We recently connected with Lucy Ahrens and have shared our conversation below.

Lucy, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Alta Aprés, we believe in the art of a great celebration, and in order to truly pull off a great celebration, it is all about bringing the WOW factor to your event. The event industry is ever evolving with new ways to captivate and engage your guests with experiences that can range from hiring a mixologist to whip up fancy drinks or the ever popular champagne wall. In an effort to stand out from the rest, I decided to fall back on my experiences in my favorite kind of party scene: aprés-ski. I took one of my favorite elements, the shotski, and turned it into a mobile bar that specializes in signature cocktail shots. I also am working towards offering a ski chair photo booth. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to infuse the traditional shotski concept with a modern and personalized twist. While the shotski has been a symbol of revelry for years, we’ve taken it a step further by introducing a mobile element. This allows us to bring the shotski experience directly to our clients, wherever they are, be it a private event, a celebratory occasion, or even a corporate team-building activity.

What’s a shotski you ask? It is when you take an alpine ski and attach 4 shot glasses to the top. You and your pals will then line up, holding the ski together, and will simultaneously tip up the ski and take your shots at the same time. Our goal is to change the stigma often seen around shotskis, which is that a shotski just leads to people getting wasted and blacking out. We aim to do this by offering craft cocktail shots that have little to no alcohol in them but are tasty, delightful, and fun to shoot. These sober or spirited sips are curated with client and theirs guests drinking preferences in mind. We are firm believers in inclusivity and camaraderie and find it incredibly important to offer an experience that can be for anyone.

In an industry where conventional stationary bars are the norm, our mobile shotski bar brings the party to life by merging convenience, nostalgia, and with the thrill of sharing a good time together. This divergence has resonated profoundly with our clients, creating moments that matter. We’ve witnessed friends bonding, colleagues networking, and celebrations turning into core memories – all with the help of our connection based apres-ski experiences.

One particular instance comes to mind where a corporate team, seeking a break from the ordinary, incorporated our mobile shotski bar into their team-building retreat. The experience not only added an element of fun but also acted as an icebreaker, fostering connections that carried back into their workplace.

Lucy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Utah native who was fortunate enough to be born and raised in a world-renowned ski resort. Growing up surrounded by passionate ski enthusiasts taught me, at a young age, to embrace the unconventional and thrive in the joy of it. Often, when people think of a ski bum, they imagine a humble dishwasher living in a van with more pairs of skis than pants. While this image contains a kernel of truth, it also obscures the concept of living and working in an area that serves as both a playground and a sanctuary. Here, connections and community hold as much significance as your next paycheck. It’s about being open to the world and its people, and relishing moments like grabbing a drink after an exhilarating ski day and basking in the camaraderie with fellow patrons who also experienced an amazing day.

Over a span of 15+ years in ski resort hospitality at a local lodge, I climbed the ranks to the leadership role of an event planning manager. Although I initially thought working at the front desk was my niche, it was only when I was assigned the event manager role that my true passion became evident. I am deeply committed to uniting people for various celebrations and gatherings, finding immense satisfaction in assisting clients with events ranging from weddings to corporate retreats. In an unexpected turn of events, I decided to depart from the hospitality industry and joined a local ski company as an event coordinator. Unfortunately, that dream was short-lived, as they let me go a year later due to their organizational shortcomings. It was during this period that I resolved not to dedicate my hard work and passion to a company that viewed me as a number rather than an individual. This was the moment when the idea for the Patsey Marley Mobile Shotski Bar truly took shape. Originally constructed a few years ago as a side project for my mother, who enjoyed showcasing it annually at the Alta Biathlon, it was after featuring it at my husband’s and my own wedding that the concept solidified as a potential game-changer in the industry, as well as for myself. In February 2023, I took the leap, registered my business—Alta Aprés—and embarked on my journey of focusing on mountain-inspired weddings and events. My objective was to infuse the après-ski vibe into my offerings, curating something unprecedented in the event industry. In addition to providing the Patsey Marley Mobile Shotski Bar, we also offer a ski chair photo booth.

What sets me apart is my alpine charm and innovative mobile shotski bar. I stand out because I share the same background and community as the couples I intend to collaborate with. This enables me to connect with them on a personal level, engaging in authentic conversations as equals who understand the intricacies of the planning process. Weddings are demanding; they induce stress and necessitate countless decisions. I want my shotski bar to be the one element that demands no extra thought beyond booking and confirming the shots.

My proudest achievement lies in picking myself up, dusting myself off, setting a goal, and persistently striving to achieve it. Stepping into the entrepreneurial world is daunting and challenging, often overwhelming, yet I remain committed to showing up for myself and my ideas each day, which bestows upon me a sense of pride that’s difficult to match.

Potential clients should know that I’m not just a service provider but also a wingwoman and a friend. I’m here to infuse the party with positive vibes, contribute to the creation of lasting memories, and alleviate the stress on your big day. In my world, it’s all about fostering connections, and if I can contribute by crafting those meaningful moments for you and your guests, then my day is complete.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

It has been difficult to unlearn the need to get my products and final decisions validated. When working my previous jobs, I always had someone who was the final say or ultimate leader. Often, I would have to get approval or sign-off before moving forward with new projects or new directions. Being the owner of my own business there has been more than a few times where I have caught myself asking for the opinions of my family or friends when at the end of the day the final say is up to me and should be reflective of what I want or think. While this has been challenging it has been an excellent opportunity for me to learn the cadence and style with which I want to operate my company. Finding my own voice and trusting in it is has been the biggest hurdle and benefit of being a solopreneur.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This is very relevant to me right now because I just, like two days ago, made a decision to restructure what it is that I offer under the Alta Aprés name. While I wanted to encompass all my skills and services, I found myself struggling to fit it all together in single, cohesive package. Finding myself getting stumped again and again, I decided to look at what was really blocking my flow and address that. I discovered the while I love event planning and wanted to offer wedding coordination services, it does not match the aprés-ski vibe I am really shooting for. Immediately after making the decision to separate the coordinator services and really focus on the aprés spirit of the mobile shotski bar and ski chair photo booth, I immediately felt a shift in alignment with my vision and brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.altaapres.com
• Instagram: alta_apres
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lucyahrens
• Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/alta-apres-cottonwood-heights-ut-2073166

Image Credits
Jessa E photographs