2010 Aspen Olympian Send-off Party a Success!

Seven U.S. Olympic Athletes are directly associated with Aspen, CO and the town threw a huge send off party to get these athletes to the Olympics in style. Hometown pride filled the air as hundreds gathered in the Gondola Square with the goal of "inspiring and celebrating athletic achievement," according to the Aspen Times.

Gretchen Bleiler, Casey Puckett, Alice McKennis and Chris Klug were there in person for the event, while parents of Simi Hamilton, Jake Zamansky and Jeremy Abbott represented them. All of the athletes either reside in the valley, or in Abbott’s case, grew up here.

Aspen Skiing Co. CEO Mike Caplan presented the athletes with a Silver Aspen belt buckle with an aspen leaf made by Ross Andrews Jewelry Design. This is a classic piece of Aspen, and it is said that if you are anyone in Aspen you will have one of these belt buckles. Photo courtesy of Aspen Times, Heather Rousseau

So off the Olympians go, knowing they have the support of the town of Aspen and the rest of the country to support them.

Get to know the Olympic side of Aspen and get cheap lodging deals when you stay at the Inn at Aspen based at the bottom of Buttermilk Mountain, home of the ESPN X Games and training grounds of Aspen's Olympians!