As told to Katie Shapiro
Images by Caelinn Donahue
I always have a lot of projects swirling around in my mind that I never feel like I have time for, but since I’m going skiing no matter what, I knew my podcast, The Gondolacast, was something I could do at the same time. I’m never going to neglect going skiing.
I started by getting in the gondola with strangers, but for the most part, now I invite specific characters in the story of Aspen—Olympians like Alex Ferreira and Wiley Maple, or the mayor and the sheriff. The whole premise is that we’re heading up to ski. The first ride always feels a little crusty— people are cold, maybe it’s their first-ever interview—but after we take the first run and are back on the gondola, the conversation changes. There’s excitement in recapping the route. That’s the best part of this podcast for me.
I keep a running list of people I want to interview each season—one news article could break, and there’s my next guest. A huge get for the upcoming season would be developer Mark Hunt because no one’s really heard from him yet. Talking to personalities like him are like getting messages in a bottle about the future of Aspen. I like that it’s a contribution I can make to this town.
When I ski down into town, I can see the bright blue Moncler building that was formerly Aspen Drug, which my parents used to own. The family business is in Snowmass Village now, but it’s still a special sight and reminder of their legacy. I work to carry that on through the service and selection at both of our stores, Sundance Liquor & Gifts and The Snowmass Dispensary. I love playing curator and think we have the best wine selection in the valley—visitors from around the world have been shopping with us for almost four decades. And now, we also offer the best cannabis in the state. I’m a flower guy at heart, and since we’re independent, I can source from the best growers.
After competing as a freeskier growing up, I judged events like the Winter X Games in Aspen for a long time. Judging lost its allure as I was becoming more passionate about music —I lived in Berlin for a few years working as a DJ and producing music—but freeskiing shaped who I am. It guides my tolerance for risk and how I analyze comfortability in sketchy situations, and it’s still my church. It’s still when I feel the most me and the most alive.
What’s so fun about skiing each of the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass is that you can make a plan based on the day’s conditions. A perfect day for me is the little fitness lap I developed for Highland Bowl. I ski down from my house to the bus stop and then head straight up to hike it. I like to go out early, breathe deep, feel the burn, and get back in time for a cup of coffee with my wife. I can get door to door in two hours. Breakfast at Bonnie’s and cruising on Ajax together is pretty untouchable, too. This season, the first Saturday on Hero’s, the newly expanded terrain on Aspen Mountain, is going to be so cool—talk about feeling that local flair.
I feel an extreme commitment and loyalty to this place. Even when I’m not physically in Aspen, my dreams only ever take place in Aspen. It’s weird I’ve traveled and lived all over the world, but I’ve never dreamt anywhere else. I definitely feel like Aspen is changing, but the more people give up on Aspen and move away, then who will be left to keep anything positive rolling?
When you get on the gondola on a powder day, the chances are high you’re riding with one of those longtime locals who arrived here in the ’70s, like my parents. Skiing alongside them brings me hope that the spirit of Aspen is still alive and well.