Winter Words

Visit Explore Booksellers (221 E. Main St., Aspen), 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., Monday-Sunday, or stop by the Aspen Words lunchtime box office in the Red Brick Center for the Arts (110 E. Hallam St., Aspen), on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Please contact Athena.Pentcholov@aspeninstitute.org with any questions.

New York Times Bestseller

Abraham Verghese

The Covenant of Water

Thursday, March 14

6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET

In-person & Livestreamed

Memoirist & Poet

Safiya Sinclair

How to Say Babylon

Thursday, February 29

6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET

In-Person & Livestreamed

World-champion climber

Sasha DiGiulian

Take the Lead

Tuesday, February 6

6:00 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET

In-person and Livestreamed

Longtime literary friends

Ann Patchett & Elizabeth McCracken

Tom Lake + The Hero of This Book

Thursday, January 11

6 p.m. MT / 8 p.m. ET

In-Person & Livestreamed

GENERAL

How do I attend?

There are a few options for joining the 27th season of Winter Words (2024):

Attend three in-person events at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen and one in-person event at TACAW in Basalt:
- Individual event tickets: $30
- In-Person Season Pass: $80
Join any of the four events via livestream by purchasing a virtual season pass: $40

To purchase tickets & passes online visit: click here.

To purchase tickets and passes in-person visit Aspen Words office (110 E. Hallam St., Aspen) lunchtime box office on Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. or Explore Booksellers (221 E. Main St., Aspen) during regular business hours from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Sunday.

What are the ticketing options?

Attend three in-person events at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen and one in-person event at TACAW in Basalt:

- Individual event tickets: $30
- In-Person Season Pass: $80

Join any of the four events via livestream by purchasing a virtual season pass: $40

I’m having trouble registering. Help!

Please contact Aspen Words at 970-925-3122 or via email Athena.Pentcholov@aspeninstitute.org.

Visit the in-person box office options:

Aspen Words office (110 E. Hallam St., Aspen) lunchtime box office on Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Explore Booksellers (221 E. Main St., Aspen) during regular business hours 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Sunday

I bought a virtual season pass but I did not receive an access link. Help!

Access details will be provided by Aspen Words the day prior to the event and again an hour before.

Please contact Aspen Words at 970-925-3122 or via email Athena.Pentcholov@aspeninstitute.org with additional needs.

Where will I be able to access the virtual events?

All virtual event registrants will receive a personal link and passcode to access the Winter Words author talks. Look for an email from Aspen Words: aspenwords@aspeninstitute.org

What are your Covid-19 health and safety standards for in-person events?

Please visit our health and safety standards page here.

Membership Questions

I’m an Aspen Words member. What Winter Words perks are included with my membership?

All $100+ members receive 20% off Winter Words and Summer Words book titles at Explore Booksellers in Aspen and BookBinders in Basalt, our local independent bookstores.

Members at the $2500+ level receive free access to all Winter Words events. You will receive a separate email with details.

Students and Educators

I’m a student or educator. Can I access these events for free?

Yes! Please contact Madeline.Lipton@aspeninstitute.org to receive a promotional code to register free of charge.

Do you provide resources for educators who would like to use Winter Words events and book discussions as part of their curriculum?

Yes! We would love to work with you to create a lesson plan focused around any of the Winter Words books and events. Please contact Madeline.Lipton@aspeninstitute.org for more information.

In-Person and Virtual Season Passes

What is included with purchase of a Season Pass?

With the in-person season pass, guests gain access to all four Winter Words events (individual tickets are $30/event). Seating at all in-person venues is general admission, please plan to arrive 15-30 minutes early to guarantee a seat.

With a virtual season pass, guests gain livestream access to all four Winter Words events (not for individual sale). You will receive the access link the day prior and 1-hour before each event.

How do I purchase a Season Pass as a gift for a friend?

Complete the registration with your personal contact and billing information. Then send an email to Athena.Pentcholov@aspeninstitute.org to provide the gift recipient’s First Name/Last Name and email address so that the gift recipient receives a notification and event access.

Individual tickets as well as in-person and virtual access series passes are available for purchase online at aspenwords.org. Tickets and passes can be purchased in-person at the Aspen Word office (110 E. Hallam #116) lunchtime box office every Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. as well as at Explore Booksellers (221 E. Main St.) during normal business hours 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Sunday.

All Winter Words events start at 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. ET

In-person events take place at Paepcke Auditorium in Aspen and TACAW in Basalt, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. A book signing follows each discussion and Explore Booksellers have books for purchase at the event.

