This spring we received many old and new friends from our sister city of Bariloche, Argentina. Although different themes motivate these exchanges, they are all driven by the same desire to share experiences, knowledge and cultures, while making meaningful friendships along the way.
We started off with the Adaptive Skiing Exchange- a collaboration between Challenge Aspen and their sister program “Fundación Desafío Bariloche”. The adaptive instructors that participated this year were Majo Franco and Martin Saccomanno. Thank you, Clint and Erin Kinney for hosting them so warmly! This exchange continues to grow and expand opportunities for all. We are grateful to Snowmass Rotary, for their continuous support.
“Aspen y su gran familia te abren las puertas de sus casas, se animan a tomar unos mates con vos y te brindan la posibilidad de compartir, aprender, enseñar y sobre todo valorar. Hay mucho para aprovechar de la combinación de nuestras culturas, de las diferentes miradas que tenemos hacia el mismo punto, con la tranquilidad y satisfacción de saber que los objetivos son los mismos y que todos estamos dispuestos a ofrecer nuestro corazón al prójimo para lograrlos.” Martin Saccomanno.
“Mi intercambio en Aspen fue una experiencia que superó todas mis expectativas… no fue solo una oportunidad de aprendizaje académico y cultural; fue, sobre todo, una experiencia llena de amor y cariño…. disfruté , aprendí y creé lazos que espero conservar siempre”. Majo Franco.
April was the middle school students’ turn to receive a group of 15 kids from Woodville, San Patricio and Capraro schools. Highlights of this exchange: a trip to Denver to see Inter Miami (Messi!) vs Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High, and the farewell dance party! Many thanks to our student coordinator, Carolina Lozano, and to the Bariloche chaperones, Marian Domecq and Mariana Gulch, for taking care of every detail. To the Aspen students, parents and siblings, thank you for your generosity and for treating our Bariloche friends as part of your families!
As the ski season wrapped up in mid-April, we said “hasta pronto” to Javier Eduards, a ski patroller from Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, who spent the entire winter working with the Snowmass Ski Patrol. Thank you, Javi, for your hard work to keep us safe on the mountain, and for your friendship. This cultural and professional exchange is possible thanks to the National Ski Patrol and Aspen Skiing Company.
In early May, a group of four birders from Bariloche flew in: Mariano Diez Pena, Axel de Torres Curth, Cristina Villafane and Helga Sisa. This rounded up our first ever birding exchange, which started in Bariloche in November 2025. This exchange intends to strengthen the bond between these two communities by connecting people with a common interest in birdwatching and environmental protection. This would not have been possible without the generosity and dedication of our local participants who hosted in their homes, prepared meals and organized an amazing program. This year’s participants from the Roaring Fork Valley were Missy Prudden, Lisa Ayres, Bonnie Shappell, Pamela Mackey and Rebecca Weiss, who was the group leader and guide. 125 species sighted along the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, and 667 miles covered in four days- including a road trip to Walden, CO to see the sage grouse lek! Thank you ACES for greeting us in your three locations, Hallam Lake, Toklat and Rock Bottom Ranch.
Also in early May we hosted the Annual Medical Exchange, which has connected the communities of Bariloche and Aspen for almost 25 years. Seven healthcare professionals visited us from the “Hospital Zonal Bariloche”: Daniel Huerta, Miguel Godoy, Gabriel Quintana (orthopedic doctors), Sofia Burgoa (kinesiologist), Malena Silfeni (occupational therapist), Romina Vila (scrub nurse) and Alejandra Sepulveda (dental assistant). During the weeklong exchange they worked alongside local professionals from AVH, VVH Glenwood, VVH Silt, Steadman Clinic and Robert Christensen Dentistry, who not only shared their knowledge and workspace but made everyone feel at home. Thank you to the Aspen Sports Medical Foundation for the invaluable support throughout the years.
We are grateful for so many community members that make this happen, and for the energy that these exchanges bring to all who are involved. Looking forward to the austral spring that will bring these friends together again, this time, in beautiful Bariloche!
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