Snowmass and Aspen News & Events update

Celebrate springtime skiing and riding along with the unique mountain lifestyle in Aspen Snowmass at the Bud Light Spring Jam, an Aspen Snowmass festival featuring two weekends full of concerts, on-mountain events, competitions, and all-around Rocky Mountain springtime fun. The Bud Light Spring Jam coincides with spring break vacations, making March the ideal time for an Aspen Snowmass ski vacation.

During the Bud Light Spring Jam, enjoy free concerts in Aspen and Snowmass from renowned musicians. Held throughout the ski season, the Bud Light Hi-Fi concert series culminates with the Bud Light Spring Jam, and a slate of much-anticipated Aspen Snowmass free concerts. The first Bud Light Hi-Fi concert during the Bud Light Spring Jam will be held in the Snowmass Base Village on March 22, and will feature the soulful tunes of Brett Dennen with Matthew Moon. During the last weekend of the Bud Light Spring Jam, there will be two Bud Light Hi-Fi concerts held as part of the CORE Party. Situated on the corner of Cooper and Galena in downtown Aspen, this year’s CORE Party musicians are the MarchFourth Marching Band on March 29 at 8:00 pm and Grouplove on March 30 at 8:00 pm.

A on-mountain invitational, KickAspen Big Air, is held at the base of Aspen Mountain under the lights during the Bud Light Spring Jam. Launching off of a seventy foot jump, talented athletes from the Rocky Mountain west showcase their best tricks while competing for prize money. Join in the fun at the base of Aspen Mountain for KickAspen Big Air on March 23.

If inspired to learn more about freestyle skiing and riding after watching the KickAspen Big Air event, then head over to Snowmass Mountain during the Bud Light Spring Jam to participate in the Terrain Park Boot Camp. Instructed by coaches and athletes from the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, skiers and riders of all ages hone their beginner park skills in the Terrain Park Boot Camp, held over two weekends from March 23 – 24 and from March 30 – 31. Learn how to hit rails, jumps, boxes, and other small features in the Snowmass mini terrain park constructed on Fanny Hill.

Master rail technique during the Terrain Park Boot Camp in Snowmass, and then go on to compete in the Buttermilk Rail Jam on March 31. The Buttermilk Rail Jam will be held behind Bumps Restaurant at the base of Buttermilk Mountain.

During the Bud Light Spring Jam, Aspen Highlands Mountain is host to two springtime events. The Fallen Friends Memorial commemorates the lives of those friends who once graced these mountains with their contagious passion for the mountain lifestyle. The Fallen Friends Memorial will be held on March 23 at the Merry Go Round restaurant. All proceeds from the Fallen Friends Memorial benefit AVSC and their scholarship program.

Held on Aspen Highlands on March 30 is the Helly Hansen Battle in the Bowls. This popular competition invites ski and snowboard pairs together to ski and ride the bowls on a Highlands along a course designed by ski mountaineer Chris Davenport. For a challenging, heart-pounding skiing and riding experience, grab a partner and compete in the Battle in the Bowls this March.

Like many of the Bud Light Spring Jam events, Bud Light Big Air Fridays shows off the talent of freestyle skiers and riders. Courageous snow athletes of all levels, from the local Snowmass Mountain terrain park expert to the out-of-town skier on a Snowmass ski vacation, demonstrate their freestyle skiing and riding skills while taking off of a forty foot jump on Fanny Hill. Bud Light Big Air Fridays draws huge crowds to the Snowmass Village Mall and Fanny Hill run. After an unforgettable day of skiing and riding on Snowmass Mountain, join the crowd near Fanny Hill for the Bud Light Big Air Fridays spectacle. Not only do the top competitors receive prizes, but free swag is also thrown out into the crowd.

Plan an Aspen Snowmass spring break vacation with Alpine Property Management. We specialize in Snowmass luxury vacation rentals that offer unparalleled ski-in ski-out access on Snowmass Mountain. For the ultimate Snowmass spring ski vacation, depend upon Alpine Property Management for assistance with booking a vacation rental, and assisting with any other travel planning need.

Ullr Nights is a welcome addition to the Snowmass winter events calendar. Taking its name from the Norse God of Snow, Ullr, this new weekly event is held at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola on Snowmass Mountain, and is a celebration of family-friendly wintertime fun. Each Friday night through March 29, families and friends ride the Elk Camp Gondola to reach a magical winter playground with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities from ice skating to snowshoeing and more.

