Aspen Spin

Get Fired Up

Now that Winter is back and we've had nearly 2 feet of new snow this week, the Aspen Real Estate market is firing up yet again. In an effort to fit in Aspen Spin has developed a Real Estate Subsidiary.  In today's Aspen, you can't simply rent a hotel room----you must buy one. A-Spin has joined the fractionalization craze.  We've tied up the most fantastic 8 week FIXED fractional package in town.  The luxurious St.Regis has offered us the best of the best.  Christmas, New Years, President's Week, July 4th and 2 sets of prime time back to back weeks. One two week period in the Winter and one for Summer.   If you're ready to plant seeds----and write a $1.69 million check---please contact us for more details.   No floating weeks here---just the best dates possible----all packaged for you by Aspen Spin.

It appears as if the billionaire Gaylord family is going to flip the Hotel Jerome to a condo-hotel operator out of Chicago.  They stand to pocket a quick $20 million gain on the deal.  The Gaylord's who control Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE symbol: GET) as well as the Grand Ol' Opry, Opry Land Hotel and the historic Broadmoor in Colorado Springs have decided that the politics of development  in Aspen is not to their liking---so they are taking the $20 mil and hittin' the road------Buh Bye!!!!!!!!!!

We had another free outdoor concert last week.  10 member L.A .party band OZAMOTLI rocked the Cooper Street Mall. Here they are jamming for the Spring Break crowds .   While the band played on, Fire Eater, Maciej Mrotek performed his Dance of the Sacred Fire.  This guy burned up!!! Check out his pictures below and click on his site at www.DanceoftheSacredFire.com

Maciej is available for your next event---and, trust us--he's HOT!

Say goodbye to the Historic Red Onion restaurant and bar (pictured below). Today is it's last day in business, after continuously operating as a local watering hole since 1892.  While The Onion has never been the fanciest joint in town, it has always been a hard drinking stop on the mall.  Current owner Dave "Wabs" Walbert was unable to reach a new deal with the "developer types" who recently purchased the building.  The new owners shall remain nameless here, due to our desire to stay out of court, but they are snapping up plenty of the older buildings in town to "re-develop" them.  They are probably making tons of coin, but they already have tons of coin, so it's all about the scoreboard now.  Aspen is no longer a ski town, it's a Real Estate and Construction town.  C'mon out and make your fortune.   

Today, 3/31/07, there's a wild party planned to close down the Red Onion. 5 bands are scheduled to play, 100's of people are already lining up, hours before closing. Aspen spin has been invited to cover the event, and we expect to snap a few historic pix for your viewing pleasure.  It'll be a shame when the Onion shuts it's doors and joins The Mother Load, Cooper Street Pier and La Cocina and many others in the history books.   No more chicken fried steak for us. 

No Lambs in Aspen

Since our planet's weather patterns are totally f#cked up, Aspen Spin has decided to ski more POW!!  After 5 or 6 days of beautiful, warm spring weather, it decided to precipitate-----hard.  That meant rain in town, but snow on top.  The snow line was at about 8500 ft. so for the un-initiated that means it was pouring rain on Little Nell and dumping fully ski-able pow pow at the peak. 8 to 10" dropped on Saturday.  No one in their right mind was skiing---except----of course --------the BELL MOUNTAIN BUCKAROO's (pictured below).  

  Rip Shorts (Greg Lee) enlightened Aspen Spin during an exclusive interview from the bucket, "We're a hard core ski gang.  If there's snow we're going to Rip It up.  If there's rocks, we jump over them, if there are brown spots, we avoid them and if the lifts stay open until 5----we ski until 5.30".  The Buckaroo's got their money's worth last Saturday.  Shown here L to R,  DADOO, RIP SHORTS, TROUT, JEFFER, HESS, TREY and new pledge KENNY (who was fined for not wearing his pledge pin.)  One of the most interesting aspects of this unique and extreme Rain/Snow ski day-----the Dogs----a rival gang, were nowhere to be found.

In addition to the Buckaroo's, one other group of crazy skiers braved the elements, the team from www.YellowJumpsuits.com got out and enjoyed the weather. Shown here is the Yellow Jumpsuits executive managment team.  If you want to buy one of their "bad boy" weather-proof suits--give 'em a click.

