Klaus Obermeyer turns 91.

Klaus Obermeyer turns 91. click 4 more pixDecember 2 is an international holiday for skiers.  Its the birthday of KLAUS OBERMEYER, one of the most influential people in skiing history. Click KLAUS to get a summary of his accomplishments. Klaus Obermeyer was born in Germany in 1919.  He founded his own ski wear company,-- Sport Obermeyer in 1947 in Aspen, Colorado in his attic while he was working as a ski instructor. Klaus developed the first down parka, the first mirrored sunglasses and the first high altitude sun screen  among other innovations. Sport Obermeyer is still known as one of the most important, progressive and powerful brands in snow sports....to this day.

Klaus still skis almost everyd day.  His technique is smooth and fast, in fact ---it's doubtful that you can keep up.  His distinctive Yodel is famous throughout the world. 

Klaus is more than just a ski-wear trend setter--he's "the greatest guy in skiing".   He's affable, gregarious, funny and super popular with the ladies.  His energy and love for the mountains is contagious.  He's quick with a quip and his 5000 watt smile lights up every room he enters.  At 91, Klaus is still getting after it ----every day --on the mountain and off.  His 91st birthday was a cause celbre at the venerable Wienerstube restaurant in Aspen.  4 generations of family and friends gathered to wish Klaus a Happy Birthday and share a delicious apple strudel warm from the oven.   When he bit into his birthday pastry, the SRO crowd cheered.  Klaus looked up, shrugged and laughed and said " i'm really gonna have to brush my tooth more often", and he immediately began his trademark Yodel.   The crowd went wild.   

SEE PIX --click  KLAUS at 91.

Living Legend Klaus Obermeyer turns 91. click 4 pix

Aspen:The Fittest Town in the World with Rip-Core /FX

Aspenites take their fitness training very seriously.  To fully embrace the Mountain Lifestyle in Aspen, one has to be in shape and be ready to hike, bike, climb and ski all year long. The Aspen Club is one of the most progressive and well respected fitness facilities on the globe. Its not unusual to see World Class athletes at The Aspen Club working out or re-habbing.  Lance Armstrong, Matina Navratilova, David Robinson and Alex Rodriguez choose The Aspen Club to get (or stay) in shape.  Regular folks work out at The Aspen Club too, its not just Olympians and Professional Athletes ---although the gym at The Aspen Club is a good place to find the pros.   

Bill and Pete prep the group for Rip-Core/FX Innovation met motivation at The Aspen Club recently with the official launch of RIP-CORE/FX a new training tool and fitness technique developed right here in Aspen.  RIP-CORE/FX is a simple yet effective fitness method that focuses on spinal stability, core fitness and functional strength.  Rip-Core looks easy, but after a 20 minute mini-session led by Olympic medalist Chris Klug,the sweat was flowing heavily.  About 60 people worked out with Rip-Core at the launch event at the Aspen Club.  Rip-Core/FX allows for 3 dimentional exercise, keeping one's spine in a neutral position at all times.  Rip-Core builds strength, flexibility, stability, balance and power---- all you need to supply is the athletic talent. 

Bill Fabrocini and Pete Holman the guys behind Rip-Core/FXInvented by world renown physical therapist Bill Fabrocini and former Tae Kwon-do National Champ Pete Holman --both Aspen Locals,  Rip-Core/ Fx is poised to take off.  The equipment is highly portable, so its easy to take on the road and with a wide variety of Rip-Core excercises you can get a full body work-out in a very short time. 

To learn more, click  RIP-CORE/ FX  or inquire at The Aspen Club. RIP-CORE will be coming soon to your neighborhood gym.  You don't have to be an Olympian,  but RIP-CORE can help you train like one. 

 Bronze Medalist and 2-time Olympian Chris Klug leads a group session with RIP-CORE/FX X-Games Gold Medalist Peter Olenick getting ready to rip with RIP-CORE/ FX RIP-CORE/FX can help anyone gain strength, flexibility and power.

The RIP-Core / FX dream team. Michael David Cook, Chris Klug and Pete Holman.

The first group class at the Rip-Core/FX Launch at The Aspen Club

Aspen Club's Michael Fox and Rip-Core's Bill Fabrocini and Bianca Holman enjoyed the successful launch event for RIP-CORE/FX

Could Andy-Party's core get any more ripped? Doubtful.

NO NO November in Aspen

Snuggles on SmugglerNovember is generally considered the worst month to be in Aspen.  The weather normally blows, usually its cold, cloudy and hopefully snowy...but we can't yet ski the "power of four".   Many locals choose to travel in November.  Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica are popular spots.  Some folks actually pierce the bubble and roll down to ski Loveland, A-Basin or Copper.  Denver is cool- if you feel like cruising 200 miles --plenty of malls an' sh*t.  Boulder is a rocking  college town and tech-center, also about 4 hours.  Grand Junction has it all....CostCo. 

