Battery621 opened for business just about one short year ago. And what a year it’s been. It was finally time to hold a GRAND OPENING, our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, and kick off the first annual LAUNCH OF WINTER. What better way to celebrate our first year of operation than visits by Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, two visits by 9 News during our packed week of events, and over 3,000 people walking through our doors.

This celebration began October 4th, and events ranged from Subaru debuting the all new 2012 Impreza, to Icelantic Skis presenting their ‘11-12 line of skis, the announcement of the SI Snowsport Entrepreneur Award, live music, engaging panel discussions with some fantastic like minded personalities, and a photographic art installation by The Public Works. Many great companies from within Battery621 and partners such as Vail Resorts, Loveland, Echo Mountain, Tommy Knocker, Create Denver, CMH heli-skiing, Muscle Milk and Smashburger came together in the name of anticipating another amazing winter.

On Tuesday, October 4th, Something Independent packed the house and announced the winner of their inaugural SI Snowsport Entrepreneur Award with the help of Colorado Governor Hickenlooper and their esteemed panel of judges. The award recognized Flylow, a Colorado ski and snowboard outerwear company, that embodies the spirit of entrepreneurism and shows us how the Colorado snowsport culture inspires their ideas and influences their business.

Governor Hickenlooper, who kicked off the event, said, “Part of being an entrepreneur is seeing opportunity where other people don’t. Nothing would make me happier then having Colorado known as the single greatest place for entrepreneurs.”

Westword Article: Flylow Gear wins first annual Something Independent Snowsport Entrepreneur Award

Denver Post Article: The inaugural Snowsports Entrepreneur Award goes to…

The night of Thursday, October 6th was The Business of Fun, an event where a panel of fine and creative humans spoke about how they followed their passions through their career path rather than the bottom line. Preston Strout, former pro shred and current owner of High Cascade Snowboard Camp, moderated the panel of 6 professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds. The panel included: Chris Davenport – Freeski legend, Steve “Stix” Nilsen – PBR Lifestyle Marketing Manager, Steve Chambers – CMH Heli-Skiing, Revelstoke Area Manager, Kristin Rust – World Traveler, PR Guru, Chris Berry – Team Pain Skate Parks Supervisor, and Gabe Anderson – Co-Owner of Jiberish Clothing. The event was a huge success all around and netted a full segment on 9 News and coverage in multiple media outlets.

“A great evening and a pleasure to get to meet everyone and share our stories. As I said before, it’s pretty easy to talk about something you’re passionate and excited about. The Business of Fun is definitely on to something,” said panelist Steve Chambers.

Battery621’s monthly First Friday event was stepped up to a new level with an art show by The Public Works, which brought out the best of over two decades of photographic pursuits printed on mixed mediums. Other higlights included Icelantic Skis unveiling their new ‘11-12 line of skis to the public, the all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza debuted for the first time in Colorado, and live music from Filthy Children. Over 2,000 patrons passed through the doors that night, all of whom were all able to buy season passes to Vail Resorts, Loveland, and Crested Butte. When people were hungry, Smashburger was on site with burgers and fries and sold out of product, and Sweet Cow Ice Cream served up desert.

Saturday October 8th, Battery621 started the weekend with a co-sponsored passport art walk throughout the Sante Fe Arts District. Parents joined their little rippers on a stamp- gathering hunt down Sante Fe Drive, ending at Battery621. Movies from Capita, Poor Boyz, Never Summer, Sandbox and Level 1 and MSP screened all day while everyone recovered from the fun filled hectic week.

Make sure to check the photos via the Galleries link to the left!

Thanks to: Subaru, The Public Works, Icelantic, Spyder, Something Independent, Emage, TommyKnocker Brewery, Canadian Mountain Holidays, Vail Resorts, Smashburger, Echo Mountain, Loveland Ski Area, Crested Butte Mountain, Larkburger, Pasbt Blue Ribbon, Turnstone, High Cascade Snowboard Camp, Whole Foods, Snowboard Colorado Magazine, the GRO project, Matchstick Productions, Level 1, Poor Boyz, Never Summer, Capita, and everyone who attended!

The Denver Egotist created a new private event for creatives called ONCE. Sometime during the month of March, unbeknowdst to most people here at Battery621, the Egotist group took over The Public Works’ workshop with 12 creatives from Denver and Boulder to ask questions to one creative mind. What you’ll see below is the launch trailer for ONCE, and one of the first videos from the event. For more information about the project, read the article here.

