Snowmass Village, Colo., (February 9, 2023) – 41 years of Mardi Gras tradition returns to Snowmass Village on Fat Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Festivities include a Bead Toss by the 2023 Mardi Gras King & Queen Brian & Sherrill Olson, a Bud Light HiFi Concert featuring SNACKTIME, performers and a DJ, and Snowmass S’mores. The Mother of All Ascensions Uphill Race also takes place starting February 21.

“Mardi Gras is one of our most beloved winter traditions,” says Rose Abello, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “We are thrilled to celebrate Fat Tuesday with music, performers, and beads, beads, beads! We are also so proud to honor Sherrill and Brian Olson, who have been a part of the Snowmass community for many years. Their commitment to Snowmass makes them the ideal pick as this year’s royalty.”

All Hail the Mardi Gras King & Queen

Brian & Sherrill Olson are long time Snowmass Village residents. Brian rolled into cozy Snowmass Village in 1980, after riding an Amtrak train from Wisconsin to Colorado. He began working for the Town of Snowmass Village’s police department in 1987. Sherrill was a popular personality on the Snowmass golf course in 1990, providing drinks and sandwiches from her cart to local golfers. Sherrill’s love for hospitality and guest services led her to provide first class vacation experiences for Snowmass guests. Sherrill continues that endeavor as the Assistant General Manager at the Top of the Village Condominiums, a Hyatt/Destination Hotels property. The two met when Brian bumped into Sherrill in the Mountain Dragon Restaurant one afternoon. After a brief chat, he learned she had packed up her truck and was moving back to California. In the following days he asked her out on a date. Needless to say, Sherrill didn’t move, and they’ve been happily married for over 25 years. Brian and Sherrill still see the small cozy Village they experienced when they first arrived.

“Snowmass Village is a caring, resilient, and beautiful community and by far the best place to live, bar none,” says Sherrill Olson, Mardi Gras Queen. “The people and friends we have met along the way are treasured the most. We look forward to celebrating Mardi Gras with everyone, locals and guests alike…’Laissez les bons temps rouler!’”

Performers, DJs, & Snowmass S’mores
DJ Romy takes the Tower Stage on the Snowmass Mall spinning festive tunes, while Kidtoons features facepainting, bubbles, and other children’s activities from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Art of Air stilt walkers and jugglers rove around Snowmass Base Village from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., adding a carnival atmosphere to the Bud Light HiFi Concert. Snowmass Tourism’s daily Snowmass S’mores takes place on the Snowmass Mall only, starting at 3:30 p.m.

Bud Light HiFi Concert & Bead Toss

Join the Mardi Gras King & Queen at the Bud Light HiFi Concert in Snowmass Base Village from 3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., featuring SNACKTIME, a Philadelphia based brass band. The annual Mardi Gras Bead Toss starts at 3:15 p.m. from the concert stage, with music to follow at 3:30 p.m.

The 31st Annual Mother of All Ascensions

The 31st Annual Mother of All Ascensions returns to Snowmass in 2023. Strap on a pair of snowshoes, AT boots, telemark gear, or stabilizers to complete the route from Snowmass Base Village to the High Alpine Marketplace in one go, 2,073 feet of elevation gain, between February 21-February 26. This year there is no specific race on Fat Tuesday. Instead, participants must register for the race online and have six days to complete the course. All participants must follow ASC uphill guidelines. Participation is still allowed without an Aspen Snowmass Uphilling Pass; however, participants must sign a waiver during registration. Registration is $30 and $15 from every registration is donated to the Aspen Hope Center. Goodie bags and prize giveaways are included in the registration fee. For more details and to register, visit www.snowfusion.com.

For more information on the Mardi Gras lineup, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/mardigras.

About Snowmass Village, Colorado – A renowned winter playground and vibrant summer community just 9 miles from Aspen, Snowmass consistently ranks as one of the best winter ski areas and summer mountain biking destinations in the world. Snowmass, along with the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the first IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) Gold-Level Ride Center™ in Colorado, only the 5^th in United States, and the 7^th in the world. Snowmass offers guests incredible views of mountain vistas, in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness, open for activities and exploration.

Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, 95 percent slopeside lodging, shopping, unique special events and music – all year round. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit www.gosnowmass.com.

Snowmass Tourism Media Contact: Sara Stookey Sanchez, Public Relations Manager, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or sstookey@gosnowmass.com.

###