Aspen Gay Ski Week holds the honor of being the longest-running gay ski week in the country. The week of events, which includes parties, concerts, comedy, films, symposiums, and dinners, is a celebration for the LGBTQ+ community and a model for other gay ski weeks throughout the U.S.
As a cornerstone in the Aspen Snowmass community for over five decades, Frias Properties is inspired by and committed to the rich cultural diversity that makes this Aspen Snowmass special. We are an LGBTQ+ friendly business and we proudly sponsor Aspen Gay Ski Week and partner with AspenOUT, a local non-profit and 501c3 organization focused on anti-bullying and tolerance.
The History
During the 1970s, a group of local men had begun to have unofficial yearly hangouts with gay visitors from ski clubs from around the country. Jon Busch, David Hoch, Tom Duesterberg, Russell Anderson, and others, along with groups of gay tourists, decided to make these meetings more official and schedule them every January to celebrate the LGBTQ+ Community.
Every year, the host of this gathering varied amongst the ski club, with different parties on different nights to which all were invited. The local contingent’s contribution started as just a welcoming “kick-off” party, but over the years, the all-volunteer effort became the world’s first (and only, for many years) gay ski week.
At one such gathering, local John Busch got into trouble with authorities for dancing with another local man at a bar, eventually spurring his decision to advocate for gay rights (and becoming a springboard for a lifetime of gay advocacy.) In 1979, Busch and other local men pushed for and eventually secured gay rights protections in Aspen—a first in the state. Boulder and Denver soon followed.
Unfortunately, the 1992 passing of Amendment 2 by Colorado voters revoked gay protections and prohibited any new ones from being enacted at local and state levels, thus curtailing further protection against discrimination for LGBTQ+ people. This action led to liberal outrage amongst Hollywood as well as the national and international gay community.
A widespread and effective boycott of Colorado tourism resulted from this anti-gay policy, which was most painfully felt in Aspen, where Gay Ski Week was a major winter event and catalyst for gay tourism all year long. Pitkin County led the state in its opposition to Amendment 2, and the U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled the amendment unconstitutional in 1996. At that point, Aspen Gay Ski Week was folded into a new 501c3 non-profit called the Aspen Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (now known as AspenOUT).
The Now
As the oldest and largest gay ski week in the nation, Aspen Gay Ski Week has evolved beyond casual get-togethers and condo parties. Visitors are now welcomed to daily après ski gatherings at local bars and nightly “friendship dinners” at restaurants. Late-night events, like the sold-out White Party, are some of the most sought-after, and big names are on the ticket for great nights of entertainment and fun.
47 Years of Gay Ski Week
2024 marks 47 years of Aspen Gay Ski Week, which runs from January 14-21; this year will be even bigger, broader, and more inclusive than ever! It’s a celebration of 47 years of progress for the LGBTQ+ community and one of the largest LGBTQ+ non-profit fundraisers in Aspen.
As AspenOUT’s main annual fundraiser, Aspen Gay Ski Week is not only fun, it makes possible the organization’s growing mental health and education work. Funds generated go to grants that support the LGBTQ+ community, scholarship area seniors, and mental health services and programs. Present funding is roughly 10x what it was a decade ago for even less programming and aids with providing facilitators to Roaring Fork Valley schools’ gay student alliances and online mental health training for teachers and counselors.
Events
During the day, festival-goers can enjoy Aspen Snowmass' four mountains, special lunches, receptions, and great parties! Venues include the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass (with a mountain du jour), the Wheeler Opera House, and various hotels and restaurants around town. The host hotel, The Limelight Aspen, will have a special Après Ski menu to offer from 3-7 pm with very limited seating.
Several events are ever-expanding and are designed to include the broader community. For example, in partnership with the Aspen Chamber Resort Association’s Wintersköl celebration is the adult-only Drag Queen Bingo Brunch at The Little Nell. Other fun events include a cowboy dance party at the Belly Up and a boy band cover group at the Wheeler Opera House.
The Womxn Centric Private Dinner with guest chef Emily Oyer is sure to bring an unforgettable experience to attendees and includes a ticket to Dance Party with DJ Autumn Leilani. At the same time, the Downhill Costume Contest is considered to be one of the week’s signature and most publicly visible events. Watch the talented contestants ski their way down to the base of Aspen Mountain from The Little Nell ski run or Gondola Plaza (outside the ticketed area) on Friday from noon to 3 pm. For event details and more information, check the AGSW website.
Beneficiaries
AGSW is the main fundraising event of AspenOUT each year, and the proceeds from the event are donated to organizations that make a difference in the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado and around the nation. Past beneficiaries include some of the following organizations: One Colorado, The Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network), Point Foundation, and TEACH.
This year, the Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund gave out over $35,000 in cash grants to local and national organizations! AspenOUT also partners with many organizations with in-kind donations and cross-promotions that strive to fulfill their mission.
Be a Part of Aspen Gay Ski Week
You can’t go wrong when you check out this iconic week in Aspen and enjoy all the amazing festivities that go with it. Explore our Aspen vacation rentals or our slope-side condos in Snowmass Village to find the perfect vacation rental for your Aspen Gay Ski Week adventures.
Contact our Reservation Team today at (970) 920-2010 to book your reservation and ask about our January Powderstart special!