Tag: Shane McConkey Legacy Gala

Ice sculpture / vodka luge at the Shane McConkey Legacy Gala

On Friday evening, March 24, the PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn hosted the swankiest, sexiest, classiest event the Valley has ever seen. Two years after the passing of ski legend Shane McConkey, his wife Sherry created the Shane McConkey Legacy Gala to honor his memory and raise money and support for protecting the environment. Shane was a huge James Bond fan and the Gala followed suit with a 007 theme in which attendees dressed to the hilt in tuxedos and lavish cocktail dresses.

Exotic fire dancers performed outside as guests stepped onto the red carpet leading into the event during of course, a raging snowstorm. Once inside guests relaxed and sipped martinis (shaken, not stirred) to sexy downtempo beats courtesy of dj Patrick Mulligan. Dual tapestries featured silhouettes of live dancers that perfectly recreated classic images featured in James Bond films for the last fifty years. The space also had a lounge for relaxing, ice sculptures, sultry mood lighting and a foyer stacked with gorgeous silent auction items.

As the evening progressed so did the pace of the entertainment. About halfway through the night a burlesque dancer dangled from the ceiling performing a heart racing routine to “Goldfinger”. Shortly after, a live auction began in which spectacular items went for thousands of dollars. Sherry McConkey, looking like the quintessential Bond girl herself, took a moment to thank all the volunteers involved with the event.

The Shane McConkey Legacy Gala was a very special evening that kicked off a weekend of excitement and fun in Squaw Valley. The 80’s cover band “Tainted Love” played at Bar One on Saturday night and Sunday featured the long awaited return of the Pain McShlonkey Classic, an outlandish contest that pokes fun at the serious world of ski competition. The Classic was comprised of two main events including a Snowlerblade Small Mountain Competition and a Snowlerblade Chinese Downhill. Kudos to Jessie Hall for winning the Small Mountain Comp, and Cody Townsend for taking the Chinese Downhill. Most importantly thanks to everyone who participated in, watched or supported this magical weekend long tribute to the skier, the father, the husband and the friend we called Shane McConkey.