Aspen Gay Ski Week 2020: A Week-Long Festival You Shouldn't Miss

If you haven't been to one, now is the time to discover why your fellow enthusiasts are raving about the Aspen Gay Ski Week event. Get your gear ready to hit the slopes. Join the nation’s longest-running gay ski event from January 12 to 19. Set amidst scenic and breath-taking mountains, this year's event in Colorado will surely satisfy every adventurer's dreams.

Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW): An Overview

The Aspen Gay Ski Week began in 1996 and has since evolved into a premier event that raises awareness on anti-bullying and tolerance of the community, whose convictions are paving the way for a society where everyone treats each other with respect and acceptance. Gay Ski Week is a non-profit organization that funds local programs and supports national organizations, which include GLSEN, Point Foundation, Matthew Shepard Foundation and You Can Play Foundation. The Aspen Gay Ski Week is a week-long event that offers a unique vacation experience while acting as an avenue to raise awareness for anti-bullying and tolerance of the LGBT communities in the Roaring Valley and surrounding areas. The fundraising event will run for a week and features several exciting activities such as open skiing, dining events, dances, and parties.

Aspen Gay Ski Week: Four Ski Worthy Mountains

There are four mountains in Aspen, each of which has ski school, rentals, food and beverage areas and free transfer on the buses. The mountains all contain varying ski levels, cross country, snowshoe trails and hiking through the Elk mountains. In addition, all have ski school, rentals, free transfer on the bus, and food and beverage.

Buttermilk

This resort is great for beginners (green), but all other groups (blue for intermediate, black for advanced and double black for expert ski trails) can definitely enjoy and find their own exciting activities. Buttermilk is also home to the XGames and is an ideal place for anyone who loves to rip on their boards.

Aspen Mountain

This mountain is also ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers. However, this is not a beginner mountain. Having hosted the World Cup finals, skiers can ride through powder stashes and enjoy the energy boost, while not being too far away from downtown Aspen.

Aspen Highlands

Aspen Highlands is open to all color groups. Noteworthy to mention, most of the trails are for intermediate and expert. Locals and elite skiers alike adore this mountain. One can choose between the double-black steeps of Highland Bowl and the ski apres ski scene at Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro.

Snowmass

Certainly, Snowmass is the largest of all the mountains. With an abundance of deep snow and a huge expanse of terrain, 94 trails at that, visitors can ski to their heart's content. From excellent dining facilities across the mountain to tubing lanes to a kids adventure center, this mountain has something for everyone.

Aspen Gay Ski Week: Host Hotel

This year, the host hotel is Limelight Lodge. Reservations are recommended. You can purchase single tickets at the Gay Ski Week registration area at the lodge. If tickets sell out, it will become a one in, one out basis. Enjoy complimentary cocktails courtesy of event sponsors.

New to AGSW? Follow these steps and you're on your way to becoming part of history.

• Buy your ski week pass that allows you access to most of the event's action-filled activities.
• Make your hotel reservations in one of the many hotels in or around Aspen. Buy lift tickets, ski or snowboard reservations.
• Go to their Facebook page and RSVP.
• Visitors will find many local shopping boutiques and galleries that feature local, national and international items.

Aspen Gay Ski Week 2020 Schedule of Events

On Saturday, January 11, participants of Aspen Gay Ski Week 2020 can join the pre-party dinner at L'Hostaria and mingle with the staff and other skiers awaiting for the event's kick-off. First of all, registration will be at the central location, the Hospitality Suite. This is your chance to ask all pertinent information in one go. Purchase tickets, gifts, and other swag, or visit the vendor booths. Pick up your lift and party tickets. Your choice of event. Your own adventure. Furthermore, visitors can join any of the event gatherings,  from daily lunches on or off the mountain, to daily apres ski (happy hour for city folks), to nightly dinners at selected restaurants in town.

Have Other Things on Your Mind?

You can opt for late-night parties and dances, film events, a gallery walk, and comedy shows. For fashion lovers, visit their boutiques and browse through unique and event worthy items of clothing and accessories. There will also be mountain top parties and an indoor pool party. Most noteworthy, one of the main events will be a downhill parade. Apres Ski will be open daily from 3 to 7 pm. Skiers are welcome to get comfortable and enjoy drinks and snacks at the Limelight. There will be a meet and greet, distribution of giveaways, search for talent activities, and more.

