Friday, January 19

Aspen Gay Ski Week
Times & locations vary through Sunday

Celebrating its 41st anniversary this winter, Aspen’s premier LGBT event takes over the town and slopes with infectious energy. A packed schedule of friendship dinners, ski days, après-ski gatherings, late-night dance parties, benefits, and, of course, the infamous Downhill Drag Costume Competition and Party on Aspen Mountain’s Little Nell run makes the week one heck of a celebration. But it’s not just fun and games: beneficiaries this year are the Tyler Clementi Foundation and the grant-making Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund. Passes from $375, gayskiweek.com  

Friday Morning Uphill Breakfast Club
8:45–10 a.m., Cliffhouse Restaurant, Buttermilk

New this year, uphill skiers are able to enjoy breakfast in the restaurant after hiking up the mountain every Friday. The Cliffhouse breakfast will be available for purchase with coffee, tea and hot chocolate, an oatmeal and yogurt station featuring dry quick oats in a mason jar and a toppings bar filled with healthy add-ons. Two hot breakfast options will also be available. $12 (hot items), $8 (oatmeal bar), aspensnowmass.com

History Ski Tour
11 a.m. & 1 p.m., Aspen Mountain

Learn about the amazing mining and ski history lying literally beneath your feet as you tour Aspen Mountain with a long time local historian. Meets at Guest Services cabin below the gondola at the top. Free with lift ticket ($94), aspenhistory.org 

Super Hero Poetry: A Kids Kulture! Workshop
4 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt

In this one hour workshop led by Meta Sarmiento, children ages 6-12 will explore their abilities to dream, hope, and exist beyond tomorrow. Meta Sarmiento is a National Poetry Slam semifinalist, TedX speaker, and a winner of Spoken Word for the World. His latest book of poems, Tie Your Shoes Kid, reflects on cultural identity, love, loss, and healing. $10 (advance), $13 (door), tacaw.org

Leaning into the Light Opening Reception
5–7 p.m., Red Brick Center for the Arts

Celebrate the start of this local artist showcase presented by the Chris Klug Foundation and featuring the works of Jessie Chaney, Lorraine Davis, Kristen Friebele, Eden Keil, Agus Mistretta, Lisa Singer, Benjamin Timpson, and Greg Watts. Enjoy a meet and greet, libations, and light hors d'oeuvres. Free, theredbrick.org

Ullr Nights
5–9 p.m., Snowmass

Bundle up and ride the Snowmass gondola ($10) to some family-friendly snow play, including the new Breathtaker mountain coaster and lift-served tubing ($49 for a two-hour activities pass to access both; reserve in advance), free ice skating, free snowshoe tours with a guide from the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (6 and 7:30 p.m.), snowbiking ($72 guided rides for ages 12 and up, free minibikes for younger kids), and climbing and sliding on a massive snow sculpture. Elk Camp restaurant serves dinner with live music, followed by s’mores and hot cocoa by the bonfire. aspensnowmass.com  

Midvalley Poetry Slam
6:30 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt

Slam poetry is a spoken-word form of poetry that is largely influenced by the free verse, musical style of Beat poets like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Slam poetry is designed to trigger emotional responses from a live audience. In this slam, a winner will be chosen by a panel of judges including Meta Sarmiento. Bring your poem and compete to be be the victor of The Temporary's first Poetry Slam! $8 (advance), $11 (door), tacaw.org

5Point Film Festival On the Road
7 p.m., Wheeler Opera House

On the edge between desire and fear, between the known and unknown, is a place deep inside us all where the spirit is transformed — pushed beyond its limit by our deliberate commitment to usher in something new and original. In this soulful place, we are catalyzed to learn, expand and engender newfound understanding to inspire others on their journeys. It is this spirit, this thirst for adventure that 5Point Film celebrates and shares with the community and filmmakers that gather for its annual Festival in Carbondale as well as 5Point Aspen. $28, wheeleroperahouse.com

Library Cinema: Alaska is a Drag
7:30 p.m., Pitkin County Library

Tough, but diva fabulous, Leo, an aspiring drag superstar, is stuck working in a fish cannery in Alaska. He and his twin sister are trapped in the monotony of fist fights and fish guts. Out of necessity, Leo learned to fight back, which catches the attention of the local boxing coach. When a new boy moves to town and wants to be his sparring partner, Leo has to face the real reason he's stuck in Alaska. $10 (free popcorn included!), pitcolib.org

Saturday, January 20

Aspen Gay Ski Week
Times & locations vary through Sunday

Celebrating its 41st anniversary this winter, Aspen’s premier LGBT event takes over the town and slopes with infectious energy. A packed schedule of friendship dinners, ski days, après-ski gatherings, late-night dance parties, benefits, and, of course, the infamous Downhill Drag Costume Competition and Party on Aspen Mountain’s Little Nell run makes the week one heck of a celebration. But it’s not just fun and games: beneficiaries this year are the Tyler Clementi Foundation and the grant-making Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund. Passes from $375, gayskiweek.com   

Aspen Women Ski & March
10:30 a.m.–2 p.m., Aspen Mountain & Paepcke Park

While women across the country are rolling up their sleeves and marching, we’re doing it locally—in ski boots, of course. Organized by local working moms Kim Masters and Heather Stevenson, the day begins at Gondola Plaza (10:30 a.m.), then it’s straight to the top for a group descent down Ajax. From the base, the march will make its way through downtown and end at Paepcke Park (12 p.m.) for speakers and festivities. Free, aspentimes.com