Once the storm passed, some of the less courageous folks peaked their heads outside and braved the elements. One of the more timid soles, veteran actor and all around celebrity DEAN WEILER (shown, left) was in town to promote his new play, Aspen Soap.  A-Spin asked Weiler if he skied during the storm.  Weiler responded    " naaaa, I'm here for the ladies".  Weiler is well known in Hollywood circles as a big-time lothario.  He has bagged so many young starlets, that his nickname in La La Land is "the De-Virginizer".   If his list of roles on IMDB were as long as his list of conquests he'd have a few gold statues by now.   Rumor has it that the sketch from Entourage where Johnny Drama pleasures himself in his trailer before performing a big scene was based on Weiler's audition for Gangs of New York.  Weiler did not get that role, but you can see him take his star turn Aspen Soap with co-star Felicity Huffman on April 1-4 at the Black Box Theatre.

Fight the Power

What are you doing to prevent global warming?  Did you trade in your SUV for a Prius?  Here in Aspen we're combating global warming every day-------by skiing the sh*t out of the snow that's left.  We're pounding the slopes hard----each and every day.  We've had a series of spectacular spring days----so you can hike or bike in the morning and rip the mountain in the afternoon.  As of Saturday, The 5 Chair, (Bell Mountain) will stay open until 5 pm ---a concession to daylight saving time------so if you're workin' the early shift at the Ford plant, you still have time to ski in the afternoon.

One recent highlight was the Isley Brothers show at Belly Up. The pictures shown in FIGHT the POWER say it all.

We've got a few more weeks to ski----and then...... BEACH PARTY!!!!   Get out here, before the snow melts, before the airport closes and before the "uphill transportation" shuts down for the season.

Many Spinners have asked "is it worth it to come out this late in the season?"    YESSSSS-SIIIIIIIR!!

Check out the PIX.

 

Sperm Term

It was the best St. Patrick's Day ever.  It was better than stepping around all the drunks passed out in the gutter in NYC.  It was better than chugging green beer in Boston.  It was better than running for our lives in Downtown Detroit.  Aspen got it's drink on for the annual rite of Spring.  Parties everywhere, all four mountains had some kind of gig planned.  Luckily it was about 65 and sunny and the snow melted into that perfect Spring corn.  It was almost as good as a big POW day. 

We know you like the pix of the ladies.   We can tell by your clicking patterns, so we took a few shots of Aspen's cutest and they are contained in the photo album entitled SPERM TERM.   Those of us that went to college, especially a  "STATE" school with lots of beautiful girls know why the expression Sperm Term came to be.  Even the "gunners" liked to ease up on the academics during Spring Term.  All hetro guys enjoy this time of year, so we've created a photo essay for your pleasure. 

Shape Magazine had a Fashion Show and schwag-fest at the base of Ajax.  If there are models in Aspen,  you know www.AspenSpin.com will be there.  We are not chauvinistic, but all the give-aways were for the ladies, so we just took the only thing we could----photos.

Also, we'd like to give kudos out to St. Mary's Catholic Church who held their 125th annual St. Patrick's dinner.  As always, the food was great (especially the famous cole slaw) and the money raised for charity is well utilized by the Church.

Apres' ski has been popping to the max.  The Sky Hotel has an open pool policy and plenty of locals and tourists alike take advantage of it. The Sky has all the hottest girls in the 20-35 demographic, therefore the ratio is about 5 to 1 guys to girls.   The Tavern has the good time band, Double Bubba playing on their deck, and if you have more than $500 million you might get lucky with some of the top flight talent that frequents that scene.  The ladies are mostly around 35-45 years old, many are divorced,and most of them have had at least one procedure done.   The guys are 60+, they wear antique ski clothes and they all have a high level of discretionary income.  It's basically the wrinkle room without a roof.  Bring your wallet, the famous fries and a beer will run you about 25 bucks before tax and tip.  More to come.

A-Spin gets Trumped

Spring is in full bloom and the skiing is definitely reflecting that.  Due to the early daylight savings time change this year, the mountain doesn't soften up until around 1 pm.  The mornings are about as hard packed and slick as you can get.  Those who adhere to the Aspen Spin Ski Strategy (ASSS) know that lift 1-A and the tubes are the place to be.    Shown below is a celebrity family enjoying lunch at the Sundeck.  Aspen Spin is reluctant to actually publish their name because our media insurance policy has not yet been purchased.  If you watch NBC at 9pm EST on Sunday's you'll know who they are.  Also spotted in the crowd, (sorry no pix) the "bottle rocket" himself, Owen Wilson.  We're still having a ball, get out here and join us.

