New Year’s Events in Colorado Mountain Towns

Christmas is over and Hannukah is in its final days, don’t tell me you’re bored! There is a ton of fresh snow out there to be slayed and all of our mountain towns have plethora of events to plan for. We have complied a list for you to peruse for more Holiday fun. Have a very Happy New Year everyone!

Now through – December 31. 2016
Holiday Lights on the Train, Georgetown
Offered evenings in late November and through December, this ride allows you to relax from your shopping endeavors and join us for a beautiful synchronized holiday music & light show in the forest above Georgetown. Join Santa and his helpers while winding through the beautiful snow covered Colorado Rocky Mountains in our enclosed heated coaches. http://clearcreekcounty.org/event-calendar-clear-creek-county

December 17 – 31, 2016
Beaver Creek Loves Kids – WinterFest, Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek Loves Kids 6th Annual WinterFest is back! Celebrate the season with performances, activities, WinterFest characters, parades, contests, holiday lights and more! Activities occur each day on the Village Plaza during après ski hours – join us for excitement in the Village after a day of excitement on the slopes. All WinterFest activities are free and fun for “kids” of all ages! For more information and schedule updates, please visit www.beavercreek.com/winterfest.

December 20 – 31, 2016
12 Days of Aspen, Aspen
To celebrate the holiday season, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association is hosting the 12 Days of Aspen. From December 20-31, downtown comes alive with a variety of FREE holiday activities, special treats, and of course a visit from Santa! Come join ACRA – and the entire Aspen community – to celebrate the joys of the season. http://www.aspenchamber.org/events/acra-annual-events

December 20 – 29, 2016
Beaver Creek Loves Teens Too, Beaver Creek
The mountain is all the entertainment teens need during the day, but what happens when the sun goes down? That’s why Beaver Creek is proud to announce the sixth season of BC<3T2 – evening programming for teens only! Designed for ages 13-17, the Beaver Creek Loves Teens Too programs will entertain and engage teens in all things Beaver Creek and beyond. www.beavercreek.com/teens

December 20 – January 8, 2016/17
Keystone Chocolate Village, Keystone
For more than 20 years, Keystone’s executive pastry chef Ned Archibald has been utilizing thousands of pounds of imported chocolate to create his famous Chocolate Village, a hand-crafted holiday tradition at the resort. Featuring a working chocolate gondola, cascading chocolate waterfall, four-foot tall Christmas tree, and many other winter scenes, including new additions each year, this chocolate masterpiece is a must-see and is free to attend. Chef Ned’s Chocolate Village will be on display in the lobby of the Keystone Lodge & Spa Tuesday, Dec. 20 through Sunday, Jan. 8. http://www.keystoneresort.com/

December 21 – January 1, 2016/17
Aspen Film Academy Screenings, Aspen
Spend your holidays with Aspen Film Academy Screenings and see the movies everyone will be talking about this awards season. From starry features to fresh independent voices, this Aspen holiday tradition has something for everyone. The popular showcase presents films actively campaigning for Oscar® nomination just as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gets ready to mail this year’s ballots. All films screen at the Wheeler Opera House (located in downtown Aspen). Doors open 30 minutes before show time. https://aspenfilm.org/about2016aspenfilmacademyscreenings-2/

December 21, 2016
Paper Lantern Making Workshop & Winter Solstice Lantern Walk, Vail
Create your paper lantern at a free workshop in the Community Room at the Vail Public Library with local paper artist Helen Hiebert. Bring your paper lantern to the Winter Solstice Lantern Walk through Vail Village following the workshop. Complimentary LED lights for your lanterns will be provided to those participating in the lantern walk. RSVP: [email protected] or 970-479-2344. Please indicate number in your party & children must be accompanied by an adult.

December 26 – 31, 2016
Santa’s North Pole Adventure Train Ride, Georgetown
Santa returns in mid-November to pass out more presents and treats. Join Santa and his helpers aboard decorated, enclosed, heated coaches on weekends starting Nov 19th, the weekend before Thanksgiving, through Dec 14th, and then daily through Dec 24th. After the holiday, from Dec 26 through the 4th of Jan, except Jan 1st, Santa comes back on vacation, and will be passing out goodies to the little ones. This is a one hour round trip train ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes, plus the kids all take home a jingle bell ornament! http://clearcreekcounty.org/event-calendar-clear-creek-county

December 26 – 29, 2016
Snow Sculptures In The Plaza, Purgatory Resort
Watch as local artists create their masterpieces out of snow, right before your eyes in the plaza. Stop by after your day of skiing and watch as their works of art come to life out of a block of snow. Feel free to chat with the artists while they work. Are you an artist who wants to give it a try? E-mail our Events Manager at [email protected]. We provide the snow, you create your masterpiece!

