By Brett Davis
Aspen barely has enough time to take down the rainbow flags and clean the saunas before a new breed of sexiness ascends on the city. The 21st Annual Winter X Games celebrated its 14th year in Aspen this year. With record-breaking attendance, this year’s games didn’t disappoint. While at the games, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of ESPN’s sexiest commentators, Luke Van Valin. Here’s what he had to say on marriage, skiing, and Mexican food.
Let’s first start with what everyone wants to know: height, weight, and shoe size?
I am 6’1, 190 pounds, and a 10.5 shoe
Holy moly, we have a winner! How did you get into the sport?
I used to be a big soccer player and I would ski occasionally on the weekends. At 15, everything changed. It became more about jumping and doing tricks [rather than just] going fast. I have a gymnastics background and I loved the thought of jumping on skis and getting paid for it.
Where did you meet your gorgeous wife?
I met my wife here in Aspen at Belly Up. Immediate mutual attraction, lip locking, and there it was.
How does a skier propose to his girlfriend?
Elevation is always important! I didn’t want her to climb a mountain because she’s not really into that, so I went to the roof of her parents’ house where she grew up. It’s like this castle in Denver. I set it up and decked it out with flowers, had a piano up there with a piano player playing “Faithfully” by Journey, and I dropped down!
OMG, so romantic. So where are the top resorts in Colorado to take a date?
Definitely Aspen is number one. Downtown you get the lights and snowflakes and the amazing mountain scene. Vail is also great.
Ok, Aspen and Vail … but where do you take a cheap date?
[laughing] If you want to take a cheap date and have some fun in Colorado, I would go to Keystone. There are still great times to be had there but it’s more the Irish pub atmosphere and cheap (but really good) Mexican food.
Do you show off on a date?
Absolutely! [laughing] My favorite thing is to take a run together and find a few spots where you can show off. Then on the second run, you let them scoot ahead a little bit and then blow past them. If there’s a jump, do a flip–then they know you know something they don’t, and that’s always fascinating.
What’s the best gift to buy your partner who’s a skier?
Goggles. Goggles are something you can have as many pairs as you want and it’s never enough.
What do you do with your date if they don’t want to ski?
Find the best spas in town and send them there. My wife is pregnant right now so she can’t ski. You could also send them to lunch where they serve mimosas. Once the mimosas start flowing, they’re out of your hair.
