Friday, March 8

International Women’s Day Celebration
2 p.m., Aspen Mountain/Olivela

Join the Aspen Skiing Company, Olivela luxury clothing boutique, and us here at Aspen Sojourner in advocating for a gender-balanced world. The festivities start at 2 p.m. with a presentation at Aspen Mountain’s Sundeck on the theme of women lifting up others in business and beyond. Featured speakers are Rana Dershowitz, senior vice president of real estate and chief legal officer for SkiCo; Susan Cross, mountain manager at Snowmass ski area; and Brittany Billings, senior vice president of strategic partnerships for Olivela. After the talks and a Q&A moderated by SkiCo event marketing manager Tyler Lindsay, take part in a ski parade to the base of the mountain, followed by a group photo (3 p.m.) in Gondola Plaza by the Aspen Branch’s pop-up flower display and local artist Sarah Uhl’s interactive Give a Flake installation. Ajax Tavern will serve up specialty themed cocktails, too. Then head to Olivela (427 E Hyman Ave) for an aprés-ski party; 20 percent of all sale proceeds will go to education nonprofits, both local and international. P.S. While we will be celebrating sisterhood, guys are more than encouraged to join in the fun. aspensnowmass.com, olivela.com

Gabriel Rico Opening Reception
5:30 p.m., Aspen Art Museum

Opening parties at the museum have become must-attend community events. This one celebrates Rico’s new exhibit, The Discipline of the Cave, on display through June 16. The sculptor and installation artist—who juxtaposes found objects, neon, and taxidermy animals to explore our relationship to the natural environment—has created site-specific pieces inspired by the museum’s architecture. The reception features a gallery talk by AAM director Heidi Zuckerman and an art-making activity for all ages, plus a DJ and the all-important draw: complimentary snacks along with beer, wine, and other drinks from So Café. aspenartmuseum.org

Saturday, March 9

America’s Uphill
7 a.m., Aspen Mountain

Long before skinning uphill became a thing, racers—both hard-core and amateurs seeking a challenge—have been trekking the 3,267 feet up Aspen Mountain on skis, snowshoes, or shoes with traction devices for this annual endurance fest. Register online or at the Ute Mountaineer until 4 p.m. on March 8; on race day, register from 6–6:30 a.m. at the gondola ticket office. Your fee includes a full breakfast at the Sundeck. Bonus: a portion of each entry will benefit the Aspen Center For Environmental Studies' Children’s Environmental Science Education programs. Registration $55 in advance, $65 day of, aspenspecialevents.com

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklórico
7 p.m., The Temporary, Basalt

With a cast of 30-some local students and accompaniment from a live Mariachi band, this performance of traditional Mexican dances will either provide a peek into another culture or affirm what you already enjoy about Latino folk dancing. The ballet’s ongoing free instruction in schools from Basalt through Rifle serves as the cornerstone of its 21-year-old Folklórico education program. Tickets $22 in advance, $25 day of show, tacaw.org

Nikki Lane
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Opera House

This critically acclaimed singer-songwriter from Nashville combines raw emotion, an uncompromising stance, and a reverence for vintage country music in her bluesy, twangy, guitar-driven songs. Tickets $25, free for Wheeler Wins members, wheeleroperahouse.com