BOAT BITES

Bootie Call Naked Ski Day at the Boot Tan Fest

Talk about breathable layers. A gaggle of gals flocked to Bluebird Backcountry on the other side of Rabbit Ears Pass in March to celebrate each other and…nakedness. Connecting with each other, supporting local artists and jamming to live music, the group ended the day by de-skinning and exposing their skin while taking a naked (clothing-optional) ski lap in a safe, judgment-free environment. The run “symbolizes stripping down barriers and systematic bull,” says founder Jenny Verrochi, who conceived the Boot Tan Festival in 2021 when 27 women showed up to strip down. Last year, 250 participants partook and this year, more than 400 gals disrobed to schuss downhill. “It’s truly exceeded my expectations,” says Verrochi. “The outdoor industry is pretty male-dominated and privileged, so we’re keeping it accessible with free tickets to those who can’t afford it. We’re excited to keep it going.” The festival’s values of making the backcountry accessible aligns with Bluebird’s mission. “We love ski culture,” says Bluebird co-founder Jeff Woodward. “Skiing should be fun and playful, laughing with your friends. We’ll support anything that drives ski culture and keeps it fun and a little goofy.”

To that end, the Boot Tan Fest included free beer, a giant snow globe party, dancing, camping and more, culminating with a lap of clothes-free carving. “It was pretty moving to join hundreds of women skinning up together to find live music at the summit, before everyone stripped down and skied down in collective joy,” says Verrochi, thanking all the women and femmes who showed up with vulnerability and created a space for hearts to grow. “It’s truly humbling to think of the joy and connection Boot Tan has created.”

Viva the SHRED Act

Finally, an Act with a sweet acronym as well as cause. Sponsored by Senator Michael Bennet and Congressman Joe Neguse, the Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development (SHRED) Act stipulates that 75% of the funds that come back to national forests where ski areas like Steamboat are located should be used for costs the forest service incurs in overseeing ski area operations there. It would also increase efficiencies in administering permits, worker training, visitor information signs, wildfire preparation, avalanche-related safety education and more. “Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy depends on strong partnership between ski areas, the U.S. Forest Service and our mountain towns,” said Bennet. “The SHRED Act will provide support to our mountain communities and national forests as their landscapes face increased demand.” We just like the name.

Micro Wrestling Invades Oak Creek

Spectators and participants got ready to rumble at The Colorado Bar & Grill in April, as the Micro Wrestling Federation descended on Oak Creek for its heightchallenged showcase. Performing 200 shows a year from coast-to-coast as well as four shows a week in its mini arena in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., the federation is a full-scale, WWE-type event supported by an entire cast under five feet tall. Its participants body slammed, bear hugged, headlocked and more throughout an evening of nonstop action that included single matches, a micro brawl and a Micro Royal Rumble, where all the micro superstars entered the circle and stood tiny toe to tiny toe against one another in the main event. With the coveted belt on the line, only one micro wrestler left as champion. Afterwards, fans stuck around to get autographs from the cast members. “Founded in 2000, the MWF is the longest-running organization within the Little Person wrestling industry,” maintain organizers, adding their wrestlers have been featured in Sports Illustrated, Country Music Television and the WWE. “We’re the number one Little Person wrestling organization on the planet.”