Mini Pow Day in Aspen

Snow, just like Boobs,  is much better when it's natural rather than man-made or enhanced.  

We got some help from Mr. Natural last night and it felt sooooo goooooood.   Still no skiing top to bottom, but at 12,000 feet on top of AJAX----   The six inch rule was in effect.   So the entire staff of www.AspenSpin.com hit the gondi ASAP.   It was light and soft and fluffy, and it almost covered up all the rocks and shrubs and other obstacles.  It's still pretty risky biz. out there, but they're opening new runs every day.   We're gonna check the validity of Ski Co's snow reports, but it appears that this season----  Snowmass is going to be the beneficiary of a little augmentation.

Today was one of those "stash" days.  A day that only the real ski bums get.   As fresh tracks were being laid, the word got out, the line at lift 3 (the only one open) got a little longer.   No waiting, just a few more Buckaroo's--- and Dogs and ----Chix on Stix sharing their joy.  Not to many KJUS outfits and BLACKBERRYs around, but plenty of DUCT TAPE and STICKERS.  It's good to be alive.

On the PARTY-CIRCUIT.    For 23 straight seasons, The Goldstein's have hosted the annual Ski Tuners Ball (STB).  It all started as a way to repay the hard workin' waxers and sharpeners that keep the Goldstein's boards in tip top shape.  It has evolved into a rager,  a "local's favorite"--- complete with excessive amounts of tequila and plenty of hard core mountain athletes.    Check out the pix in the photo album----TUNE UP

This season, Ski Co. has relaxed it's former policy of  mandatory drug testing for employee's who are involved in on-mountain accidents.   Now it's a "supervisors call" if a Ski-Pro or Liftie must--- "fill it half-way, please" ---- immediately after a boo boo.   We realize that in today's  litigious society, ruled by the  corporate machine, that possible drug use by employees can be an issue.    But seriously----   One bong-hit never killed anyone------right?

A new demographic study showed that Aspen's skiers/boarders are ---older, wealthier, and willing to pay double to get here ----than the typical skier/boarder in the USA.   Really? ----   Amazing?

It's on now !!!!  You better bring it.

BALD is the new BLACK

Thanksgiving is a time we share with family and friends,  it's also one of the biggest party weekends of the year.  This past holiday Karen Sosnick Schoenberg pulled out all the stops in order to surprise her beloved spouse Jeff Sosnick Schoenberg with a 50th birthday bash.   What does this have to do with Aspen? you ask------nothing really, but it was a major bash----so our exclusive coverage follows.

Although Jeff's birthday is actually in February, Karen mobilized a vast network of friends, family, beautiful people, hourly workers, staff, indentured servants and Asian cocktail waitresses to make it happen.   About one thousand VIP ONLY guests descended on a local hotel for what was billed as the "Jeff-Mitzvah".

Inside sources revealed to A-Spin that the celebration was held in November for a very valid reason.   As of November 20, 2007, ---per the pre-nup----Jeff became fully vested in the family trust.   Addtionally he was promoted from  Au Pair to ----- HUSBAND/FATHER. 

So all the scene-makers gathered to blast Jeff into his second century.  Bold faced names flew in for the bash from Aspen, NYC, LA, Florida and of course Oakland County.  The famous Simone Vitale Band kicked out the jams to the delight of the posh crowd.   All the M.I.L.F.s shook their well preserved groove things as the raucous band played well past  2 a.m.   To top off the evening thong clad "geishas" served Hummers ( yeah, it's a drink) and sliders to the late night crowd.  Like the cherry on a sundae, each guest received their very own Jeffrey bobble head---a collector's item to be sure.  Forget   E-Bay,  A-spin will be selling the bobbles soon.

Check out the pix by clicking BALD is the new BLACK.

TG in ZG

  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and more importantly---Happy Opening Day in Aspen.   

Due to unforseen and unfortunate circumstances Aspen Spin is missing out on the first ski day of the season this year.  We were called away for an emergency ..........and nooooo......, the police were not involved.  Flying on Thanksgiving weekend was not our preferred agenda, but sometimes----you just gotta go.

Yup, it finally snowed in Aspen.  Big Bro over at Ski Co. generously called it 12" @ SMass and 9" on Ajax  but using the Carmelo-meter (right)----Aspen Spin measured it at about 3" in town.   Don't get too excited the picture on the right was taken last year.

 Also, thank you for the flood of e-mails requesting ski conditions, discounts and party tips, we'll be back on the job in a day or two.  We're away for a few days, but that doesn't mean we don't have the SPIN.

For opening day---very limited terrain will be skiable.   SMass will feature---200 vertical feet on Fanny Hill, for Thursday, that's the only option.   Check it out,  the new $18 million, state of the art,  25,000 sq ft TreeHouse Children's Center at the base of SMass will be opening, on time, amidst all the construction debris.  

