Aspen Nightlife and the Altitude

There is more to do in Aspen than ski! The

Aspen nightlife is like nothing you will

experience elsewhere. The warmth and

camaraderie of all of the skiers, from all of the

different lodges is quite special, and remarkable.

You will have a good time in Aspen, no matter

what you choose to do, but there is one thing

that you should be very aware of before you

start your party – the altitude.

Aspen sits about 8000 feet above sea level.

Unless you live in a high altitude area, you will

need to adjust to this altitude. You may find

yourself feeling dizzy or light headed, and you

may even find it a bit difficult to breath. Altitude

Sickness is a serious problem, and if your

symptoms become extreme, you should seek

medical attention.

If you will be drinking, you need to know that the

altitude will have a large impact on the way your

body handles the alcohol. Many people who are

not used to such a high altitude find that they

become drunker on much less alcohol, in a very

short period of time. It is best that you avoid

drinking alcohol at all until you have adjusted

to the altitude.

It is also important to recognize the signs of

both Altitude sickness and Acute Mountain

Sickness (AMS). Altitude sickness can be

recognized by hyperventilation, shortness of

breath during exertion, increased urination,

changed breathing patterns at night, strange

dreams, and frequently waking from sleep

during the night. Acute Mountain Sickness, on

the other hand, is recognized by loss of appetite,

nausea, vomiting, fatigue or weakness,

dizziness, light-headedness, difficulty sleeping,

confusion, and a staggering gait.

As you can see, the symptoms of both Altitude

Sickness and Acute Mountain Sickness

somewhat resemble the symptoms of drinking

too much alcohol. The only way to rule out being

drunk is to not drink for at least 48 hours after

your arrival in the higher altitude. You should

also seek medical attention if your symptoms

last more than 48 hours, or if you show signs

of Acute Mountain Sickness. AMS can be

deadly if it is not treated.

Health care professionals suggest that you

avoid drinking alcohol because the effects are

magnified at a high altitude. Avoid strenuous

activity for the first couple of days after arriving

at the higher altitude. Drink extra fluid and visit

a doctor if you have symptoms of AMS

immediately for treatment.

Aspen Nightlife – Aspen Dance Fest

If you have the opportunity to visit Aspen during

July and August, you absolutely must use the

opportunity to see many of the performances

that are part of the Aspen Dance Fest. The

Aspen Dance Fest features critically acclaimed

contemporary dance companies from around

the United States.

The Aspen Dance fest runs for five consecutive

weeks each summer. The Aspen Santa Fe

Ballet Company hosts and performs in the

Aspen Dance Fest. The company is made up

of eleven dancers who were all classically

trained. The school was founded in 1995 by

Bebe Schweppe. The company’s debut was

in 1996 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the

Performing Arts.

All performances for The Aspen Dance Fest

are held at the Aspen District Theatre, which is

located inside the Aspen Elementary School on

Maroon Creek Road. For a wonderful evening of

entertainment and culture, be sure to catch at

least one performance during the Aspen Dance

Fest – even if you have to make a special

summer trip to Aspen to do it. You may also catch

performances by the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

Company closer to home when they go on tour

Aspen Nightlife – Theatre in the Park

Founded in 1983 by Kent Reed, Theatre in the Park

has become an Aspen tradition that adds to the

delight of Aspen nightlife. Theatre in the Park once

actually was theatre that was performed in a tent in

the park. Now, however, Theatre in the Park has

changed its name to Theatre Aspen, and a new

permanent structure is in development. This will

allow Theatre in the Park to hold year-round

performances, instead of summer-only performances.

Contemporary and classical plays are all presented

by the theatre. If you are in Aspen around Christmas

time, make sure that you see the theatre’s

presentation of “Its A Wonderful Life.” As a summer-

only venue, sixty shows are performed each year.

Once the company has its permanent structure, we

can expect many more each year.

The Theatre Aspen also has many training programs

for adults and children. Currently, performances are

held between June and August. The Theatre in the

Park is located in the Rio Grande Park. Heat is

provided on chilly nights, and there is an area to enjoy

cocktails during intermissions, as well as before and

Aspen Nightlife – Club Chelsea

The Club Chelsea is a fashionable club that is

a traditional part of the Aspen nightlife social

scene. Featuring a piano bar, a dining area, a

dance floor, and a private smoking room, this

is high-toned entertainment at its very best.

The Club Chelsea bar offers single malts,

cognacs, martinis, and ports, and in the

smoking room, you will find Havana and A.

Fuente cigars. The club is open from 8pm to

2am daily, and is located on East Hyman

Avenue. A light menu is offered, featuring

gourmet dishes such as pastas, tenderloins,

and tamales. Everything about Club Chelsea

screams elegance.

The chances are good that you will not run into

the college crowd here. The majority of the

patrons seem to be older – starting with the 30

and 40 year old crowds, with some seniors

thrown in for good measure. This is elegant

‘grown up’ entertainment, where you won’t find

a lot of noise or people who have had too much

to drink.

So, if you are past the college drinking contests

and wet T-shirt competition age, you will find

Club Chelsea a delightful and elegant place

where you can while away the evening with

great food, fabulous drinks, wonderful piano

music, and outstanding cigars.

Aspen Nightlife – The Wheeler Opera House

The Wheeler Opera House has been an

integral part of Aspen nightlife, history, and

culture since 1889 when Mr. J.B Wheeler and

the Conried Company presented The King’s

Fool. While the building started out as an

Opera House, it was only used for town

meetings and such by 1893, when the silver

mines had played out.

