Global Freezing: WinterSkol in Aspen.

Winterskol: Having Fun since 1951.Dude, I like it cold... but this is ridiculous.   It's been sub-zero atop Aspen Mountain and in town for three days straight. WinterSkol and beautiful sunny Colorado skies could not off-set the fact that it's freezing. A. Party is not complaining...I'm "all in for GLOBAL FREEZING".   Actually the cold invigorates me. I'm happy its frigid.  I'm a HUGE fan of Winter.  Lack of freshies has made me crazy...so I sort of like getting a brain-freeze, while flying down the super-duper hard packed slopes of Ajax.  Mid January in Aspen means WINTERSKOL our annual celebration of Winter.  "Getting it done since 1951"  Aspen's Winterskol began as a ploy to attract more tourists to Aspen during the dog days ... the post-holiday lull... and it's always freezing.  That fierce, penetrating cold that only people who love Winter like. Canine Fashion Show. Click 4 pix.

Click 4 pix.  GLOBAL FREEZING.

WinterSkol has evolved into a HUGE weekend, complete with SoupSkol, a canine fashion show, spa treatments, yoga, concerts, ski races free beer and a full on swag fest thanks to Women's Health and Men's Health Magazines.  As always the "freebie tent" at the base of Ajax is FREE & Open to the public.  Grab a bag full of swag...why not?  Food, beer, air hockey, models, tons of free stuff etc..etc.    The dogs came out in the sub zero temps for the annual canine fashion show.  Free hot dogs and kettle corn and about 40 dogs dressed to impress greeted the crowds. Always a  blast.

Everybody love SoupSkol. Click 4 pix.SoupSkol... is always an extremely popular event. It was extra special this year due to the Global Freezing. Honestly, when its less than  zero degrees...there's nothing better than 50 sample sized cups of fresh, steaming hot soup.  This year's Winner:The SQUARE GROUPER is not even open yet.  My boyiee Michael Goldman (co-owner) will be debuting Square Grouper this spring on restaurant row in Aspen.  Congratulations to Square Grouper, wininng SoupSkol a tremendous accomplishment.  Can't wait until spring.

The Spazmatics never disappoint at Belly Up, Aspen.  The nerd-rock cover band plays all the hits from the 80's.  Two hours of solid gold.  The ladies liked it.  Free Beer is always appreciated in Aspen.  Many thanks to Bud & Bud Light.

Next up:  Gay Ski Week. Oh yeah...i'm up for the cover (see photo below).  Aspen...it's a trip that never end's.

Click 4 Pix:  Global FreezingSpa treatments and lots of freebies in the Women's & Men's Health Tent. Click 4 pixThe Spazmatics at Belly Up, Aspen. Click 4 pix.

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Best in Show: Queen Victoria w/ her master Gemma. Click for pix.

 Andy Party vying for the cover of Men's Health. Click 4 pix. Photo: Exposed Aspen

Mad Hatter's Ball

The 3 finalists at The Mad Hatter's BallAs part of the Winterskol 2013 festivities, The Aspen Historical Society resurrected an Aspen tradition from the 70's...The Mad Hatter's Ball. The Mad Hatter's Ball is part competition, part fashion show, part rock show and entirely fun. 

Click 4 pix:  MAD HATTER's BALL

Earlier in the evening, The Aspen Freshman Class matriculated at the Aspen State Teachers College enduring the required class... ASPEN HISTORY 101.  Dr. Slats Cabbage and the gang from Aspen State kept the lecture fun and everyone who attended got a free beer.  The upper-classmen started to roll in later for the first renewal of the MAD HATTER'S BAll.  It was an impressive showing for sure to be annual modern-day incarnation of the festive celebration of self-expressionism.  It's pretty obvious that Aspenites enjoy any reason to dress up in costume...and they will do it at the drop of a hat.  In this case...the hats were the thing.  Over 100 Mad Hatter contestants lined up on stage at The Wheeler Opera House to compete in the "best hat" competition.  The hats were incredible, extremely diverse...and many were quite amazing.  It game down to the final 3.  The Bird Cage, the Gator, and the eventual winner...The Bell Mountain Bonnet (built to scale).  It was a fantastic show of head gear.  The contest was followed by a full on jam session from Aspen's favorite local band Jes Grew.  It was great to see The Wheeler Opera House rocking in the aisle.

CLICK 4 PIX: MAD HATTER's BALL

The Snowball at Mad Hatter's Ball. Click 4 pix.Hats, Hats, Hats. Click for pix.3 girls for every guy at Mad Hatter's Ball for Winterskol in Aspen. Click 4 pix.Jes Grew ...backstage at The Mad Hatter's Ball. Click 4 pix.Jam Session at Mad Hatter's Ball. Click 4 pix.