Aspen Gay Ski Week - Celebrating 36 Years In 2013!

Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, returns for its 36^th year from January 13 to 20, 2013, along with presenting sponsor, Bud Light. Iconic comic Drew Carey will perform at the historic Wheeler Opera House as part of the nightly events throughout the week. 

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.”

Aspen Gay Ski Week Returns to The Limelight Hotel for 5th Consecutive Year

Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, returns to Aspen’s newest hotel, The Limelight Hotel, for the fifth consecutive year from January 13 to 20, 2013.

“Nestled steps from Aspen Mountain and just beside Wagner Park, The Limelight offers its guests the best of mountain adventure in a contemporary and relaxed atmosphere,” said Richard Stettner, general manager of the hotel. 

Each afternoon during Aspen Gay Ski Week, The Limelight hosts popular après-ski events from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., attracting up to 1,000 nightly. Sponsored by Bud Light and Svedka, the après-ski parties feature DJ entertainment, free gifts from sponsors, a hospitality suite, heated pool and two hot-tubs.

The hotel extends a variety of amenities to its guests, including an expanded continental breakfast; complimentary in-town, airport and ski area transportation; complimentary use of the hotel’s fleet of snowshoes; and exclusive ski programs. The property’s “First Tracks” program gives guests early access to Aspen Mountain before it opens to the general public, while “Inside Tracks” is an all-day opportunity to get the insider’s scoop on Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Snowmass while skiing or riding with Aspen’s top professionals.

“A benefit for the Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF), Aspen Gay Ski Week also hosts exciting nightly events and the popular downhill costume competition on Friday,” remarked Todd Heimel, board president of RFGLCF. “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.”

RoaringFork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund to donate $25,000 to non-profits like The Trevor Project

Aspen Gay Ski Week is a fund raising event for the Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund.  This year the Fund will be donating over $25,000 to local and national non-profit organizations that reflect their mission.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth by providing life-saving and life-affirming resources including our nationwide, 24/7 crisis intervention lifeline, digital community and advocacy/educational programs that create a safe, supportive and positive environment for everyone

Gay Ski Weeks around the world

Winter is almost officially upon us, so it's time to make the most of the season and plan your ski trip! Here are some of the best LGBT Ski Weeks at unforgettable destinations from around the world - including our very own Aspen Gay Ski Week - courtesy of Passport Magazine.

Save now on tickets to Aspen Gay Ski Week

Interested in hitting up Aspen Gay Ski Week 2011? Tickets are on sale now through October 16 with early event passes going for only $199 (normally $300).

Early bird rates for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2011

Click here to book your reservations for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2011 through Stay Aspen Snowmass and for a limited  time you will receive two complimentary lift tickets.  This offer is good only for a limited time so act fast, ski bunnies!

Yee-haw! Aspen Gay Ski Week 2011 brings back the Wild, Wild West

The results from the recent Aspen Gay Ski Week poll are in and you decided that the theme for next year's Gay Ski Week will be the 'Wild, Wild West!'

So get ready to slap leather because next year will be a week full of round-ups, saloons, brothels, cowboys, dancing girls and much much more.

Choose the theme for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2011!

Aspen Gay Ski Week wants you to pick the theme for the 2011.

Choices are:
Euphoria - International Theme
Cowboy/Western - Saloons, Brothels, and Hoedowns
Pantheon - Greek Theme
Frolic - or fröhlich Winter Pride


Click here to cast your vote.

Dates announced for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2011

It has just been announced that Aspen Gay Ski Week 2011 will take place January 16-23, 2011 and the Limelight Lodge will be the host hotel for the third year running.

Aspen Gay Ski Week 2010: OUR SceneTV

OUR SceneTV was onsite all week with Aspen Gay Ski Week and has some great video of all the goings on. Click Here to see footage from OSTV's site footage of the downhill and other events.

Aspen Gay Ski Week 2010: Downhill Drag Costume Contest

In front of a sold out crowd and with 12 contestants 2010 Aspen Gay Ski Week Downhill Drag Costume Contest was quite a party.

First place went to the St. Paulie Girls Gone Wild (pictured above) from Pennsylvania. Second place went to Aspen Gay Ski Week sponsors Canadian Mountain Heli Skiing and third place went to yet another sponsor, the Aspen Club and Spa.

 

For more photos check out www.gayskiweek.com. 

 

Tickets on sale for Aspen Gay Ski Week's Pool Party

The Pool Party is the grand finale of Aspen Gay Ski Week and you do not want to miss this one.

Tickets are on sale now for $95 and include: all you can drink - vodka, Bud Light, Wine - snacks, towels, swag, DJs, dancing, and more. Float away on the lazy river or slide the falls and enjoy the sights, the sounds, the spectacle of a thousand soaking wet gay guys splishing and splashing away.