 Ajax will be open for " lunch only" ----no skiing.   On Friday, 2 or 3 runs will open on Aspen Mountain----laps to 3 on SilverBell and Deer Park will be the only call.  We'll keep y'all abreast as soon as new terrain opens.

More weather news.  For the 2007/08 ski season, The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center is calling for a mild La Nina episode for areas west of the Continental Divide  eg: Aspen.   What does that mean to you?   A warm, mild winter with lower than average precipitation.    BOGUS.  Let's hope they're wrong.

On the financial front, billionaire John Calamos is loaning $2 million to Aspen Executive Jets (AEX), so they can avoid a shut down and keep flying this season.  Calamos owns AEX along with other businesses in the Valley including Zele Cafe.  Allegations of fraud and mismanagement plagued the previous local management of AEX before their demise.  Recently an Arkansas based charter service d.b.a JetRide began working with Calamos to keep the beleaguered Basalt based company solvent and in the Air.  If you need a reliable jet---fast---click on the Jet Stream banner to your left.

Were you planning to bid on Prince Bandar's $135 million estate  in Starwood ?----to late.  Hala Ranch has been pulled off the market.    Despite "enormous interest in the property" according to Broker, Josh Saslove, no one stepped up to write an "acceptable deal".  The only thing bigger than the $135 million price tag is the P.R. machine over at Saslove & Co.  Saslove is also involved in the re-development project at Cooper Street Pier.  That deal has been "shut down" by City Council and the lawsuits should be flying soon.

Also, for a good time, check out Aspen Magazine's profile on Courtney and Karen Lord's "haute" home in Aspen.  The mag. calls them "taste makers", what do you think ?

A new "glossy"  has been added to Aspen's overcrowded magazine line up, it's called SNOW.  You can pick up your free copy---anywhere in town.  There are currently 7 seperate glossy offerings focused on Aspen ----but www.AspenSpin.com  remains the #1 on-line tabloid in town.  

Welcome to Ski Season 2007/08 ----it should be a Stone Cold Groove.

                     © Copyright 2006, 2007 www.AspenSpin.com, all rights reserved.

Global Hotness

Sure, it's a good day for golf in Aspen, but --------check out the new photo album entitled Global Hotness.

The new photo albums include a slide show feature---click on the thumbnails and go!!!

            

Click the Thumb for Global Hotness

You gotta have ART...

You gotta have ART...  all you really need is ART!!!  
AAM Director and Curator Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson and PR guru Jeffrey Murcko hosted the event.

Last night the The Aspen Art Museum (AAM) held a soiree to showcase it's current exhibition,  The Roaring Fork Open, 2007.  The Roaring Fork Open is a biennial (every 2 years) exhibition that showcases local artists who reside in the Roaring Fork Valley from Aspen to Glenwood Springs.  Over 100 artists were featured this year and the event was attended by a very, very upscale and artsy crowd. 

AAM ( www.Aspenartmuseum.org ) is a globally preeminent non collecting institution that presents the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art.   AAM is also a distinguished neighbor of Aspen Spin's HQ.  

Another reason to go to AAM, staffers Christy, Morley and Grace, ---now that's ART!! Also on the agenda last night was a presentation from Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson, AAM's Director and Chief Curator.  Ms. Jacobson's speech kicked off a campaign which proposes to build a brand new Museum building.  The building would be privately funded, as AAM has some major benefactors around the world, and would still border Rio Grande Park.   The new site would be closer to town, easier to find, more easily accessible and the building would be designed, from inception, as a Museum space. 

This will be the third ski season that the AAM and Aspen Ski Co. will team up with an outstanding artist to create a lift ticket that is also a piece of art.   American Artist, Karen Kilimnik's work entitled;  Gelsey Stuck on the Matterhorn, (shown here on the right) will be the image featured on the 2007/08 daily lift ticket.   Ms. Kilimnik will be in town to kick off her exhibition at AAM which will open  December 14, 2007.

 Japanese wild man and extreme skier, Yutaka Sone created the first lift ticket as art in 2005/06 followed by Scotsman, outdoors man and painter Peter Doig last season.   So for $87 per day you get to ski and enjoy poignant contemporary art at the same time---Nutty!!!!  and only in Aspen.

AAM's newest endowment program is the Jane and Mark Nathanson Distinguished Artist in Residence Program.   The inaugural artist selected to crib in Aspen is British video artist Phil Collins (pictured at left).  His residency will begin in the Spring of 2008, followed by an exhibition of his work scheduled for August 15-October 26, 2008.  Mr. Collins was in town for a site visit, and based on our initial meeting with him----he'll fit right in.  We look forward to viewing his creations next Summer.

While we are all getting fired up for next week's scheduled opening day, the weather is not cooperating.  It's been sunny and mild.   So for now it's---- no snow/ no go---- conditions, but at least it has cooled down enough to get some man-made snow up top.   We'll look for you all on the gondola on Thanksgiving day.

       © Copyright 2006, 2007 www.AspenSpin.com, all rights reserved.      

 Aspen Spin ^SM