Snowmass Village, Colo., (February 10, 2021) – Snowmass Mardi Gras 2021, Mask-erade in the Mountains, keeps the 39-year tradition of Mardi Gras alive in Snowmass Village, albeit a little differently this year. While the bead toss and big concert are off the table, Snowmass Village carries on the Mardi Gras tradition with a tribute to the frontline workers and first responders of the Roaring Fork Valley by honoring Nell and Scott Arthur as the 2021 Mardi Gras King & Queen.

“We thought the best way to continue the Mardi Gras tradition in 2021 was to focus on a pair of people who have really devoted themselves to this community and to crown them as king and queen,” says Rose Abello, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “Nell and Scott Arthur truly embody what it means to be a part of, and to give back to, the Snowmass community. We are thrilled to recognize them and all of their hard work this year.”

While the King & Queen may not make appearance the bars and restaurants around Snowmass, keep an eye out on Fat Tuesday (February 16) for Mardi Gras inspired treats at the Snowmass S’mores Carts, bead giveaways at restaurants and retailers throughout the Village, and live music from Bradman & the Flying Tourettes of Berzerkerstan on the Tower Stage on the Snowmass Mall and Dizzy Lizzy in front of The Treehouse in Snowmass Base Village from 2:00pm-5:00pm. In addition, Mother of All Ascensions returns virtually for its 29^th year.

All Hail the Mardi Gras King & Queen

Nell and Scott Arthur, both 30-year Snowmass Village residents, have a long history of frontline and first responder work within the Snowmass community. The pair moved to Snowmass Village in the early 1990’s to pursue their love of the mountains. Scott became the second firefighter/paramedic at the Snowmass Fire Department (now known as Roaring Fork Fire), while Nell took a job at Pitkin County Bank (now known as Vectra Bank). Today, Nell is the lead clerk at the Aspen Valley Hospital, where she works as a liaison between patients and the hospital’s billing department, helping people with financing options, payment plans, etc. She works on the front lines for 8 hours a day, often covering shifts for coworkers impacted by COVID protocols. While Scott was the first firefighter at Roaring Fork Fire to make it to full retirement, he is anything but retired. He works part time with each the Aspen Ambulance District as a paramedic, with the Buttermilk Ski Patrol, and as a training captain with Aspen Fire.

“We are so flattered to be named the 2021 Mardi Gras King & Queen,” says Scott Arthur. “We have lived in Snowmass Village for 30 years and the list of people who have been king and queen before us is a group of true Snowmass luminaries. I would never consider us to be a part of that crowd, so we are well and truly flattered.”

While the Arthur’s have worked in frontline positions for most of their time in Snowmass Village, they don’t see their work as giving to the community, but rather as giving back. “I had cancer a while ago and the support from this community during that time was incredible,” says Scott. “This Village has supported us mentally, monetarily, and physically. We just want to give back to the community that has given so much to us.”

The 29^th Annual Mother of All Ascensions Returns, Virtually

The 29^th Annual Mother of All Ascensions goes virtual for 2021! Strap on a pair of snowshoes, AT boots, telemark gear, or stabilizers to complete the route from Snowmass Base Village to High Alpine, 2,073 feet of elevation gain, between February 15 – February 23. Register at www.snowfusion.com and be sure to download the IYR Virtual App to track vertical and time. Registration is $25 and $10 from every registration will be donated to the Aspen Hope Center. Due to COVID-19 protocols, there is no onsite registration, no mass start on Fat Tuesday, and no afterparty at High Alpine; however, the best goodie bag and prizes in the valley are still up for grabs! From February 25 – 27, registrants can pick up goodie bags at the Base Village Conference Center (pickup times vary). www.gosnowmass.com/event/mother-of-all-ascensions/

For more information, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/mardigras. For photos of Nell & Scott Arthur, please check here.

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 winter ski areas and summer mountain biking destinations in the world. Ski Magazine named Aspen Snowmass the #1 “resort of the year” in the West in 2020, and Snowmass, along with the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the first IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) Gold-Level Ride Center™ in Colorado, only the 5^th in United States, and the 7^th in the world. Snowmass offers guests incredible views of mountain vistas, in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness, open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 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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