General Daily Itinerary for the Aspen Gay Ski Week

Saturday, January 11: L’ Hostaria will hold the Saturday evening dinner. This is a fun place to enjoy a pre-party dinner. Please call for reservations. Sunday, January 12: Mountain DuJour: Aspen. From 10 am until 3 pm, the concierges will guide guests around the mountain. Lunch will be served at the Sundeck. At 9 pm will be the opening cocktail reception at the W Hotel Aspen. Monday, January 13: Dinner will be at Mi Chola. A throwback 1990s party will follow thereafter. Enjoy the party until 2am. Tuesday, January 14: Lunch will be at Gwyn’s High Alpine, Snowmass Mountain from 12:30 until 2 pm. In addition, a friendship dinner will take place at Aspen Public House, a vintage gastropub, from 6 until 10 pm.

It's Never Over Until It's Over

Wednesday, January 15: Guests can enjoy lunch at Bonnie’s, which sits on the upper portion of the Aspen Mountain (mid-range). There is a Fashion and Art Night from 6 until 9 pm when guests can visit local shops and galleries that remain open to cater to the event's influx of tourists. A friendship dinner is to take place at Kenichi. This is a local favorite that serves Asian food and Sushi. Alternatively, there is a women’s dinner at Ellina from 6 until 10pm. Caribou Club, an elite private club, is open for the Aspen Gay Ski Week. Partake in a night of dancing and fundraising. The event runs from 9:30 pm until 1:30 am. Silver City is hosting a late-night party for those with Black Diamond passes, as an alternate evening of entertainment from the fundraising and dancing. The event is from 9 pm until 1:30 am. Thursday, January 16: There will be a women’s cocktail party at Hooch from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. A friendship dinner is also happening at Pinons from 6 until 10 pm. Finally, BellyUp will hold a comedy show and a dance party thereafter from 9 to 10:30 pm. Friday, January 17: This day's highlight will be the downhill costume party and competition. Various personalities will judge the event. No other than the legend of Aspen Gay Ski Week, Sister Helen Holy, will be the host for the evening. Join the friendship dinner from 6 to 10 pm at L’Hostaria. A Top of the Mountain White Party awaits skiers and snowboarders alike, with DJ Blacklow at the Sundeck from 9 pm until 2 am. Saturday, January 18: Dinner will be at Element 47 from 6 to 10 pm. The Aspen Recreation Center will be the host to the annual pool party. The theme for this event is South Beach. Hours will be from 8:30 pm until 1:30 am. Sunday, January 19: Lunch at the Sundeck slope-side restaurant from 12:30 until 2 pm.

FAQs

1. When is Aspen Gay Ski Week and where? Aspen Gay Ski Week will take place from January 12 to January 19, 2020. It happens annually in Aspen, Colorado. 2. Where can I find lodging for AGSW? There are numerous hotels between Aspen and Snowmass, at various price levels. No matter which lodging you reserve, you are within walking distance to all events, except the pool party. 3. How do I get to AGSW? Aspen, Colorado is home to four separate airports. Whichever hotel you have chosen will have transport from the airport. 4. Do I have to rent a vehicle when I get to Aspen? There are car rental locations available. However, you are literally within walking distance to all of the events, except for the Pool Party at the Recreation Center. Most hotels do have free airport transportation. They also will drive you around town and to dinner. In fact, there is also a free bus transportation system to get you almost anywhere. 5. What type of clothing should I pack? The weather fluctuates in Aspen, just as it does everywhere. A warm jacket or coat, a sweater, ski clothing, jeans, shirts, and your swim gear for the pool party. Also a white outfit for the White party, along with 1990's choice of clothes for the throwback party. 6. Do I have to be an expert skier to take part in the Aspen Gay Ski Week? Absolutely not! The skiing in Aspen is open to all levels of skiing ability. From beginner to expert. There are also areas for snowboarding and snowshoeing, as well as cross country skiing.