The Queens Take X Games Aspen 2022
Meet the drag queens connecting Gay Ski Week and X Games Aspen like never before.
Bob the Drag Queen (left, ©Jacob Ritts) and Monét X Change (right, ©Steven Simione)
This January, in addition to Aspen Snowmass celebrating 75 years of carving lines and creating possibilities, the 21st annual X Games and the 45th annual Gay Ski Week—the longest running in the country—will take place simultaneously. This means a huge week of not only going big on halfpipe and slopestyle at Buttermilk, but also in vibrant festivities and colorful bashes across all four mountains at Aspen Snowmass.
Gay Ski Week (Sunday, January 16 through Sunday, January 23) is put on by Aspen Out, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the Roaring Fork Valley that promotes tolerance, understanding, and diversity, in partnership with Aspen Snowmass, which will host events and large groups across the resort. The week will be filled with lively happenings both on and off the mountains including Drag Queen Bingo, a downhill costume competition on Aspen Mountain, comedy shows, a wet ‘n’ wild finale pool party, and more.
This year, drag royalty Bob the Drag Queen (HBO’s We’re Here) and Monét X Change (winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars) will be here in Aspen for X Games (January 21 through January 23) for an extreme, and extremely proud, crossover the likes of which this town has never seen. Known for their sharp, witty tongues and fierce ensembles, the two will take Aspen, Colorado by storm with specialty X Games comedic commentary on Saturday and Sunday, which will also be featured across Aspen Snowmass’ social channels.
Gay Ski Week (Sunday, January 16 through Sunday, January 23) is put on by Aspen Out, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the Roaring Fork Valley that promotes tolerance, understanding, and diversity, in partnership with Aspen Snowmass, which will host events and large groups across the resort. The week will be filled with lively happenings both on and off the mountains including Drag Queen Bingo, a downhill costume competition on Aspen Mountain, comedy shows, a wet ‘n’ wild finale pool party, and more.
This year, drag royalty Bob the Drag Queen (HBO’s We’re Here) and Monét X Change (winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars) will be here in Aspen for X Games (January 21 through January 23) for an extreme, and extremely proud, crossover the likes of which this town has never seen. Known for their sharp, witty tongues and fierce ensembles, the two will take Aspen, Colorado by storm with specialty X Games comedic commentary on Saturday and Sunday, which will also be featured across Aspen Snowmass’ social channels.
“Gay Ski Week has been a massive part of our DNA for decades, and X Games has come to define us in showcasing extreme sports and churning out our own talented athletes over the years, why not marry them?” says Aspen Skiing Company Creative Director Mark Carolan. “The spirit of both events lies in fun, passion, and unifying people."
Caldwell Tidicue, better known as Bob the Drag Queen, made a name for herself when she won the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race—and in 2019, she was named one of “the most powerful drag queens in America” by New York Magazine. Kevin Bertin, aka Monét X Change, is a classically trained opera singer and also gained notoriety by appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2018 and later became the first Black queen to be inducted in RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Hall of Fame in 2019.
Caldwell Tidicue, better known as Bob the Drag Queen, made a name for herself when she won the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race—and in 2019, she was named one of “the most powerful drag queens in America” by New York Magazine. Kevin Bertin, aka Monét X Change, is a classically trained opera singer and also gained notoriety by appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2018 and later became the first Black queen to be inducted in RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Hall of Fame in 2019.
X Games Aspen 2022 is shaping up to be a dynamic precursor for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, with homegrown talents like Hanna Faulhaber and Alex Ferreira competing, along with Coloradoans like skier Aaron Blunck and snowboarder Red Girard. Big names like Alex Hall, Maggie Voisin, Birk Ruud, Henrik Harlaut, Mark McMorris, Shaun White, Jamie Anderson, and Aspen ambassador Eileen Gu are also set to battle for a place on the podium that third weekend of January.
The two queens, who are quite openly not familiar with winter sports, hope to add some comedic relief and campy personality to the extreme sporting event. And, while visiting Aspen Snowmass, the two do plan to learn to ski.
The two queens, who are quite openly not familiar with winter sports, hope to add some comedic relief and campy personality to the extreme sporting event. And, while visiting Aspen Snowmass, the two do plan to learn to ski.
“Monét will be better with the poles,” Bob jokes when discussing her co-host's ability to handle equipment on the hill. “Ya’ know, Monet knows how to splickaty-splat and drop it.”
“No, I’ve never been skiing,” offers Bob the Drag Queen. “But I did go inner tubing in Minneapolis a long time ago... but I was laying down. So, I’ve never been upright going down a slope of snow.”
When asked what her expectations are for the slopes, Bob says, “I just expect to see a lot of white people." Bob the Drag Queen has performed in cold places like Alaska, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, so she’s no stranger to cold weather. “Monét will be better with the poles,” Bob jokes when discussing her co-host's ability to handle equipment on the hill. “Ya’ know, Monet knows how to splickaty-splat and drop it.”
“We just hope to add some levity and connection for folks while also putting on a world-class sporting event and hosting one of the premiere Gay Ski Weeks in the country,” says Creative Director Carolan. “It’s all about bringing people together.”
Both Monét X Change and Bob the Drag Queen will be performing their own live comedy show and recording of their podcast, “Sibling Rivalry,” on Thursday, January 20 at the Wheeler Opera House. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see them wandering around the base of Buttermilk, adding their own colorful touch to the 21st annual X Games Aspen.
When asked what her expectations are for the slopes, Bob says, “I just expect to see a lot of white people." Bob the Drag Queen has performed in cold places like Alaska, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, so she’s no stranger to cold weather. “Monét will be better with the poles,” Bob jokes when discussing her co-host's ability to handle equipment on the hill. “Ya’ know, Monet knows how to splickaty-splat and drop it.”
“We just hope to add some levity and connection for folks while also putting on a world-class sporting event and hosting one of the premiere Gay Ski Weeks in the country,” says Creative Director Carolan. “It’s all about bringing people together.”
Both Monét X Change and Bob the Drag Queen will be performing their own live comedy show and recording of their podcast, “Sibling Rivalry,” on Thursday, January 20 at the Wheeler Opera House. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see them wandering around the base of Buttermilk, adding their own colorful touch to the 21st annual X Games Aspen.
Get Involved in Gay Ski Week
From daily après ski parties and group ski and ride sessions across all four mountains to drag queen bingo, a pool party and community fundraisers—discover how to get involved with Aspen's 45th annual Gay Ski Week, taking place January 16 through 23, 2022.
