Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Get to know longtime Aspen local Mark Tye on The Local's Show in an engaging conversation with host Erik Skarvin. Mark shares his wild journey arriving in Aspen on Christmas Day 1975, becoming a classic ski bum, bartending at legendary spots like the Paragon, Tipler, Little Nell, and Mezzaluna, and living the ultimate "last call to first lift" lifestyle in the party-hearty 70s and 80s era.
He reminisces about iconic après-ski vibes, hidden powder stashes, the Blenderman daiquiri stand, and how skiing defined Aspen's fun, free-spirited community. Mark also dives into his Aspen Après Ski School (a playful tradition since the '70s, complete with pins and spirit-keeping antics) and the recent free speech battle over his politically charged yard art signs—sparking massive local support, media attention, and a city council pause on enforcement.
Expect nostalgic stories, laughs about Aspen's evolution, candid takes on development pressures, lost local vitality, and why defending First Amendment rights matters in this iconic mountain town.
A great show for ski enthusiasts, Aspen locals, Colorado mountain life fans, free speech advocates, and anyone who loves authentic stories from the slopes.
Know Aspen. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
Download the GrassRoots Community Network iOS and Android apps
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
Facebook: facebook.com/GrassRootsCommunityNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/grassrootstv
Web: grassrootstv.org
Get to know longtime Aspen local Mark Tye on The Local's Show in an engaging conversation with host Erik Skarvin. Mark shares his wild journey arriving in Aspen on Christmas Day 1975, becoming a classic ski bum, bartending at legendary spots like the Paragon, Tipler, Little Nell, and Mezzaluna, and living the ultimate "last call to first lift" lifestyle in the party-hearty 70s and 80s era.
He reminisces about iconic après-ski vibes, hidden powder stashes, the Blenderman daiquiri stand, and how skiing defined Aspen's fun, free-spirited community. Mark also dives into his Aspen Après Ski School (a playful tradition since the '70s, complete with pins and spirit-keeping antics) and the recent free speech battle over his politically charged yard art signs—sparking massive local support, media attention, and a city council pause on enforcement.
Expect nostalgic stories, laughs about Aspen's evolution, candid takes on development pressures, lost local vitality, and why defending First Amendment rights matters in this iconic mountain town.
A great show for ski enthusiasts, Aspen locals, Colorado mountain life fans, free speech advocates, and anyone who loves authentic stories from the slopes.
Know Aspen. Watch GrassRoots.
GrassRoots programming is made possible by the producers' creativity itself, direct contributions from viewers, members of the Roaring Fork Valley community, and through grants from the Pitkin County Healthy Community Fund, The Town of Snowmass Village, the City of Aspen Community Non-Profit Grant Program, and The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Founded by citizens of Aspen, Colorado in 1972, GrassRoots TV is the first and oldest community operated and programmed open-source media center and television station in the United States. Virtually all of the programming is created by local residents, occasionally with world renown guests.
In partnership with the American Archive of Public Media and the Library of Congress, GrassRoots is currently cataloguing, restoring and digitally archiving 700 of the most at-risk original video programs out of its 45,000 title Community Video Archive.
Help sustain this community treasure by donating now! Go to:
bit.ly/GRTVContribute
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, HIT LIKE and leave a COMMENT to let us know if you enjoyed this video, it is important to us and the community for you to become part of the conversation. Thanks for tuning in!
Download the GrassRoots Community Network iOS and Android apps
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2Ycpi4P
Facebook: facebook.com/GrassRootsCommunityNetwork
Twitter: twitter.com/grassrootstv
Web: grassrootstv.org
