Aspen during the Holidays is a picturesque winter wonderland with tons of holiday activities, including skiing/snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, Christmas tree lightings, fireworks and “The 12 days of Aspen”. The town is decorated with holiday lights, with the majestic snow-covered mountains forming the perfect holiday panorama. What’s New for Winter 2025-2026
Wintersköltm l December 11 – December 14, 2025
This multi-day festival just before the holidays brings the mountains to life with on-mountain activities, snow sculptures, a soup contest, a beer festival, live music, a bonfire, a torchlight descent, and fireworks lighting up Aspen Mountain—plus so much more. WinterskölTM is the best way to kick off the holiday and the ski season. Wintersköl Information
Skiing and Snowboarding
An Aspen winter holiday isn’t complete without hitting the slopes. By Christmas week, all four mountains are open to the public, and four resorts means plenty of terrain to choose from. Ticket information can be found here: Aspen/Snowmass tickets. For the best rates, ticket purchase at least ten days before arrival is suggested.
Aspen Cross Country Center operates the Aspen Snowmass Nordic Trail System. Located on the free bus route just out of town on Hwy 82 at the Aspen Golf Course, the Cross Country Center offers gear rentals, lessons, cross country ski tours, ski tuning and repair services. Information here: Aspen Nordic Center.
Ice Skating
If you’d like to enjoy Aspen’s downtown Christmas decor while gliding around during the holidays, the Silver Circle Ice Rink (right outside CP Burger and just two blocks from Lift One Condominiums) is the perfect choice. The Silver Circle opens in mid-December, and ice skates are available for rent at the rink. Aspen also has two public indoor ice rinks (Aspen Ice Garden and Lewis Ice) both operating under the Aspen Parks and Recreation Department.
Snowmobiling
T-Lazy-7 Ranch offers winter snowmobile tours in the majestic White River National Forest. Tours are led by experienced and knowledgeable guides who have a love of the area and its history. T Lazy 7 Snowmobile Tours.
Snowshoe and Ski Tours
Snowshoe and ski tours are led daily by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) at both Aspen Mountain and Snowmass. ACES partners with the Aspen Skiing Company and the US Forest Service to offer free educational naturalist tours for children and adults. Check online to buy tickets for your snowshoe and ski tour. ACES info here.
Local Brews
Take a break and enjoy something local at Aspen Brewing Company — a pint of Aspen’s finest craft beer. Try the town favorite – Independence Pass Pale Ale. Conveniently located downtown with an outside deck and view of Aspen Mountain, enjoy this locally brewed beer while watching skiers and riders making their way down AJAX.
Holiday Cabaret Series with Theatre Aspen
Celebrate the season with Theatre Aspen’s Holiday Cabaret Aspen Theater. Each evening, the ballroom of the Hotel Jerome turns into a Holiday Cabaret, complete with a seated chef’s dinner and a 60-70-minute Broadway-style performance by Theatre Aspen.
Live Music at the Belly Up
Going to see live music can’t get better than the Belly Up! This intimate music venue attracts some of the biggest names in music, and for good reason. With great sound, terrific service, and no bad seats in the house, this venue is well worth checking out. Belly Up Aspen.
Ullr Nights in Snowmass
For something a little different, trek on over to Snowmass for Ullr Nights. It’s easy to take a free bus to Snowmass from the Ruby Park Transit Center, just two blocks from Lift One Condominiums. These family-friendly winter celebrations occur at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola and honor Ullr, the Norse God of Snow. Enjoy night tubing, ski-biking, bonfires, live music, entertainment and a delicious dinner. Ullr Nights info and tickets.
Aspen Holiday Shows at the Wheeler
The Wheeler Opera House celebrates December with a bounty of holiday-themed films and performances. Dance, music, Warren Miller movies and so much more. See the whole lineup here: Wheeler Opera House Showtix.
Aspen Christmas Tree Lighting
The Sardy House tree lighting is scheduled for December 7, 2025 from 6-7 PM. at 128 E. Main St. The Sardy House tree is a 93-foot spruce, one of Aspen’s tallest and oldest. The celebration will include snacks, front porch music by carolers and the Aspen high school and middle school bands.
The Little Nell’s annual tree lighting ceremony will be on December 7th from 5–7 PM. The Little Nell partners with the Aspen Animal Shelter and The Buddy Program. Enjoy complimentary freshly baked cookies, hot cocoa, warm apple cider and music by the Aspen High School choir. Capture special moments with Santa and celebrate the spirit of the season.
The St. Regis lights up its 30-foot courtyard Christmas tree each year, accompanied by live music and Champagne. Check their website for the time and date.
Christmas Dining
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining options are curated and published annually on the ACRA Holiday Dining page. Many of Aspen’s finest dining establishments offer holiday menus for lunch and dinner, featuring a variety of choices suitable for everyone.
Check the event page frequently for updates, and contact restaurants directly for reservation information.
Holiday Religious Services
The Aspen Chamber website updates its Holiday Religious Services page as new events are confirmed, so be sure to check as the season progresses.
Your Home for the Holidays
Come to Aspen for the holidays and stay at Lift One Condominiums. We are located just 4 blocks from the Gondola and 2 blocks from the Shadow Mountain Lift, with free ski buses to all the other mountains just one block away.
Browse our available 1, 2 and 3 bedroom vacation rentals or call us to have our friendly staff help you choose the best unit for you.
Phone 970-925-1670 | Toll Free 800-543-8001 | Email info@liftone.com
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