Aspen Highlands closing has earned a reputation in the ski industry as one of biggest, baddest parties out there and it’s well deserved. It’s Halloween on snow. There are ironic costumes and rampant nudity, table-top dancing and dueling DJs, pitchers of margaritas and bad decisions. Yes, Highlands closing is epic.

And just how does it stack up neighboring resorts like Vail and Telluride?

Vail Mountain is roughly five the size of Highlands, and that magnitude of people show up. “Four at four” is the mantra on Sunday, when thousands gather on top of the mountain at Chair 4 to keep the party going after the lifts shut down. It gives new meaning to “last chair,” as those who don’t make it are left out of the festivities. Firecrackers, magnums of vodka and sleds are common, as are spontaneous dance parties, mariachi bands and limbo contests. But the party starts long before four, in Vail’s back bowls where BBQ pits and neon one-pieces light up the landscape.

Down in the village, it’s all about the music. Check out the likes of Thievery Corporation and Iration this weekend.

Telluride is a smaller, sleepier town, and consequently its closing day reflects that. In line with mandatory dressing up are hundreds of thrift-store-like outfits. It’s like Telluridans just took whatever was in the Flea Box last weekend and saved the random assemblage for the hill. On this particular closing day last weekend, it was the kids who put their adult counterparts to shame in the costume bracket. Props to the tyke in the ‘fro and sequined tuxedo jacket moon-walking in his ski boots.

There’s no more prospecting after ski patrol put the kibosh on the legendary fete in the back bowl, but Telluridians are cleverer than that. They just moved it to Revelation Bowl! On the shores of Gorrono Ranch, the soft sounds of a singer-songwriter playing “Puff the Magic Dragon” rocked listeners with margs. It was a closing party, Telluride style.

With the power of three mountains shutting down this weekend, multiply the party power. It’s closing weekend.

Carnivores, listen up! It’s Bacon Appreciation Day, and that means all the fried-up, fatty parts of a pig that you can handle, in both solid and liquid forms. Bacon waffles, bacon surprises, bacon-flavored vodka–all meat, all day long at Buttermilk on Saturday. Bacon Happy Hour is from 4-6 p.m.

Anything that has moustaches and mini-skirts in the title pretty much guarantees a good time. Ruckus at the Ranch returns this Saturday with the promsing theme of lip-ticklers and daisy dukes. Live music, good burgers and $3 beers can’t be bad. 6:30-12:30 at T Lazy-7, $10. (Free shuttles running from Highlands to ranch, every 10 minutes–no parking allowed at the ranch).

And, if you need to add another Sunday Funday to your tour de closing-weekend fetes, then make Buttermilk your first stop. DJ Z-Trip, the “godfather of mash-up,” plays a free outdoor concert at the base of Buttermilk on Sunday at 4 p.m. It’s sure to be Bumpin’.

If you’ve spent time in Aspen’s popular watering holes–Zane’s or Jimmy’s–then Erin Harris is  no stranger. Order 14 drinks for the table–all different names and colors–and she’ll bring it back, deliver it to the right patron with some sass and give everyone a bonus shot on top. That’s service. Her customer service skills and personality haven’t gone unnoticed, as Harris recently went to the finals of the Iron Bartender competition in Aspen. Now, she’s up for Speed Rack, a competition among female bartenders to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer. Vote here.

How’d you get started? My first time bartending was at Zane’s Snowmass. I was a waitress and at lunch shifts you did everything. I worked there for five and a half years and then moved over to Jimmy’s, where I’ve been for a year and a half.

What’s your favorite part of tending bar? Meeting new people and hanging out with everyone who is out to have a great dinner/night out.

Worst pick-up line you’ve heard?  I think pick-up lines are hilarious. Just sit next to someone and start talking to them. I laugh every time I hear a ridiculous one like “Do you know how much a polar bear weighs? Enough to break the ice!” I want to say to them “that didn’t even work in the movies why are you trying it in real life?”

And the best? Hmm a good one I heard a while ago. I ID’d a guy and he goes: “Sorry my phone number isn’t on there. You’re going to have to ask for that too.” Cheesy but not one I’ve ever heard before or again.

Someone says, make me your favorite drink. What’s your go-to? I love mezcal, so the Otra Palabra, it is a cocktail based on a classic cocktail called the Last Word. It was made by Eric Alperin. It is made with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Chartreause VEP, Luxardo Maraschino Liqour and lime juice.

What’s your favorite part about working behind the bar? Meeting new people and making everyone who is in the restaraunt have fun and feel welcome, and to get the party going!

And one piece of advice for anyone ordering from you (or any patron in general)? Relax and have fun!

Jazz Aspen Snowmass wraps up its JAS Cafe winter season with Chucito Valdes. The Cuban pianist is a fiery performer, and the intimate jazz club downstairs at the Little Nell is an ideal setting to witness him at work. Friday and Saturday, 7:15 and 9:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Aspen Mountain will be blue. In recognition of World Autism Day (April 2), Autism Speaks is lighting up the entire ski mountain in the color of blue. Iconic sites like the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls and Christ the Redeemer (in Brazil), have all gone blue but Aspen will be the first ski resort.

