Vail-Beaver Creek Weekend Agenda: December 6-8
River Radamus on course at Birds of Prey.
Image: Birds of Prey
Friday
Local Artists Holiday Market
Dec. 6 – 8, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Alpine Arts Center, Edwards
Featuring pottery, paintings, photos, jewelry, kitchen accessories, art supplies, gift baskets and more, this market provides a great opportunity to purchase unique gifts as well as support local artists. Alpineartscenter.org
Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup Super G
December 6, 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m., Red Tail Stadium, Beaver Creek
Don’t miss this opportunity to cheer on skiers that are most definitely faster than you on Beaver Creek’s famous Birds of Prey racecourse. First up: Super-G, an event that has been described as a cross between Downhill and Giant Slalom. With no training runs (just a racer inspection), these skiers have one chance to make their mark on this technical course. Bcworldcup.com
The Drunken Hearts
December 6, 2-2:45 p.m. and 3-3:45 p.m., Beaver Creek Village
Enjoy free live music from “Boulder’s Americana Heroes” with two sets from Colorado’s own rock and roll quintet, The Drunken Hearts. Bcworldcup.com
Birds of Prey Athlete Signing
December 6, 4-6 p.m., Gorsuch, Beaver Creek
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet the U.S. athletes taking on the Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup – you can even get your poster signed. bcworldcup.com
Silent Disco
December 6, 4-6 p.m., Beaver Creek Village
It’s like being at a disco, but silent. Wrap up the first full day of racing with Birds of Prey Way Friday festivities including daily giveaways and a free Silent Disco with live DJ-ing by DJ Walt White and The Global DJ Team. bcworldcup.com
Santa’s Workshop
December 6, 3 – 6 p.m., Imagination Station, Vail
It’s an afternoon of holiday cheer for kids of all ages. Choose a half-hour time slot and you’ll get a chance to visit and have your picture taken with Santa. Other activities include personalizing a picture frame, creating an ornament, decorating a cookie and making a special gift. Free. vailrec.com
Town of Minturn Tree Lighting
Dec. 6, 6 p.m., Town of Minturn
Light up the night as Minturn celebrates with a traditional tree lighting celebration featuring trivia and prizes for kids, a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," free hot cocoa, live music and more. minturn.org
Warren Miller’s Timeless
December 6, 6:30 p.m., Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
It’s not really ski season until you’ve seen Warren Miller’s annual ski movie. This year’s movie, “Timeless,” proves that nothing compares to the anticipation of another season. The 70th Warren Miller film, “Timeless” features ski legends like Glen Plake alongside newcomers like Catie Zeliff, Jaelin Kauf and Baker Boyd. Shot on location in British Columbia, France, Austria, Switzerland, Colorado and Jackson Hole. (Tickets start at $21). vilarpac.org
Vail Yeti Hockey
Dec. 6 and 7, 7:45 p.m., Dobson Arena, Vail
Cheer on Vail’s hometown hockey team as the Yeti takes on the Jackson Hole Moose for the opening games of the season. (Tickets start at $5) vailyetihockey.com
Saturday
Brunch with Santa
Dec. 7, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Maya at Westin Riverfront, Avon
Celebrate the opening day of the Riverfront Gondola and enjoy breakfast with Santa and Ralph, the world’s tallest elf. This full brunch buffet includes a carving station, seafood display and dessert spread. Get your free photo with Santa from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Reservations are suggested. (Adults $45; children 12 and younger $20.) richardsandoval.com/maya-bc
Freeskier Buyer’s Guide LIVE
Dec. 7, 9 a.m., Lionshead Village
If Freeskier’s annual Buyer’s Guide is your bible for gear, then don’t miss this opportunity to sample the picks for yourself. During this special event, you can ski on many skis as you like from this year’s Buyer’s Guide and then rock out at a Freeskier après party at Shakedown with gear giveaways, drink specials and much more. RSVP here. Freeksier.com
Bloodies and Bluegrass
December 7, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., Beaver Creek Village
What better way to start race spectating than with free Bloody Marys and Bluegrass music? Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon) and Mark Morris (Rapidgrass) provide the tunes as you get those cowbell ringing arms nice and loose.
