Aspen offers $25,000 ‘Ultimate Ski Pass’

by Kraig Becker on

The Aspen Ski Company is offering a very exclusive – and very expensive– option for anyone who wants to hit the slopes in the Colorado mountain town this season. Skiers and snowboarders with deep pockets can opt for the Ultimate Ski Pass, which grants them a bevy of special privileges but comes with a hefty $25,000 price tag. Before you experience cardiac arrested brought on by sticker-shock however, you should know that money raised is going to a variety of good causes.

The perks for Ultimate Ski Pass holders include the opportunity to meet the U.S. Women’s Ski Team when they compete in Aspen later this month at the 2011 Winternational World Cup. They’ll also receive two VIP passes to that event, as well as breakfast with Bill Marolt, the President of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. Additionally, they’ll be entitled to a behind the scenes tour of Aspen-Snowmass and be allowed to ride along on a snowcat grooming session.

While those opportunities may be intriguing to some, the real benefit for avid skiers is that the pass includes unlimited first tracks on fresh powder. What that means is that pass grants its holder, and three of their friends, access to the mountain before it opens to the public, on any day of the season, giving them the opportunity to be the first down the hill on those days.

The Ultimate Ski Pass provides access to four different hills, including Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk. Additionally, there are only 18 Ultimate Passes available for sale, one of which has already been sold.

Proceeds from the sale of these rather pricey tickets will go to public schools in Aspen and toward supporting World Cup skiing events that take place there as well.

[Photo courtesy Aspen Snowmass]

The New York Comedy Festival comes to town this month

by Jessica Festa on

The 8th annual New York Comedy Festival will be coming to town from November 9-13, 2011. Comedians like Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., Tracy Morgan, Wanda Sykes, and more will be putting on hilarious shows for the public during this five day event. There will also be a collaborative tribute in honor of the late comedian, Mike DeStefano, on Wednesday, November 9th, with the proceeds going towards the Mike DeStefano Foundation.

Some other acts to watch for include:

These are just a few of the many acts the New York Comedy Festival has to offer. To see a full schedule and to purchase tickets, click here.

4 free street fairs to check out this weekend in New York

by Jessica Festa on

As the day turns to night earlier and earlier, we only have a little longer to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. For those in the New York City area this weekend, enjoy fun in the outdoors by attending some of these street fairs.

Saturday, November 5, 2011:

American Diabetes Association’s World’s Largest Block Party

Explore over 400 exhibitors of art, crafts, collectibles, antiques, fashion, and more, from 10AM-6PM. This free event runs down Madison Avenue from 42nd-57th street, and will also feature free entertainment and over 50 cultural and corporate displays giving information and free samples.

West 4th Street Festival

From 11AM-6PM, stroll down West 4th in between Sixth Avenue and University Place to experience a great outdoor festival in Greenwich Village. Enjoy free music and entertainment while you browse stalls selling arts and crafts, food, housewares, and unique gifts.

Sunday, November 6, 2011:

Bleeker Street Festival

This free street fair will take place from 11AM-4PM along Bleeker Street in between Lafayette Street and Laguardia Place. Explore Soho by perusing the many market stalls and sampling delicious food from local vendors.

Sixth Avenue Autumn Fair

Sixth Avenue will be full of festivity from 10AM-4PM. The free fair will take place in between 34th and 42nd Streets and will feature plenty of great food and vendors as well as fall-inspired music and entertainment.

Hiker sets speed record for Pacific Crest Trail

by Kyle Ellison on

Sure, it’s been a couple of weeks now, but this story is simply too remarkable to not be told again.

According to the Wend blog, 39-year-old Scott Williamson of Truckee, California officially accomplished my life goal of thru hiking the Pacific Crest Trail for an incredible 13th time. Ever since I was old enough to trace the dotted line of a hiking trail on a dirty paper map I have harbored a primal desire to walk the entire length of the 2,627 mile trail that runs from Mexico to Canada.

As if that isn’t impressive enough, this time he set the PCT speed record by completing the mountainous journey in an astoundingly fast 64 days, 11 hours, and 19 minutes. A quick trip to my calculator tells me that in order to finish the trail in that time, Williamson traveled at a pace of just over 40 miles per day.

Think about that for a minute. 40 miles per day. Every day. For over two months.

This, of course, doesn’t include various resupply stops that added upwards of 20 additional miles to what I would already categorize as a fairly lengthy walk.

Though this was his record-setting 13th time on the PCT, Williamson has also completed the coveted Triple Crown of long-distance hiking by trekking the 2,181 mile Appalachian Trail, as well as the 3,100 mile Continental Divide Trail.

As if you needed more reasons to be impressed, Williamson completed the entire journey with a bullet lodged in his neck from an injury he sustained years ago while working as a convenience store clerk. In what was seen as a potential gang initiation, Williamson claims the gunman shot him at such a point-blank range that the heat from the muzzle of the gun burned off his eyebrows.

Williamson’s new goal now that he holds sole claim to the PCT title? Perhaps to come back again next year and do it even faster–although this time, he claims, he may want to bring some friends along. It can get real lonely out there in them hills.

Photo {douglemoine on Flickr}

Video: A year in New York

by Jessica Festa on

Andrew Clancy, a freelance photographer, cameraman, and editor who graduated from the National Film School in I.A.D.T. in Ireland and is currently based in New York, has spent the last year wandering the streets of the Big Apple with his Canon 7D, or S95, shooting footage of what was going on around him. He manages to capture not only the major sights of the city, but also rare moments and events that give you insight into the feelings and emotions of its people. And, with the background song “We Don’t Eat” by James Vincent McMorrow turned on loud, it is easy to feel a bit emotional while watching.

A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.