Vail Legacy Days
On select Fridays throughout the season, the town of Vail teams up with Vail Mountain to host the 10th Mountain Legacy Parades. This Presidents Day weekend, there will not only be a parade with a torchlight ski down, but also a four-day celebration full of activities honoring Vail’s unique history and pioneering spirit, as well as recognizing today’s service members and veterans.
Vail Legacy Days events schedule (for complete schedule, visit http://www.vail.com):
Friday, February 15
10th Mountain Legacy Parade
- Torchlight Ski Down on Vail Mountain to the base of Gondola One at 6 p.m.
- Parade of military veterans from Gondola One to the 10th Mountain statue.
- Colorado Snowsports Museum will stay open until 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 16
’89 World FIS Ski Champs Throwback Party
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- Vail hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 30 years ago.
- Come dressed in ’89 garb such as neon onesies and U.S.A. flag apparel.
- Boogie to local 80s band Rewind at Mid-Vail Restaurant from 12 to 2 p.m.
Sunday, February 17
Black Hawk Helicopter Landing
- Black Hawk helicopter landing at the top of Avanti Express Lift.
- Scheduled to land between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., weather permitting.
Ski Trooper Cup
- Modern day ski troopers from the Colorado Army National Guard will race.
- 3-person teams will compete on the black diamond runs at the base of Vail.
- Spectating, food, beverages available at Express Lift Bar and surrounding areas.
- Base of Gondola One from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Monday, February 18
The First Hike
- Walk in the steps of Vail visionaries, Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton.
- Meet at the top of Wildwood Express Lift at 11:30 a.m.
- Boot-pack hike to Ptarmigan Ridge.
- Ski down Sun Down Bowl.
74th Anniversary of the Battle of Riva Ridge
- Learn about the historic WWII battle on Riva Ridge.
- Meet at the Mountain Safety Center, near Buffalo’s at 2 p.m.
- Ski down Riva Ridge trail afterward.
Beaver Creek Extraordinaire presents Spangled
To celebrate Presidents Day weekend, Beaver Creek will host a festive and light-hearted celebration of America during Presidents Day weekend. Families will enjoy events inspired by American heritage, classic American music and the American ski culture.
Spangled event schedule (for full schedule, visit http://www.beavercreek.com):
Today – National statesmen sculptures – 3 to 6 p.m.
- Enjoy sculptures of American presidents and heritage.
- Make a snow angel at the official snow angel park.
Saturday – Ceremony of Lights – 3-6 p.m.
- Red, white and blue sparklers will illuminate the plaza.
Sunday – Monumental Music – 3-6 p.m.
- Classic American music takes center stage in Beaver Creek Village.
- Learn new dance moves with professional dance instruction.
Monday – American Ski Culture – 4 to 7 p.m.
- Travel back in time and experience American skiing throughout the years.
- Vintage Warren Miller films and vintage posters will be on display.
Bluegrass, illusion and improve at the Vilar
It’s a busy and varied weekend of entertainment at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek. Tonight, Leftover Salmon, a band that has been around for the past 30 years, returns to play a little bluegrass, or “poly-ethnic Cajun slam grass,” words used by the band to describe their sound. Expect to hear old favorites and new songs off of their latest album, “Something Higher,” which was released in 2018.
With the Vilar being such a intimate venue, the band may tell a tale or two. In fact, the title of the show is, “Stories from the Living Room,” but you can also read all about their three decades of highs and lows, trials and triumphs in the new book, “Leftover Salmon: Thirty Years of Festival,” released this month. Show time is at 7:30 p.m. and general admission tickets are $45.
Prepare to be fooled and amazed by the illusions of Vitaly Beckman as he brings his “Evening of Wonders” to the Vilar on Saturday night. Beckman has bewildered audiences by making paintings come to life, turning photos into mini movies and making branches grow leaves during his shows. He even fooled magicians Penn and Teller. Beckman was on their show, “Fool Us,” and he did fool them with a card trick and a corresponding illusion on a printed photo. Penn and Teller call his act “amazing” and Beckman “ingenious”.
Beckman also likes to include the audience in his shows, so who knows, you may even be a part of his act during his performance. There are two show times on Friday at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the show are $38 for adults and $26 for kids. A family four-pack is available for $104.
