4/20 in Colorado. That Smell

Welcome to Colorful Colorado.

Aspen: We're Not Done Yet!!

Sunday was closing day on Aspen Mountain and it was a great powder day. Monday was probably the single best ski day of the year...free refills.  Tuesday was a pow pow jamboree at Aspen Highlands.  It's supposed to snow tonight. In fact it's dumping right now. Wow, April really is siiiiiiiiiiiiiick. Gotta go.

Aspen Highlands is open through 4/21 with a bonus week-end 4/27-4/28

Spring is storming in Aspen...and we're not done yet.

Mike Tierney rolling freshieson the Cooper Street Mall in Aspen

Halo Effect on Red Mountain.

Maroon Bowl experienced a HUGE natural avalanche. The slide went about 4000 ft.The ants go marching 1 x 1. Tuesday in Highland Bowl.Street Scenes in Aspen.

The Bears of Aspen

The Bears of Aspen. click 4 pixIn the past few years it has not been uncommon to see bears roaming the streets of Aspen looking for food.  Unfortunately the bears are drawn into town, leaving their natural habitat in search of nourishment.  A few days ago a large Momma Bear and her 3 cubs settled into the trees on the Hyman Street pedestrian mall.   They feasted on crab-apples and seemed to be drawn to the al fresco dinning options that are now part of Aspen's messy vitality. 

Click 4 pix: The Bears of Aspen.

From 8 am until after dark the bears hung out in the trees as the cops cordoned off the area and gawkers multiplied.  Admittedly AspenSpin was one of those who was rubber-necking.   "They're so cute" said an I-phone yielding socialite pushing forward to get a photo.  " That is so cool" whispered an active senior as he fumbled with his android and tried to figure out how to switch to camera mode. 

I have to admit that it's awfully exciting to see wild animals up close and personal, but it's also very, very sad.  The cubs looked scared and confused and just wanted to find some chow.  The Mom kept an uneasy eye on her offspring and the gathering crowd on the Mall.   We are under the impression that these bears eventually scampered out of their tree-top safety zones and made it back to the woods.  But that's not always the case.  Sometimes the bears are "tagged" so that if they come to town again they are identifiable.  It's unclear...but apparently after a third such tagging...the bears are euthanized.

Let's hope these bears have a safe, long and restful hibernation this Winter.

 

Aspen: It's a town...and a resort.

The Aspen Police Department Team Photo, 2012.The Golden Noodle goes to Rustique. Click 4 pix.Aspen, Colorado is known as one of the premier mountain resorts in the World.  Winter or Summer,   there's something for everybody.   Now that school is back in session and Summer is over, Aspen reverts back  to a real town.  Real people, doing real stuff, living real lives albeit in a beautiful Rocky Mountain paradise.

This past weekend AspenSpin made the rounds in Aspen.  Meeting, greeting, eating, snapping and rapping. Saturday was a double-header of community events and Sunday was the Community Picnic followed by the White Party at an undisclosed private residence. 

The 2nd Annual Aspen Macaroni and Cheese Festival took over restaurant row.  20 local restaurants served up free gourmet mac & cheese samples to about 2,500 people.  Mac & cheese with truffle oil, mac & cheese with pulled pork and jalapenos, mac & cheese with portabello mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes, mac & cheese deep fried and on-a-stick.  You get the picture...or if not click 4 pix:   A-TOWN. 

Little Annie's one of Aspen's favorite eating houses and watering holes celebrated it's 40th Birthday with a blowout bash in the streets of Aspen.   East Hyman street was closed down, man.  For a certain generation of Aspenites ...call them the "lost sheep" this was a momentous occasion and the revelry reflected that.  Bobby Mason, Hayden Gregg, Bryan Savage and a band of locals performed a rowdy set of good-time rock & roll.  The lost sheep turned back the clock and there was dancing in the streets.  Click 4 pix:  A-TOWN.

Sunday was a picture perfect blue-bird day in Aspen.  The Aspen Community Picnic at the Aspen Golf Course is a family-friendly event hosted by The City of Aspen.  A full-on BBQ with burgers, dogs and veggie patties for more than 2000 people.   The Police, the Fire Fighters, the Politicians and City Employees rolled out the red carpet for the entire town.  Fishing, putt-putt, frisbee and an inflatable bounce-house for the kids made it fun for everyone.

More BBQ-ing occurred at a very secluded, undisclosed private residence for The White Party.  12,000 square feet of party space...and everyone wore white... after labor day, no less.   Sherry is one of the most accomplished and generous hostesses in Aspen.  She loves to throw parties...for Halloween, Christmas, Mardi Gras... you name the occasion, Sherry is planning a party for it. 

Click 4 pix:  A-TOWN.

Aspen Mac 'n' Cheese Festival brought out the crowds. click 4 pix.

Little Annie's 40th Birthday: Dancing in the streets of Aspen. Click 4 pix.Bobby Mason, Hayden Gregg and the Boyz got their jam on at Little Annie's. Click 4 pix.

Politics in action at the Aspen Community Picnic. Click 4 pix.The White Party. Thanks SHERRY.

Bike like a Billionaire in Aspen.

USA Pro Challenge. Aspen, August 22 & 23Aspen, Colorado is known for it's VIP experiences.  Sporting the correct wrist band or neck lanyard in Aspen can get you "anything you need".   The 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge bicycle race is pulling out all the VIP stops in it's second year. 

For VIP Experiences Contact:  Barbara Frank  BFrank@teamavsc.com  or 970-205-5102

For 2012 Aspen is playing host to the FINISH of STAGE 3 (August 22) and the START of STAGE 4 (August 23).   The USA Pro Challenge is the toughest bike race in the U.S. and they are bringing their entire bicycle traveling circus to Aspen.  Six of the top 13 finishers from this year's Tour de France, and all 5 of last years USA Pro leaders will be racing through the Colorado Rockies.  For the Aspen stages 126 elite riders from 24 countries will pedal up and down Independence Pass ...twice.  Teams from Radio Shack, BMC, Garmin and more will compete in Colorado.  The USA Pro features an interactive Festival / Expo in Wagner Park which includes live music from 80's rockers Anthem, contests, games, a sponsor's row and plenty of swag.

If you're fired up for a more unique experience, The USA Pro will offer plenty of VIP options.   As always the Patron Finish Tent ($500) will include an unobstructed view of the finish, extensive catered food, an open bar and the ONLY IN-TOWN PARKING.  The next day the Patron Start Tent ($150) will offer a catered breakfast, morning cocktails and access to the racers prior to the start.  The night of August 22, attend the STAGE 3.5 PARTY (contact B. Frank for Tickets) to benefit the Aspen Community Foundation. You'll need a police escort to attend The TOP of the PASS PARTY ($2500 per person or $22,000 for a van holding 11 people). This will be the ultimate private party at the apex of Independence Pass on August 23.

The top riders compete in AspenYou want the best VIP Experience of all.  You wanna be a playa?  You wanna impress the kiddies or the ladies?  Step up, kid...into the BIG TIME... Ride in the OFFICIAL USA PRO PACE CAR (price negotiable).  This one of a kind experience is available for both stages.  You can weave through the peloton (well maybe not weave) complete with expert commentary. 

For complete info about any of these tax deductible VIP events, contact:

BARBARA FRANK: bfrank@teamavsc.com   970-205-5102