This
year, proceeds from the event will benefit GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and
Straight Education Network), the Trevor Project, the Point Foundation,
and the local program TEACH (Teachers Empowering Agents of Change), the
Western Colorado AIDS Project, the Gender Identity Center of Colorado,
as well as local schools of the Roaring Fork Valley.
“World-famous Aspen plays host to a week of epic skiing, après-ski events at The Limelight Hotel and exciting nightly events,” said Todd Heimel, board president of Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund. “Back by popular demand is the ‘mountaintop party,’ accessible only by a moonlit gondola ride up Aspen Mountain, to an elevation of 11,000 feet. Once there, guests dance the night away at high altitude.”
Each afternoon during Aspen
Gay Ski Week, The Limelight is the site for après-ski parties from 3:00
p.m. to 7:00 p.m., attracting up to 1,000 daily. Sponsored by Bud Light
and Svedka, these events feature DJ entertainment, free gifts from
sponsors, a hospitality suite, heated pool and two hot-tubs.
On Friday afternoon, the city of Aspen gathers to view the popular downhill costume competition, hosted by Miss Richfield 1981—seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Today Show. In years’ past, contestants can be seen skiing down Aspen Mountain in riotous costumes, such as Madonna, St. Paulie girls and water skiers.
“There is something for everyone at Aspen Gay Ski Week, even for the non-skier,” said Heimel. “Aspen
offers visitors world renowned restaurants, indulgent spas and first
class shopping. Our attendance is expected to be monumental in 2013, so
we thank our loyal guests for helping us to continue to be the premier
GLBT winter travel event.”
