That's the sort of trio that can only mean the World Snow Polo Championships are back this week in Aspen. For the 12 year, the Aspen Valley Polo Club is set to host the popular event with multiple matches to take place Wednesday and Thursday at Rio Grande Park.
The tournament officially kicked off Monday night with the team draw inside the St. Regis Aspen hotel followed by Tuesday's qualifying rounds, played in Carbondale.
"Thank you for traveling many, many miles to be with us to play snow polo," said St. Regis Aspen General Manager Heather Steenge-Hart during Monday's team draw. St. Regis is again the title sponsor for the World Snow Polo Championships. "I did really want to thank Marc and Melissa Ganzi. They are the best partners we have and have always been so supportive."
The Ganzis brought the Aspen Valley Polo Club back to life in 2014, a major catalyst for the Roaring Fork Valley's polo boom over the past decade. On top of a busy summer schedule, held primarily on the main grass fields near Carbondale, the World Snow Polo Championships has become the club's signature event each year. It's also the final stop on the 2024 World Polo Tour.
It's so popular that it brings in some of the world's best polo players -- see Figueras and Roldan -- as well as other celebrities, like Wilson, of "Pitch Perfect" fame. Her co-star from that film, Anna Kendrick, was also partaking in the snow polo festivities on Monday inside the St. Regis. Kate Hudson, Mariah Carey, and even Shaun White have made appearances at the event in recent years.
"Aspen is the most magical place, with incredible things to experience," Melissa Ganzi said via a news release. "Mix in snow polo and Aspen becomes an even more unique travel destination."
Aspen's tournament claims to be the only one of its kind in North America. Snow polo was first played in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in 1985, where it remains arguably the world's top snow polo event.
The game is a highly modified version of polo, which is normally played on large, grass fields. The obvious differences with snow polo are the smaller playing field, the larger and lighter ball, and of course the snowy surface that horses and riders alike need to learn to navigate.
While the VIP area requires special ticketing, general spectating is free around the rest of Rio Grande Park. Gates open at noon on Wednesday, with the St. Regis Cup getting things started at 12:30 p.m.
Matches will go through the afternoon, including the 2:15 p.m. celebrity match -- polo commentator Dale Schwetz was mum on who the celebrities would be -- and the 3 p.m. Maroon Bells Cup match to finish.
The high-goal championship match will close out the tournament on Thursday afternoon. Casablanca is the reigning champion, a trio made up of Roldan, Grant Ganzi (son of Marc and Melissa), and Hilario Figueras (son of Nacho).
Grant and Hilario also won the 2022 tournament alongside Thomas Biddle Jr. as part of team Blade and Bow.