Colorado
Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) resorts are hosting a variety of events this
summer, from music concerts to wine festivals, from downhill dirt biking
to fully loaded barbeques. Finding ways to beat the summer boredom
blues
is easy in Ski Country. Resorts have packed calendars for July and
August featuring an abundance of events and activities for guests ready
to exchange sweltering temperatures for cool mountain air and pleasant
mountain scenery. After the jump is a menu of fun family
activities and events that will appeal to everyone and keep the blues
at bay.
Arapahoe Basin
On Sunday July 1, the
Arapahoe Basin Trail Run takes place. Guests are invited to test
their legs and lungs during the inaugural trail run. The race will start
at almost 11,000ft above sea level and will end with a mid-mountain BBQ
and live music. For those who aren’t running
enthusiasts there is an alternative event that consists of a morning
trail race followed by an all-you-can-eat BBQ and live music. Ride the
lift up and cheer on the competitors before filling up with as much BBQ
as possible. The Black Mountain Express will
begin shuttling guests to mid-mountain at 10:15 a.m., and live music
from local favorites High Five on the Black Mountain Lodge Deck begins
at 11:00 a.m. The race is split into two divisions: Summit Division and
Mid-way Division. The former begins at 10:30
a.m., the latter at 10:45 a.m. The entry fee for both divisions is $15.
Arapahoe Basin’s unique
Alpenglow Dinner and Wildflower Hike takes place on Thursday July
20. Chef Chris Rybak and his staff will take over the Black Mountain
Lodge and prepare a dinner and hike. Guests will dine on an incredible
selection of Colorado inspired dishes before
taking in the sunset and wildflowers as they hike along the Continental
Divide back to the base area. The cost is $78 (includes 2 percent
gratuity); kids under 12 are $45. There will also be a cash bar.
Yoga on the Mountain
takes place on July 26, and yoga fans are invited to enliven their yoga
routine
at Arapahoe Basin. Under the tutelage of local instructor Allison
Simson, there will be a morning of relaxation and rejuvenation at Black
Mountain Lodge. After hiking to mid-mountain, there will be an hour long
yoga session on the BML deck. Hiking in conjuncture
with yoga offers an invigorating experience for newbies and advanced
yogis alike. Yoga outdoors stimulates the mind as well as the senses.
After yoga, enjoy a light spa luncheon at the Black Mountain Lodge. For
the yoga session and luncheon it is $35.
Aspen/Snowmass
Aspen/Snowmass is offering summer daily activities and events on both Snowmass and Aspen Mountain.
To showcase its new bike trails, Snowmass will host the first annual
Master of the Mass, a new a four-stage, three-day mountain biking
race on July 13 – 15. This Enduro Mountain Bike Race includes a variety
of terrain difficulties, including a chainless downhill, cross-country,
downhill and super-downhill stages. The
ultimate challenge is that all racers must choose one bike to race for
all disciplines.
Parties and events
will surround the weekend of mountain biking in one of the most
beautiful settings in the Rockies. Registration is now open at
www.aspensnowmass.com/master.
The second
Annual Power of Four mountain biking race is set for August 25 and will challenge even the fittest athletes as they race up and down the four ski areas of Aspen/Snowmass – Snowmass, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands and Aspen
Mountain. Solo riders and teams of two and four are invited to put their endurance to the test. Visit
www.aspensnowmass.com/poweroffour
for more information.
For more information on summer activities in the Aspen/Snowmass area visit
www.aspensnowmass.com or call 1-800-525-6200.
Copper Mountain
The new
Wanderlust Yoga Festival
is a welcomed addition to Copper’s summer event lineup this year, as
the unique gathering anticipates more than 2,000 people in attendance.