On Thursday, March 22: Traveling vagabonds Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros returned to the venue after their sold-out performance two summers ago. Tickets increased from $18 in 2010 to $65 for general admission, but the buzz was enough to sell out everything except the reserved seating several days in advance. The band took the first couple songs to warm up, with what appeared to be disjointed soundcheck, but quickly stepped into their fun, gypsy-like show which included 10 performers on a variety of instruments at any given time.

At one time Ebert, dressed like a mythic figure all in white, and vocalist/tambourine-player Jade Castrinos were a couple, which resulted in the twitterpated song “Home.” But, if their chemistry on Thursday was any indication of the pair’s status now, these two are as done as the ski season. In the recorded version of their hit song, they croon to one another about falling in love; on stage, they asked the audience to tell their own stories while barely looking at one another. Perhaps just tired from the road.

Their set was up and down in emotion, with songs like “40 Day Dream” that got the packed floor jumping, and more mellow stuff that put everyone in a lull. Ebert, who has recently gone on to tour solo simply as Alexander, sampled from his own repertoire, playing “Truth.”

On Saturday, March 24: Possibly due to the free outdoor show that the Airborne Toxic Event played at the base of Aspen Mountain on Friday night, the room was about half-full on Saturday. And too bad for the people who missed either performance.

The Los Angeles-based rockers rocked. Frontman Mikel Jollett (who may have been recovering–or just played through–from the night before) was supported by Steven Chen’s shredding keyboard and Anna Bulbrook’s sweet and sorta-eerie violin playing. Crossing between punk,  rock, and the occasional ballad-like tune (“Sometime Around Midnight”), the group opened with Johnny Cash and that’s the mood they invoked for the rest of the night. It was lyrical, renegade and just plain fun.

Tickets on sale now for Apsen Shortsfest: April 10-15, 2012.
Get a sneak peak at some of the short films screening.

Aspen Shortsfest is widely recognized as a premier North American showcase for short film. Marking its 20th Anniversary, the festival has honored the work and creators of a ground-breaking and often career-making medium that is largely unavailable to general audiences.

Close to 3,300 films from around the world were considered, indicating a twenty percent increase over last year. The Aspen Shortsfest International Competition, a qualifying festival for the Oscar’s short film awards, will feature 79 short films representing thirty countries. From a powerful 40-minute Academy Award winner to a 45-second amuse bouche, Shortsfest will showcase a vibrant array of comedy, drama, animation and documentaries.

Program Director, George Eldred notes, “It’s once again time for our annual banquet of short cinema, bringing together international filmmakers and audiences to celebrate a unique art form, one that allows moviemakers to give free reign to their imagination, passion and curiosity. Each of our eleven International Competition programs serves up a richly varied sampler plate chock-full of engaging stories and the filmmakers who tell them.”

This year’s crop of films touch on reoccurring themes from outdoor adventure, heroes, artists, and romance to social change, the environment, loss, and the future. Shortsfest will also screen seven new films by Colorado filmmakers, including two world premieres. The recognizable (Judi Dench, Martin Freeman, Tom Hollander, Helena Bonham Carter) and emerging alike will bring amusement, imagination and inspiration from the screen to audiences over this six-day festival.

Tickets are available at the Wheeler Opera House box office (all screenings), The Blend Coffee Company (Carbondale screenings only) and through aspenshowtix.com. To charge tickets by phone call 970.920.5770.

– Collected from Aspen Film press release.

Highlights include:

-FRIEND REQUEST PENDING: Chris Foggin’s tale about the pleasures and pitfalls of social networking; starring Judi Dench

-OUTLIVING IT (premiere): One of the most celebrated adventure filmmakers, Michael Brown (Colorado resident), follows a group of young-adult cancer fighters and survivors as they raft and climb beyond their diagnosis

-ANOTHER BULLET DODGED: Landon Zakheim’s modern tale about a wolf in sheep’s clothing

-ONE DAY: Academy Award winner (SAVING FACE) Daniel Junge’s latest documentary

-THE MONSTER OF NIX: Rosto’s wildly imaginative fairy tale featuring the voices of Tom Waits, Terry Gilliam, the Residents and more

-’92 SKYBOX ALONZO MOURNING ROOKIE CARD: Todd Sklar’s hilarious story about brothers and a limited edition basketball card

Stretch the definition of apres with sunset skiing. The gondola will stay open until 6 p.m. on Saturday, and shredders can make bump turns on Bell late into the afternoon. Stay up top at the Sundeck afterward for the Moonlight Dinner which turns into an good old fashion hoedown. $5 for passholders.

Often, the Regal takes things like money and dignity, but on Saturday the watering hole will give back. Donate $20 to Protect Our Winters and the Denver Children’s Hospital to see the latest slideshow of moutaineer Chris Davenport’s most recent expeditions, while getting your beat on to DJ Naka G. 8 p.m.

Dreadlocked hippies, lovers of Americana and anyone looking for fun, free music will revel in Railroad Earth in the downtown core this Friday. The Bud Light Hi-Fi outdoor concert goes down on the corner of Galena and Cooper in Aspen at 8 p.m.

If you’re Irish, you’re getting lucky this St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday is made for day drinking, and because it lands on Saturday, there’s no excuse not to partake in green beer and pinching. Head to Snowmass where real, live bagpipes and Celtic music will be heard.

Snowmass twice in one weekend? The Wailers (as in Bob Marley’s band) will play a free, outdoor concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Snowmass Base Village. Relive the sounds of the king of Rasta and make a Sunday Funday out of it.