What's New in Aspen For Fall/Winter 2011/2012

Aspen, Colorado - The Aspen mountainside is transforming from green to gold, signaling the transition to winter and a new harvest of restaurants, shops, events and more. From a new restaurant paying tribute to Aspen's Victorian era to an emerging European designer opening her first U.S. store in Aspen, the downtown scene promises to be a flurry of activity during winter 2011/2012.

AIRLINE NEWS

American Airlines Non-Stop Flights From Los Angeles & Dallas
American Eagle Airlines, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, announced it will begin nonstop winter and summer seasonal service between Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Aspen/Snowmass, Colo., and both Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, beginning Dec. 15. Eagle will operate the daily trips with two-class CRJ-700 jet aircraft. The service will run from Dec. 15 through April 2, 2012; then resume June 14 through Aug. 20, 2012.

HOTEL AND LODGING NEWS

• St. Regis Aspen Resort will reopen in December after a $40 million renovation and redesign by renowned designer Lauren Rottet. Guestroom renovations and a comprehensive interior and exterior redesign will represent a new standard of five-star luxury in Aspen. Changes include completely redesigned guestrooms offering a separate shower and tub experience a new entrance, newly created library with fireplace, sofas, bookshelves, and game tables, new restaurant concept and location - allowing for outside dining, embellished ballroom and meeting space inspired by the Gilded Age, renovated pool area Accommodations are available now with a grand launch scheduled for December 2011. For details, visit www.stregisaspen.com/redesign. (315 East Dean St.; www.stregisaspen.com)

DINING NEWS AND NEW OPENINGS

• NEW! Steakhouse No. 316 opened in July 2011 in the former Lulu Wilson space. A boutique steakhouse styled to feel like a 1920's boudoir with velvet banquettes, warm black paneled walls, bordello-styled lighting fixtures, bringing a New York vibe to the Aspen dining scene. The steak-focused menu is overseen by Chef Kathleen Crook, who grew up on a New Mexico ranch.

• COMING SOON! Almanac Aspen chef Barclay Dodge will open a new venue in the space of the former culinary school of Aspen. Dodge, formerly chef/owner of Mogador and then Chef de Cuisine of Encantado in Santa Fe, has described the menu as seasonally driven cuisine with an emphasis on Colorado products; almanacaspen.com

• COMING SOON! New St. Regis Aspen restaurant will open by December 2011 in a new location on the east side of the St. Regis Aspen, with a lovely exterior courtyard for al fresco dining and après-ski. An innovative new concept for the restaurant will be announced in early fall 2011.

● NEW LOCATION! Victoria's reopened in June 2011 and is now offering tapas and wine, in addition to daily breakfast and lunch specials. The New York loft inspired space will feature house made bread, pastries, espresso, and international wines. Victoria's offers wines by the glass and bottle. Partner John Beatty provides excellent wine recommendations. (510 East Durant Ave.; www.aspenespressobar.com)

● NEW! Division Café Named after the 10th Mountain Division, Aspen's latest dining offering serves coffees, cocktails and bites, starting with breakfast through to late night cocktails, with a locally sourced menu of tapas, sandwiches and share plates.

RETAIL NEW OPENINGS AND NEWS

● NEW! Koto Aspen opened June 2011 and offers men's and women's clothing and accessories. The wood interior gives the showroom a unique feel. (308 S. Mill St.; www.kotoaspen.com).

● NEW! Barton Perreira in Aspen features luxurious handmade designer eyewear (520 East Cooper Ave.; www.bartonperreira.com)

● NEW! Blues Jean Bar offers custom fit designer denim for men and women, accessories, and Tom's shoes. Available for private events and trunk shows. (www.thebluesjeanbar.com)

● NEW! Covet Bright and Shiny Things has opened a second location in Aspen. For 35 years Bright and Shiny Things in Snowmass has been showcasing the newest jewelry trends from designers such as Rebecca Italian Jewelry. Unique pieces for everyone. (306 S. Mill St.)

● NEW! Aspen Candy Company opened in May 2011 on the Cooper Avenue Mall. Partners Ami Flynn, Liz Shapiro and Ann Wilkinson Smith have their chocolate manufactured locally and they feature nostalgic candies, lollipops, ice cream, and logo wear. The Aspen Candy Company is available to cater your next party (414 East Cooper Ave.; www.aspencandycompany.com)

• COMING SOON! Pure Barre workout studio is coming to Aspen. Opening fall 2011.

