FEELING LIKE A LITTLE FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD?
If you’re craving Frankie Goes To Hollywood before or after the Super Bowl—and who doesn’t?—head to Aspen, Colorado in February. Greg Stump’s highly soundtracked ‘80s and ‘90s ski films are featured this month at Aspen’s Radical Wednesdays. As a guest of Aspen Film, Stumpy himself will host four screenings during a February residency at the Isis Theatre. For a ski filmmaker, says Stump, “it’s like performing at the Super Bowl.”
Stump films are backed by iconic ‘80s soundtracks from Seal, 808 State, Iggy Pop and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Featured Aspen films include all the legends:
MALTESE FLAMINGO (1986) in which Director Stump was influenced by Hunter S. Thompson’s Gonzo journalism and Ralph Steadman’s “Ink Splotched” illustrations. Athletes include Tony Hawk, Scott Kennett, Mike Hattrup and Glen Plake.
GROOVE REQUIEM: IN THE KEY OF SKI (1990) set against the timeline of the first Gulf War featuring a blistering windsurfing sequence with Laird Hamilton, and the second-ever “extreme skiing’ contest.
BLIZZARD OF AAHHH’S (1988), regarded by some as one the best ski movies ever made. It is the first collaboration between Greg Stump and Scot Schmidt, and marked the launch of Glen Plake.
The series will be held every Wednesday in February 2024: Feb. 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 7 p.m. Screenings will include Q+A conversations, ski-themed giveaways, and after-parties at Aspen’s Fat City Gallery.
WHISTLER’S ULTIMATE SKI BUM
And while Stumpy goes to Aspen to revive the ‘80s, pro skier Alex Beaulieu-Marchand goes to Whistler to hunt for 2024’s ultimate ski bum. He finds him in Je Paq, a Whistler skier currently living in his car—a Honda Fit. Watch THE ULTIMATE SKI BUM??? to see how this is even possible.
PRIDE BRIGHTENS BLUE MOUNTAIN
Pride Blue Mountain, billed as “Ontario’s largest winter pride fest”, returns to the resort March 1-3, 2024. LGBTQ events include a ski ride parade, comedy acts, a disco skating party, and a Saturday night with Après Ski Kiki featuring Rosé from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
HORROR CRASH FOR VAL GRENIER
Bad news for rising Canadian ski racer Valérie Grenier, who was injured in a “horror” crash during the FIS Ski World Cup women’s super-G at Cortina d’Ampezzo last weekend. Val was taken off the mountain by ski patrol and later diagnosed in Innsbruck with a shoulder injury that will require multiple surgeries.
SAVE THE VILLAGE
Some good news: Revitalization is finally underway of Edelweiss Village, home to Canada’s pioneering Swiss Mountain Guides of the Rocky Mountains. The village near Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, B.C. was formerly up for sale and at risk of demolition. The new owners are collaborating with the Swiss Edelweiss Village Foundation to ensure the area’s history is sustained. Edelweiss’s six Swiss-style chalets will be available for rent starting in Spring 2024.
