The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Living Journeys and Smaine Fund to benefit
By Than Acuff
Aaron Blunck is dropping into the 2023/2024 halfpipe season this week at the Copper Grand Prix but once he’s done there, he is turning his attention to his annual fundraiser at the Elevation Hotel on Saturday, December 23.
Blunck hosted the first fundraiser last year around the same time bringing together the Crested Butte community and beyond during the holiday season. It was a who’s who of local characters and a great opportunity for people to connect, or re-connect, during a hectic holiday season. In the end, Blunck was overwhelmed by the event’s success in just its first year in existence.
“I was expecting around 75-100 people and couldn’t believe there were 200-250 people who showed up,” says Blunck. “It was really cool to be able to do something for somebody else.”
Proceeds from the event last year went to local cancer support group Living Journeys and the Crested Butte Avalanche Center. This year Blunck will be raising money for Living Journeys again and the Smaine Fund, named after friend and fellow halfpipe competitor Kyle Smaine who died in an avalanche in Japan in January of 2023.
The Smaine Fund is a charity dedicated to supporting up-and-coming athletes in outdoor sports and believes that every athlete, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to pursue their passion and achieve their dreams. By providing financial support, mentorship, and training programs, the Smaine Fund aims to help athletes reach their full potential.
“Kyle was a super good friend of mine and I get to honor my friend,” says Blunck. “I don’t think there’s anyone in skiing that loves skiing more than he did. The fund will help kids who need whatever it is they need, the whole nine yards.”
The fundraiser starts at 3:30 p.m. and includes an autograph signing by Blunck, a silent auction, a gift drawing and a showing of the Head Freeskiing movie, Unified. Tickets are $15 and include a drink from Epic Western as well as a tasting. Tickets can be purchased at the door, through Blunck’s social media channels or via a QR code on posters throughout town. Last year the event raised over $4,000 and Blunck hopes to keep that momentum going in the second year.
“We’re just hoping to raise a little bit more,” says Blunck. “Just trying to do right for the community and do right for a friend of mine.”
Following that, Blunck will have some time off from competing to follow his passion—skiing—and then returns to action at the X Games in Aspen January 26-28. From there Blunck has halfpipe competitions in Mammoth, California and Calgary, Canada, all part of the FIS World Cup. Blunck already has a World Cup Crystal Globe in his trophy case and is on the tour this season just to ski.
“I’ve been so fortunate to have good results in my career, but I just want to go ski,” says Blunck. “If the results come, they come. And if they don’t that’s okay. I’m just skiing to ski.”
