Snowmass Village, Colo., (February 21, 2018) – Snowmass celebrates 37 years of Mardi Gras tradition on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. “Bourbon Street at 8,600 Feet” features a day long party in honor of Fat Tuesday. One of the longest running Mardi Gras parties in the mountains, this year’s Mardi Gras festivities include two bead tosses (one each on the Snowmass Mall and Snowmass Base Village), the Mother of All Ascensions Uphill, a Bud Light HiFi Concert featuring Turkuaz, family entertainment, fireworks, restaurant specials, and more.

This year’s Mardi Gras King and Queen are Lindsay and Shaun Cagley, long time Snowmass Village residents and hospitality industry power couple. Lindsay is the general manager of the newly opened Limelight Snowmass Hotel, and has lived in Snowmass for 7 years. Shaun is the director of sales and marketing for The Crestwood Condominiums and has lived and worked in Snowmass for 13 years. The two met at a ski focused trade show; their love of the mountains, the outdoors, and a nice glass of bourbon bringing them together.

“We love everything about Snowmass, but the mountains and outdoor activities surrounding the Village are what keeps us happy,” says Shaun Cagley, Mardi Gras King. “We are so thrilled to be honored as Mardi Gras royalty, we can’t wait to celebrate and show off the Village to our guests. It’s going to be a great party!”

“Bourbon Street at 8,600 Feet” – Snowmass Mardi Gras Events Schedule:

7:00am – Mother of All Ascensions 27^th Anniversary Uphill Race

The Mother of All Ascensions returns for the 27^th year to kick off Snowmass’ Mardi Gras celebration. Participants start at the base of Fanny Hill in the Snowmass Base Village Plaza for a 7:00am start on snowshoes, stabilizers, telemark gear, track skis, or choice of uphilling gear. The course takes participants on a climb of over 2,000 feet in less than two miles, culminating at Gwyn’s High Alpine for a post-race celebration, costume contest, and awards ceremony, complete with prize giveaways including Atlas snowshoes, Nite Ize accessories, Outdoor Research clothing, Crazy Creek chairs, Keen footwear, and much more. Outrageous Mardi Gras outfits are encouraged to enter the costume contest for prizes. Tickets are $30 in advance/$40 day-of. A portion of this year’s entry fee benefits the Aspen Hope Center. Pre-register online or in person at select locations throughout the valley. For more information or to register, go to snowfusion.com.

12:00-3:00pm – Mardi Gras Entertainment on the Mall

Celebrate Fat Tuesday with crazy carnival festivities including stilt walkers, performers, and the crowning of the 2019 Mardi Gras King & Queen.

2:00pm – Bead Toss on Snowmass Mall

The annual bead toss is back again this year with 10,000 beads thrown off the decks of the Snowmass Mall.

3:00pm – Bead Toss in Snowmass Base Village

New this year, guests can enjoy a second bead toss in Snowmass Base Village, just before the start of the Bud Light HiFi Concert.

3:00-5:00pm – Bud Light HiFi Concert, “Turkuaz” in Snowmass Base Village

Enjoy the sounds of Turkuaz, a Brooklyn-based band combining funk, alternative, rock, and R&B, featuring male-female harmonies, strutting guitars, wild horn arrangements, and interminable grooves. The concert is free and family friendly, with a Kid’s Zone located adjacent to the concert stage, complete with face painters, bouncy houses, and more.

3:30pm – Snowmass S’mores & King Cake

Snowmass Tourism serves up a unique spin on the Snowmass S’more, featuring bourbon flavored marshmallows in honor of the holiday at the S’more cart on the Snowmass Mall. The Classic s’more will also be served. In addition, guests can also enjoy complimentary King Cake from the S’mores cart in Snowmass Base Village. Guests who find the baby receive a special prize!

7:00pm – Fireworks over Fanny Hill

Culminating the celebrations, fireworks over Fanny Hill light up the night sky and slopes of Snowmass at 7:00pm.

All Day Mardi Gras Restaurant Specials:

Base Camp Bar & Grill features a Louisiana seafood bowl, with shrimp and andouille sausage cooked with red potatoes and corn, in addition to themed drink specials from the bar.

Big Hoss Grill is serving $7 hurricanes.

New Belgium Ranger Station features special beer in honor of the holiday.

SAKE is serving a spicy crawfish roll, made with crawfish, avocado, and chili remoulade, with themed drink specials from the bar.

Slice Italian Bistro features a Serbian white bean soup and themed drink specials at the bar.

The Artisan is celebrating with $4 cup, $6 bowl of New Orleans seafood gumbo, as well as a $32 blackened CO striped bass and $10 bananas foster for dessert.

The Edge Restaurant & Bar is serving $22 braised wild boar stew, $28 blackened red snapper with creole sauce, $28 grilled steak with bearnaise sauce, and $8 gumbo.

Venga Venga features a DJ from 3:00pm-8:00pm.

For more information, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/events.

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 ski areas in the world. For 2019, Ski Magazine named Aspen Snowmass the #1 “resort of the year” in the West. Snowmass offers guests incredible views of mountain vistas, in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness, open for activities and exploration. Snowmass offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, 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 Coordinator, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or sstookey@gosnowmass.com.

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