December 30 – January 1, 2016/17
New Year’s Bash!, Silverton Mountain
Just when you thought the best opening weekend in Colorado couldn’t get any better, Silverton Mountain is throwing down for a rowdy evening to ring in 2017. We’ll have packages with guided skiing and lodging at the newly-renovated Grand Imperial Hotel. Reservations for the guided skiing all weekend will go quick, make your reservations here! More info on guided skiing and lodging packages coming soon. http://silvertonmountain.com/experience/events/

December 30, 2016
2016 Audi Ajax Cup, Aspen/Snowmass
Benefiting the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s 2,300-plus athletes — as well as its scholarships and programs — the Audi Ajax Cup features head-to-head slalom races on the storied run of Little Nell at Aspen Mountain. Cheer on the racers as they navigate the challenging course, and then stick around for one of the hottest après ski parties of the year. https://www.aspensnowmass.com/while-you-are-here/events

December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve Celebration, Beaver Creek
Voted among the Travel Channel’s top 10 family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations, New Year’s Eve in Beaver Creek begins with a public glow stick ski down, torchlight parade and fireworks over the village. Following the fireworks, the New Year’s Eve Family Bash gets underway with a DJ, games, dancing, raffle prizes and balloon drops. Tickets go on sale in early November at www.beavercreek.com/newyearseve – the event sells out, so purchase tickets early!

December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve Starring Trout Steak Revival with Pandas & People, Keystone
Warren Station at Keystone is in pursuit of an epic new year with Trout Steak Revival, “Colorado’s Next Great Bluegrass Band”, according to Denver Westword. We think you will agree. The band is back by popular demand, and has been hot on the scene since winning the best band competition at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2014. Add lots of snow and a rocking crowd; the Mountains have never sounded so good on New Year’s Eve! Free party favors while supplies last. Welcome 2017! Doors open at 8:30pm with opener at 9:00pm. Tickets on sale now at www.warrenstation.com.

December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve Torch Parade, Powderhorn
At Powderhorn, we like to bring in the new year with a bang…or should we say multiple bangs. There will be fireworks, live music, and the annual Torchlight Parade! Join us in the celebration! http://www.powderhorn.com/

December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve: Fireworks, Torchlight Parade, and Party!, Purgatory Resort
Durango loves a party, and we have a great one on New Year’s Eve at Purgatory Resort. Festivities start with live Music by the Kirk James Band, 2:30-5:30pm at Purgy’s. At dusk (around 6pm), come out to the beach for the spectacular torchlight parade down the mountain. Then we light up the night sky with an amazing fireworks display! https://www.purgatoryresort.com/events/torchlight-parade/

December 31, 2016
Korbel New Year’s Eve Party, Steamboat Springs
Join us after dinner for the Korbel® New Year’s Eve Party. Take the gondola and celebrate New Year’s in the Champagne Powder Room, overlooking the Yampa Valley and the sparkling town lights below. Dance the night away to live music and make merry with a balloon drop and Korbel® toast to ring in the New Year. Festive libations are available throughout the evening including a complimentary dessert bar, chocolate fountain and dim sum appetizer station.
Korbel New Year’s Eve Party is included with all on mountain dining reservations on New Year’s Eve including Ragnar’s Sleigh Ride Dinner, Four Points Dinner, Hazie’s Dinner and Western BBQ. https://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/events/korbel-new-years-eve-party

December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve Countdown to 2017, Telluride
Bundle up and ring in the New Year on Main Street! Colorado Avenue will be closed to vehicles between Aspen and Fir Streets. Please do not bring glass or open-containers of alcohol.

December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade, Vail
Ring in the New Year Vail style Saturday, December 31st. 6:15pm Torchlight Parade: come to Golden Peak to watch the annual Torchlight Parade and fireworks at Golden Peak. Watch as ski instructors and Vail locals form a glowing train as they ski down Golden Peak with glowing sticks followed by a fireworks display.

December 31, 2016
New Year’s Eve, Copper Mountain

On Saturday, Dec. 31, Copper rings in 2017 with its New Year’s Eve celebration. The day begins with Subaru Winterfest. Guests can demo the latest equipment from Nordica and LibTech, grab some great giveaways and enjoy activities like the Subaru Scavenger Hunt or Subaru Giant Adirondack Chair Photo Experience. Another Kids Glowstick Pageant begins at 5:30 p.m. with a torchlight parade at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m. Subaru Winterfest continues on Sunday, Jan. 1.

Add a unique experience to this New Year’s Eve with Copper’s Moonlight Dine and Ski. This special event includes a ride up the American Eagle chairlift, a gourmet buffet dinner at mid-mountain then a ski or ride back down under the stars to Center Village. Tickets are still available, see the menu and purchase online at CopperColorado.com.