Black Ski Summit 2015 with The National Brotherhood of Skiers.

A. Party went undercover brother at Snowmass for the 2015 Black Ski Summit with the National Brotherhood of Skiers.  The Black Ski Summit is the largest African American ski event in the universe.  Well over 1000 skiers of color hit the increasingly snowy slopes of Aspen/Snowmass for a week of skiing, snow boarding and even mono-boarding along with serious socializing.   More than 50 ski clubs from across the country joined in the fun to shred and party and enjoy the mountain lifestyle.

Click to learn more about the National Brotherhood of Skiers.   

CLICK 4 PIX:  THE BROTHERHOOD  
NBS Founder Art Clay and current President Diana Starks

AspenSpin was reminded by several vociferous attendees that "The NBS always brings the Snow".   Thank you NBS, thank you Ullr... we've been vigorously snow dancing for 8 weeks in Aspen and it's finally Winter again.  I digress. 

The NBS started in 1972 and is the "go to" organization for brothers and sisters who ski.  Past Ski Summits have attracted upwards of 5000 attendees.  The NBS camaraderie and the members sheer joy was palpable at Snowmass.   The various clubs wear their colors proudly on the slopes complete with large flashy logos and custom gear.  I don't think it's surprising  to anyone if I admit that the slopes of Aspen are usually devoid of true funk and soul...so it's fantastic to see the big time fun that is happening with the NBS.  Over the years The Summit is responsible for numerous marriages (sometimes they are inter-club marriages) and even a few divorces.

SAY IT LOUD...I SKI and I'M PROUD.

AspenSpin was invited as a guest to the annual NBS picnic at Two Creeks.  We got to enjoy plenty of laughs along with some authentic BBQ all accompanied by some funky, funky, funky tunes.  We mingled with The JIM DANDY SKI CLUB out of DETROIT (my home town) established in 1958.   THE BLAZERS out of Philly.  The ALL SEASONS hailing from OAKLAND, The SNO-GOPHERS from the Windy City, CAPITAL SKI out of D.C. , The SNO-BURNERS from The Big Apple and many many more.  But our favorite club, by far was SUGAR and SPICE which is a virtual or on-line  only club.  Sugar and Spice attracts sweet and spicy ladies from all over the U.S.  You go girls.

So it was great to shred Snowmass (conditions are good and getting better) and picnic with The Brotherhood. Thank you to The NBS for having so much fun in Aspen/Snowmass... because its truly contagious. Special thanks  to the NBS for bringing the POW POW...again.   

CLICK 4 PIX:

THE BROTHERHOOD

The Jim Dandy Ski Club from Detroit. Est. 1958

Sugar and Spice, a virtual ski club (on-line only) has members from all over the USA, South FLA in the house. Sunshine Slopers

R.I.P. Marty. Aspen back-country avalanche claims local skier.

R.I.P. Marty / Courtesy PhotoLong-time Aspen local skier Marty Gancsos lost his life in an avalanche in the Aspen back-country on February 23. He was 64.  He is survived by his partner Marilyn along with family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all his people.

R.I.P. Marty.

I ran into Marty almost every day on Aspen Mountain. I knew Marty well enough to say hi...but not well enough to know his last name.  I was aware of one thing about Marty... he loved the POW POW and he loved to ski. When I realized that Marty was not actually a member of The Dogs (an Aspen Mountain ski gang), I warmed up to him.  We skied a few laps together.  He showed me some nooks and crannies in the Cone Dumps and the Bonnie Brae area.  You can learn a lot from a guy who's been skiing Ajax regularly for 40 years.  We all can learn from the events that led to Marty's last run.

Marty was a good guy.  A friendly guy.  He was a strong, expert skier who skied almost every day.  He lived his life by his own set of rules and he did not apologize for that. His love for skiing was obvious and he proclaimed it emphatically on every gondola ride.

Yesterday was the first real POW day we've had in a while.  Avalanche danger was high to extreme.  Marty and an un-named partner chose to ski a line, out-of-bounds, off the backside of Ruthies that leads down to Castle Creek Road.  It was a bad choice.   While his ski partner was un-injured, Marty paid the ultimate price and he will never ski another day.

