Tickets on sale for Audi Ajax Cup, the largest fundraiser for AVSC

On top of being the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s largest fundraiser, the Audi Ajax Cup has become a holiday staple in town. The 16th annual event will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 30, on Aspen Mountain, with an after party at the St. Regis Aspen.

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning. The Ajax Cup brings in more than $1 million for AVSC through ticket sales, team purchases, the pro auction, and a silent auction.

“The Audi Ajax Cup is not only a really fun day, it’s also the cornerstone of our funding,” said August Teague, executive director of AVSC. “It allows us to subsidize every AVSC program by nearly 50% and provide close to a million dollars in direct financial aid each year. Without it, our programs would be far more expensive and closer to what families pay in other resort communities. We are deeply committed to keeping skiing and snowboarding accessible, but we rely on community support to make that possible.” 

At the heart of the Ajax Cup is a 16-team, dual giant slalom ski race with the coveted Gorsuch Cup going to the winners. Each five-member team is led by a current or former professional, with skiers such as Alex Ferreira, Bode Miller, Alice McKennis Duran, Julia Mancuso, and Daron Rahlves having taken part in recent years, among many, many others.

The race is scheduled to go from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 30. The famed après party is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. The festivities include a silent auction, delicious apps and bites, additional fun, and live music to get the dance vibe going.

All funds raised from this event go into a general scholarship fund benefiting all AVSC programs and athletes in all disciplines. 

“The Audi Ajax Cup is one of those days that really captures the heart of Aspen,” said Ash Farrington, AVSC’s stewardship director. “Since the 1930s, AVSC has grown up alongside Aspen. Whether you’re a guest in town for the holidays or a local who grew up in the club and now has athletes here, this is an opportunity to show up to honor winter sports and AVSC’s important mission of youth access. The celebration is a vibrant reminder of who we are as a community, what we cherish, and why we give back to this incredible cause.”  

AVSC is offering several different tiers of tickets this year, including race-only, après-party only, a combo ticket, and VIP options. Also new this year is a youth race for the kids, to be held later in the day. Participants will be assigned pro athletes for quick coaching and help at the start. The youth race tickets ($39) go on sale Nov. 25 and allows access to the race viewing area and includes discounted food and beverages at RubiRosa.

For tickets and pricing, visit teamavsc.org. VIP tickets may be purchased through the Stewardship Team at VIP@teamavsc.org.