ANNUAL FALL/ WINTER EVENTS

• Aspen Filmfest 2011: September 21-25
Coinciding with autumn's changing leaves, Aspen Filmfest offers a five-day feast of film and fall color for filmmakers and film lovers alike. With an emphasis on independent productions from around the world and uniquely intimate scale, the festival champions filmmaking at its finest. Screenings include new features and documentaries, as well as unique presentations, special events, and family films. Special programs include tributes to distinguished artists. Past honorees include such luminaries as Julie Christie, Harrison Ford, Rob Reiner, Sydney Pollack, Bob Rafelson, Michael Douglas, Anjelica Huston and William H. Macy.

• Aspen Film Academy Screenings: December 20, 2011-January 1, 2012
A favorite holiday tradition for more than two decades, Aspen Film Academy Screenings offers resort residents, visitors, and film industry professionals a unique opportunity to see the newest buzz-worthy movies vying for Oscar nominations, many of which will screen only in Los Angeles, New York, and Aspen over the holidays. With two screenings each evening, this multi-day film extravaganza presents about 20 of the season's most anticipated movies.

• Aspen Shortsfest 2012: April 10-15
Recently named by indieWIRE as one of the world's top-50 leading film festivals, Aspen Shortsfest is widely recognized as a premier North American showcase for short film and video. The centerpiece, the Oscar®-qualifying International Competition, offers an eclectic slate of films running 1 to 40 minutes, including drama, comedy, animation, and documentary. A jury of esteemed film professionals awards cash and prizes in several categories. The size and venues of Aspen Shortsfest allow a unique chance for filmmakers and audiences to interact and connect. During Aspen Shortsfest 2011, nearly 50 film guests from the United States, Australia, Europe, and Africa traveled to Aspen to participate in public screenings, in-depth conversations on stage, and school education programs. Informative sessions, social activities, and late-night gatherings at a daily "hot spot" contributed to the festival's communal flavor. Visiting filmmakers were so inspired they even collaboratively created a short film that was screened at the awards ceremony. In 2012, Aspen Shortsfest will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a full slate of special events before and during the festival.

• Aspen Writers Foundation Winter Words Series
The Winter Words series begins in January 2012, presenting a seasonal series of unforgettable evenings with remarkable writers. Billed at the "Après Ski for the Mind" Winter Words is comprised of one-of-a-kind events bringing authors of all genres to Aspen throughout the winter season to share their words, wit and wisdom. Other AWF programs such as Writers in The Schools (bringing local authors into the classrooms) and lyrically Speaking (highlighting songwriters and their lyrics) have been incorporated into this unique speaker series. 2011/2012 series to be announced soon.
www.aspenwritersfoundation.org/www/latest_news.html

• Wheeler Opera House presents Aspen Laff Festival- February 22-25, 2012
After thirteen years as the featured site for the HBO/U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, and three years as the co-producer and home of the Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival, the Wheeler stepped up in 2011 to present its own unique four-day comedy experience, where comics got to do what comics do best: Everything funny. The 2012 event is being planned right now, so mark your calendar. Come ski all day and laugh all night as we present the most brilliant new voices in comedy in a variety of stand-up and improv events at the Wheeler!

• Wheeler Opera House presents 7908: Songwriters Festival- March 21-24, 2012
Produced by Songwriter Hall Of Fame member John Oates and the Wheeler Opera House, The 7908 Aspen Songwriters Festival is the nation's most intimate musical weekend, as it creates the shortest distance between the artists who write the songs and the fans who want to hear them in their purest, most real form. Legendary writers perform side by side with the next great generation of songwriting talent. Be on the cutting edge of the music with 7908!

• Aspen Fashion Week 12-14 March 2012 Aspen Fashion Week is a destination fashion event designed to showcase and market winter resort, ski and technical outerwear in the home and playground of the most stylish consumers. Designers will present Winter 2012/2013 collections to create a stylish marketplace for buyers, editors, trendsetters and consumers with Aspen Mountain as the backdrop. With daily après ski events and shows at the Snowstage, nightly runway shows in the tented, seated Chateau, on-mountain parties, in-store presentations and after hours rock shows, AFW 2012 will continue to be the hottest fashion, lifestyle and consumer event to hit the Rockies.

• The Winter X Games the premier action sports event in the world returns to Aspen/Snowmass for its 11thyear in a row, from January 26 through January 29, 2012. Watch as snow sports' greatest athletes battle for glory in events like ski and snowboard slopestyle, superpipe, snowmobile freestyle and snowcross, big air and many more!

For more information, a complete calendar of events, or to book an Aspen vacation, visit www.aspenchamber.org, or call 800-670-0788.