Snowmass Village, Colo., (November 1, 2018) – An idyllic holiday destination, Snowmass, CO is surrounded by snowcapped peaks, twinkling lights, and a magical town spirit, transporting guests straight into a winter wonderland. From the start of ski season on Thanksgiving Day through the New Year, guests can enjoy a variety of holiday activities, treats, and sweets all catered to give visitors and locals alike the ultimate holiday experience.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center kicks off the holiday season with Thanksgiving Family Crafts on Tuesday, November 20 from 3:30-5:00pm. Kids and their families are invited to the Ranch, a renowned art destination, to make free festive crafts to celebrate the holiday.

Snowmass Ski Area celebrates Opening Day on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 22), with plenty of on-the-slopes fun, followed by Thanksgiving menus at participating restaurants around Snowmass Village. Opening weekend also includes Thanksjibbing on Friday, November 23, where spectators can watch skiers and snowboarders throw down for their piece of a cash prize on an urban inspired terrain park on Fanny Hill.

Back for its second year starting November 22, 2018, guests of all ages can enjoy Snowmass S’mores, free from 3:30 – 4:30pm every day throughout the winter season, presented by Snowmass Tourism. Guests can find branded s’mores carts (which resemble oversized marshmallows and include step by step s’moring instructions) at the fire pits in Snowmass Base Village and on the Snowmass Mall. New for the 2018/2019 winter season, the Snowmass S’mores program sees the addition of special flavors to the Snowmass S’mores menu. Guests can always enjoy a classic s’more, as well as a rotating special flavor of the day. On holidays including Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, guests can enjoy additional fun and festive flavors.

Celebrate Hanukkah with a large Menorah in the window of the Ice Age Discovery Center, December 2-10. The Viceroy Snowmass also has a Menorah in the lobby of the hotel, with Hanukkah cookies and a special lighting ceremony every day at 5:00pm.

December 6-24, children with a Christmas wish can write their own personal Letter to Santa and drop it off in Santa’s Mailbox, located on the Snowmass Mall. The Snowmass Sun features select letters in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Snowmass Village lights up for the holiday season on Saturday, December 8 at 5:30pm with the annual Light Up the Night tree lighting ceremony at the Snowmass Chapel. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand with cookies, hot chocolate, and carols. Additionally, the Viceroy Snowmass hosts a Tree Lighting Ceremony in the lobby of the hotel on Thursday, December 13.

Starting Saturday, December 15 and lasting through New Year’s Eve, The Collective Snowmass features a Holiday Bazaar, located on the plaza level of the new building. Opening in conjunction with the grand opening of Snowmass Base Village, the Holiday Bazaar features pop up vendors including Hollyann, Lululemon, Woodland, All Things Sweet, and Anderson Ranch Arts Center. Also activating in the building during the holidays are Camp SMashbox and King Yoga. Visit www.TheCollectiveSnowmass.com for hours and other activations.

Anderson Ranch Arts Center offers guests a magical winter experience during their Holiday Open House on Tuesday, December 18. The evening begins at 4:30pm and includes artists-in-residence studio tours, a special exhibition opening in the Patton-Malott Gallery, children’s holiday themed art activities, a trunk show in the ArtWorks store, and a holiday dinner in the Ranch Café. Anderson Ranch Arts Center also hosts Holiday Family Crafts on Thursday, December 20 from 3:30-5:00pm, where guests of all ages can enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while participating in festive crafting.

The Snowmass Mall and Snowmass Base Village come alive as Santa’s Village from December 21-24.  Between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on December 21 and 23 on the Snowmass Mall, and December 22 and 24 in Snowmass Base Village, children can take complimentary photos with Santa. Holiday carolers will also be on hand to sing crowd favorites, strolling through the Village.

On Christmas Eve, guests can attend one of three Christmas Eve Services at the Snowmass Chapel. Services occur on December 24 at 9:00am, 5:00pm, 7:00pm, and 9:00pm. Each ceremony includes a chamber orchestra, choir, Christmas carols, seasonal readings, and more. Guests with children are welcome to attend the 5:00pm service, designed specifically for families.

On Saturday, December 22, starting at 5:30pm guests can take a walk under the night sky on a Moonlit Trek, 1.2-mile snowshoe, walk, or cross-country ski around the Snowmass Club golf course, with a mid-way stop for cookies and hot chocolate at Anderson Ranch Arts Center. End with a family-style pasta dinner at Black Saddle Bar and Grille with live music and s’mores by the fire. Moonlit Treks feature an optional one hour guided tour with an ACES naturalist at 6:00pm. The Moonlit Treks Series continues on the Saturday nearest the full moon each month – December 22, January 19, February 16, and March 16. Dinner is $25 adults / $15 kids (12 & under).

On New Year’s Eve, guests and locals alike are invited to experience the Torchlight Parade and Fireworks. The Torchlight Parade features skiers and snowboarders making wide turns down the mountain with red flares that illuminate the night sky and snow with a festive glow. The parade begins at 6:00pm and all are welcome to participate or enjoy from the base of the mountain. (Ski/snowboard participants begin loading the Village Express chairlift at 5:30pm.) Fireworks over Snowmass Village begin at 10:00pm.

The Viceroy Snowmass hosts two separate New Year’s Eve bashes. The Viceroy Snowmass New Year’s Eve Gala at Toro Latin Kitchen & Bar returns for the 8^th year. The Gala includes a four-course prix fixe dinner, musical entertainment, dancing, champagne toast, hats, noisemakers, and more for $375/person. The Viceroy also hosts a Community New Year’s Eve Party in the Viceroy Ballroom. The family friendly evening lasts from 6:00-10:30pm and includes a holiday dinner buffet, champagne toast at 10:00pm to coincide with the New York City Ball Drop, a DJ, family activities, and a photo booth. $95 for adults and $45 for kids. Additional New Year’s Eve dining specials, parties, and much more can be found around the village.

For more information, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/events.

About Snowmass Village, Colorado – A renowned winter playground and vibrant summer community just 9 miles from Aspen, Snowmass consistently ranks as one of the best ski areas in the world. For 2019, Ski Magazine named Aspen Snowmass the #1 “resort of the year” in the West. Snowmass offers guests incredible views of mountain vistas, in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness, open for activities and exploration. Snowmass offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, 30+ restaurants, 95 percent slopeside lodging, shopping, unique special events and music – all year round. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit: www.gosnowmass.com.

Snowmass Tourism Media Contact: Sara Stookey Sanchez, Public Relations Coordinator, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or sstookey@gosnowmass.com.

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