Guided Tour
1 p.m., Aspen Art Museum

Drop-in for a spotlight tour of the latest exhibitions led by museum staff. Free, aspenartmuseum.org

Dance for Universal Peace
4 p.m., Third Street Center, Carbondale

Join this afternoon for a celebration of circle dances, taught with a mantra, sacred phrase, or affirmation sung while dancing. The experience allows for "presence" to naturally emerge in the group with all of the voices and steps blending into a beautiful tapestry. Led by Bernie Heideman has created dances of universal peace around the world for 25 years, his intention is to increase levels of joy, connection, and depth. $10 suggested donation at the door, thirdstreetcenter.net  

5Point Film Festival On the Road
7 p.m., Wheeler Opera House

On the edge between desire and fear, between the known and unknown, is a place deep inside us all where the spirit is transformed — pushed beyond its limit by our deliberate commitment to usher in something new and original. In this soulful place, we are catalyzed to learn, expand and engender newfound understanding to inspire others on their journeys. It is this spirit, this thirst for adventure that 5Point Film celebrates and shares with the community and filmmakers that gather for its annual Festival in Carbondale as well as 5Point Aspen. $28, wheeleroperahouse.com

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
7:30 p.m., District Theatre

Just in time for the height of ski season, enjoy this special one-night-only performance of fan favorites from ASFB’s repertoire. The program includes Alejandro Cerrudo’s enigmatic Silent Ghost with its haunting closing duet, Cayetano Soto’s brash and extroverted Huma Rojo set to the popular music of Xavier Cugat, and the perspective-bending Dream Play by Fernando Melo. These audience-tested ballets have been performed the world over to rousing acclaim and now ASFB is bringing them back home to light up the winter. From $36, aspensantafeballet.com

Library Cinema: Alaska is a Drag
7:30 p.m., Pitkin County Library

Tough, but diva fabulous, Leo, an aspiring drag superstar, is stuck working in a fish cannery in Alaska. He and his twin sister are trapped in the monotony of fist fights and fish guts. Out of necessity, Leo learned to fight back, which catches the attention of the local boxing coach. When a new boy moves to town and wants to be his sparring partner, Leo has to face the real reason he's stuck in Alaska. $10 (free popcorn included!), pitcolib.org

Honky Tonkin' with Casey James Presetwood and the Burning Angels
8 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt

One can easily picture this classic country-inspired septet performing on the grassy lawn of an old plantation-style home nestled somewhere below the Mason-Dixon line. With a mix of classics and original tunes, these county boys are sure to please. The band was nominated as the Best Honky Tonk Group in the 2015 Ameripolitan Music Awards. Their new album, Born To Late, was recently released. $12 (advance), $17 (door), tacaw.org

Sunday, January 21

Aspen Gay Ski Week
Times & locations vary through Sunday

Celebrating its 41st anniversary this winter, Aspen’s premier LGBT event takes over the town and slopes with infectious energy. A packed schedule of friendship dinners, ski days, après-ski gatherings, late-night dance parties, benefits, and, of course, the infamous Downhill Drag Costume Competition and Party on Aspen Mountain’s Little Nell run makes the week one heck of a celebration. But it’s not just fun and games: beneficiaries this year are the Tyler Clementi Foundation and the grant-making Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund. Passes from $375, gayskiweek.com  

World Snow Day
11 a.m.–2 p.m., Snowmass

Sponsored by Holy Cross Energy and as only one of two U.S. locations participating in F.I.S. World Snow Day, Snowmass is offering tours of the Micro Hydroelectric power plant and free hot dogs (beef and vegetarian options). The Micro Hydroelectric power plant is located under the Village Express lift and is technically on the ski/snowboard trail called Fanny Hill. Skiers and riders can access the plant by taking the intermediate trail, lower Green Cabin. Holy Cross representatives and representatives from Aspen Skiing Company will be on hand to answer questions about the plant and the renewable power it creates. Free with lift ticket, world-snow-day.com, gosnowmass.com

Lit Out Loud: Alice Munro
3 p.m., Pitkin County Library

This popular series resumes for 2018 and embarks on a year-long exploration of the works of individual authors. Two stories by Alice Munro, the well-known Canadian Nobel Prize winner, will be read by Jeannie Walla (The Moons of Jupiter) and Janice Estey (Dear Life). Free, pitcolib.org

Library Cinema: Alaska is a Drag
7:30 p.m., Pitkin County Library

Tough, but diva fabulous, Leo, an aspiring drag superstar, is stuck working in a fish cannery in Alaska. He and his twin sister are trapped in the monotony of fist fights and fish guts. Out of necessity, Leo learned to fight back, which catches the attention of the local boxing coach. When a new boy moves to town and wants to be his sparring partner, Leo has to face the real reason he's stuck in Alaska. $10 (free popcorn included!), pitcolib.org

The Wailers
9 p.m., Belly Up Aspen

The legendary Jamaicans return to bring its revolutionary reggae sound to fans in Aspen. Steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and joined in solidarity with original Wailers’ guitarists Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey, Bob Marley's legacy lives on and the band continues to make musical history. $30, bellyupaspen.com