Wanderlust is a one-of-a-kind festival bringing together the world’s
leading yoga teachers, top musical acts and DJs, renowned speakers,
prestigious chefs and winemakers, and much more – all in a setting of
breathtaking natural beauty. For fun in the sun and
dancing under the stars, guests can make plans for the July 5 – 8
event, where renowned yoga instructors like Seane Corn and Shiva Rea
will feature alongside with entertainers and speakers, including Ziggy
Marly and Aaron Ralston (after whom the movie 127
Hours is based).. More information can be found at
www.WanderlustFestival.com.
The
summer lineup also presents three charitable events hosted at Copper:
Courage Classic, Hike MS & Benefit Concert, and Copper Triangle.
The
Courage Classic, from July 21 – 23, is a renowned cycling event
and 23 year tradition in Colorado. This bike race challenges cyclists to
tackle a 157-mile, three day journey to raise funds for The Children’s
Hospital of Denver. More information can be
found at www.Couragetours.com.
Then on July 28, the
Hike MS event invites guests to spend a sunny afternoon hiking at
Copper Mountain to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s
Colorado-Wyoming chapter. With several routes to choose from, ranging in
difficulty from easy to expert, Hike MS is
a great family event, and a free benefit concert by Rob Drabkin
follows.
More information can be found at www.NationalMSSociety.com.
The famous
Copper Triangle has long been considered one of Colorado’s
classic alpine road rides, and returns August 3 – 5. Graced with
78-miles of breathtaking scenery, gorgeous roads and three challenging
climbs, the Copper Triangle exemplifies cycling in the
Colorado Rocky Mountains. This event works in partnership with the
Davis Phinney Foundation to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease
research. More information can be found at
www.CopperTriangle.com.
Crested Butte
This summer Crested Butte is celebrating Free Fridays. From 4:30 – 7 p.m. every Friday throughout the summer, guests can ride the Red Lady Express lift for free. This includes access to the lift-served biking in the Evolution Bike Park and the ability to hike the lower areas on designated trails throughout the mountain. Afterwards guests can enjoy a refreshing beverage and live music on the 9380 deck, with nightly happy hour and outdoor grill specials. Visit www.SkiCB.com for more information.
Echo Mountain
Burgers, Brews & Views
is back at Echo Mountain beginning Saturday, July 7. The summer fun
continues
at Echo Mountain every Saturday and Sunday through September 2, as Echo
will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For those ready to
take in delicious burgers and brews, a drive, pedal or hike is the way
to ascend to Echo Mountain this summer to enjoy
a relaxing afternoon with breathtaking views of the Continental Divide.
Whether heading to Mt. Evans or just looking to escape the city, guests
are invited to make the stop by Echo Mountain. Visit
www.EchoMt.com for more information.
Echo Mountain is also partnering with
Vital Yoga
this summer to offer an assortment of yoga programs starting on July
11. A great place to practice physical, mental and spiritual discipline,
Echo’s secluded mountain lodge will host single workshops
during the entire four week series, as well as a full-day Blissful
Retreat. All sessions include highly interactive practical
demonstrations led by trained professionals that are all greatly
respected amongst the yoga community. Visit
http://www.echomt.com/groups/yoga for more information.
Powderhorn
On August 25, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Powderhorn will host its
Summer Celebration. Guests are invited to join the resort to beat
the heat and enjoy fun in the sun. The event will feature live music,
activities and delectable food and beverage choices at The Sunset Bar
& Grille. For pass holders, there are plenty
of Powderhorn Perks to enjoy around the valley, all at discounted
prices. Visit
www.powderhorn.com for more information.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
Starting
on July 6, Guests can take in the fresh mountain air and incredible
scenery of the San Juan Mountains as they listen to live music under the
starry night
sky at Dante’s on the backside of the mountain with Purgatory’s Rock Out under the Stars during Dante’s Summer Concert Series.