The livestreams for each events will begin in accordance with the live event. All ticket holders will be provided access details from Aspen Words the day prior and a reminder 1 hour prior.

Aspen Words members enjoy 20% off all Winter Words books at Explore Booksellers (221 East Main St.) in Aspen and BookBinders (760 East Valley Road, C-122) in Basalt!

ASPEN WORDS BOX OFFICE

aspenwords.org | 970-925-3122

Tickets and passes are available online 24/7.

Purchase tickets and pass in-person at the Aspen Words office (110 E. Hallam St., Aspen) during our Wednesday lunchtime box office from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. or at Explore Booksellers (221 East Main St., Aspen) during regular business hours (11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Sunday).

We are proud to offer FREE tickets to students ages 14-24, and teachers.

We believe that engaged youth and academic professionals vitalize our literary community by offering fresh perspectives and taking bold risks. Contact Madeline.Lipton@aspeninstitute.org with questions or to reserve a free ticket.

This offer is subject to space availability at events. Winter Words programs are not scripted and may contain adult content and explicit language. We ask all guests review the Aspen Institute Community Agreement here.

VENUE

In-Person Access to Events

The Jan. 11, Feb. 6 and March 14 events of 27th Winter Words season events can be attended in-person at Paepcke Auditorium located on the campus of the Aspen Institute.
1000 North 3rd St. Aspen, CO 81611

The Feb. 29th event can be attended in-person at TACAW in Basalt:
400 Robinson Street Basalt, CO 81621

All four events will be available online for virtual pass holders to join in real time as well as in the days following.

Doors Open at 5:30 p.m

With winter weather as well as limited parking in mind, we advise all attendees plan to arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the beginning of the event (6:00 p.m.). Seating at all venues is first come first served for GA ticket holders.

Disability Accommodations

All Winter Words venues meet ADA standards for wheelchair accessibility.

Closed captioning (cc) is available during livestream events on YouTube; these can be access in your individual settings.

There is a loop system installed in Paepcke in the back row and can be reserved for hearing impaired guests.

If you require specific accommodations in order to participate in this program, please contact Aspen Words in advance with your needs so that we know how we may best assist you.

Virtual Access to Events

All four of the 27th Winter Words season events will be live-streamed. Virtual season pass holders will receive link details from Aspen Words the day prior and a reminder 1 hour before the start of the event. A recording of each conversation will be sent to all ticket holders in the days following the event.

Recordings will not be made public until the 27th season concludes.

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

Parking

Parking is limited in the Paepcke lot directly adjacent to the venue. If that lot is full, try the Music Tent lot located at the end of the Paepcke driveway by Gillespie Street and near the Aspen Physics Center. Free residential parking is available in the surrounding West End neighborhood. Guests may utilize the Aspen Meadows Resort parking garage located on the opposite side of campus at the Meadows Rd entrance. Walkways between parking areas are well-lit in the evenings and thoroughly maintained during winter months.

Meadows Shuttle Service

The Aspen Meadows offers complimentary shuttle service to and from downtown Aspen departing from the Meadows Reception Building every hour and half hour. Drop-off and pick-up are available at the Rubey Park Bus Station, at the base of Aspen Mountain near the Gondola, and the Hotel Jerome. The town shuttle does not run unless there is a requested pick-up or drop-off. Please call ahead to schedule, 970-925-4240. Gratuity is encouraged.

RFTA – Free Town Bus

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) Crosstown Shuttle provides access to the West End of Aspen and the Music Tent parking lot. The shuttle runs from Rubey Park in the center of town to the Music Tent parking lot at :06 and :36 after each hour, and from the Music Tent parking lot back to town at :15 and :45 after each hour. Masks are required on all public transportation.

Virtual Access to Events

Recordings will not be made public until the 27th season concludes.

POLICIES

Cancellation Policy

Tickets and season passes are non-refundable.
Tickets that have been purchased and have not been used may be redeemed at the end of the season for a charitable contribution receipt equal to the value of the purchase.
AW reserves the right to change or cancel any speaker and/or event without notice.

In-Person Event Seating Policy

All tickets are general admission
Your ticket/season pass guarantees you a seat up to 10 minutes before the event start time. In the event of a sell-out, all seats unclaimed 10 minutes prior to the start time — including those of series passholders — may be released for sale.

BOOK SALES & AUTHOR SIGNINGS

Explore Booksellers will have books for sale at each Winter Words event. Featured authors will be available for a book signing following their talk. Bring your book or buy one onsite and don’t miss this rare opportunity to have your book inscribed by some of today’s most inspiring and talked about authors.