So far November 2010 in Aspen has been clear, sunny and warm.  Don't panic yet...La Nina is on her way.  Click the pix to enlarge 'em.  See more  pix: Scorpio Sessions.

AspenSpin stayed close to home this weekend to enjoy the Culture of Aspen.  Thursday we caught  the Aspen Community Theatreproduction of 1776. It was Opening Night and it was a fantastic show (playing thorough 11/14).  1776 is the often told story of America's Independence, the Continental Congress and the writing of the Declaration by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and (A.Spin's favorite) Benjamin Franklin.  The Bell Mountain Buckaroos were represented by Scott McCracken (who killed it as Edward Rutledge of South Carolina) and Jeff Bestic as the hilarious McNair.  The cast was perfect for a ski town like Aspen--- 24 guys and 2 Women.   The entire cast, the crew, producers Rita Hunter and Jody Hecht and Director Patrick Holloran should be congratulated.  1776 is great family entertainment.

Rita and Scott killed on Opening night. 1776

Continental Congress 1776

Friday night Actor (and fellow Michigander Jeff Daniels )played an unplugged, acoustic set at Belly Up.  AspenSpin luvs Jeff Daniels.  In ZG he's always associated with his role  as Harry in Dumb and Dumber and a "little place called Asss-spen". Click his IMDB Bio Jeff Daniels; he's had a phenomenal career in Hollywood, and on Broadway--- yet he always returns home to Chelsea, Michigan and the Purple Rose Theatre.   He's currently touring America as a one-man show gigging out of a BIG DADDY tour bus along with his crew/Wife and high School  Sweetheart, Kathleen.   Daniels sang some songs , played the blues and told some stories. The crowd loved it.  It was a fun and intimate evening.  The Belly Up never looked better.Jeff Daniels gigging in Aspen.

Mrs. D. with A. P.

The next night  Playing for Change played Belly Up.  We missed it---but their Vid. got 25 million hits on You Tube. If you haven't seen it yet, click STAND BY ME.  

Lets not forget the Elk Mountains.   It was a beautiful day for short hike up the Smuggler Trail.   November ain't so bad....but we're  still PRAYING 4 POW in Aspen.  

A Little Place called ASPEN. View form Smuggler 11/6/10

Halloween in Aspen

Halloween in Aspen ....is SIIIIIICK.  The whole town gets off---in a good way of course. Its just plain nasty. Kids and adults lavish lots of time, money and energy on their  elaborate costumes.  The Silver City gets lit-up like a jack-o-lantern, even on Sunday.

 For Aspen locals , Halloween is like the unofficial New Year's Eve.  When you reside in a tourist based economy....and there are no tourists (Oct and Nov).... on Halloween you get to party like a rock star....crash hard....and then call in siiiiiiiick the next day.... with very few consequences.  Another factor.... there are 85 bars within the four block radius that makes up Aspen's  Core....so party hopping is required.  Also, when all Hallows Eve strikes...everyone knows that ski season is not far behind.  

Not that we ever need an excuse to go hard....cause going hard is a lifestyle in Aspen.  AspenSpin took a few pix and took a few shots.  Click: NIGHTMARE in ASPEN.

Forgive me Daddy, for I have sinned.

Alan (with Carlos) and Gold Member 

Toy Soldiers

Psycho in Aspen

NEPSA Awards in Aspen

The NEPSA Awards is the unofficial kickoff to ski season in Aspen. Its always a huge night.  NEPSA (Aspen spelled backwards) offers cash prizes to amateur filmmakers as well as a "home field" venue to showcase their work.  The super-rowdy crowd, mostly locals, is full of energy and love for snowsports. 

 Due to AspenSpin's extended stay in ski-hab we missed NEPSA for the first time since its inception 6 years ago.  Although we were absent from the Ski-porn, we're happy to report that new blood topped the  NEPSA podium in 2010.  Local shredders Doran LayBourn and Aaron G. Hooper took home the $2000 first place price with their flick; GOOD to GO.  Laybourn who was injured in a terrible back country accident with a snowmobile in 2007 is apparently  back in Aspen and Good to Go for Winter 2010/11.  Yeeeaaaahh boy!!

Thanks to Zach Hooper for sharing his photos with us.  See his work at ZACHHOOPERPHOTO.com

Aaron G. Hooper: Getting his paper right.

Laybourn, Hooper and the "not messing around "crew. NEPSA 2010 Champions in Aspen

Papparazzi

Greg Boyd --always ready 2 rip.

Naka G on the wheels of steel.

NEPSA after party with TGR screening on top of Ajax.

 Beer line at the Wheeler Opera House.