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‘Winter’ film Aspen premier set for Nov. 22

Dale Strode
The Aspen Times
Aspen's Wiley Maple looks ahead as he competes in a downhill. A benefit for the Aspen ski racer will be heldl Nov. 22 at the Belly Up.
U.S. Ski Team photo |

With winter fever gripping Aspen as the opening of Aspen Mountain looms Saturday, “Winter” is coming to town.

The Ski Channel film produced by Aspen’s Mike Marolt and Montezuma Basin Productions, “Winter” will make its Aspen premier at the Belly Up on Friday, Nov. 22, as a benefit to assist Aspenite Wiley Maple’s bid to make the U.S. Ski Team for the Sochi Winter Olympics.

The special benefit will help raise funds for Maple’s travel and training costs for the upcoming race season.



A reception and silent auction is set for 5:30 p.m. The film will be shown at 6:30 p.m.

The silent auction will feature Oakley and Strafe products as well as products and gift certificates donated by Aspen shops and restaurants. Participating establishments include Mezzaluna, L’Hosteria, Matsuhisa, Rustique, Jimmy’s, Big Wrap, Victoria’s, Kenichi, Red Onion and others.




Maple is a member of the World Cup Speed Team for the U.S. Ski Team, one of the only recent Aspen skiers to compete in a World Cup downhill.

Last year, Maple returned form injury to win the Europe Cup downhill at Val d’Isere, France.

He’s currently training at Copper Mountain with the U.S. team.

Tickets for the Nov. 22 benefit can be purchased at the Belly Up box office or online at the Belly Up website.

Maple, rebounding from a torn ACL, returned to win the prestigious Europa Cup downhill. He also competed in the rugged Arctic Man Ski and Snowmobile race in Alaska, an event won by teammate Marco Sullivan.

“It’s extremely motivating to know that you can still find speed after a tough series of injuries,” Maple said of his return to top form last season. “I felt really good in training all week leading up to Val d’Isere and knew I had a shot to do something special there.”

Maple, the son of Mike and Julie Maple, started with the U.S. Ski Team Development Program in 2009. Sister Alexandra Maple was a ski racer at the University of Colorado, where Mike Maple also was a ski racer.

dstrode@aspentimes.com