Snowmass Village, Colo., (February 26, 2025) – 43 years of Mardi Gras tradition returns to Snowmass Village on Fat Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Festivities include a Bead Toss by the 2025 Mardi Gras Royality, Mike Sura & Marla Welch; a Bud Light HiFi Concert featuring Spazmatics; kidtoons and DJ Erica; the Mother of All Ascensions Uphill race and party; and fireworks. 

“Mardi Gras is one of our favorite winter traditions here in Snowmass,” says Julia Theisen, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “The event brings such a vibrant energy to the community, with guests and locals alike enjoying the live music, the bead toss, and the unforgettable atmosphere of New Orleans right here in the mountains. It’s a celebration like no other, full of color, fun, and excitement that captures the essence of Mardi Gras, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Snowmass.” 

Mardi Gras Royalty  
The 2025 Snowmass Mardi Gras Royalty are Mike Sura & Marla Welch. Mike met Marla on the Caribbean Island of St. Martin, where she raised her two boys while operating a beach boutique and watersports sectors of a small French hotel. Together, they opened a successful reggae beach bar on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Mike Sura moved to Snowmass Village from Michigan in 1979, hauling the equipment to open Snowmass’ first pizzeria, Mama Maria’s, which he operated until 1996. Mike has served on numerous boards, including the Aspen Chamber Resort Association Board, Aspen Skiing Company Advisory Board, and most recently spent three years on the Snowmass Marketing Advisory Board. Marla moved to Snowmass Village in 2005 and has since worked at the Treehouse Kid’s Adveture Center, helping to raise the Snowmass’ youngest members. To this day she loves leading 4-year-olds on adventures at summer camp. Mike keeps busy skiing almost every day and enjoys golfing at the Valleys many top-rated golf courses. Mike and Marla are staples on Fanny Hill, every Thursday night rain or shine, enjoying the incredible music of the Snowmass Free Concert Series. They have never missed a JAS Labor Day concert, with Mike being in the first 5 people in line to race to the event. Mike and Marla are honored to be named the 2025 Mardi Gras King & Queen. 

The 33rd Annual Mother of All Ascensions 
The 33rd Annual Mother of All Ascensions returns to Snowmass in 2025 and is back to the traditional same day race and party. Strap on a pair of snowshoes, AT boots, telemark gear, or stabilizers to complete the route from Snowmass Base Village to the High Alpine starting at 7:00am on Fat Tuesday. Awards ceremony and prize raffle immediately following the race at The Collective Snowmass. $30 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.   

Royalty Walk, Kids Activities, & DJ Erica 
Kicking off the festivities at 2:00pm, the Royals greet their subjects. Starting on the Snowmass Mall, stop by to say hello to the king, queen, and their royal court as they make their way to Base Village. The Mardi Gras King & Queen will hand out beads, all while accompanied by a live brass band. Also starting at 2:00pm, kid friendly activations from Kidtoons take place in Base Village and on the Mall until 4:00pm, including face painting. From 2:00pm-3:00pm don’t miss DJ Erica spinning tunes on the big stage in Base Village advance of the bead toss.  

Bud Light HiFi Concert & Bead Toss  
Join the Mardi Gras Royalty at the Bud Light HiFi Concert in Base Village featuring the Spazmatics. The annual Mardi Gras Bead Toss starts at 3:00 p.m. from the concert stage, with music to follow from 3:45pm-5:00pm.   

Mardi Gras Fireworks  
Finally, at 7:15pm enjoy fireworks over Fanny Hill to close out Mardi Gras 2024!  

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 5th in United States, and one of only 7 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.  

###