Aspen Gay Ski Week 2010: Into the Woods

Presented by AGSW and Bud Light, Aspen Gay Ski Week 2010: Into the Woods will take place Sunday, January 17, 2010 through Sunday, January 24, 2010 in Aspen, Colorado.

Established in 1976 by a small group of Aspen residents to host social events and organize educational forums, AGSW was the first event of its kind and has served as both an inspiration and model for other gay ski weeks in ski towns across the nation. The event has morphed into a week-long celebration packed with events that include skiing, snowboarding, après ski parties, dining, shopping, comedy, a down-hill costume competition and more.

“What started as a forum for the gay community has expanded to a week of premier skiing and outstanding entertainment for all. This year we are working with a new Board of Directors who have brought new ideas and innovative approaches to this historic event,“ said Peter Helburn, acting Executive Director for AGSW.

Aspen Gay Ski Week: Only two months away!

Aspen Gay Ski Week is only two months away so make your plans now to enjoy some of the best skiing and entertainment in the world!

Check out the list of talent scheduled for the event:

Back by popular demand, DJ Irene on Thursday, January 21st at Belly Up Aspen. "DJ Irene is one of the world's most in-demand DJs, playing different clubs around the world every weekend with her own definitive style and releasing mixed CDs that have made her one of the biggest selling DJs ever." By DJ Ron Slomowicz, About.com Guide

DJ Dan Murphy from Sydney Australia Friday, January 22nd at the Enchanted Forest Party. His reputation for being a crowd favorite has lead to requests to perform at major events including the Navigaytion All Gay Cruise, Gay Ski Week in Lake Tahoe USA, Gay Ski Week in New Zealand, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert Musical Launch and The Boy From Oz Opening Night, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras - the biggest party of it's kind in the worldand more.

Paul J Williams Drag Downhill Emcee and Comedy night producer. Comedy returns to the Wheeler Opera House on Thursday, January 21 and Paul is putting together another fantastic line-up for 2010. Also join us on Friday for the Annual Drag Downhill Competition with Sister Helen Holy for a day of laughs and entertainment.

The Demented Divas go to Hollywood! A fun filled drag show to your favorite Hollywood movies. Live at Belly Up before DJ Irene on Thursday, January 21 at 10 p.m. One of Denver's favorite acts, The Demented Divas are a delight and will get you laughing so hard your sides will hurt. They will also be joining Sister Helen at the downhill to make sure we have plenty of color and diva!

Tickets on sale for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2010

The Blind Date Pass for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2010 is now on sale for $199 and is the equivalent of the Black Diamond all-access pass that retails for around $300 each year.

The Blind Date Pass includes access to Apres Ski, Evening Parties, Movies, Big Thursday and Friday Parties, Hockey Game, Pool Party and more. You will also receive priority access to all events and early purchase pricing on both Comedy and the Costume Drag Downhill.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to save and secure your spot for Gay Ski Week 2010.

Incredible deal for Aspen Gay Ski Week 2010

Now on sale, get your pass for next year's Gay Ski Week in Aspen (January 17-24) and save tons of cash. The Blind Date Pass is the equivalent of the Black Diamond all-access pass which retails for around $300 each year. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to save and secure your spot for Gay Ski Week 2010!

Blind Date Pass includes:
* Apres Ski
* Evening Parties
* Movies
* Big Thursday & Friday Parties
* Hockey Game
* Pool Party and more!

You will also receive priority access to all events and early purchase pricing on both Comedy and the Costume Drag Downhill.

A word from the producers of Aspen Gay Ski Week

It was another banner year for Aspen Gay Ski Week and the producers want to thank everybody who took part:

We just wanted to take a minute to thank you for attending and participating in another successful Aspen Gay Ski Week! In this time of worldwide economic downturn, you made the effort to be here and everyone in Aspen really appreciates it, from the hotels, to the Aspen Skiing Company, to the City of Aspen, to the retailers, to the bars and restaurants.

But most of all, THANK YOU from the Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund! Without your support, we couldn't exist nor could we support our beneficiaries, including local schools and the Western Colorado AIDS Project.

We are still looking at the numbers, but it looks as if we equaled Aspen Gay Ski Week 2008. With our fresh, new host hotel, The Limelight Lodge, we were really able to step it up a notch, bringing most aspects of the event to a central location, which made for some very memorable moments!

And who could forget the Icy Hot Pool Party? Or Purple Reign at The Belly Up? Or Comedy Night at The Wheeler Opera House? A great time was had by all, and we are really looking forward to seeing you again next year in Aspen for Gay Ski Week 2010!