Shiffrin slides out 3 gates from finish: Lara Gut wins GS in Aspen

The feeling of victory was so close she could taste it. USA's Mikaela Shiffrin faltered slightly with three gates to remaining which resulted in her DNF in the GS at the Aspen Winternational.  Shiffrin, in first place after the first run and was building on her advantage and skiing with poise and confidence. In what I can only imagine was a minor drop in concentration for the champion, she slid out with only 3 gates remaining. Shiffrin's digger opened the door for Swiss hottie Lara Gut to take the gold medal. Last years winner, Eva Marie Brem from Austria finished 2nd and Italian race Frederica Brignone placed 3rd.    

It was a great day of racing in Aspen. A snowy and beautiful day on Aspen Mountain. The home-town crowd that was pulling heavily for Mikaela Shiffrin was visibly an audibly heartbroken.  AspenSpin had a chance to speak briefly with Shiffrin after the race and while she was supremely disappointed her mental toughness was evident. It appeared as she was already moving forward from the race that got away. Described by U.S. Coach Paul Kristofic as "a tough cookie" Shiffrin will be favored in todays slalom.  

1) Gut / Sui 2) Brem Aut 3) Brignone Ita. Aspen World Cup Giant Slalom. photo: AspenSpin         

Going for Globes. Aspen World Cup

The White Circus is back in Aspen.  The Women's World Cup is back in Fat City for another sesh.   Aspen is the only FIS Skiing world Cup on U.S. soil.  It's always just after Thanksgiving and it's always a highlight for the American Girls.

It's probably unprecedented in American skiing that two ladies are among the favorites to capture the over-all World Cup title.   LINDSEY VONN has been there done that.  She's the most decorated American ski racer of all time and is vying for the most World Cup Globes (trophies) of anyone, ever.  

At the U.S. Ski Team Press conference, Lindsey seemed supremely confident.   She said "travelling with globes is easier when you don't have to fly with them"  in reference to next season's World Cup Finals in Aspen.   She also admitted that she built a new trophy case that leaves room for a few more globes.

MIKAELA SHIFFRIN the 20 year old darling of American Skiing is also in the running for the overall championship.  She's the clear favorite in Slalom.  She's always a top seed in GS and now she's adding the speed events to her repertoire.

Veteran free spirit Resi Steigler and new ladies coach Paul Kristofic also participated in the presser...along with a whole slew of AVSC Groms.

When the fastest chicks on sticks hit Aspen...you know it's ski season.   Let's Ride!!

Aspen T.R.E.E.: 8th Annual FREE Community Dinner.

Eden Vardy and his family welcome everyone to the 8th annual Aspen T.R.E.E. community dinnerEvery year Aspen Spin volunteers as a server at the ASPEN T.R.E.E. FREE COMMUNITY DINNER.  It's one of our favorite nights of the year.  A true community event with no barriers to entry.  And its FREE.

This year the Aspen T. R.E.E. dinner was hosted in a new venue, The Hotel Jerome.  Just eye balling it..I'd say we served over 1000 Thanksgiving dinners. Everybody enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving feast...turkey with all the trimmings.   People from all walks of life in the Aspen community patiently waited their turn as the line wound through the Hotel Jerome and out the door.

Eden Vardy and his crew out did themselves this year. The entire crowd had a blast.

Over 1000 free Thanksgiving feasts were served up hot and FREE at the Aspen T.R.E.E. community dinner.Table for 12. Ya,dude. They look like shredders.The entire team from Aspen Palladium Properties volunteered at Aspen T.R.E.E..Fun and tasty with a seat for everyone. Aspen T.R.E.E. FREE community dinner.Everyone was there.

A. Party nabs the cover of The Aspen Times.

Wanna SEE MY PICTURE on the COVER.

Wanna BUY 5 COPIES for my MOTHER

Gonna see MY SMILING FACE

on the COVER of The ASPEN TIMES.

Winter in Aspen is da bomb. Obviously.

In what might be considered a minor miracle...Andy Party's smiling face was plastered on the cover of the Aspen Times.  The venerable old Aspen Times, founded in 1881. The AT, one of the two top print rags in FAT CITY.  Not some page 5 police blotter bull sh*t or false allegations in a tenant / landlord dispute.  This is a full fledged feature.  AT's ongoing series of Mountain Characters has a variety of scribes but Managing Editor Rick Carroll selected A.P. as his subject.

Yes I do claim to have invented the selfie.  Prove me wrong.

I highly recommend you read the article;  

Click:  Andy Israel Gets Clicks.

To complete the multi-media experience listen while you read.

 Dr. John / Cover of the Rolling Stone   

Digging the Pow. Photo: Jeremy Swanson

Sneak Peek: Early Shredding in Aspen.

A. Party is back in Aspen for his 13th season as a ski bum and the 10th season of AspenSpin. Party is sporting a sick new kit. The FRX Pro from KJUS. "That color works for you" Per a random MILF on Opening Day.Hellz yeah!!!  It's good to be back in Aspen.   We are so fired up for our 13th ski season in Fat City and the 10th SEASON for ASPENSPIN.   It's been a wild ride...from a virtual unknown to the #1 Winter Sports Blog in the World (according to Cision P.R.) and back down again on the slippery slope of the interwebs.  It's been fun, entertaining and exciting.

After 1150 ski days, and over 3 million unique visits AspenSpin is still at it. We are back documenting the over-the-top ski and party lifestyle in Aspen, Colorado. As usual...A. Party is prepared to crush it.

Even a jaded local like me loves a groovy and unexpected surprise from the Aspen Ski Company (ASC). Aspen has been getting dumped on (with snow) lately.  ASC  wisely decided a little sneak peek was in order. The lifts started spinning early (Nov 14 and 15) for a fabulous early season bonus weekend of skiing and riding on Aspen Mountain.  Basically...it was locals only. We schralped 125 acres of open and ski-able terrain.  The top of the mountain was groomed to perfection and two gorgeous and warm Colorado bluebird days were there for the taking.  We grabbed 'em.

Now it's dumping again.   So fire up the brand new G-650  (check that, the wingspan is too wide for ASE), fire up the old-school G-5 and get here now.  If you are one of the unlucky one's who doesn't have a 10,000 sq ft second or third abode, a siiiiiiiick timeshare...or a $25 million penthouse...and you need affordable lodging...I'm told there are several affordable lodging options with plenty of early season vacancies.  I might even be able to get a you a deal on lift tix. 

Book early and often. Trust me...I'm a ski bum...I know what I'm talking about.

Opening Day on Aspen Mountain for Ski Season 2015/16. 11/14/15

The View of Aspen Highlands and Highland Bowl from the top of Aspen Mountain 11/14/15