GSAspen Snowmass announces the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals event schedule for the World Cup Village as well as three nights of free Bud Light Hi-Fi concert performances in Wagner Park, located downtown Aspen. The events will be part of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals scheduled Mar. 15-19, featuring the top alpine ski racers in the world vying for the coveted crystal globes on the famed slopes of Aspen Mountain. Complimentary viewing will be available in the grandstands, along the course and in the designated Audi Fan Zones.
The World Cup Village will be located downtown Aspen in Wagner Park, and will include a big screen for live race viewing along with a full schedule of activities, parties, food, bar with daily aprs specials and concerts. Each day will host a themed party after the official awards have been presented in the finish arena. All events and activities in the World Cup Village are free and open to the public.
In addition to the array of events and activities taking place in the World Cup Village, three Bud Light Hi-Fi concerts will take place during World Cup Finals and will feature performances by Michael Franti & Spearhead, Gogol Bordello and Vintage Trouble. This marks the 14th season Aspen Snowmass has hosted the free Bud light Hi-Fi concert series.
The Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series.
Aspen has always been about quality ski experiences and memorable off-hill activities, and World Cup Finals will embrace that idea, says John Rigney, vice president sales and events, Aspen Skiing Company. Were hosting the best athletes in the world, and the conditions in March will be fantastic. Weve been equally focused on throwing a great party for an amazing ski town, creating a welcome atmosphere for locals and guests from around the globe to convene right in the heart of Aspen. Its a cant-miss week.
Wednesday, Mar. 15 will kick-off the festivities with Americas Downhill Kick-Off Party that will include music and an American-style backyard BBQ. There will be a U.S. Ski Team autograph signing followed by a Roch Cup Presentation for the winner of the Mens Downhill. That evening at 7 p.m., a soccer tournament will take place at Wagner Park with the nations coaches and team members as the players. Spectators are welcome.
An Alps themed party will take place Thursday, Mar. 16 with classic European music, dancers, German sausages, beer and more. The Denver based Kicker Schuhplatters will be performing along with the alpenhorn band The Rhinelanders. The party will kick off at 2 p.m. and run until 6 p.m. followed immediately by the first Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert featuring Vintage Trouble at 7 p.m. Vintage Trouble is an American soul and blues-rock four-piece band formed in Hollywood, Calif. in 2010. Their sound has been described as “retro,” reminiscent of a number of late 1950s and 1960s blues and rock artists, such as The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry and The Animals.
With St. Patricks Day on Friday, Mar. 17, the themed party of the day will pay tribute to this holiday with Irish food, music by the Juice O the Barley Band and dancing. At 6:15 p.m. there will be a Womens Slalom Top 15 Autograph Signing followed by the Womens Slalom Top 15 Bib Draw. Gogol Bordello will close out the night with a performance as part of the Bud Light Concert. Gogol Bordello is a an American Gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, formed in 1999 and known for theatrical stage shows and persistent touring. Much of the band’s sound is inspired by Gypsy music mixed with punk and dub. The band incorporates accordion and violin (and on some albums, saxophone). The concert will kick off at 7 p.m. in Wagner Park.
Saturday Mar. 18 will pay tribute to Aspens long-standing history of hosting world-class ski racing. This will include former World Cup race winners, Olympians and other contributors to Aspens race history with aprs-ski party performance by The Airborne Band. A Mens Slalom Top 15 autograph signing will take place at 6:15 p.m. followed by the Mens Slalom Top 15 Bib Draw and the Bingham Cup will be awarded. The evening will wrap-up with a performance by Michael Franti & Spearhead in Wagner Park and a grand finale celebration of fireworks over Aspen Mountain. Michael Franti is an American rapper, musician, poet, spoken word artist and singer-songwriter. He is the creator and lead vocalist of his current independent project, Michael Franti & Spearhead, a band that blends hip hop with a variety of other styles including funk, reggae, jazz, folk and rock. The concert will start at 7 p.m.
The World Cup Village at Wagner Park will include activities for kids, event merchandise available for purchase and sponsor displays including a unique ski-race history museum created in partnership between Coldwell Banker Mason Morse and the Aspen Historical Society. Wagner Park will also be home to the annual World Cup art display, including a ski boot mural with paintings from local school children as well as World Cup canvas art created by contestants.
All food and beverages in Wagner Park will be for-purchase.
The Bud Light Hi-Fi Concert Series is sponsored by Bud Light, Snowmass Tourism, Audi, Helly Hansen, GoPro, Coca-Cola, Frias, Belly Up Aspen, Lavazza and Perky Jerky.
Mikaela Shiffrin wins her second straight Nature Valley Aspen Winternational slalom. (U.S. Ski Team – Tom Kelly)
*subject to change
For further event information, visit www.aspensnowmass.com/worldcupfinals.