The Wheeler Opera House remained open until

1912 when it was gutted by not one, but two

fires in one week! The Opera House did not

open again until June of 1946 when it was

leased by the Aspen Company. The total

restoration went on until 1960. Between the

years of 1912 and 1946 the Wheeler Opera

House remained empty, and it was used as

a playground by the local children.

During the 1960’s and 1970’s, The Wheeler

Opera House was mainly used as a movie

theater. However, in 1979, the city decided to

restore the Opera House to its original

grandeur, and this restoration was completed

in 1984. The cost was 4.5 million dollars.

Today, the Wheeler Opera House is on the

National Registrar of Historical Places.

Many events, such as lectures, concerts, plays,

films, and musicals are held at The Wheeler

Opera House today. You can see Broadway

shows, jazz concerts, country and rock

concerts, and even children’s theater here.

Any type of cultural event you can imagine

is held here – and shows are scheduled

throughout the year. Locals consider the

Wheeler Opera House the ‘crown jewel of Aspen.

’ Nationwide, it is considered a world class theater

– and with the detailed woodwork it is certainly a

sight to behold!

The Opera House is still in its original location

on Hyman Avenue, in the heart of downtown

Aspen. You can call to find out what events are

planned, and to purchase tickets. Remember

that this is a popular place, and shows do sell

out quickly – so purchase your tickets as early

as possible. You should also be aware that

children under the age of three years old are

not permitted for live performances, unless the

performance is for children specifically.

Cameras and recording devices are not

permitted for performances.

The Wheeler Opera House can also be rented

for a variety of special occasions and events,

such as parties, receptions, weddings,

conferences, and seminars. Events such as

these are usually held on the second floor,

where guests will enjoy a breathtaking view of

Aspen Mountain, as well as the city.

Aspen Nightlife – How to Find the Entertainment

No matter what time of year it is when you visit

Aspen, there is always something going on –

even in the off season. The town is small, but

there are usually several types of entertainment

offered each evening in different parts of the

small town. Generally, you won’t have to search

too hard to find some entertainment – but it is

better to know exactly what is going on all over

town, so you can choose the Aspen nightlife

that best suits your interests.

First, call the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen

a few months before your trip if possible. Ask

them what events are planned for the time

period that you will be there. Events are usually

scheduled well in advance, and finding out

about these events well in advance will not only

help you to better make your plans, but it will

also allow you to purchase needed tickets in

advance. Nothing will be more disappointing

than arriving in Aspen and finding out that your

favorite band is in town for a sold out show!

Events can come up at the last minute as well.

Upon your arrival to your lodge or hotel, ask the

concierge about events that will be taking place

during your stay. If you have already contacted

the Chamber of Commerce, you will know most

of what is going on around town – but there may

be a few surprises in store for you.

Don’t forget to check with the Chamber of

Commerce offices in nearby towns and villages!

Snowmass is a village that almost seems to

be a part of Aspen – but it isn’t. Contact the

Snowmass town hall to find out what events

are scheduled in the village during your visit.

Have a plan before you arrive in Aspen. Use

Internet resources, as well as the information

that you learn from the various Chambers of

Commerce and your lodge to plan your daytime

and night time activities while you will be in

Aspen. Again, there is always something to do

in Aspen, and if you don’t plan ahead, you will

waste a lot of time trying to decide what you

want to do.

While you want to go in with a plan, leave a

day or two open – with no plans. Use these

days for shopping expeditions or simply take a

quiet walk through the quiet Victorian

neighborhoods. Go to a restaurant that isn’t in

your plans, or spend some time in the Great

Room at your lodge. There is always

something to do…but sometimes, it is nice to

have nothing to do as well!

Aspen Nightlife – Getting Around

After a day on the slopes, you may be

wondering what there is to do for the rest of the

evening. Well, don’t use up all of your energy,

and leave the slopes early enough to get in a

short nap – you will need all of the energy you

can muster for the Aspen nightlife. No matter

how much skiing you get in or how many of

the runs you have mastered, you have not truly

experienced Aspen until you venture out after

dark!

Aspen has three basic areas: downtown, the

West end, and the East end. The town is

remarkably small, considering how many

people venture here each season – but

surprisingly, everyone and everything just fits.

The town is actually small enough to leave

your car parked at your lodge or hotel and walk

anywhere that you want to go. In fact, this is

recommended.

Not everyone pays heed to this advice, which

can make driving around and parking very

difficult. You can also take a free shuttle from

one mountain to another, take the Roaring Fork

Transit Authority Bus, or go to the Rubey Park

Transportation Center to get a ride anywhere in

the valley.

Don’t worry about getting lost. The town is well

laid out. Starting on the West end, you will find

a quiet Victorian neighborhood. While this is a

residential district, where locals live, you will

also find many hotels and condos on the West

end, particularly on Main Street. You will also

find the Aspen Meadows Conference Center

and Hotel. This is a 40-acre area where you

will also find the Aspen Institute, the Music Tent,

the Harris Concert Hall, the Paepcke Auditorium,

the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies,

the Hallam Lake Nature Preserve, and the

Aspen Center for Physics.

In the East end of Aspen you will find another

residential area, as well as the Roaring Fork

River and the Aspen Club and Spa. The East

end features more forests than the West end,

which has been developed a great deal more.

Between the West End and the East End, you

will find downtown Aspen. Downtown is where

most of the action is. Featuring old Victorian

buildings, downtown Aspen boasts pubs,

restaurants, shops, and everything else you

could ever possibly need – all housed in

beautiful historical landmark buildings.

Down the valley a ways, you will find Snowmass

Village. To the west, you will also find Roaring

Fork Valley. These two villages are

compliments of Aspen, and you should take

the time to visit them as well.