At the top of the gondola, the Viking Ghost Ship, constructed completely from snow and featuring a fun snow slide, welcomes Ullr Nights revelers. Nearby is the Viking sledding hill with sleds and tubes provided. After taking a few laps down the hill, rent a pair of snow skates or bring your own skis or snowboard, and explore the small snow features in the session park. In addition to the sledding, snow skating, skiing, and riding, families can go snow biking on Snowmass Mountain and ice skating at Rayburn’s Pond. Snow bikes and ice skates are available for rent.

If the numerous outdoor activities have not warmed you up, head over to the bonfire to make s’mores and fuel up for the next winter activity. Also, sip on hot chocolate with the family as fire dancers put on a daring and spectacular performance.

After warming up before the bonfire, go on a snowshoe tour under the stars. The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) leads two evening snowshoe tours, one at 6:00 pm and a second trip at 7:30 pm. Learn about active winter wildlife and local mountain ecology by the light of the moon and stars.

All of this winter revelry takes place near the new Elk Camp Restaurant, which is a major venue to visit during the Ullr Nights event. With live music, arts and crafts activities for kids, and a delicious a la carte menu, the Elk Camp restaurant is an epicenter of fun on Snowmass Mountain.

Ullr Nights is held at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola on Snowmass Mountain every Friday night from 5:30 – 9:30 pm through March 29. Adult Ullr Nights gondola tickets are $10, and for children and season pass holders the Ullr Nights gondola lift ticket costs $5.

For more information about Ullr Nights on Snowmass Mountain, Snowmass winter events, and Snowmass vacation rentals, contact Alpine Property Management.

The Winter X Games Aspen 2013 returns again this winter with more spinning, soaring, and unbelievable tricks performed by skiers, boarders, and snowmobiles from January 24 – 27. The  crew on Buttermilk Mountain is currently toiling away in order to prepare the base section on main Buttermilk for the enormous jumps and other features used in the Winter X Games competitions. Now in its twelfth year on Buttermilk Mountain, the Winter X Games in Aspen bring the best of the best in snow sports athletes, including Olympians Shaun White and Gretchen Bleiler. Come to Aspen, and watch as these fearless competitors vie for a chance to win a Winter X Games 2013 medal in their respective snow sport.

Two hundred of the most gifted, accomplished, and fearless athletes from around the world descend upon Buttermilk Mountain to show off some new tricks, to catch even more air, compete for medals and prize money, and above all to excite the huge crowds into a state of awe. The Winter X Games on Buttermilk Mountain attract a large audience. Each evening of the Games, the base of Buttermilk quickly fills with skiing, snowboarding, and winter sports enthusiasts and those curious about what all of the X Games excitement in Aspen is about.

Though the Winter X Games competitions take place all day during the four days of the event, the nighttime competitions are what draw the crowds for events such as Snowmobile Freestyle, Snowboard Big Air, Snowboard SuperPipe, Skiing Big Air, and Skiing SuperPipe. The following are highlights of each day’s competitions from the Winter X Games Aspen 2013 schedule.

Must-see events on the first day of this year’s Winter X Games on Buttermilk Mountain on Thursday, January 24 include the Snowboard SuperPipe Men’s Elimination Round from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm and the Snowmobile Freestyle Final from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm.

The Winter X Games competition schedule for day two, on Friday, January 25 will showcase skiers tackling the SuperPipe in the Skiing SuperPipe Women’s Final from 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm and the Skiing SuperPipe Men’s Final from 8:45 pm – 10:00 pm. Also on Friday at the Winter X Games, be sure to check out the Snowboard Big Air Round One and Final from 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm.

Noteworthy events on Saturday, January 26 are the Skiing Big Air Round One and Final from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm and the Snowboard SuperPipe Women’s Final from 7:15 pm – 8:30pm.

On the final day of the Winter X Games, Sunday, January 27, notable events include the Snowmobile Best Trick Final from 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm and the Snowboard SuperPipe Men’s Final from 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm.

All of the Winter X Games 2013 events and competitions on Buttermilk Mountain are free and open to the public. As the Winter X Games in Aspen are an incredibly popular event, it is best to plan ahead for a vacation in Aspen and Snowmass. For more information about Aspen vacation rentals or Snowmass vacation rentals, contact Alpine Property Management at 1-888-544-5860.