Saddle Sore: Snow season musings and a party most grand
Tony Vagneur/Courtesy photo
Potpourri — “a combination of incongruous things,” according to the dictionary. My long-time hero, Mary Eshbaugh Hayes, ubiquitous Aspen Times columnist and photographer, displayed it quite capably in her book, “Aspen Potpourri.”
It happens every year, early season — one can’t legally get off the mountain without coming out at the top of Little Nell. No harm in that, unless you left your sharp edges at home. Not much harm in that, either, if you do 3 or 4 turns down to Schuss Gully flats, and then you’re pretty much home free — unless you crash on the flats or run into someone.
The ski patrol used to have a shack at the top of Nell (The first #4 lift went all the way to the top, a two-seater), and next to the engine room was the patrol shack. Wow, big enough for two men to barely turn around, and in the protocol of the day, two lucky patrollers would be stationed at that spot for one week.
Once we got the rigs made up in the morning (Toboggans that were used to haul wrecks down from the day before) and sent back up on Jack Ilgen’s snowcat, there wasn’t much to do other than recording the temperature at the patrol shack (important in avalanche forecasting) and keeping an eye on the lower mountain. We got a lot of altitude sickness-stricken folks stopping by — too much fun the night before without allowing time to acclimate a bit before pulling out all the stops. We may have saved lives.
Stick with me now: That was in the 1970s, and change was on the way.
A stoplight rudely appeared at the intersection in front of the Hotel Jerome, 1972. Badly needed. Once I witnessed a man in ski boots, crossing a slushy Main, walk over the top of a foreign car, expressing his displeasure at almost being hit. Lift One, or Lift #1, the Tuna Trolley as some knew it, was replaced with 1A, and not everyone thought that was a great idea. The gondola was built in 1986; Ritz Carlton 1992: new Sundeck in 1999.
A couple of nights ago, thanks to Laura Neroulias, this writer and his lovely “plus” were invited to the Snow Lodge at the St. Regis for a Friends and Family Opening Night celebration. In its 6th season and known for its curated programming and celebrity guests, it has quickly become an Aspen hotspot.
Not my usual fare, as you might have guessed, but the celebrity part is likely why a wizened ol’ rancher and ski bum like myself would be invited to such an upscale event. Ha!
Our host, Chris, was exemplary (along with a beautiful, unnamed Venezuelan lady) in greeting us and getting us seated at our table, where in a matter of moments, our waiter, Josua (Joshua), was attentive and most welcoming. He made life easy by anticipating our needs and questions, and from the friendly menu, we chose Alamosa Striped Bass and a Prime 16 oz. NY Strip. Both delicious — the steak grilled to perfection. Topped off with tiramisu and Il’ Flotant.
The kid on the piano box, Louie Middleton, did a monster job on the keys. Blues, a little boogie, some old-time favorites, and he could sing, as well. In the two or more hours we were there, he never took a break.
As the evening developed, we were surrounded by beautiful, young women — a dream view for the few men in attendance — but none so delightful as my partner, Deborah.
This year, Wintersköl has been moved from January to December, based on what appears to be weak reasoning by ACRA. What happened to tradition? Oh, that went out the door when the Wintersköl parade was canceled years ago. Too much politically correct thinking going on, in this writer’s estimation.
If you want a taste of what keeps us grounded in the face of insistent change, take a stroll over to the Aspen Historical Society on Dec. 16, 4-6 pm. Various local characters will be presenting a reading of Jony Poschman’s poems, put together in a book, “Words Unsaid,” also containing many of Jony’s sketches and paintings. It’s very likely you will find the basics and beauty of Aspen and skiing in her poetry, timeless, and coming from her soul. Her work is essential and much appreciated. Books will be for sale.
See you there.
Tony Vagneur writes here on Saturdays and welcomes your comments at ajv@sopris.net.
Tony Vagneur writes here on Saturdays and welcomes your comments at ajv@sopris.net.
