Aspen Gay Ski Week Returns For 36th Year

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 Drew Carey Performs at Premier GLBT Winter Travel Event—January 13-20, 2013

Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, returns for its 36^th year from January 13 to 20, 2013, along with presenting sponsor, Bud Light. Iconic comic Drew Carey will perform at the historic Wheeler Opera House as part of the nightly events throughout the week. 

This year, proceeds from the event will benefit GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), the Trevor Project, the Point Foundation, and the local program TEACH (Teachers Empowering Agents of Change), the Western Colorado AIDS Project, the Gender Identity Center of Colorado, as well as local schools of the Roaring Fork Valley.

“World-famous Aspen plays host to a week of epic skiing, après-ski events at The Limelight Hotel and exciting nightly events,” remarked Todd Heimel, board president of Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund. “Back by popular demand is the ‘mountaintop party,’ accessible only by a moonlit gondola ride up Aspen Mountain, to an elevation of 11,000 feet. Once there, guests dance the night away at high altitude.”

Each afternoon during Aspen Gay Ski Week, The Limelight is the site for après-ski parties from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., attracting up to 1,000 daily. Sponsored by Bud Light and Svedka, these events feature DJ entertainment, free gifts from sponsors, a hospitality suite, heated pool and two hot-tubs.

On Friday afternoon, the city of Aspen gathers to view the popular downhill costume competition, hosted by Miss Richfield 1981—seen on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Today Show. In years’ past, contestants can be seen skiing down Aspen Mountain in riotous costumes, such as Madonna, St. Paulie girls and water skiers.

Aspen Gay Ski Week showcases nightly events, including the following:

• Sunday:
• Opening Party. Join us for the opening party at the Hotel Jerome Lobby Bar; guests will enjoy complimentary Bud Light and Svedka drinks.

•  Monday:

o   Film Night Gala. Film Night Gala features Gayby, an irreverent comedy from director, Jonathan Lisecki; the film is a frank look at a gay comic book writer and his best girlfriend who decide to fulfill their college promise of having a baby together. After the film, Lisecki will answer questions from the audience.

o   Late Night Party. The late night party will be hosted at Escobar, the underground bar that resembles an airplane cabin.

•          Tuesday:

o   Comedy Night. Comedy Night showcases Thomas Dale and headliner, Michael Kosta. Performing at comedy clubs across the country, Dale has acted as a commentator for VH1’s 100 Sexiest Celebrities and 100 Greatest Child Stars. Main act Michael Kosta has appeared on The Tonight Show, Chelsea Lately and Conan, and this year, he performed in his first stand-up special on Comedy Central.

o   Late Night Party. Tuesday’s late night party is hosted by the hip nightclub, The Regal.

•          Wednesday:

o   Fashion and Art Night Out. Aspen is home to world-class shopping, and for the annual Boutique Night Stroll, participating boutiques will be open late.

o   Wednesday Late Night. This event will benefit TEACH and is hosted by Aspen’s premier private night club, The Caribou Club.

•        Thursday:

o   Comedy Night. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel, Conan and NBC’s Last Comic Standing, comic Brendon Walsh will open for headliner, Drew Carey. A comedy icon and television legend, Carey starred in The Drew Carey Show on ABC, followed by the improv comedy show, Who’s Line Is It Anyway?, and appearances in numerous films, television series and films.  He has hosted The Price Is Right since 2007. 

o   Dance Gala. Hosted by the historic and newly renovated Hotel Jerome, gay ski week guests will enjoy dancing, go-go dancers, a VIP lounge and DJ Dylan. The theme is a tribute to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and our military service men and women.

•          Friday:

o   Top of the Mountain Party. This party, at the top of Aspen Mountain, returns for its second year.  Begin the night with a moonlit ride up the gondola, then dance the night away with music from DJ Gant Johnson.

•          Saturday:

o   Friendship Cup. A free event at Lewis Ice Arena, the Friendship Cup, the Gay vs. Straight Ice Hockey Championships, precedes the pool party.

o   Pool Party. Aspen Recreation Center will once again host the infamous pool party, featuring DJs, dancing, hot tubs, water slides, a lazy river and open bars.

“There is something for everyone at Aspen Gay Ski Week, even for the non-skier,” finished Heimel.  “Aspen offers visitors world renowned restaurants, indulgent spas and first class shopping. Our attendance is expected to be monumental in 2013, so we thank our loyal guests for helping us to continue to be the premier GLBT winter travel event.”

To learn more about Aspen Gay Ski Week and to purchase event passes, www.gayskiweek.com.