Beyond the Slopes: Winter Dining & Entertainment in Aspen, Colorado

Despite its small size, Aspen is home to a surprising variety of high-quality restaurants. Fresh seafood is flown in daily to casual pubs and upscale bistros, and Colorado produce and meats are often prioritized, even in the snowy height of winter. For example, the fresh-focused eatery Bosc uses locally farmed and foraged ingredients in its high-end plates – and has been awarded one MICHELIN star for its fantastic flavors. Outside of Bosc, Aspen is home to a few other Michelin-recognized restaurants. Dine on contemporary prix fixe fare at Prospect, try avant-garde plates at Element 47 and savor authentic West African flavors from Côte d’Ivoire-born chef Mawa McQueen at Mawa’s Kitchen.

Want to embrace Aspen’s mountain landscapes during your meal? Outdoor dining takes on a new life during the winter, with many restaurants offering fire pits, heaters, and igloos to keep you warm while eating al fresco. You can also head to Aspen’s four ski resort areas for on-mountain dining – you don’t have to ski to enjoy the incredible après ski spots! For even more dining options, consider taking a free bus over to Snowmass Village, where you’ll find a wide range of cuisines at Snowmass Mall, Base Village and Snowmass Center.

Winter snow and the Christmas season go hand in hand, so it’s no wonder that Aspen hosts a slew of holiday festivities. Each December, the popular Wintersköl Celebration ushers in the season with snow sculptures, craft beer festivals, fireworks, history tours and more. Don’t miss the crowd favorite Soupsköl soup contest, where guests can savor two hours of all-you-can-eat soup from popular local restaurants. Enjoy indoor and outdoor ice-skating rinks all winter, and admire a colorful fireworks show on New Year’s Eve. Over in Snowmass, snack on free s’mores while listening to holiday carolers singing.

There’s plenty of wintry fun to enjoy in Aspen beyond the Christmas-themed celebrations. The Wheeler Opera house has special winter programming each December, with performances including Dance Aspen shows and the Aspen Laugh Festival Comedy Contest. Nearby, the Harris Concert Hall hosts classical music concerts every February and March during the Aspen Music Festival. Enjoy a show at Belly Up, a legendary local music venue where you can catch Palm Tree Music Festival in February. For a fun fresh-air alternative to the ski slopes, don’t miss the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster in Snowmass. Control your own open-air cart on a series of twists and turns on this 1.5-kilometer ride filled with stunning views of snow-capped mountains.

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest major airport to the Aspen Snowmass area. Rent a car for the scenic five-hour drive. Alternatively, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is around 15 minutes from Aspen via rental car and offers connecting flights from many international airports in the USA.