Olympian Aaron Blunck signs with Romp Skis

The ski community is abuzz with the news that local freeskier Aaron Blunck has recently signed with Crested Butte- based company Romp Skis. This change in sponsorship marks the end of Blunck’s 14 year sponsorship with Head Skis, the company that launched his career into the professional arena. Blunck spoke with the Times, nostalgically about his time with Head and enthusiastically about his decision to move to Romp.  “I feel like I’ve been very fortunate to work with Head Skis for a very long time,” he said. “When I was 16 years old I was given the opportunity to sign a contract with them which basically changed the entire direction of my life and gave me the opportunity to become a professional skier.” During his time as a sponsored Head athlete, Blunck has become an Olympian three times, is a two-time half-pipe world champion and has won four X-Games medals. The move to Romp marks a big shift in sponsorship from a large, well-known ski sponsor to a smaller, grassroots company.  Founded in 2010 by brothers Morgan and Caleb Weinberg, and currently owned by Chad Gardaphe, Romp is a Crested Butte-based ski company that specializes in building high-quality, handcrafted and customized skis. The ability to actively participate in the curation and creation of skis was a huge incentive for Blunck, as was the ability to play a role in shaping the future of a growing local company — especially as a Crested Butte resident who grew up in the valley and values the local economy, community and culture.  “As a skier the opportunity [with Romp] is to be able to redesign the skis that I want to be on,” Blunck said. “The move to Romp was a very comfortable move because for the first time ever I was able to be hands-on in the projects and actually design the exact type of ski that I wanted.” According to a Romp press release, Blunck will be working closely with the design and production team to develop innovative ski shapes that he will then debut in competition this winter. His role will also extend to “product testing, athlete development, and helping share the company’s mission of creativity, independence and fun on the snow.”  Blunck’s inclusion in the sales, marketing, production and company development aspects are new and exciting incentives for him, he said. Romp is more than just a short term sponsorship contract, it’s opening new doors for him that have the potential to extend well beyond his skiing years. This is especially important as the move coincides with the arrival of Blunck’s first child and transition into parenthood. “[With Romp] I’m no longer just an athlete, I’m also an employee,” he said. “I feel like I have a say in the company, what direction we go in and what direction I feel the sport is going in. As a new dad, it’s been really cool to have the opportunity to have a little bit more stability and security than just being an athlete.” Blunck is the first professional athlete to sign with Romp, making it a big opportunity for the local ski company to put themselves on the map — especially in the freestyle, park and pipe arenas. The timing of the newfound partnership is one filled with potential as it aligns with Blunck’s final Olympic run for the 2026 Milan-Cortina winter Olympics happening in February.  “Aaron isn’t just just one of the best skiers in the world — he’s also a true Crested Butte local who understands what it means to live and breathe skiing,” said Romp Skis Production Manager Eligh Purvis. Blunck’s grandfather immigrated to Crested Butte from Switzerland and founded the Crested Butte ski school. Both his grandfather and mother were ski instructors and Blunck grew up in the town and on the mountain of Crested Butte. Basically, his roots in the Gunnison Valley run deep. Crested Butte is not just a part of Blunck’s history, it is still the place he chooses to call home and raise his family.  “[Romp] does feel like family, not just a corporate business that I’m skiing for,” Blunck said. “Community is everything to me and I feel so grateful that Crested Butte and Gunnison have always kind of been a tight knit community. I always say they helped raise me in a sense.” Blunck is looking forward to bringing his renewed inspiration and passion for skiing (as well as his signature switch double cork 900) into the new partnership and upcoming season. “I’m going into this season feeling better than ever,” he said. “[At this point in my career] I’m doing this for me now. As long as I’m happy and skiing and my wife and baby are happy and healthy, there’s nothing else that matters.” (Gia Wright can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or gia@gunnisontimes.com.)