Dante’s will feature its summer concert series on July 6, August 3 and
August 17, with talented rock and reggae musical
artists that will have attendees dancing the night away under a million
stars. They will watch the spectacular sunset and enjoy refreshing
beer, a full bar and dinner from Dante’s grill. Concerts are $5 per
person, and the shuttle is available from the resort
to Dante’s for only $10 (parking is limited at Dante’s). Guests are
invited to spend a full weekend getaway at Durango Mountain Resort by
calling 800-525-0892 for lodging reservations. The concert schedule is
as follows:
- July 6: Dante’s Summer Concert sponsored by Coors Light, live music by A-Dub from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
- Aug. 3: Dante’s Summer Concert sponsored by Steamworks Brewing. Live music by Andrea’s Fault from 7 – 10 p.m.
- Aug. 17: Dante’s Summer Concert sponsored by Durango Brewing with live music from 7 – 10 p.m.
On August 5, guests can test their legs at the
Backcountry Experience Trailburner 10k at 9,000 feet and enjoy
6.2 miles of spectacular trails. There will also be giveaways, and
guests can contact Backcountry Experience for more details at
970-247-5830.
On August 11, Purgatory will host
Muck & Mire on the Mountain, a mud adventure race and
exciting, new event. Families can get down and dirty as they slide
through mud holes, scale rock gardens, cargo nets and more in a 5K race,
and for more serious athletes who want to test their moxie
by conquering obstacles such as slack lines, a tunnel crawl, log jam,
slip-n-slide, pond swim and more, there is a 10K competitive race. From
start to finish, the 10K will test endurance and mental fortitude with
12 exhilarating obstacles spread across the
mountain. The post-event celebration will feature awards and prizes, as
well as a beer garden and soda party. The event is sponsored by
Steamworks Brewing Company and Durango Coca-Cola. Great lodging packages
are available at
www.durangomountainresort.com.
Ski Granby Ranch
The
Granby Ranch Summer Fling will take place on Saturday, June 30,
from 2:00 – 8 p.m., as guests can enjoy a day of family fun filled with
activities including a fly-fishing casting clinic, face-painting,
putting contests, live music, free chair lift rides,
games and more. The games and activities will be held from 2:00 – 4:30
p.m., followed by a summer BBQ and dance party from 5 – 8 p.m. Call
888.850.4615 or visit
www.GranbyRanch.com for more information.
The
Twilight Golf Series starts on July 10, and takes place every
Tuesday through July 31. It begins at 5:30 p.m. with a shotgun start.
Guests can sign up with teams of four for a 9-hole course. At least one
player must be a woman.
On Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15, Granby Ranch is bringing back the
Triple DHip. Triple DHip is a lift-served, G3-formatted
mountain bike stage race, and will feature professional and amateur
racers competing in three stages. Racers will compete on three separate
racetracks at Bike Granby Ranch, host of the USA
Cycling National Championships in 2009 and 2010. The
event promises to deliver thrills for top-tier cyclists and spectators
alike, with a full schedule of weekend festivities to be announced
shortly.
With a 9 a.m. shotgun start, the
Ladies’ Open at Golf Granby Ranch will take place on Wednesday,
August 1. This 18-hole tournament is $75 and includes greens fees, cart,
range balls, lunch and prizes. A USGA approved handicap required.
On Saturday, August 11th,
from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m., guests are invited to don their cowboy hats and
get ready for old-fashioned western hospitality and family fun.
Granby Ranch will host The Jackman Brothers for engaging family
entertainment. The afternoon starts with picnic games including sack
races, three-legged races, juggling, and horseshoes, stick horse races
and fun family relays, and the entire family
can learn how to rope and ride before finishing the night with a Wild
West Show and a Hoe Down Dance Party. Throughout the afternoon, The
Granby Ranch Grill will offer a western-style BBQ and drink specials.
For a complete list of Granby Ranch summer activities, call 888.850.4615 or visit
www.GranbyRanch.com.
Steamboat
On July 7, Steamboat’s ultimate mud race, the
Steamboat Mad Mudder (http://my.steamboat.com/events/steamboat-mad-mudder) will take place.
From the base of
Steamboat Ski Resort through Bashor Bowl, and back to Gondola Square,
this inaugural event is a 5K high octane race that will take contestants
through muddy obstacles and
fun physical challenges.
