocking music in the downtown core – one of the best Aspen Colorado activities one can experience!

As it was nearing the end of this ski season, and having been for the most part cooped up for the winter, my girlfriend and I were eager to take in some late-season musical entertainment and decided to check out the Bud Light Spring Jam concert in downtown Aspen.

Aspen Colorado Activities - Apres Ski at Aspen Hotels and More

Aspen, Colorado Activities - Paragliding (2) (Photo credit: richpalpine)

What do après ski and paraglidinghave in common? Not much usually, but they do demonstrate the range of winter Aspen Colorado activities that one can engage in (or at least observe).

Apres Ski - A Favorite Aspen Colorado Activity

While après ski in general is one of the most popular Aspen, Colorado activities, some venues are more interesting to me than others. Recently, I was invited to a guest/invite après ski at one of the iconic Aspen hotels the other day, and a Gluhwein Party broke out!

Things to do in Aspen - Cross-Country Ski Extravaganza

Aspen Cross-Country Ski Extravaganza - eager vendors (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Every year, I look forward to the Cross-Country Extravaganza at the Aspen Municipal Golf Course! It has become one of my favorite things to do in Aspen during the winter.

The Extravaganza is a great opportunity to test out new cross-country gear (skating and classic) and on top of that, one can also take advantage of free lessons in either discipline as well. Of course there’s more – a free ski hot wax, food and an extensive raffle before it all wraps up.

December 2012 Activities in Aspen, Colorado – Moon Watching and Cross-Country Skiing

Too busy at the end of December with holiday activities, cross-country skiing and the awesome full moon display to post anything this week but these photos.

Have to say that Jupiter sneaking in was amazing as well!

Aspen, Colorado - December Moon in the Clouds (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Aspen, Colorado - Moon Above the Clouds (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Aspen, Colorado Moon Riding the Clouds (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Aspen, Colorado - Moon with Jupiter Crashing the Party (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Aspen Colorado Activities -- Cross-Country Skiing 2012

Cross-Country Skiing in Aspen, Colorado December 9, 2012 (Photo credit: richpalpine)

Well, it finally snowed again here in Aspen, Colorado. The timing couldn’t have been better because I, like many visitors and locals, was beginning to get cranky from the lack of snow.
Thankfully, I at last got to engage in one of my favorite wintertime Aspen activities – cross-country skiing.

I was pleasantly surprised that enough of the white stuff fell over the weekend so that even though the actual ski tracks were not yet in place, the basic cross-country skiing trails at the Aspen Municipal Golf Course could be laid out.