Yes, Marty was doing what he loved.  Thats very true and it sounds almost romantic.  But really, it's just a tragic end to a good man's life.  And "doing what you love" is not a good enough reason to die . With all due respect to his memory, an experienced skier like Marty should have known better.

The mountains giveth and the mountains taketh away   In the ski world and around Aspen it seems to me that too many people are taking too many chances doing what they love.   The back-country is not to be be trifled with.  You hear this statement a lot  "I know that run".  Well...my adventurous friends... if you know that run...you know it can slide.   Yesterday's ski conditions:  8"-10" on top of the settled snow that had fallen about 8 weeks ago and has since been baked by record highs.  You didn't need to be a snow scientist to know that snow conditions were ripe for problems.

Today, the day after, you could feel tha pall over Aspen Mountain. It's a beautiful bluebird Colorado day. As blue as I've seen, but still so sad.    The whole town mourns when one of their own goes down. But it wasn't just the avalanche that killed Marty...it's was bad decision making.  I pray that all the rippers and shredders and sled-heads and skinners and uphillers and back-county-experts...the people who "know that run" can take something positive from Marty's final turns.  If you make good choices you can have a blast in the back-country, if not...RIP.

Respect the Mountain.  Respect the conditions.  Make good decisions and you will enjoy many great ski days ahead.  If it looks and feels sketchy...it probably is.  Playing it safe and making conservative decisions in the back country can save your life.  

It's a tragically sad day in Aspen.  Yes, he was doing what he loved, but a good man lost his life.  

R.I.P. MARTY

 

Tons of Laughs at Aspen Laff Fest 2015

It was BIG fun again.  The 2015 Aspen Laff Festival took center stage at the Wheeler Opera House with 3 nights jam packed with comedy.  AspenSpin has been a little under the weather but we did manage to snap a few sick pix.  The Wheeler was shaking with laughter.

Click 4 pix.

ASPEN LAFF FEST 2015

Funny Stuff. Aspen Laff Fest 2015

Who doesn't love to laugh.  

Every year the Aspen Laff Fest brings tons of yucks to The Wheeler Opera House. Feb 19-21

CLICK 4 TIX    ASPEN LAFF FEST 2015

HippieMan is funny. Aspen Laff Festival Feb 19-21.

Aspen's BIG BLUE: Light it up Blue 2015

In it's third year LIGHT it UP BLUE Aspen has earned it's spot in the pantheon of amazing Aspen events.  The Light it Up Blue bash benefits Autism Speaks and Ascendigo (formerly Extreme Sports Camps).  In 3 short years LIUB as become a big blue highlight on the jam-packed Aspen social scene.

Click 4 Pix:  ASPEN's BIG BLUE

LIUB Aspen was hosted by Dr. Jennifer Berman from TV's The Doctors and Johnny Moseley Olympic Gold Medal winning freestyle skier and included music from Project M out of L.A.  The rowdy live auction raised plenty of gelt.

The Aspen ladies always look striking in Blue and LIUB Aspen proves it every year.   Decked out in cocktail attire the fully VIP crowd dined on a sumptuous selection of  vittles.  The seafood tower is always a fan favorite.  Lobbys, oysters, huge crab legs ...lets just say A. Party hit it early and often.  Most of the revelers headed straight for the open bar as the good times started immediately.

The name change from Extreme Sports Camps to Ascendigo is an interesting choice. Maybe its a tax thing?  I for one, actually read the program which explained the logic behind Ascendigo.  The new name does not change the fact that the organization still provides experiential and community based learning that has an extremely positive impact on the lives of those with autism.  I was excited to learn about "The Yellow House" in Carbondale which houses several young adults who live with autism.  Autism now effects 1 in 68 children which is a striking fact.  It is the fastest growing childhood disability.   So HUGE thanks to those who contributed and partied with a purpose.  Click to learn more about Ascendigo/Extreme sports Camp. and Autism Speaks.

In consultation with Dr. Berman...and I concur.  Light it Up Blue Aspen is the real deal.   Get your tix for next year because this party is getting bigger, better and bluer.

CLICK 4 PIX:  ASPEN's BIG BLUE