Lucky Stars

There are plenty of non-profit organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley.  In fact by our estimate, Aspen has the more non-profits per capita, than anywhere else in the entire world.  One of top organizations in town is, Aspen Youth Experience (AYE).  Check out their site at www.AYEXP.org .  AYE, founded in 1991 has the following vision, "To save lives, by empowering young people to make positive choices"  AYE brings "at-risk" youths to Aspen to provide them with transforming experiences and continuous follow up and support.  The Aspen Celebrity Downhill (tm) is their biggest fund raiser each year and 2007 is the 11th annual race.  The weekend of fun includes Casino Night, the Downhill and a Gala Ball. The events are presented by John and Selene Devaney of United Capital Markets, and sponsored by The Sidney Rose Foundation and Graphic Alliance among others.  Donate or become a host family at www.AYEXP.org

Along with plenty of well behaved "at-risk" kids, several celebrities turned up for the AYE Race.  Check out the pix at left, LUCKY STARS to see some of the highlights.  A-Spin gives special thanks to Scott Picard of Graphic Alliance for the "all access" pass. After the race, won by local hero Hanzi Brenniger, some of the celebs decided to go free skiing.  As the guys from Entourage previously explained, Actors and intelligence do not always go hand in hand. 3 of the stars were very stupid , but they got very lucky. 

If you've skied the Double Diamonds at Ajax, you've probably been on Walsh's Run.  Walsh's border's the ski area boundary line and finishes at a cat track with a well marked sign indicating what is OUT of BOUNDS. From the cat-track, Walsh's requires a short uphill hike to get back to the lift.   Somehow, Fisher Stevens, Chad Lowe and Rob Morrow (news flash: Northern Exposure's over dude), who claimed to be "pretty good" skiers ended up on Walsh's.   Aspen Spin opines," We saw all 3 of these guys ski and we rate them firmly in the intermediate category as skiers, and they probably shouldn't have been on Walsh's at all, let alone O.B."  Apparently, the 3 Hollywood super-stars did not see the boundary marker, or they ducked the rope, and skied down into the un-tracked Pow in the gully below Walsh's.   There's a reason why the snow was un-tracked, ----- it's about a 3 mile hike to the road once you drop in the gully.

Luckily, the 3 rocket scientists didn't even know they were lost in the woods, in an avalanche prone area.  They later admitted that they skied "all over the place".  Additional good fortune smiled on these fellows, because a snow-boarder who had ducked the rope in a separate incident, and then realized he was lost  text-ed his sister, who informed the ski-patrol that her brother was lost below Walsh's.  Two valiant patrollers set out to rescue the lost boarder.   After the patrollers found the displaced "knuckle dragger" and were heading out towards the road, they heard voices.  It was Fisher, Chad and Rob talking on their cell phones and taking digital pictures of each other.  They had no idea how close they came to spending the night in the back country ---or even worse.   Morrow, who seemed like the ring leader of the gang who couldn't ski straight called his experience "a great adventure".  In conclusion, the boarder was smarter than the actors.  One ski patroller noted "at least the guy on the board knew he was lost".

It might not have made the Hollywood Reporter or Variety, but yesterday, 2 unidentified skiers were killed in an avalanche------ not far from where these 3 "celeb-u-tards" were skiing.    Aspen Spin gives the following advice, "if you don't know where you are-----stay in bounds".

Sneaker Ball

Aspen Spin got the VIP treatment at the 20th annual SNEAKER BALL the other night. Check out a little history at www.SneakerBall.net  Al Gross has been throwing the greatest dance party in Aspen for a long time now.  Al expected about 1000 people at this year's Ball which has evolved into a "prom-like" event for the Beautiful and Party people.  It's been held in the St. Regis Ballroom for the past several years after outgrowing the Hotel Jerome.  One exotically dressed, sneaker wearing guest after another pranced into a room with a thumping disco beats and be-decked in a light show to rival Vegas.