During the same weekend, on July 7 and 8, the
32nd Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and the 38th Annual Art in the Park will launch.
This
unique double event offers visitors the opportunity to watch balloons
inflate and take off, followed by the rodeo, which will feature fun
contests. Art in
the Park offers visitors the chance to take in local artistry as
balloons fly overhead.
On July 21, the resort offers another of its
Summer Free Concert Series with The Samples, a Boulder-based band. The music kicks off at 5 p.m. in Gondola Square. Then, August 2 – 5, the
Steamboat Wine Festival takes place, a destination event where master winemakers, culinary greats, and distinguished guests gather to play, wine, and dine in the town.
Aside
from the date-specific attractions, there are plenty of other summer
long events in the city, including the Pro-Rodeo Series every Friday and
Saturday night,
the Downtown Farmers Market every Saturday morning, String in the
Mountains and the Free Music Concert Series. A complete calendar of
summer events can be found at
www.steamboat.com/calendar.
Telluride
The
Telluride Wine Festival
takes place on June 27 – July 1, featuring winemakers'
luncheons, cooking demonstrations, reserve programs, seminars and
tastings for novices. The perfect event for those interested in arts,
culture and food, the wine festival enables visitors
to experience a fun summer event in an iconic Colorado town.
Later in the summer from August 3 – 5, the
Telluride Jazz Festival
comes to town for its 36th year, bringing
internationally recognized acts in classic, mainstream, blues,
Brazilian, African and Latin jazz. Performances are staged outdoors in
the daytime and in intimate clubs and historic concert
halls at night.
From August 16 – 19, the
Telluride Mushroom Festival comes to town, and coincides with the Telluride Festival of the Arts,
which takes place August 17 – 19. For foodies, foragers and folks
searching for something more unusual, the mushroom festival educates
citizens,
both visitor and local alike, about the many incredible aspects of the
amazing world of mycology, while the Festival of the Arts is the annual
weekend-long, culinary and visual arts event held in Mountain Village.
Telluride also welcomes its brand new
The Ride, which takes place August 25 – 26.
The event brings a dozen acts to Town Park, including
Ben Harper and the Relentless 7, Los Lobos and Big Head Todd and the
Monsters. For a complete lineup of events this summer in Telluride,
visit
www.visittelluride.com.
Winter Park
On Saturday, July 7, Winter Park will host
The Village Uncorked! Wine, Art & Cheese Festival. Attendees
can stroll through The Village at Winter Park from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and
visit with local Grand County artists as they show off their talents in
this one-of-a-kind arts festival. Regional wines
and cheeses will also be available for sampling and sales. There are
also hands-on interactive "Learning Tents," which will feature adult and
youth art classes and demonstrations, cheese workshops, and a wine and
cheese pairing course.
The 7th Annual MINIs in the Mountains
will be hosted by Winter Park Resort this summer from August 2 – 5.
Join MINI5280 and 500 MINI Coopers from across the nation for
family-friendly events, including a cruise to Hideaway Park and a car
show in the Village at Winter Park Resort.
From August 9 – 12,
Winter Park Resort and The Village at Winter Park will be home to this year’s
Vettes on the Rockies®. Vettes on the Rockies® is sponsored by
Looking Glass Corvette Association of Lakewood Colorado, and is an
annual gathering in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for Corvette owners
from all across the United States. For the first
time in its 39 years Vettes on the Rockies® is being held at the Winter
Park Resort. Guests are invited to bring their Corvettes and mingle
with other Corvette owners from all across the country.
On
Saturday, August 25, New England based children's book
author/illustrator Tracy Kane, known as the "Fairy House Lady," will
visit the Village at Winter Park for the
Second Annual Fairy House Festival. She will read from her Fairy
Houses Series of books and teach families how to create their own fairy
house along the Winter Park Village River Trail. A fun family event,
both adults and children are encouraged to bring
their imagination, creativity and love of nature. Assorted natural
plant materials will be provided, but whimsical additions are welcome.