Aspen, Colorado is a town that embodies the spirit of adventure, creativity, and community. This is exemplified by three events that take place in Aspen throughout the year: the Aspen Ice Skating Rink, the Aspen Backcountry Marathon, and the Aspen Ideas Festival. While these events may seem unrelated at first glance, they are all connected by the same unifying idea: the pursuit of excellence.
The Aspen Ice Skating Rink is a beloved winter activity in Aspen. Located in the heart of downtown, the rink is open to the public and offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the winter landscape. Skaters of all skill levels can enjoy the rink, which is open from late November through early April. The rink also hosts events such as figure skating shows and hockey games.
The Aspen Backcountry Marathon is a challenging trail run that takes place in the scenic mountains surrounding Aspen. The marathon covers over 26 miles of rugged terrain and requires runners to climb over 6,000 feet in elevation. Despite the difficulty of the race, it draws hundreds of participants each year who are drawn to the challenge and the stunning views.
The Aspen Ideas Festival is an annual gathering of some of the world’s most innovative and influential thinkers. The festival brings together leaders from a variety of fields, including science, politics, business, and the arts, to discuss the most pressing issues facing our world today. Speakers at the festival have included Bill Gates, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Malcolm Gladwell.
What connects these three events is the pursuit of excellence. Whether it’s through the precision and grace of ice skating, the endurance and determination of a marathon, or the intellectual curiosity and innovation of the Ideas Festival, each event celebrates the human spirit’s boundless potential for greatness. As noted by Benjamin Franklin, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”
In a town as vibrant and dynamic as Aspen, it’s no surprise that these events draw people from all over the world who are seeking to challenge themselves and be a part of a community that values excellence. As stated by John F. Kennedy, “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” The Aspen Ice Skating Rink, the Aspen Backcountry Marathon, and the Aspen Ideas Festival provide a purpose and direction for those who seek to excel and make a difference in the world.
In conclusion, the pursuit of excellence is what unites the Aspen Ice Skating Rink, the Aspen Backcountry Marathon, and the Aspen Ideas Festival. These events celebrate the human spirit’s potential for greatness and provide a sense of purpose and direction for those who seek to challenge themselves and make a difference in the world. As stated by Aristotle, “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.