TASP: Blue Party, An Apres Ski Fundraiser & Celebration, 3/20!

18 Mar TASP: Blue Party, An Apres Ski Fundraiser & Celebration, 3/20!

On Thursday, March 20th, 2025 the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) hosts its 29th annual spring fundraiser, The Blue Party. This year the event takes the form of an apres ski event outdoors at the Plaza Member’s Lounge in Mountain Village. The Blue Party runs from 5:30-7:30 pm.

The ticket price –$60; $70 at the door – includes award-winning Emeritus Wine, small bites, a photo booth, poetry station and an early evening filled with dancing to the Woods Hernan Andree Cloonan Quartet, from Steamboat Springs. There is also a live auction for adaptive scholarships and an online auction featuring many one-of-a-kind items and fabulous getaway vacations which will be available starting March 17 until March 23.

Tickets for the event are are available online at https://tellurideadaptivesports.org/event/blue-party-fundraiser/

Funds raised go towards our local and regional scholarship fund, helping individuals with disabilities experience life-changing outdoor adventures right here in Telluride’s backyard.

Go here for more about the auction: https://www.32auctions.com/TASP2025

Go here for more on TASP.

The Blue Party changes lives:

The Blue Party is more than just a fundraising event. It is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of adaptive athletes. TASP Board Member Sam Siegl invites anyone interested in getting involved to come see TASP in action.

“You can commit as much or as little as you want,” Sam explains. “The impact is immediate and tangible. Whether you’re volunteering or donating, you’re part of something special.”

The Blue Party plans to raise $100,000 for adaptive athletes, an effort that will (again) change lives. The signature event marks 29 years of strengthening athletes through skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor activities.

Sam sums up perfectly: “What’s unique about TASP is the direct, one-on-one impact we have with each client. It’s a truly focused, personalized approach.”

The Plaza Lounge in Mountain Village hosts this gathering on March 20, 2025 from 5:30-7:30. A $100 contribution provides a day lift ticket, while $600 enables a season pass with coaching for Special Olympic Athletes.

Below is the story of Blue Party and shares success stories that inspire and demonstrate how your support makes a marked difference in people’s lives.

The Blue Party, a brief history:

The story of the Blue Party begins 25 years ago. Its mission was and remains: support adaptive sports in the Telluride region.

The event got its name from the iconic blue uniforms TASP volunteers and instructors wear. This season, TASP refreshed that logo and introduced updated new blue uniforms as part of an effort to put out a design that truly represents the spirit of TASP, promoting inclusivity, accessibility, and a love for the outdoors.

The Blue Party found its home in different venues over time, but never lost sight of its mission. From the Transfer Warehouse to other locations, the event brings supporters, athletes, and instructors together under one roof.

The 2025 fundraiser marks a special moment in TASP’s calendar as winter programs come to an end and summer activities begin.

Everyone dresses up in their best “blue tie” outfits. TASP has seen everything from blue wigs to blue beads, even blue body suits!

The night comes alive with music, photo booths, and a scholarship auction that helps fund athlete programs.

Money raised helps provide scholarships to regional school group participants, women’s camps, veteran camps, and more, so everyone can experience outdoor recreation regardless of their financial situation.

Stories of changed lives:

TASP’s programs have created success stories that show how adaptive sports can build confidence, independence, and lasting connections beyond athletic skills.

Uschi Hall, TASP adaptive skier, instructor, and board member states that “any small advancement can have an incredible impact on life, self-worth, and confidence.”

Holly Palmer has been an athlete at TASP since 2011 and is now heading off to college — or “UNI,” as higher education is called in her native Australia. A sponsored snowboarder with Burton, Holly was born with achondroplasia, a common form of dwarfism. She describes her condition as simply having short stature and, while smaller than her peers, she emphasizes she can do everything they can do.

Francesco Magisano, a blind athlete from TASP, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Blue Party.

Francesco first came to TASP in 2021, a year that marked his debut on skis. Since then, his journey has grown into something far beyond just skiing. Francesco’s work with Achilles International reflects his deeper mission to help others push the limits of their capabilities. As he expresses on the organization’s website, his passion lies in “guiding people to explore their potential and build healthier, happier lives, regardless of where their journey starts.”

What your $$$ support provides:

Each dollar you contribute helps TASP make lasting improvements in three key areas: instructors, materials/equipment for programs, and operational conditions. Those components are the foundations of maintaining the one-on-one personalized nature of the programs.

Equipment and training: Donations provide top-of-the-line equipment and specialized training programs that boost safety and performance. For example: A sitski can cost up to $10,000. Each Visually Impaired radio headset costs $200.

Scholarship opportunities: Donations allow TASP to provide regional school groups (Montrose, Ridgway, Ouray, Olathe) ski days in the winter and summer camps. $1000 provides a group of regional TASP students with lift tickets and ski coaching for one day.

Community development: Donations strengthen local initiatives and help TASP share information and recruit volunteers. Every year TASP provides an “Enabling All” class to all 5th graders in the region. Young people are taught disability etiquette through a class at the school and on the snow at the offices.

TASP stands behind every donation with transparency and security.