Snowmass Village, Colo., (February 14, 2020) – Snowmass celebrates 38 years of Mardi Gras tradition on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. One of the longest running Mardi Gras parties in the mountains, this year’s Mardi Gras celebration, themed “Sheer Bourbon Street Bliss”, features the Mother of All Ascensions Uphill, a Bud Light HiFi Concert featuring The Soul Rebels, a bead toss, Duke Taylor and Julie Schopper as Mardi Gras King & Queen, family entertainment, fireworks, and restaurant specials.

This year’s Mardi Gras King and Queen are Duke Taylor and Julie Schopper, both of Gene Taylor’s Sports. Snowmass’ own, Gene Taylor’s Sports, is celebrating 50 years of operations in 2020 and Duke has been at the helm since he started working at the shop at age 23. The shop was originally run by his father, Gene Taylor. Julie Schopper began working at Gene Taylor’s Sports in 1994 and is now the assistant manager. Together, Taylor and Schopper offer guests and locals a truly authentic, Snowmass experience.

“Here’s to another 50 years of Gene Taylor’s and 38 years of Mardi Gras in Snowmass,” says Julie Schopper, Mardi Gras Queen. “I am really looking forward to getting outside of the shop and seeing friends and guests around the Village. We are thrilled to represent Snowmass and Gene Taylor’s!”

“Sheer Bourbon Street Bliss” – Snowmass Mardi Gras Events Schedule:

7:00am – Mother of All Ascensions 28^th Anniversary Uphill Race

The Mother of All Ascensions returns for the 28^th year to kick off Snowmass’ Mardi Gras celebration. Participants start at the bottom 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 prizes. Outrageous Mardi Gras outfits are encouraged to enter the costume contest for prizes. Tickets are $40 in advance/$50 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 – El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band and Carnival Performers on the Snowmass Mall

Celebrate Fat Tuesday on the Snowmass Mall with performances by the El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band and family friendly activities including face painting, stilt walkers, a balloon artist, and more.

3:00pm – Mardi Gras King & Queen Bead Toss in Snowmass Base Village

Come out for the annual bead toss, led by the Mardi Gras King & Queen before the start of the Bud Light HiFi Concert. The bead toss takes place on the Bud Light HiFi stage in Snowmass Base Village.

3:30-6:00pm – Bud Light HiFi Concert, “The Soul Rebels” in Snowmass Base Village

Enjoy the sounds of The Soul Rebels, an eight-piece New Orleans bases brass ensemble, playing soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop, rock, and pop. The concert is free and open to everyone.

3:30-4:30pm – Snowmass S’mores & King Cake

Snowmass Tourism serves up complimentary King Cake from the S’mores cart in Snowmass Base Village in honor of the holiday. Guests who find a baby receive a special prize! The Classic s’more is served daily at the Snowmass Mall cart from 3:30-4:30pm.

6:00pm – DJ Berkel Beats at Base Camp Bar & Grill

Continue the party at Base Camp Bar & Grill with local DJ Berkel Beats. $20 cover, VIP lounge reservations available.

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.

*Please note, there is no Mardi Gras parade.

All Day Mardi Gras Restaurant Specials:

Anderson Ranch Arts Center features a crawfish boil at the Anderson Ranch Café at 5:30pm. The dinner is $35 and include beer and wine. Reservations are required. Please RSVP to rsvp@andersonranch.org.

Bar at Wildwood hosts après with drink special including hurricanes.

Base Camp Bar & Grill features a Louisiana seafood bowl, jambalaya, and fried shrimp po’ boys, in addition to themed drink specials from the bar and $5 hurricanes.

Big Hoss Grill serves hurricanes on the patio and free gumbo from 12:00pm-2:00pm.

Gwyn’s features jambalaya and themed drinks to celebrate the holiday.

Limelight Lounge Snowmass offers Chef Cody’s jambalaya with jalapeno cornbread and bacon butter as a special.

Mix6 features happy hour from 11:30am-7:00pm with hurricane shots, $1 chicken wings, $5 moxi sliders, and $4 Coors.

State38 features a crab and seafood boil complete with gumbo, lobster, snapper, clams, crab, and more, in addition to offering drink special such as the famed Sazerac and Vieux Carré, the oldest signature drink in New Orleans.

Stew Pot serves hurricanes and crawfish jambalaya as a special.

The Edge Restaurant & Bar features a three-course dinner for $29.95 including gumbo, steak, and bread pudding.

Two Creeks Café offers chicken and sausage gumbo and $6 Cajun shots.

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 Manager, Snowmass Tourism, 970-922-2285 or sstookey@gosnowmass.com.

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