The Sneaker Ball benefits The Shining Stars Foundation, www.ShiningStarsfoundation.com whose mission is to provide sport, recreational and outreach programs to sick children at no cost to them or their families.   This is not to be confused with The Silver Lining Foundation that many of you generously contributed to via TALES from the ROAD.  In a story broken by Aspen Spin, last year,and reported here first,  Andrea Jaeger (former #2 tennis player in the world) has become a Nun, and Silver Lining has left town, and the Ranch is for sale.  Shining Stars Foundation is here to stay.  Check them out at www.ShiningStarsFoundation.com

Based on the pix shown at left in the photo album entitled SNEAKER BALL, you'd think there were only women at the event.

Not true, it was only about 4 to 1 guys to girls.

Since inception Aspen Spin has received numerous heckles for our "No Nudity" policy.  The pictures attached, while not nudes, do offer a glimpse into what's it's like "back-stage" in Aspen.

There's usually a good party somewhere, you just have to look for it.  If you use the secret password----Aspen Spin,  you're in.  GET HERE NOW!!!!!

Lez Zeppelin

The New York City based tribute band LEZ ZEPPELIN played a sold out gig at BELLY UP the other night. We at Aspen Spin had flash-backs to 1974,  of course, few of the audience members were even alive back then.  Spin magazine ( yeah, they stole our name) named Lez Zeppelin one of the greatest all-female rock bands---ever.  Check them out their My-Space page or their site at www.lezzeppelin.com

Click on the photo album LEZ ZEPPELIN for a few pix of the band, and some other random paparazzi shots

Chix on Stix

March is the time when all the beautiful people come out of hibernation to hit the slopes in Aspen.  The sun has been shining brightly and the average age of skiers on Ajax has increased to about 72.  Actually, the mountain is empty, it's Bonnie's and the Sundeck that are packed. 

At left, Three of the hottest Chix on Stix, Lynda Giles, Carol Kozlow and Doreen Hermelin gettin' ready to go BIG on Ajax.    

These 2 hot Brazilian girls rode to the top of Aspen Mountain in the Gondola just to brighten up our day.  Click on them for a more intimate view.

Entourage is Real

One of the hottest show on TV is HBO's Entourage.  As most of you know, Entourage documents the life  A-List movie star, Vincent Chase, his agent Ari Gold and his posse of hangers on, E, Turtle and Johnny Drama.  Many people have heard that the series is based on the experiences of Marky Mark Wahlberg and his group of tight knit friends, but it's real.

Aspen Spin got a major scoop at USCAF this past weekend.  Entourage isn't based on fact--- it is in fact ---- real life.  Creator Doug Ellin, Executive Producer Stephen Levinson and stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly and Jeremy Priven all turned up in Aspen to discuss the show and to take all our ladies. In our discussions with the show's brain trust and cast, Aspen Spin determined that Entourage is not a comedy or a "dramedy" as it's positioned in TV guide, it's indeed reality TV.  Sure, some of the lines are composed for the actors, but they all admitted that a surreal morphing has occured during Entourage's hugely successful run.  The characters have turned into real people and the actors have merged with the characters.  Call it a mind meld, but these guys are living the life, and loving every minute of it.  The best part is, these cats seem to realize just how lucky they are and they're taking advantage of it.

Stephen Colbert was given the USCAF Person of the Year Award, but alas, the entire staff of Aspen Spin missed that show as we were all at the Aspen Ice Garden to see the Euro-Trash defeat NY Pizza for the Rec. Hockey League (RHL) Championship.  It was Euro-Trash's second consecutive title.

Jamie Kennedy, was all over town.  He's funny and nice and seems like a genuine guy.  His production company Jizzy Entertainment is producing a new documntary about the comedy world, it's called, Heckler.  It looks really funny.  It will have it's World Premier at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival.  Kennedy had girls all over him, but he seemed OK with it.

Katt Williams, did a closing night show at the Wheeler.  Williams' HBO show, The Pimp Chronicles, Pt.1 was the highest rated HBO comedy in 3 years and the biggest selling comedy DVD since Dave Chappelle's big disc. from several years back.   Pimp Chronicles was produced by Gary Binkow, a former Nedlaw Brave, who has gone on to do big things in Hollywood.  He's produced many films including Neverland, which got an Oscar nod for best picture in 2004.  Binkow did not make it to Aspen for the festival, but he did send the following message to Aspen Spin, via text, "look at me now bi-atchs---I've come a long way since Cheboygan".