Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 970-476-1092;
www.vailfilmfestival.org
; tickets $10; early Apr)
It's not the biggest indie film fest
on the block, but it brings plenty of star power. Past attendees include Kevin Smith, Paul
Rudd, Olivia Wilde and Harold Ramis. Screenings take place at the Vail Plaza Hotel in
Vail Village, and at the Park Hyatt and the Vilar Performing Arts Center, both in Beaver
Creek.
Taste of Vail
( 970-306-1334;
www.tasteofvail.com
; festival pass $495; early Apr)
For more than 20 years this
gourmet festival has offered some of the best mountain cuisine you can imagine. The
main event is the grand tasting and auction, with every Vail restaurant included, but the
lamb cook-off and après-ski wine tasting run a close second.
FOOD
FESTIVAL
Spring Back to Vail
(
www.vail.com
; mid-Apr)
This weekend party officially closes the ski season with a series of
free concerts and barbecues. There's always a big act for the Friday night concert -
Wyclef Jean and Jimmy Cliff have been past headliners. The annual pond-skimming
championships (involving a ski jump and an icy pond) might be the highlight though.
Vail Jazz Festival
( 888-824-5526;
www.vailjazz.org
; Labor Day concert $55-75; Jul-Sep)
This acclaimed international
jazz festival features a series of free outdoor concerts in Lionshead (Thursdays) and at the
Vail Farmers Market (Sundays). The festival is anchored by the Labor Day Weekend
Party, which is when the big hitters come to town.
JAZZ
Snow Daze
(
www.vailsnowdaze.com
;
early Dec)
Held annually in early December, this early season party
once marked the official opening of Vail Mountain. Now it's just one of the biggest early
season ski-town parties on the continent. Headliners include big acts like Wilco.
MUSIC
Sleeping
Aside from camping, don't expect to find any budget or midrange lodging in Vail. Ski-
season rates reach their peak during the Christmas and New Year holidays, but you should
expect astronomical prices all winter long. Rates quoted here are for mid-February
through March, when the snow is best; January prices are marginally cheaper. For the
most part, you're paying for location, and location only: a lot of the lodging is condo
