Your Base Camp for December Adventure!
Photo by: Lorri Wade Knaus, Winner of December Carbondale CO Facebook Profile Pic Contest
Carbondale is the perfect base camp for all of the winter activities taking place this December!
First Friday
The popular First Fridays, Carbondale’s celebration of the arts, shopping, dining and music, celebrates Light Up Carbondale on December 2. The festivities include: a visit from Santa, holiday tree lighting, the CRES Elementary School Choir Carolers, a bonfire, hot chocolate, cookies, marshmallows, and an illuminating Parade of Bike Lights. As always, First Friday festivities include complimentary sponsor maps, free bus shuttle, expanded public parking, and after-hours merchant specials. For more information, contact the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, 970-963-1890.
Sunlight Mountain Resort
Sunlight Mountain Resort opens December 2! Sunlight is a short drive from Carbondale, and is located just 12 miles south of Glenwood Springs. This laid-back, friendly resort offers a variety of terrain for beginner to expert skiers and riders. Visit Sunlight on December 2ndand participate in the Opening Day Treasure Hunt. Be the first to find the treasure and get a season pass to Sunlight for the 2012/2013 ski season! The treasure is located somewhere on the mountain and clues will be posted on Sunlight's website, Facebook page, and in Guest Services every Friday!
Then, join Sunlight and Santa on December 17 and 18 for Demo Days. Come up to demo new snowboards or skis and bring the kids to ski with Santa!
Aspen/Snowmass
Tis the (ski) season! Aspen and Snowmass are open, and Buttermilk and Aspen Highlands are slated to open on December 10. From Carbondale, head east to Aspen/Snowmass and you can choose from for different ski mountains. Aspen Mountain is located in downtown Aspen. With its steeps and bumps, it’s a mountain for intermediate to expert skiers. Aspen Highlands has been a locals’ favorite for years, because of its expert terrain, groomed cruisers and the infamous Highland Bowl. Buttermilk is known as the premier mountain for beginners with its wide rolling trails, but there are also black diamond runs for advanced skiers and snowboarders, as well as a challenging terrain park. Snowmass has something for everyone - cruisers, steeps, terrain parks and half-pipes. It’s often rated one of the best family resorts in the U.S.
Redstone Castle
Make the short 18-mile drive south to Redstone, and tour the Redstone Castle. For the month of December, tours will be held on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 1:30pm. Tickets must be purchased at least 30 minutes in advance, and can be purchased at the Crystal Club Café, Redstone General Store, or at Tiffany’s of Redstone. For more information about the Redstone Castle, click here.
Theatre and Music
After spending a day outdoors, warm up by attending some great performances right here in Carbondale.
TRTC
Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC) and the Aspen Stage present the critically acclaimed bio-musical, Always…Patsy Cline by Ted Swindley. This encore production stars valley sensation Jeannie Walla as Patsy and Caralyn Snyder who will reprise her role as Louise Seger. This great story with beautiful music and songs is a treat for the whole family this holiday. This production runs December 8-11, 15-18, 2011. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
PAC3
Also, be sure to check out one of the many productions happening at the Performing Arts Center at Third Street (PAC3). Upcoming December performances include:
December 21 *FREE and open to everyone
- Legally Blond the Musical, December 1-4
- Elephant Revival, with special guest All the Pretty Horses, December 10
- Great American Taxi, December 13
- Marcia Ball, December 16
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, December 18
- Carbondale Community Mixer, featuring live music from the Walt Smith Trio
- The Motet, with special guest Euforquestra, December 29
- Young Dubliners, December 30
For more information about the PAC3, and to purchase tickets, click here.
Visit www.carbondale.com for additional event information and lodging options.