Speaking of being brought up on stage, Jim Belushi and The Comedy Board like to be inclusive as well. The show isn’t a typical stand-up routine. They don’t want it to be a passive, sit-back-and-watch experience. They will ask the audience for suggestions on topics and even bring audience members up on stage. Belushi calls it less of a show and more of a party.
Belushi honed his improve skills at “The Second City” and was a regular cast member on “Saturday Night Live” and has been in sitcoms and several movies. The Board of Comedy features a rotating cast of trained professional improvisers. Make plans to laugh for two hours during their show on Sunday. Tickets start at $68.
For all shows this weekend call the VPAC box office at 970-845-8497 or purchase tickets at http://www.vilarpac.org.
Eagle Free Family Fun Fair
With it being a holiday weekend, there are certain pass restrictions in effect, so if you are looking for something to do with the kids, check out the Eagle Free Family Fun Fair. Yes, it is free.
“We started the Free Family Fun Fair in Eagle 14 years ago as a way to kick off President’s Day weekend and winter break for the kids when the mountain is busy and ski passes are blocked,” said Krista Benedetti of Radiate Live Events, the organizer of the Free Family Fun Fair. “We bring in activities that cost a lot of money on the mountain and adventure parks and provide them for free. It’s a great community event that brings families together.”
The event is held in the Eagle River Center, which provides a large venue for all the attractions and with it being indoors, the weather is not a factor. Some of the free activities include the quad bungee jump trampolines, giant climbing wall, bouncy castles, inflatable giant slide, hula-hoop zone, face painting, costumed characters and the Cave of Confusion, where kids go in a tunnel and experience different textures and lights and have to find their way through it.
In addition to the activities, there will be three interactive magic shows, and back by popular demand: the Chihuahua Races. Parents, bring along some money for food and beverages, as there will be vendors on hand to provide nourishment throughout the day.
Schedule:
- Eagle River Center, Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Magic shows: 10:30 a.m., 12 and 1:30 p.m.
- Chihuahua (or any small dog under 15 pounds) Races: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Register for the dog races in advance online or at the event from 10-10:45 a.m. Proceeds from the dog race benefit the Eagle County Animal Shelter.
For more information please visit http://www.eaglefreefamilyfunfair.com.
Valentine’s Day weekend ideas
Even though Valentine’s Day was on Thursday, many couples will be celebrating the holiday throughout the weekend. Keep in mind that this weekend also marks President’s Day weekend, where many kids have school vacations and adults take advantage of having Monday off. Call ahead to get reservation or appointments for spa treatments or other activities.
Sometimes the best things in life aren’t things, giving an experience is a great way to show your love. Sure, a spa treatment may only last 50, 90 or over 100 minutes depending on what treatment you get, but treating your body to the benefits a massage or spa treatment provides can last longer than that box of candy.
If you are a dinner-and-a-movie type of couple, you have plenty of choices of restaurants and movie theaters. Down valley you’ll find the Capitol Theater, which is conveniently located next to restaurants in Eagle Ranch. The Riverwalk Theater is right in the heart of the many restaurants in the Riverwalk. In fact, it is right across the street from Juniper, Main Street Grill, The Rose, Woody’s and Zino is just around the corner. Don’t forget, they now serve adult beverages at Riverwalk Theater, too.
Vail now has two theaters, with the Cascade Theater being resurrected this year. Stop by Hotel Talisa before or after the movie and have a bite to eat at the alpine-inspired Gessner restaurant or have a drink and enjoy the views from the beautiful lobby bar before walking to the theater, which is adjacent to the hotel. Parking is available on-site as well.
Cinebistro at the Solaris offers dinner and a movie all in one. Enjoy a comfortable seat, entree and drink while watching your flick. Many of the Oscar-nominated movies are playing right now, so see what the hype is all about before the Academy Awards on February 24.
If you are looking for something active, of course a ski or snowboard date is fun, but also think about a snow shoe hike or even skinning up the mountain for a picnic during the day or bring the headlamps and do a evening trek. Pack the backpack with cheese, bread and your beverage of choice and enjoy the splendid nature with your loved one.
