Freeskier and the Shred Testers

#FreeskierFest in Aspen. Click 4 siiiiick pix.Aspen Mountain is normally the home mountain to plenty of ripping skiers.  During Freeskier Magazine's annual #Freeskierfest, Aspen Mountain becomes the absolute center of the free-riding shredder universe.  Every March, a rotating crew of about 40 testers, some of the most talented free skiers in the Rocky Mountain Region, ride & rate every ski in the world.   The testers get to try out and critque the full quiver  of next year's skis. 

FREESKIERFEST: SHRED TESTNG: Click 4 pix.

Jacuzzi action @FreeskierFest in Aspen. Click 4 pix.So for the 3rd year in a row there's an extra-large posse of super-gnarly, big mountain two-plankers on Ajax for #freeskierfest.  Those guys and gals you see straight lining in The Dumps or sending back flips on Walsh's or negotiating the Ridge of Bell at very, very high rates of speed are probably Freeskier testers.

Freeskier's visit to Aspen culminated with a full on Fash Bash at Sky Hotel's 39 Degrees, the #1 après ski spot in Aspen.  Spyder and Carlsberg Beer joined forces to present next year's outerwear collections with a poolside fashion show at the Sky.  A huge crowd gathered at 39 Degrees in anticipation of the show. The weather was perfect.  Lucky wrist banders drank for free in the VIP as local models did what they do...they modeled.  The skiers strutted their stuff on the catwalk, the brand managers iced each other repeatedly.  The pool deck at the Sky Hotel took on a life of its own.  

Several fully dressed models ended up in the pool...so obviously the event was a tremendous success.

FREESKIERFEST: SHRED TESTNG: Click 4 pix.

Fashion is the passion at #FreeskierFest at The Sky Hotel. Click 4 pix.Models doing what they do...they model. At #FreeskierFest. in Aspen. Click 4 pix.Full on Modeling at FreeskierFest in Aspen. Click 4 more siiiiiiiiiick pix.Jamie from Spyder got iced in front of 300 of his closest aquaintances in Aspen.All the Models into the pool. Freeskier Fest in Aspen was a HUGE success. Click 4 pix.

The Politics of Aspen

This was a recent letter to the Editor in The Aspen Times and The Aspen Daily News about the upcoming election in Aspen.  Please Vote on May 7.

GOOD CLEAN FUN.

Dear Editor

Now that all 4 current City Council members have indicated their intentions to run for Mayor and the sitting Mayor intends to run for City Council, Aspen’s May 7, 2013 election is shaping up to be a doozie.

I’m not really into politics; I’m into quality of life.  That’s why I live in Aspen.  I’m not sure yet who I’m voting for this coming May, but urge I all the candidates to consider the following issues:

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:  I’m a former numbers guy.  Just eye-ballin’ it…I see a tremendous amount of waste, over-spending and bureaucracy at City Hall.   I understand how Government works…departments get budgeted dollars…and then they figure out how spend them.   Someone needs to take a sharp pencil to the budget to ensure that our tax dollars are being spent wisely.   Wasting money is bad form.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:   Aspen is a clear leader in the Green Movement, as it should continue to be.  Our high profile position in the climate change debate has a direct relationship to the future viability of our town.  We need to continue to be innovative and progressive in this area…again without wasting money.   In Aspen proper, we need to preserve our parks and open spaces rather than tear them up with bulldozers.  Parklets will not cut it in Aspen.

SMART GROWTH:  Over the years Aspen has evolved into a nucleus of greed.  There will always be some people who view Aspen as an investment opportunity…rather than for her natural beauty and small town character.  Fine, then let developers build within the rules of the zoning code.  Smart growth is O.K. , but no more back room deals, no more offsets and special situations.   No more…”we’ll give you this, if you do that”.  No more lawsuits.   If speculators want to invest in Aspen, they should have a clear understanding, ahead of time, of what they can do with their property.  The biggest and best use is fine…but bigger than that… isn’t.

Between now and May 7, I expect there will be a lot of mud slinging from various camps and by many  of  the vocal, local gadflies, many of whom don’t even vote in Aspen.  Maybe that’s why the City of Aspen holds their elections during mud season?    Hopefully this time around things will be civil.   It’s easy to criticize, but much more difficult to build a consensus.

