46th Annual Aspen Gay Ski Week Expands Fun and Events

Circa 1977, Aspen Gay Ski Week began as an argument between two men dancing at the local Aspen bar and has evolved from an informal annual gathering and party to the world’s largest and most influential nonprofit LGBTQ+ ski week.

it is 46^day This year is set to be the biggest yet, with a conservative estimate of 3,500 attendees expected for this year’s festivities from January 15-22.

“Aspen Gay Ski Week is without a doubt the most popular week of the year,” said AspenOUT President Melissa Temple. “No one knows how to party like gay people. The town is buzzing, the restaurants are buzzing, the hills are buzzing, and everyone is welcome to come out and play.”

When Temple was invited to join the AspenOUT board and run AGSW six years ago, she was reluctant to do so because she “didn’t want to take over an organization that was served by bearded men.” After accepting the position, her goal was to turn it around so that it Be more inclusive, “gay, male, female, straight, etc.”

She credits the team she recruited, led by event director Kimberly Kuglia, for expertly executing the vision and turning AGSW into a sexy and premium event and brand, noting that “last year’s event was seamless,” she said, looking forward to next week’s festivities.

This year, guests can look forward to the same well-crafted and well-loved experiences such as daily après-ski activities, friendship dinners, reindeer club benefits and mountaintop white parties, just up a notch.

“Why bigger than before? I think it’s because we have an amazing marketing team,” laughs Kevin McManamon, executive director of AspenOUT. “But seriously, we have real high-level sponsors. Who expect us to put on a high-quality event, and our event is a fundraiser. We’re the only non-profit gay ski week. Park City and Mammoth are one and the same made by them, and Whistler is made by their chamber of commerce. So ours is unique.”

Due to the popularity of the week and the influx of more attendees this year, Kuglia and her team have added several new events and redesigned some of the most popular events to ensure there is plenty for all who will attend Opportunity.

She’s most excited about the drag queen bingo brunch at The Little Nell, which will run for a week beginning January 15 at 10:00am

“This event is a partnership with ACRA (Aspen Chamber of Resorts Association) and The Little Nell to celebrate the end of Wintersköl™ and the start of Ski Week,” Kuglia said. “I’m really excited to be working with our local resort chamber of commerce for the first time and they’ve been very generous with us. We’re planning a diverse mix of locals and tourists. It’s an event that’s not included in the pass, so Anyone can participate.”

The event will include breakfast and a choice of Santa Julia Sparkling Rose, Kettle One Botanicals, Mimosa, Bloody Marys or Bloody Marias at the Little Nell’s Grand Salon. This is a separate ticketed fundraiser organized by AGSW, The Little Nell and ACRA to benefit the non-profit organization AspenOUT. Reusable bingo cards will be purchased separately with cash or card for $25 during brunch.

Loud, cute, lecherous and rude drag queen Ms. Mariam T, who lives in San Diego and calls herself “Insult Comedy,” will host. This will be Mariam’s fourth gay ski week.

“I always tell my friends that Aspen is like being stuck in a Hallmark card. It’s a really fun little place on the map, but the reality is a bit different. Plus, gay ski week has changed over the past few years. more diverse, we added more entertainment, and now all different segments of LGBTQ+ are participating,” she said.

Mariam T. will also host bingo at the W Hotel and The Collective in Snowmass Base Village for the first time, as well as the 2023 Bud Light Downhill Costume Contest, and confirmed that while “her current condition is ‘too fragile’ to ski, She plans to take the cable car to the top of Mount Aspen for the first time, and everyone is welcome to come and interact.

“Come and say hello. Come and take a photo. I haven’t put on makeup for two hours in case someone takes a photo of me. So come see me,” she said.

Other new events attendees can look forward to include some VIP JP Morgan, private wealth events, an appearance by DJ Kimber Chronic in Los Angeles, and a special Womxn dinner at W Aspen 39˚ with celebrity chef Emily Oyer, who was featured on Food Internet beat bobby flame & also won Chopped 420 On Discover+.

While AGSW is one of the best parties of the year, Melissa Temple wants everyone to remember that the event is a fundraiser that provides vital support to the local LGBTQ+ community.

“The community loves us because we bring a lot of business to this town, and we’ve worked hard to build the brand over the last six years, but it’s not just about the party, it’s about the money we raise and what we do for. important,” she said.

For a complete list of events and more information, visit https://gayskiweek.com/