ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK HOSTS “ALL FOR LOVE,” A GROUP CIVIL UNION CEREMONY

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 Organizers Aim for Highest Elevation and Largest Group Civil Union Ceremony in U.S.

Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest gay ski event, will celebrate equality with “All For Love,” a group civil union ceremony in downtown Aspen, on January 18, 2014. Organizers hope the event will be the largest same-sex ceremony in the U.S. and also the highest elevation group ceremony at Aspen’s 7,908 feet above sea level. 

“Colorado recently passed a law in May, 2013, recognizing civil unions, and it’s only a matter of time before gay marriage is legal as well,” remarked Todd Heimel, board president of Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund, the beneficiary of Aspen Gay Ski Week which promotes tolerance, understanding and diversity through education, community action and service. “We want to celebrate the progress that has been made and continue to promote equality for all.”

The group ceremony, open to all same-sex couples, will be held at 11 a.m. in Wagner Park (300 S. Monarch St.) amongst the iconic surroundings of the quaint town of Aspen. In addition to couples willing to make the commitment officially, other same-sex couples are encouraged to participate ceremonially in order to show support for marriage equality.

For those wishing to make the union legal, partners should visit Pitkin County Clerk’s office for official paperwork. Learn more by visiting http://www.aspenpitkin.com/Departments/Clerk-Recorder/Civil-Union-Licenses/.

A champagne and cake reception will follow the ceremony at The Limelight Hotel, a partner in the event and the host hotel for Aspen Gay Ski Week. A honeymoon package is available from the hotel, which includes a bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, as well as complimentary lift tickets up the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of iconic Aspen Mountain to take stunning photo shoots overlooking the Elk Mountain Range—and the option to ski or snowboard down this legendary mountain.

One couple will receive a dream honeymoon at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa (Ojai, CA), including a three night stay with breakfast daily, dinner one evening at Maravilla and a couples’ massage.

To learn more about “All For Love” and Aspen Gay Ski Week, visit www.gayskiweek.com. 

About Aspen Gay Ski Week

Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW) is the oldest annual, week-long gay ski event in the nation. A model for other gay ski weeks, AGSW offers a unique vacation experience in the scenic and historic mountain town of Aspen, Colorado. AGSW visitors enjoy four mountains of varied skiing and snowboarding terrain, as well as cross-country skiing, snowshoe and winter hiking trails in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. For more information, visit www.gayskiweek.com.

About the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund

With a mission of promoting tolerance, understanding and diversity through education, community action and service, the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF) has been serving the GLBT community of the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond since 1996 as a non-profit organization.  The RFGLCF produces many events throughout the year, including Aspen Gay Ski Week each January, which brings thousands of GLBT skiers to the mountains of central Colorado.  RFGLCF has partnered with the TEACH program in the Roaring Fork School District to help fund training for children and adults who are learning the principles of diffusing situations of racism, sexism, ageism, bullying and homophobia.  Visit www.rfglcf.com to learn more. 

About The Limelight Hotel

The Limelight Hotel is Aspen's newest hotel, offering guests the best of mountain adventure in a contemporary and relaxed atmosphere. The property offers more amenities for skiers than any other Aspen hotel, including free lift tickets, ski area transportation, boot dryers/lockers, ski valet and more. It is the official host hotel for Aspen Gay Ski Week. Visit www.limelighthotel.com for details.

About Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

Since 1923, vacationing guests have sought the tranquil pleasures of the historic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, a AAA Five Diamond property located on 220-tree shaded acres, located just an hour and a half north of Los Angeles and half-hour south of Santa Barbara. Affirmed by its many prestigious awards, the legendary Inn is one of the nation's unique hidden treasures. Learn more at www.ojairesort.com.

Warwick Denver Hotel Names Three New Team Members

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Neville Erasmus

Wyatt Fee

Jesper Jonsson

General Manager, Neville Erasmus

 

Joining the Warwick Denver from Thompson Hotels, Erasmus is a seasoned hotel manager with 17 years of global experience, holding a diverse range of positions, such as Director of Rooms, Director of Revenue, Director of Operations and Interim General Manager. Previous to Thompson, Erasmus was with Intercontinental Hotels for nine years. Holding degrees in hotel and restaurant administration, as well as a certificate in human resources, he was educated at Cornell University, University of Birmingham (UK) and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (South Africa).

Director of Food & Beverage, Wyatt Fee

Bringing nearly 15 years of hospitality experience to the Warwick, Wyatt Fee has held a variety of hotel management positions, including Director of Operations, guest services, restaurant manager and conference services.  Most recently with Loews Hotels, Fee also worked with Miraval Resort (Arizona) and Marriott. Fee holds a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University.

Executive Chef, Jesper Jonsson

Jesper Jonsson, a native of Denmark, joins Warwick Denver Hotel as Executive Chef. Schooled in France at Auguste Escoffier and Lycée Paul Valéry, Jonsson acted as Executive Chef for the Danish Ambassador to the United Nations, Consul General Hans Grunnet of Denmark and Paavo Turtiainen Catering in New York. In Colorado, his culinary resume includes Buffalo Horn Ranch, Bistro on Park Avenue and Blue Mountain Inn—all located in Northwest Colorado.