Asher on Aspen: Making waves in the mountains

Celebrating the 26th annual bash for the Buddies

Some parties are about being seen. This one’s about showing up.

I arrived at Merry-Go Ranch last Saturday evening, where the drinks were flowing and the energy felt easy — elevated, but relaxed. The 26th Annual Bash for the Buddies was underway, and with its “Making Waves” theme, guests leaned into coastal sophistication: breezy fabrics, elegant resort wear, and just enough seaside glam. It was beautiful, sure — but more than that, it felt genuine. This was a night about connection, not just celebration.

I have covered plenty of gala-style soirées in this town — often with a notepad in one hand and a cocktail in the other — but the Buddy Bash feels different. It lands somewhere deeper. Maybe it is the way people actually listen during the program. Maybe it’s the lack of ego in the air. Or maybe it’s because I used to be a Big Buddy myself — to a bright, spirited girl named Eleanor, whose smile could cut through the darkest days of the pandemic. We made art, we skied, we cheered at the X Games. We went to the movies. We made silly TikToks and spoke in over-the-top British accents while quoting “Harry Potter.” We did what buddies do: We showed up for each other.

Walking into Merry-Go Ranch that night, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be — wrapped in a hot pink dress that swirled with every step. Sometimes, it just feels good to get dressed up for a fun night out, especially when it’s in support of something that truly matters. I felt proud to be there, knowing I had once played a small part in this incredible organization. This wasn’t just another Aspen party; it was a celebration of mentorship, and I was grateful to be part of it.

The property, tucked between groves of aspen trees and towering mountain peaks, had been completely transformed. White tents swayed in the breeze, string lights twinkled overhead, and there was a light, cheerful feeling in the air. Gail and Lenny “Boogie” Weinglass hosted with their usual charm and flair, while Erika and Karim Souki — this year’s honorees — were showered with gratitude for their enduring generosity.

The evening kicked off with “Taste of the Valley,” a culinary showcase featuring beach-inspired bites and sips from restaurants across the Roaring Fork Valley — think fresh tuna tartare, mango ceviche, and handcrafted cocktails that went down easy and left a lingering smile. As the sun dipped behind the peaks, the band Tunisia took the stage, filling the tent with bright, buoyant energy and a wave of nostalgia as they launched into feel-good favorites from the Beach Boys.

After cocktail hour, guests sat down to a classic gala-style dinner — four courses, beautifully plated, and just formal enough to remind you this was a special night. Between bites and conversation, the atmosphere shifted into something deeper as the live auction and paddle raise got underway. One by one, paddles shot up across the tent, each number a silent promise of support. It was moving to witness — not just the generosity, but the collective belief in what the Buddy Program stands for: real relationships, built over time, that change lives.

Over one-third of the Buddy Program’s annual funding is raised from this very night. That’s not just a statistic — it’s the fuel that keeps the engine running. It’s art classes and ski passes. It’s phone calls and pickup games. It’s being there for each other.

I thought about Eleanor that night. I still do. I hope she knows I send her light every time she crosses my mind. Being her Big Buddy wasn’t just something I did — it was something that shaped me. And that’s the beauty of the Buddy Program: You think you’re showing up for someone else, but it turns out, they show up for you, too.

The Buddy Bash may masquerade as a beach party in the mountains, but underneath the rosé and resort wear lies something far more powerful — a tidal force of community, love, and the belief that one relationship really can change a life.

So here’s to the mentors. To the Eleanors of the world. To the joyful dance floors and the quiet conversations. To the waves we’re all trying to make.

And the night Aspen turned into a beach — just long enough to remind us what really matters.