The Shining Turns 30

Thirty years ago, Jack Nicholson intrigued and terrified us in the 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Shining.” Nicholson deftly portrayed Jack Torrance, the tortured hotel caretaker who slowly goes mad during a long winter at an isolated mountain resort. The novel and movie portray cabin fever at its worst as Jack slowly unravels and turns on his family while ghosts frolic in the majestic Gold Room and wander the halls.

The stately Stanley Hotel, overlooking the Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO, was author Stephen King’s inspiration for the spooky Overlook Hotel. Experience a touch of the madness for yourself as this infamously haunted hotel celebrates 30 years of “The Shining.”

To honor the 30th anniversary of “The Shining,” the Stanley is keeping up with Jack Torrance’s typewriter mantra “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Halloween weekend offers a slew of Shining-inspired activities. The main event is the Shining Ball held on Saturday and Sunday evenings. This costume ball has a DJ, snacks and cash bar and culminates with a costume contest. Order a Redrum cocktail and reminisce about your favorite parts of the creepy movie with fellow fans. Arrive early on Friday and enjoy a private viewing of “The Shining.”

Can’t make it for Halloween weekend? Make reservations for a ghost tour and learn about Stephen King’s connection to the hotel. Visit the hotel’s most haunted spots, including the ballroom, the underground tunnel and room 217 where Stephen King was inspired to write the horror novel.