Closing Day at Vail
Last Sunday was Beaver Creek’s Closing Day and this Sunday it’s Vail’s turn. Vail will close down the year after some pretty epic powder days and a few sunny deck days throughout the season.
Currently, top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding can be found on the front side of Vail Mountain as well as in the Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls, serviced by High Noon Express (#5). At press time, the forecast calls for warmer temperatures, so expect to see a variety of costumes and maybe some shorts, jorts and bikini tops. It’s a festive atmosphere where sometimes it has more to do with socializing than it does with racking up vertical feet. You can view terrain and lift options at Vail.com.
Vail Après End of Season Bash
Celebrate the end of another fantastic season with the Vail Après End of Season Bash on Friday. This event is hosted for the community as a big thank you and it’s a time to gather before offseason starts.
The event kicks off with a community race from 1-3 p.m. at Golden Peak on Friday. It’s free and you can register in person right at the base starting at noon. You must have your own pass or lift ticket to participate. Prizes will be awarded for top speeds for males and females, but there’s also prizes for best costume — so make sure to dress up.
The food trucks and beverages from Vail Brewing Company and 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits Company will start at 3 p.m. Live music will go from 3 until 7 p.m. and will feature local musicians Dave Tucker and Bob Masters before Cal Haley takes the stage. Haley is a nationally recognized artist who performs country, rock, blues and reggae.
Support Local Journalism
Keep the party going with the Cucina Kill the Keg party on Saturday. All season long Cucina has been welcoming après ski crowds with live music, drinks and eats and now it is time to drink the keg dry at its end of season party. The lucky person whose beer finishes each keg will get 50% off their entire tab. Drink specials include $5 Drafts and live music from 4-7 p.m.
Ski & Tee
Every once in a while the seasons collide, allowing you to ski and golf in the same day.
At Gypsum Creek Golf Course, all 18 holes are ready for play. Blake Scott, director of golf at Gypsum Creek Golf Course, said they are busy, so book now to get your desired tee time. You can download the Gypsum Creek Golf Course app to book or visit the website, GypsumCreekGolf.com. You can also call the pro shop at 970-524-6200 x1 and get set up.
Eagle Ranch Golf Club also has 18 holes and its driving range facility open to the public. It’s cart path only to start out the season. The Eagle Ranch Grille will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Upcoming events include a Callaway Club Fitting Day on May 10, a Link Up with Ladies Clinic on May 11 and the Screaming Eagle Golf Tournament on May 17. Check out EagleRanchGolf.com for tee times or give the pro shop at call at 970-328-2882.
Earth Day Happenings
Earth Day is Monday but there are several events leading up to a holiday that started on April 22, 1970. Walking Mountains and the Climate Action Collaborative have been hosting a variety of events all week. Friday there’s a backcountry snowshoe tour from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and a sustainability and ecosystem science virtual conference from 9 a.m. until noon. On Saturday and Sunday get your hands in the dirt and take part in the Brush Creek Valley Ranch and open space riparian planting event from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. On Earth Day on Monday, take a special yoga class at Revolution Power Yoga in Avon from noon to 1 p.m. The free class will focus on grounding and connecting with the Earth. Check out the full list of events at WalkingMountains.org.
The Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa in Avon isproud to be Colorado’s first Silver LEED certified hotel and will celebrate its sustainability efforts this April with a wide variety of events, including food and drink specials. Stop by Stoke & Rye and try the special whiskey co*cktail “The Beekeeper” and a Honey Vanilla Cheesecake featuringhoneycomb, mint and mixed berries and served with flambéed Grand Marnier, served through Earth Day on Monday.
On Earth Day come to the Root Down Rise Up Yoga class at 5:30 p.m. This celebration of spring will bea fluid practice linking breath with movement.This community class honors Mother Earth and is open to all with a $20 donation going directly to the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance.
The Evolution Music Release Party
Support local band The Evolution this Friday with a music release party at Route 6 Café. The Evolution has been working hard on writing and recording five new songs and will release a new song, “Love Power” this week. They are also working on an album with 10 songs total that will be released later this year.
The band features many local musicians including Cadavid’s wife, Dina on vocals, percussion and ukulele; Camille Sawtelle on vocals; Connor Williams on trumpet, horns; Jake Lidard on piano and synthesizer; Dave Donahue on bass and vocals; Dillon Cogdal on drums and percussion. For the musical recordings, Larry Dutmer played congas, bongos and shakers with the band. He’ll be sitting in on Friday for the first set, when the band will be presenting its original songs.
“We’ve been fortunate to have found Maxed Out Studios in Gypsum, and it’s been a blessing working with Max Clark, the owner and sound engineer,” Cadavid said. “He’s incredibly knowledgeable and easy to work with.”
The band began the process last October and finished production in March. The songs are now being mixed and mastered by Clark to prepare them for release on all streaming platforms.
The music release party will go from 8-11 p.m. and wear your dancing shoes as it will be a dance party with upbeat, joyous and danceable tunes. Come early and grab dinner at Route 6 Café and the bar will have drink specials including $4 Hornitos shots.