It’s official. The RISE in the WEST fundraiser held at Battery 621 on 5/14 raised $8,504 for the American Red Cross, with help from the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter. This is the first event of this kind that 621 has been a part of, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Congrats Patrick Ryan Corrigan, Jake Rishavy, and Ricochet Denver! The weather was a bit uncooperative, but spirits remained high, art and services were big on, and every attendee had a great time. Everyone inside the 621 walls is stoked that we could be a part of this, and we looking forward to doing something similar in the future!

Last week’s First Friday event at Battery621 was our biggest yet. The event saw a lot of new artwork from many sources, new live music, and tons of fun as always. First, the Spyder showroom transformed into its first art installation, showing the work of over 10 native Colorado artists. Spearheaded by metalworking genius and Evergreen native Glenn Vogel, the installation showcases many artistic mediums. Guests saw paintings, metalwork, and enameled pieces, just to name a few.

In the common areas, Icelantic’s artist Travis Parr came in from California to display never before seen artwork here at 621. Guests and Icelantic fans have come to know and love Parr’s artwork on Icelantics skis, but this First Friday was all about his paintings. The pieces he brought looked great, including a pattern he created for a 686 outfit and a custom Icelantic surfboard.

Lastly, live music was provided by the sounds of Vox de Ville. The band featured one of 621′s own, Dave Boger from Jiberish clothing. Dave started the night off spinning beats on the Spyder stage, transitioned one the keys with Vox de Ville, and then back to the tables for the rest of the night. 621′s guests were more than pleased, and Dave and Vox’s music capped off a great First Friday at 621.

Battery621 will be back for June’s First Friday, complete with new art and new music. Hope to see you then!

Photos courtesy of Kara Primomo Photography

This past Friday, December 3rd, Battery621 opened its doors for the first time to the general public. It was the start of first Fridays at 621, with Icelantic drawing its usual crowd in the tradition of Denver’s First Friday gallery openings. This opening was different, more of a teaser of whats to come from the creative minds that make up 621.

The divers crowd finished the five kegs that Tommy Knocker Brewery graciously donated along with a delicious spread of BBQ sandwiches, bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapenos, and fancy cheeses courtesy of Stoney’s restaurant. In the Spyder showroom, their custom chairlifts were a hit all night as everyone caught up on the plush seats and enjoyed the ecosmart fireplace. A big thanks goes out to Icelantic for hosting a splendid opening first Friday, as well to all the tenants of Battery621 for making it possible. Expect more events in the future and stay tuned for the completion of Battery621′s stage II of construction.

Here are some pictures from that nights festivities:

Tommy Knocker provided a great selection of brews

The Tommy Knocker crew

Icelantic brought in a DJ to keep the crowd entertained

It would be an understatement to say that there was a lot of attendees

Icelantic continued its yearly tradition of displaying their current line of skis

Battery621 has opened it’s doors to 200+ Spyder employees from around the world. On Saturday night Spyder hosted a huge opening party introducing the new showroom, the new product lines, and the athletes that represent them. After the months of work it was pretty amazing to watch the space transform into a venue for a global sales meeting, a fashion show, and then into a full on dance party.

The week kicked off with intro videos filmed by Chris and Colin from Warren Miller on our Chile trip and then straight into the fashion show. Beers were consumed, catwalks were strutted, and everyone seemed pumped on the new product collections.

We spent a good amount hanging and checking out the skyline from the Northwest stoop and are getting that much more excited for the skate-able roof deck that should be coming soon.

The dance party morphed seamlessly into the after-party at a classy gentleman’s club and into sunday morning’s bloodshot eyes. The last few days has been a bit of a blur of meetings, new product, new faces, and good times.

*******

It’s been rewarding to see the building function well for so many purposes. While the 200 or so Spyder reps and distributors learned about thousands of new products, threw several parties, and had a showing of Chris Davenport and Stian Hagen’s incredible film Australis An Antarctic Ski Odyssey. The epic shots of the boys shredding on the bottom of the earth and playing with penguins looked epic framed by beetle kill on all side and projected in Blueray. We’re hoping to host more movie nights in the future. Ski movie premiers? Lebowski? Goonies? We’ll see.

While all this was going on WinkINC, Somethingindependant, Drumbeat, and The Public Works were cranking away with normal work. We built custom car display stands for Subaru in the shop, started reworking the Supple Collection website, begun preparing for the Spyder product photoshoot starting next week, signed athlete contracts, began prepping for our first east coast Supple delivery, booked another Red Bull shoot, and played some epic games of trailball in the shop.

catwalk strutt’n

You can check out a full walkthrough of the building here.