The World's Fastest American Ski Racers Celebrate World Cup Racing in Aspen

During the men’s FIS World Cup ski races held on Aspen Mountain on March 1-3, top U.S. Ski Team racers River Radamus, Tommy Ford, Jett Seymour and Bridger Gile headlined Aspen Magazine’s celebratory Friday night soiree.

The event was held in the newly renovated West End Social space at Aspen Meadows Resort on the Aspen Institute campus. After racing the Winternational’s first day of giant slalom and signing posters in Wagner Park, the racers rallied to make a celebrity appearance at the Aspen Magazine party. Radamus had the fourth fastest second run time for a US-best 11th-place finish.

Fundraising for AVSC

The evening’s celebration of World Cup ski racing doubled as a fundraiser for the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club (AVSC). “Aspen Magazine’s longtime partnership with AVSC showcases the impact they make in the Aspen community,” said Miah Wheeler, AVSC’s development director. “We were thrilled to host the U.S. Ski Team athletes alongside the Aspen Magazine team. Together, we raised enough money to give scholarships to 15 kids in our Aspen Supports Kids (ASK) programs. These scholarships fund future World Cup racers and keep the dream alive for local kids.”

In front of a jubilant crowd, the ski racers autographed Aspen magazine cover blowups of photos that had appeared in Aspen magazine’s February issue feature story on the men’s World Cup tech races coming back to Aspen for the first time since 2017. The athletes mingled with the crowd and took photos with ski-racing fans before heading home to rest up for another day of world-class ski racing. Later in the evening, those autographed cover blowups were auctioned off alongside jewelry from Rachel Lynn Chicago (valued at $2,300), goggles from Eye Pieces, We Norwegians outfits for her and for him, and two 75-minute sauna and cold plunge sessions from Base State Longevity.

An Idyllic Setting

The newly re-imagined space at Aspen Meadows created a beautiful backdrop for the evening’s festivities. On the outdoor deck of West End Social, drink stations were set up, with spiced hot cider from Maker’s Mark and a Warrior Tequini with La Adelita Blanco Tequila. Aspen Distillers had two cocktails featuring its Aspen Vodka on offer: an eye-opening espresso martini and a refreshing Aspen Cooler with fresh cucumber, lime and lemongrass. The view from the West End Social’s deck was spectacular, with the sun setting behind a panorama of Aspen Snowmass’s ski mountains.

At the indoor bar, partygoers could choose from a Maker’s Mark Kentucky Mule or a Chica Rita made with La Adelita Blanco Tequila garnished with a pineapple wedge. Meanwhile, West End Social servers circulated the space with platters of chef-prepared hors d’oeuvres, including bison burger sliders with whipped feta and caramelized onion, olive and arugula and a delightful Wagyu tartare with gochujang, kumquat and sesame, served on a scallion potato chip.

A Cosmopolitan Crowd

Over the course of the evening, ski-racing aficionados mixed with notable Aspenites, including Ross and Sandra Flax, Gary and Amy Green, Michael Goldberg, Heather King, Mona and Tony Mazza, Chris and Lizette Pribus, John and Jan Sarpa, and John Kao and Kat Weeda. In addition to enjoying culinary delights and crafted cocktails, guests could also visit the We Norwegians booth to peruse the brand’s collection of sustainable merino wool sweaters crafted in timeless designs. It was the perfect opportunity to find a stylish and cozy sweater for the next happening bash in Aspen.