For the Forest

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (D) addresses the crowd at For the Forrest.Influential politicians, activists and scientists convened in Aspen last week at the FOR the FOREST Symposium.  The full day conference addressed the Pine Beetle problem along with Forest health and sustainability.

Matt, Gina and Kate are devoted to For the Forest.In Aspen and throughout the Roaring Fork Valley we've been lucky....so far. The diversity of our local flora has helped us to avoid a major pine beetle infestation.  Other parts of Colorado have not been so lucky.  With support from the U.S. Forest Service, Pitkin County, City of Aspen, 10th Mountain Hut Association, Sopris foundation, ACES , Aspen Valley Land Trust and The Independence Pass Foundation our local Forest health is good. 

For the Forest is a local non-profit that is dedicated to raising money and awareness to promote healthy and sustainable Forests in our area. 

Click FOR the FOREST to learn more.

Aspen Mayor , Mick Ireland spoke in favor of healthy , sustainable forests.Andy Party of AspenSpin.com met up with Governor Bill Ritter. Ritter admitted to being a skier, but added "my son rides a board". When asked where he liked to ski the best Ritter said, "at all the fine resorts in Colorado".

More action than Tiger Woods.

Syzygy Grand Opening w/ Aspen Mag. was only one of the highlights. Click 4 pixSpeaking of Tiger Woods.  Did you hear about that?  In the real world--he may be a playa, .....but in Aspen......"just another guy with a plane, tryin' to hook up."  Aspen has more action than even Tiger can handle.  Our schedule  this week was thick w/ events.  Click Aspen Action to re-cap the past few days.

The skiing has been good.... not great.  We've had a couple minor POW days. Luckily, AspenSpin caught the rope droppings on Face of Bell and Aztec...so we did get a few freshies.   As always, we are hoping for da POW.  Lately its  hard-pack city. The Little Nell Hotel in Aspen celebrated its 20th Aniversary. Aspen Ski Co. CEO Mike Kaplan and his wife Laura at the legendary event 12/17/09. Click 4 pix.

ASPEN ACTION contains pix from the following events that occured this week.

* Robert Randolph and the Family Band played @ (insert venue name)

* Caribou Club (late, late night)

* Lance Armstrong @ Explore Book Sellers

* WOW Customer Service @ Limelight

* Tesla Event @ Limelight

* Aspen History 101 @ Wheeler Opera House

* Syzygy Grand Opening w/ Aspen Mag

* The Little Nell 20th Anniversary Party

Lance Armstrong in Aspen.

Lance Armstrong is at a book signing in Aspen at Explore Bookstore---Right NOW!!.

We still like to scoop the tradtional media. 

    Lance Armstrong at Explore Books in Aspen. 

 Lined up into the alley to meet Lance Armstrong in AspenKashmir the Cat.    

2009 Summit for Life

Team Joyful at Summit for Life in Aspen.The 4th Annual Summit for Life took place in Aspen, Colorado last night. 

Olympic Athlete Chris Klug and his foundation, The Chris Klug Foundation hosted it.  In most places a 2 1/2 mile hike, at night, in December---with a 3,267 ft vertical rise would be considered crazy.  In Aspen --- it's "a decent work-out".

AspenSpin.com has Aspen Mayor, Mick Ireland kicks for the finish. click 4 pix.covered all four previous Summit for Life events.  We support CKF's mission of raising awareness for Organ and Tissue donation. This year over 350 people hiked Aspen Mountain during Summit for Life.  AspenSpin.com has helped CKF raise over $10,000 via our on-line affliation with Charity Buzz.  You can register for organ donation yourself and/or donate to the cause by clicking CHRIS KLUG FOUNDATION. 

You can see our BEST PIX by clicking DONER DUDES.

Chris Klug and the team from Board Werks atop AJAX. Click 4 pix.Ricky Gates, center, Summit for Life's fastest uphiller with family and friends. click 4 pix.

Aspen Highlands Opening Day

                                                     Aspen Highlands; We love it!!

The Cherrys and the Multins let it rip on opening day at Aspen Highlands.AH is known as the "locals mountain".  Whether you're a granola chomping, up-hill hiking-free healer held together by duct tape or a Kjus wearing, Range Rover driving master of the universe, paying $13 to park---u gotta luv Aspen Highlands. Revitalized retail at Aspen Highlands. Pop w/ Olivia and Eric Reische.You can hike the bowl or ski the groomers---or ---do both, its your choice.  You can carry your own PB & J or fine dine at Cloud Nine, you decide.  Aspen Highlands has it all.Dig on Swine at the Ritz.

The crowd was surprisingly light on opening day, but the amount of terrain open for skiing is impressive.  HIGHLAND BOWL--OPEN.  OLYMPIC BOWL --OPEN.  750 acres of skiable freshness.  More POW on the way. Aspen Highlands "kills it".

         Aspen Highlands POW. Photo: Matt Power / ASC

 Aspen Highland Bowl Opening Day 12/12/09. Photo: Daniel Bayer /ASC