Out with Dr. Bill – NYC Eleganza. Aspen Ski Week. And Meet the Neubie

Elmo, Aleks, and a Jacket to Remember

The next night, just two days before Eric and I were off to Aspen Gay Ski Week, I met my talented friend Aleks Zestali at Elmo. Aleks, the creative force behind the fashion label Oro-Jin, showed me a sequined puffer parka he had designed–a shimmering gold masterpiece I was planning to wear in Aspen. The jacket was windproof, waterproof, and filled with 100% goose down–a stunning combination of fashion and function. As he handed it to me, I joked about leaving a trail of sequins in my wake. Aleks just laughed, assuring me the coat was as durable as it was dazzling.

The fit was flawless, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. Aleks has an unmatched talent for combining comfort, practicality, and high fashion, and this jacket was no exception. As I left Elmo, clutching my new treasure, I couldn't stop thinking about his signature sequined tuxedos. With Aleks' designs, one piece is never enough.

Aspen Gay Ski Week: Fun, Fashion, and Philanthropy

After a chaotic journey to Aspen–including canceled flights, rerouting from LaGuardia to Newark, hauling seven bags through baggage claim only to recheck them, and a missing bag that took two days to arrive–Eric and I finally made it to the snow-covered beauty of Aspen, Colorado. Stepping into the crisp mountain air, all the travel drama melted away, and I couldn't help but feel excited to be back for the 48th annual Aspen Gay Ski Week (AGSW).

AGSW was as magical as ever, blending Aspen's stunning peaks with a vibrant celebration of community, inclusivity, and fun.

As the nation's oldest week-long LGBTQ+ ski event, it continues to live up to its legendary reputation. It's also one of the largest LGBTQ+ non-profit fundraisers in Aspen, raising funds for AspenOUT, a local nonprofit dedicated to anti-bullying initiatives and promoting tolerance.

From skiing to lively après-ski parties, the week was packed with activities for everyone.

One of the standout moments was reconnecting with my longtime friend Cheyenne Jackson and meeting his husband, Jason Landau, for the first time. Cheyenne and I have shared over two decades of friendship, and catching up in such a stunning setting felt like a gift. His two sold-out performances with Theatre Aspen were the talk of the town, and it was clear he was captivating both audiences and everyone around him.

The nightly après-ski gatherings at the Limelight Hotel provided the perfect mix of cocktails, conversation, and camaraderie. I loved catching up with friends like Shen, who flew in from the UK, Robert Grunnah from Austin, and neighbors from New York, like Anthony Legouri, among about 90 others who made the trip from Manhattan. With drinks by Diageo, wine from La Crema, and rehydration courtesy of Everybody Water, these evenings were as lively as they were refreshing.

Barry's high-energy HIIT classes at their sleek Little Nell pop-up offered a way to balance the indulgence of the champagne-soaked Cloud Nine mountaintop party. Eric, our longtime friend Rob Rosch (whom regular readers of my column might remember from our Hawaii trips), and Ken Koen with his buddy Allan Woods dove right into the Veuve Clicquot-fueled revelry, though they were sworn to secrecy about the details.

Skiing into Cloud Nine and soaking in the decadent atmosphere with breathtaking views felt like stepping into a dream–and it's no surprise this event has become a hallmark of AGSW.