The Wheeler Opera House in downtown Aspen.

Words: Tawnya Schultz / Photos: Us

It probably wasn’t the smartest idea to go into the weekend already hung over but it was already too late for that. I had committed to going to The Meeting (a three day snow sports film fest/conference) in Aspen and after the raves I had heard about it last year I knew I couldn’t miss it. Managing to pack in between flashes of nausea I somehow rallied covering my grubbiness with a hat and hoodie ready to make the beautiful drive to Aspen. After a short stop at the office, Baker and I trekked four hours from Boulder to the Sky Hotel at the base of Aspen Mountain. My original thought was that we would make it up there in the late afternoon; I would relax, maybe take a shower, and then start the party. Turned out; not so much. The Sky was where Aspen had set up all the riders, video peeps, and media to sleep (or something) and congregate for the weekend. While checking in we immediately ran into Runke and John from Rome, Bjorn Leines, and Mark Carter, already boozing. It was 5:30…And so the story goes…

We moved the pre-party fireside next to the pool chatting it up with friends arriving and meeting random Aspen locs like Todd; a long haired crazy rocker hippie who managed his way into the mix proceeding to tell stories about how Ozzy (as in Osbourne) stole his music and random other bull shit. Ready to take on the free bar full throttle a crew of us wandered our way a few blocks to Belly Up where a fashion show was about to mesmerize us all. See below.

Welcome to The Sky hotel.

All over the walls inside the Belly Up there are sick shots of everyone who’s played there including Damian Marley. From Snoop to the B52’s the three level venue books some great acts.

Ready for this season’s hottest gear or what? The stage was sick…all bright colors and light boxes.

Here’s another full stage shot with a few hot models.

The crowd was entertained the entire time. This wasn’t your average fashion show…it was a little over the top but all in all everyone was having fun.

Attitude is all a real model really needs.

This dude was workin’ it Zoolander style.

Model girl is ready for the winter.

Strike a pose.

This girl looks like a doll.

Curt Morgan enjoying the scenery and Chelsea trying to figure out what’s going on.

Who would have ever thought…sequin tops and overall’s are the style this season…wow!

I love everyone’s faces in the background here…especially Lando’s…he’s like “ow oww.”

Mark Carter left the ranch for the weekend to come party and Lando wasn’t going to miss it either.

The Meeting Fashion Show from SNOWBOARD Magazine on Vimeo

Then the party continued with Tech Nine outta Kansas. Don’t get ‘em confused with the SLC film crew Tech Nine…these guys are the real deal.

These dudes are super high energy. They’ve been around awhile and have toured with Bone Thugs, ICP, and Kottonmouth Kings to name a few.

The crowd was super into it.

I made my way to the front of the stage to fully get into the moment.

Needless to say night one was super fun but there was much more in store. We woke up early to take advantage of free paragliding courtesy of Red Bull. Man I love those guys. Actually I went up with the first group because I was a little hesitant to fly and wanted to take some photos. I planned to go for the second round but weather came in and I was unable to. Alex Palmaz who runs Aspen Paragliding told me I could come up in the winter though and snowboard down…how cool is that?...Check out Alex and his crew if you’re in Aspen and check out the awesome photos of the guys below.

A gorgeous fall morning at the top of Aspen.

The crew: John from Rome, Jeff Baker, Ryan Thompson, Bjorn Leines, Marius Otterstad, and Mark Carter.

Bjorn’s ready…shaka.

Baker contemplating his decision.

And we’re off!

Run as fast as you can.

Perfect form, perfect form.

Weee!

Baker’s POV.

Mark Carter flying and the Aspen valley below.

Bjorn lost a shoe when he was taking off…his laces weren’t tight enough I guess.

Parasailing in Aspen from SNOWBOARD Magazine on Vimeo

As the boys returned to The Sky with smiles from ear to ear the question was what to do next. After brunch Lando, Carter, BJ, Marius, and Willie from Bluebird headed directly to the pool for some Bloody Mary’s and a little relaxation in the hot tub. One drink turned into several and by 4p.m. we were all pretty smashed. I was in need of a mandatory nap before the Oakley and Brain Farm premieres at The Wheeler Opera House. I woke up a few hours later still drunk but rendered my rallying skills once again and made it just in time to grab a cold brewskie before Oakley’s “Uniquely” premiered. “Uniquely” is Oakley’s an all female travel film produced by Liesl Holt and filmed by John Roderick. It showcases the talents of the Oakley’s female pro athletes from snowboarders, skaters, and surfers. “That’s It, That’s All” was up next and most of the crew was in the house to promote the flick.

Carter, Lando, Circe Wallace, Derek from Aspen, and Curt Morgan at Wheeler before their premiere of “That’s It, That’s All.”

DCP was there as was Aspen loc and photog Zach Hooper.

Here’s a theatre shot from the balcony.

A shot (kinda blurry) from the Oakley girl’s film “Uniquely.”

Party people at the theatre bar.

Free drinks plus snowboarder’s equals lots of drinking.

The next day was when my relaxation wishes came true. Laura Anderson from Target invited a few girls (plus one guy who shall remain nameless) to The St. Regis Remede Spa for a little R and R. We enjoyed massages, regrouped in the oxygen room, and sweated out three days of alcohol in the steam room. Thanks Laura for helping to detoxify my life.

Nicole’s stoked for her massage.

And Laura from Target who hooked it all up…love her and thanks again.

After an amazing spa day it was time to bust out the next four premieres. Could my liver handle it? This was the true test.

Mack Dawg premieres…ready and waiting.

Snow Queen Vodka was the official alcohol sponsor of the weekend…as was Bud and Bud Light…We own them huge.

Ryan Runke from Rome, Marie France Roy, and Grete Eliassen already in party mode.

Before the Rome and Bluebird premieres I was in need of a definite food sesh. Thanks to Liesl from Oakley we had a sweet all girls sushi dinner. L to R: Nicole, Me, Liesl, Angeli, Grete, and MFR…private room status.

These ahi tacos things were so scrumptious…you must hit up Takah Sushi if you go to Aspen.

We played chop stick jams and killed it by the way.

And of course drank sake.

Then Liesl surprised Grete with a birthday dessert. I promised Grete I wouldn’t post the crazy ones.

Playing in the leaves; they’re so pretty right now. Here’s Angeli and MFR…yeah!

Once again Belly Up was the spot of the night. This is the wall of fame. Tons of sweet shots were displayed here from this year’s flicks at the entrance of the venue.

And of course I ran into these characters since Rome’s “No Correct Way” and “The Bluebird Movie” was premiering. Carter, Bjorn, and Lando.

Bluebird! Get some wax yo.

Troy from Target, Curt Morgan, and Red Bull representin’.

MFR, myself, and Oakley skier Angeli.

Then it was dance time with a DJ who played until close.

All in all my time in Aspen was epic. Thanks to Derek, Tracy, and Melissa from Aspen who choreographed an amazing weekend. And of course a huge thanks to The Sky Hotel for putting up with us (I know you had to refund some customers due to noise), Red Bull, Target and all of the other gracious sponsors who contributed to taking a few years off all of our lives. We will be back!!

On the day of rest I took in the sights of Aspen before departure. There is endless beautiful scenery and lots of shopping- if you have the cash that is.

We decided to take Independence Pass to Breckenridge which was amazing this time of year.

The Aspen’s are so gorgeous.

The hillside. See it seemed like a good idea at first until we took a wrong turn and ended up getting stuck in a parking lot on the highway due to an overturned semi for almost an hour.

Booo…we hate traffic especially after partying for four nights straight…and so the adventures continue…until next time, peace!