A: Sandwiched between Gay Ski Week and the X Games, Aspen’s annual tribute to winter—which dates to 1951—has suffered from January event fatigue. Despite decent crowds for the torchlight parade down Aspen Mountain, fireworks extravaganza, and Wagner Park bonfire, dwindling participation in events like the snow sculpture contest (pictured below), organized by Anderson Ranch, and undeniable survey feedback compelled the Aspen Chamber Resort Association (ACRA) to reschedule Wintersköl.

“We’re thinking about it more as a true kickoff to winter,” explains ACRA Senior Director of Events Julie Hardman. “We want to bring back that love for the community—the heartbeat of Aspen.”

This season, Wintersköl officially opens in Snowmass on Thursday, December 12, with an open house at Anderson Ranch (4–6:30 p.m.), and concludes Sunday, December 15 with the decades-running Apple Strudel Downhill race at Aspen Highlands, which begins at the top of the Exhibition Lift and ends with Merry Go Round’s signature dessert at the finish line.