How ever the ballots are cast in May, I hope the next regime moves forward in a positive and constructive direction.   Good luck to all the candidates and here’s hoping for a good clean election.

AspenSpin

Aspen, Colorado

GAD @ AH

Staying Safe with the AH Ski Patrol. Click 4 pixWednesdays are Guest Appreciation Day at Aspen Highlands.

FREE PARKING

FREE MUFFINS & COFFEE

FREE HOTDOGS at Deep Temerity

ALL-YOU-CAN HIKE TERRAIN

ASPEN HIGHLAND BOWL.

Click 4 pix:  GAD @ AH

Pyramid Peak and The Maroon Bells. Click for pix.

Hockey 4 Hope to Benefit Aspen Hope Center

Image: Morris Design, Inc. click 4 pix.It was a "battle of the first responders" at the 3rd annual Hockey for Hope to Benefit The Aspen Hope Center.  The Snowmass Firefighters prevailed over The Aspen Police 5-4 in a tightly contested game. 

HOCKEY 4 HOPE click 4 pix.

Hockey is a sport that brings people together and often times is a very emotional.  That's why its appropriate that the Aspen Ice Garden hosts a benefit for The Aspen Hope Center.  Established in June of 2010 by the Aspen Valley Foundation, the Aspen Hope Center offers 24/7 free access to licensed mental health professionals for info, referrals and crisis intervention. 

Aspen is a paradise.  Few realize that Pitkin County has a suicide rate that is 3 times the National average and twice that of the State of Colorado average. Colorado consistently has one of the highest suicide rates in the Country.  Form your own conclusions.   The Aspen Hope Center hopes to improve those unfortunate statistics.  Aspen Hope Center helps educate and integrate people who are in need.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 

CALL 24/7: ASPEN HELP CENTER.  970.925.5858

Hockey for Hope was good clean fun. Open skating at the Ice Garden, a silent auction, food and drinks and of course the big rivalry game.  The Firefighters and the Cops have a friendly competition in general...but it was clear that both teams wanted bragging rights on the ice.  It was a great game for a great cause. 

Click 4 pix.  HOCKEY 4 HOPE.

The Snowmass Firefighter ready for action. Hockey 4 Hope. Click 4 pix.The Aspen Police: Hockey 4 Hope for Aspen Hope Center. Click 4 pix.Hockey chicks at Hockey 4 Hope for the Aspen Hope Center. Click 4 Pix.The Brain Trust at Aspen Hope Center. 970-925-5858. Clcik 4 pix.

Sandy, Renee & the Kids at Hockey 4 Hope. Aspen Hope Center. Click 4 pix. 

The Temptations Crush Aspen

I've got so much honey...the bees envy me. Click 4 Pix.The old school served notice last night in Aspen. The Mighty, Mighty Temptations brought their precision dance moves, soulful harmonies and catchy lyrics to the stage at The Wheeler Opera House...where they CRUSHED.

Click 4 pix.  The Temptations

Formed in Detroit in 1960, The Temps were a crucial part of the Motown Sound which eventually led them to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Otis Williams, the last remaining member of the original Temptations and his new band mates delivered a show that was equal parts nostalgia, musical talent and fun. The Wheeler was rocking as the Standing Room Only crowd was dancing in the aisles to classic tunes like, My Girl, Ball of Confusion, Get Ready, Can't Get Next to You, Papa was a Rolling Stone and Just My Imagination (running away with me)and more.

The Temptations displayed their tightly choreographed and highly energized professional show to Aspen.  Performed as a Las Vegas style review The Temps sang all their hits form the 60' & 70's.   The Temptations rhythm section was groovin' all night and they added in a horn section comprised of local players to complete their big band sound.

The Temps showed us how its done last night in Aspen.  Their show brought back memories and created new ones.   These guys are professional entertainers...and the crowd loved them.

Click the vids. below for a taste of the action.

Or Click 4 pix: THE TEMPTATIONS CRUSH ASPEN

Otis Williams brings it in Aspen. Big Daddy is the last original Temp. still living. Click 4 pix.

The Mighty, Mighty Temptations in Aspen at The Wheeler Opera House. Click 4 Pix.