Minturn Winter Holiday Market
December 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Minturn
All the joy of Minturn’s summer market with a holiday twist. Peruse wares from a wide variety of vendors for holiday gift options, plus enjoy music from carolers, an appearance by Santa, s’mores and more. minturn.org
Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup Downhill
December 7, 11 a.m., Red Tail Stadium, Beaver Creek
This is the one the fans have been waiting for: Downhill is perhaps the most exciting event in alpine ski racing. In this high-stakes race, downhill racers attempt to be the fastest one down the mountain through a minimum number of control gates. Speeds in Downhill often exceed 80mph on major courses on a hill with at least a 750-meter vertical drop. bcworldcup.com
Whitacre
December 7, 1-1:45 p.m. and 2-2:45 p.m., Beaver Creek Village
One of Denver’s fastest rising rock bands, Whitacre provides a high-energy show that’ll have you up and dancing before you know what hit you. Work off some of that post-race excitement at this free show. bcworldcup.com
Beers of Prey
December 7, 2-6 p.m., Beaver Creek Village
Cheers to the beers! Now in its fourth year, this boutique beer festival brings craft breweries to the heart of Beaver Creek for a sampling of limited edition, seasonal and fan favorite brews. *NEW for 2019* The first 300 ticket buyers will receive a custom Beers of Prey OtterBox tumbler with their purchase. (Tickets are $35) bcworldcup.com
Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue
December 7, 3:15-4:15 and 4:45 – 5:45 p.m., Beaver Creek Village
The free live music continues with this group of premier players from top Grateful Dead tribute bands. Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue’s forte lies in its faithful rendering of Grateful Dead material, both originals and covers, and the Grateful Dead’s trademark style of improvisation. bcworldcup.com
Miller Sports Grand Opening
December 7, 4 to 6 p.m., Solaris, Vail Village
Get into the Birds of Prey spirit—World Cup racers Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and Dustin Cooke will be on hand to sign autographs for Miller Sports' Grand Opening Party along with Oakley and (yours truly) Vail-Beaver Creek Magazine. Drinks and passed apps will be served throughout the event. millersportsaspen.com
Warren Miller’s Timeless
December 6 and 9 p.m., Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
Here’s your second and last chance to experience Warren Miller’s 70th film, “Timeless,” with two showings at the Vilar. “Timeless” features ski legends like Glen Plake alongside newcomers like Catie Zeliff, Jaelin Kauf and Baker Boyd. Shot on location in British Columbia, France, Austria, Switzerland, Colorado and Jackson Hole. (Tickets start at $21). Vilarpac.org
Sunday
Bloodies and Bluegrass
December 8, 8:45 – 9:45 a.m., Beaver Creek Village
It’s Sunday Funday at Beaver Creek with free Bloody Marys and Bluegrass music with Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon) and Mark Morris (Rapidgrass) before catching the shuttle up to the last event of the Birds of Prey weekend. Bcworldcup.com
Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup Giant Slalom
December 8, 9:34 a.m., Red Tail Stadium, Beaver Creek
Considered the event that requires the most technical skill, in Giant Slalom racers speed down the mountain through a faster and more open course than regular slalom, requiring the execution of many short, quick turns. Skiers get two runs – the total time of both runs determines the winners. Bcworldcup.com
Santa’s Workshop
December 8, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Edwards Fieldhouse, Edwards
Enjoy a fun-filled morning with a visit from Santa and the world's tallest elf, holiday music, crafts, brunch items by Rustic Farm to Fork, silent auction and Mountain Recreation offerings like gymnastics, trampolines and field games during the 3rd annual Santa’s Workshop from Eagle Valley Child Care Association and Mountain Recreation. (tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 3 and up and free for kids under 2 years old; a family rate of $25 for two adults and two children is also available). Mountainrec.org
