Winter X Games Aspen

Team ESPN Kicks Off Winter X Games
Dear Casey,Team ESPN will be hosting the second annual “Don’t Give Up” snowboard auction that will raise funds and awareness for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Blank snowboards, donated by O-Matic Snowboards for a second consecutive year, have been designed by professional athletes and highly acclaimed artists to be auctioned in conjunction with Winter X Games 12.Seven boards will be up for bidding via silent auction from January 23 through 27 at three locations in Aspen: The Aspen Club, The Cantina and the Winter X Games 12 VIP tent at Buttermilk Mountain. An additional six boards will be available for bidding on eBay from January 24 through February 3. Three boards on display on www.expn.com (left to right): renowned artists Jim Mahfood, Noah and Taylor Reeve “Over the past 15 years, ESPN has been proud to support The V Foundation for Cancer Research, an organization that has made a tremendous impact on the lives of anyone who has been touched by cancer directly or indirectly,” said Juliet Gilliam, ESPN Senior Director, Corporate Outreach. “We are excited to be able to host the second annual snowboard auction and it is our sincere hope that this will provide an opportunity to increase awareness regarding the V Foundation among audiences of all ages who enjoy watching and participating in the Winter X Games.” The snowboards will be on display at The Aspen Club, The Cantina and the Winter X Games VIP tent will feature the work of artists David Swift, Max Grundy, Jay Alders, Jim Mahfood and Taylor Reeve, as well as two snowboards autographed by Winter X Games athletes. Bidding will close on January 27 at 8 p.m. MT at The Aspen Club, 9 p.m. MT at the VIP tent and 10 p.m. MT at The Cantina. The eBay auction will feature boards painted by professional snowboarders Tricia Byrnes and Chanelle Sladics, and artists Noah, MarcoArt, Mark Richmond, and Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company’s Orlando. These boards will be available for bidding at http://stores.ebay.com/ESPN-Auctions concluding on February 3 at 7 p.m. MT.  All winners of the silent and online auctions will be notified directly. For more information and updates on the silent auction, please visit www.jimmyv.org and www.EXPN.com. About The V Foundation for Cancer Research The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has raised more than $70 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all new direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visitwww.jimmyv.org. About Team ESPN Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach programs including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets.  Through Team ESPN, ESPN, its employees, and its fans work together to make a difference in our world and the communities in which we live.  Team ESPN. . .Fans Helping Fans.  www.teamespn.com. Visit www.espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.	Click here to watch Jimmy V’s famous ESPY award speech

Add comment January 24th, 2008

When does the horse leave the barn?

I was sniffing around the internet for local news when I came upon this story about a new contraption that’s supposed to keep you safe in the event you find yourself being overtaken by an avalanche. In a week that has brought us two fatalities on separate occasions in the East Vail chutes, and a GSPI feature about some hair-raising backcountry travel by one group of intrepid locals, I learn of a device that takes charge of an avalanche critical moments before a beacon has a chance to be useful: the Avalance Airbag System.

Continue Reading Add comment January 13th, 2008

Aspen Mountain Skiing

Today was my 1st day on the mountain as I am sure it was for most of the people on the hill. Perfect! It was awesome.

The mountain was packed and the lines were long but it was worth the wait to get some runs in. What a way to start off World Cup week. I am sure the ladies will be excited to see all of this lovely snow.

Continue Reading Add comment December 2nd, 2007

Boy Named Bobby In Tahoe

Sure, it was my idea, as it usually always is. It turned out very well, incredibly well, actually. I couldn't have asked for more. I had this incredible lake to my right, and a serious vertical ski slope a hundred yards in front of me as I soaked in the hot tub on our third floor balcony. This was about as close to Heaven on earth as i could summise.

First of all, my first name is indeed Bobby. The girls always loved that name. My mother, as screwed up as she is, is probably the only person who ever actually called me Bobby. Personally, I hated that name. I thought it too feminine, too gayish, too, ... well not worthy of a guy as comfortable on a horse as I was running over defensive backs. Yet, as I come to grips with turning 40 next month, I am also coming to grips with much more. Honestly? I like the name Bobby. Kind of sexy isn't it? Hah.

Continue Reading Add comment November 30th, 2007

Keith Hemstreet Climbed Mount Everest

Recently, I was devastated to discover an Aspen untruth of criminal proportions. I’ve lived in this town for five years now, all the while believing we get a steady 300 inches of snow per year. Ask any Bartender, Ski Instructor, or Lift Op how much snow Aspen receives annually and they’ll spit out “300 inches” as if it had been burned onto their forehead with a cattle prod.

Continue Reading 3 comments October 20th, 2007

Ouch, Ski Conditioning!

After 17 years of teaching here at the club Amy Knight is on top of her game. And don’t think you’ll get away with slacking off either because she is watching every move you make. So come ready to sweat and work your butt off.

Continue Reading Add comment October 15th, 2007

POST TIME TELEVISION: Season Transitions

Click here to watch video  for great shots of the four seasons in the Roaring Fork Valley--especially winter in Aspen.

Add comment October 13th, 2007

RocKtober

By AspenSpin

When the calender strikes October, one thing comes to the forefront at Aspen Spin. That one thing ----- SKI CONDITIONING. Our entire staff is hitting it hard at the super-posh Aspen Club and Spa. Since the weather is still awesome we're continuing to hike and bike like bi-atchs. But, as of today it's www.AspenClub.com each and every day.

With the help of a wellness counselor at The Aspen Club we designed a daily fitness and nutrition routine that should allow all of us at Aspen Spin to have a healthier, more productive ski season. So here it is. Cardio--45 minutes. Core and strength exercises using the bosu ball, medicine ball and fitness ball and some light weights. What can we say--we like to ball. We're concentrating on balance and core specific exercises for skiing ---some of the same ones that Bode Miller does. The whole thing is followed by some serious stretching.

Continue Reading Add comment October 1st, 2007

Ski Conditioning

We will be offering a public ski conditioning class that will focus on strength, power and explosive moves. The ski conditioning class we offer through group X offers plyometrics and a great cardio workout. We want to supplement this program with small group trainings.

Continue Reading Add comment October 1st, 2007

Don’t Stop Now

Many of us live our lives in a truely cyclical nature. Meaning that we do things based on what time of year it is. In some respects this is great because it gives us some variety and we don’t get sick of doing the same old things everyday. But, we also need to be careful as the weather starts to change here in the Valley. Soon it will be too cold to go up smuggler or ride to the bells in short sleeves. Yet, you won’t be able to hit the slopes or bust out the snowshoes, either.

Continue Reading Add comment September 12th, 2007