Aspen Colorado in Tree

Aspen Colorado panty trees are a cherished tradition of the residents of the city of Aspen in Pitkin County, CO. But what started out as a tradition that warms the hearts of both locals and tourists, Aspen Colorado panty trees have become a commercialized and sold venture.

The commercial turn that Aspen Colorado panty trees are now taking was spurred first when Vail copied the tradition to attract more people into the place. Later, a slew of other resorts did the same and not long after, Aspen Colorado panty trees were sprouting everywhere, even going so much as to become the main topic of conversation for a group of visiting tourists.

Grand Marnier, the sweet French orange liqueur, is using the idea of the Aspen Colorado panty tree in its latest ad campaign about conversation starters. Its inspiration? Yes, you got it. Aspen Colorado panty tree as displayed by Vail in Sun Down Bowl under Chair 5 (the High Noon lift). Apparently, Vail’s Aspen Colorado panty tree attracted the attention of a Grand Marnier veep and became the prime topic of conversation among his group during a recent ski trip to Vail.

But Vail wouldn’t even have its Aspen Colorado panty tree and the free publicity it has generated if it were not for the original Aspen Colorado panty tree.

It was in the early 1980s when the first known Aspen Colorado panty tree began to take shape in the rocky mountains of this former mining camp. According to veteran Aspen Mountain ski patroller, Tim Cooney, Aspen Colorado panty tree first came into being when someone threw a rather large bra onto the branch of an aspen tree under Lift 5 (the Bell Mountain chair). On the item in question, a scribble could be found – the name of a controversial Aspen Skiing Co. vice president. No one could remember the point of the statement now, but somehow the spirit of jest and humor continued to live on and spread like wildfire.

Bell Chair’s Aspen Colorado panty tree had its heydays throughout the 80s. About 40 to 50 panties, bras, and other undergarments could be spied from the slow lift at any give time from the Aspen Colorado panty tree.

“People went out of their way to get exotic,” Cooney recalled. What’s more, the Aspen Colorado panty tree seemed to symbolize rebellion as evidenced by the time when Skico tried to discourage the locals from tossing down their skivvies. The company’s threat to cut down the tree and pull the passes of underwear-throwing offenders only led to branches filling up even faster.