Hit the Slopes with a Wild West Theme for Aspen's Gay Ski Week

Looking for some last-minute fun for the upcoming holiday weekend?

January 16-23 is Aspen Gay Ski Week, the nation’s largest and oldest LGBT ski event. This year is the event’s 34th anniversary and the theme is "Wild, Wild West" and features tons of snow-based sports, as well as numerous après ski events so you can hang out and meet all the fun party people. Here’s a quick rundown of events:

Thursday night features top comedians—Jim David from Comedy Central, Michele Balan from Last Comic Standing, and Chuck Sweeney (AKA “Miss Peggy Lee”)—will headline Ski Week’s comedy night. There will also be a “Wild West Bordello Party” on Friday night, and fabulous pool party on Saturday featuring DJs, dancing, hot tubs, water slides, a lazy river, and open bars.

“There is something for everyone, even if you don’t ski,” said Bryan Gonzales, co-producer of Aspen Gay Ski Week and program director of Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund; this organization provides tens of thousands of dollars to schools and various charities of gay and lesbian interest. “Aspen offers visitors world renowned eateries, indulgent spas, and first class shopping. We are also bringing back the Friendship Cup hockey game on Saturday evening, [and] the popular downhill costume competition.”

Check out the photo slide show of past years, then search for discount travel tickets for this weekend.

Photos: Dick Mitchell