MMP

Each year it feels like closing day at Aspen Highlands comes too soon. It’s a harsh reminder that the ski season is winding down, however it’s also a great reason to get out and celebrate all those great days that you’ve had! With that in mind, the Freeskier crew made the drive from Boulder to Aspen this weekend armed with some promotional dollars from the folks at Coors Light to ensure that the closing day crowd stays well lubricated.

So, before we break into the eye candy. Let me give you a a little info about closing day at Aspen Highlands: It’s one of the biggest end of season bashes around. Thousands of people don their best gaper attire, party with friends, pond skim and give one of the best mountains out there a proper send off on it’s last day of operation. This year, instead of having bluebird sunshine and warm temperatures we were greeted with over a foot of fresh snow. Laps in the Highland Bowl were a must. Thankfully, as the day progressed the air warmed up, people stripped off layers and the crowd got loose.

Without further adieu, here are some photos from the closing day shenanigans at Aspen Highlands.

First chair of the day: I will have an eggcellent day!

A foot+ of fresh pow in the bowl? Wait, is this really closing day? Man, winter sure did decide to come late this year.

Ants marching to the 1+ foot of fresh powder. Mother Nature providing a little January in April.

After hitting up the bowl we headed to Cloud 9 for some grub. This is what we were greeted with. Nice.

SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS! EVERYBODY!

The pink socks really complement the jorts this gentlemen is wearing.

Is that man on the right having a heart attack? If so, at least he’s going out happy.

Like it was 1980.

This gentlemen partied so hard he lost his pants. Thankfully ski patrol is leading him indoors for a fresh pair.

It sure does.

It’s a good thing we weren’t partying with a green screen behind us.

Raclette lunch at Cloud 9 was rowdy.

Fre-fre-fre FRESH.

Myself, Jon Glass (Creepy G) and Meredith from Aspen’s Communication department get rad.

This is what happens when you give the Easter Bunny acid.

This was the scene at 3:30 as we made our way down to the base. No shortage of party here.

Meredith from Aspen/Snowmass PR gets in a little post lunch stretch in her one-piece before descending down to the base.

Somehow we safely managed to get down to the base of the mountain. This is the sight that greeted us. Wow, that’s a bunch of people partying.

Matty Horn from Allegiance Management learned today that penguins adjust their migratory patterns so they can participate in closing day festivities at Aspen Highlands.

Big Bird gives us the ABC’s of partying. Turns out B is for black-zone.

Is this the new GoProHD?

We caught up with Fielding Miller (an old Freeskier employee) and were in awe of his North Face one-piece and matching Bolle sunglasses. Authentic.

I was partying, hard.

Local legend, “Benny The Blade” partners up with a Heineken keg can and proceeds to dominate the scene.

The vibe was contagious.

Without a doubt, Aspen Highlands closing day was one of the best times I’ve ever experienced on skis. We had a foot of new snow, fresh tracks in the Highland Bowl and surfed on a wave of good times the entire day with thousands of other folks that were partying like absolute lunatics. Normally I leave a resorts closing day upset and bummed that the season is no more, this year I left smiling from ear to ear knowing that I helped send the 2010 season at Aspen Highlands out on a high note.

See you next year, Highlands.

Had the pleasure of using one a couple of times last week. This thing is a gamechanger. It’s killing me that I don’t have one right now. I’m waiting for the 3G model.

Can’t wait to start working on some projects that revolve around this hot little number.

Thanks to the kind people at The Denver Egotist for featuring the Freeskier Magazine 2010 Media Kit on their site the other day. Always an honor to have your work showcased alongside some of the most talented creative folks here in the Denver area.

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” - Dr. Seuss

Join me in welcoming the newest member of the Amirault family, Vivian Amirault.

Born: March 30, 2010
Weight: 5lb 5oz
Parents: Justin and Becca Amirault

Here’s a video of the little bugger. Can’t wait to meet her in person.

I’ve got patellar tendinitis in both of my knees. It hurts like crazy and is not going away by itself. So, a couple weeks ago I asked my twitter followers if they had any remedies. Thankfully @outsidehilary (from Outsidemedia) chimed in about the wonders of KT Tape.

KT Tape is an elastic athletic tape that has been used by pro athletes for decades, but is now available to every consumer. KT Tape:

• Provides pain relief for common injuries such as Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee, shin splints, ITBS, hamstring strains, sore calves, neck, back, and shoulder pain and more.
• Supports sore or injured muscles, joints, and tendons without restricting motion like compression bands or wraps. KT Tape is like a brace, but better, and even more comfortable to wear.

Sounds good, but does it work? Well, I’ve had my knee taped up all day and I’m damn impressed with the stuff so far. The application was a bit tough, however I’m sure I’ll get better at it in the next month. Also should be noted that I’ve had two showers with the tape on today and it is holding on like a champ. According to the box you can go 5+ days without having to re-apply.

Hopefully, with KT tape, some proper stretching and anti-inflamatory drugs I’ll be back to 100% in no time.

I’ll keep you posted.