Thanksgiving Day

Vail & Beaver Creek Ski Day

Thursday, November 23, Lionshead, Vail

After the second consecutive year of delayed openings due to lack of snow, what better way to give thanks to our lifts (finally) spinning than sliding on snow at Vail's second day of the 2017/18 winter season? Opening a week later (and a day earlier!) than anticipated, defying mother nature, the resort's snowmaking alchemists have managed to white-carpet 45 acres on Born Free. Rather ski the Beav'? Just down the road, you'll find 65 acres open on Gold Dust and Hay Meadow.  vail.com, beavercreek.com

Edwards's Turkey Trot

Thursday, November 23, 8 a.m., Singletree Community Center, Edwards

If you'd rather pound pavement on your run, in Edwards, you'll find 5k and 1-mile road races, with registration fees benefitting the Children's Global Alliance, and canned food donations being accepted for the local Salvation Army. singletreetoday.com

Eagle-Vail's 11th Annual Turkey Trot

Thursday, November 23, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Eagle-Vail Swimming Pool, Eagle-Vail

If you're a glutton for running, once you've raced in Edwards, you can notch another 5k up the road in Eagle-Vail. Dogs (and costumes) are welcome on Mikaela Shiffrin's neighborhood turf, the Thanksgiving Day 5k, with funds collected from registration benefitting YouthPower365 and the Eric Spry Memorial Fund. youthpower365.org

Turkey Trot 5k and 1-Mile Race

Thursday, November 23, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Brush Creek Elementary School, Eagle

And down-valley, Eagle's Brush Creek Elementary School hosts the town's 7th annual turkey trot, with an after party at Eagle's Dusty Boot Saloon complete with raffles and a silent auction benefitting Eagle County schools. eagleturkeytrot2017.com

Free Classes at the Westin

Thursday, November 23, 7:30 to 10 a.m., The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon

In the spirit of giving, The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa will be offering three free fitness classes (Pre-Turkey Trot Stretch and Strengthen Yoga, Turkey Burner HIIT Movement Class, Burn the Bird Hot Yoga) on Thanksgiving morning. westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com; 970-790-6000

So you're spending Thanksgiving morning on the slopes, on the road, or at the health club. Then who's stuck in the kitchen taking care of your meal? Hopefully not your spouse or significant other. If you'd rather leave the cooking (and the dish washing) to the pros, try these guys:

The Four Seasons, Vail Village: Flame will be trading in the steak for turkey, with Executive Chef Marcus Stewart cooking up Thanksgiving feast from 2 to 9 p.m.; $110 per adult, $35 per child. Reservations are a must. Or, order in with the Four Seasons' Thanksgiving feasts to-go, with part of the proceeds benefitting the local Salvation Army; $175 for 4-6 people. fourseasons.com, 970-477-8600

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch: Both of the Ritz's restaurants (Buffalos and WYLD) will be offering special Thanksgiving menus (available a la carte, or by the course), with reservations for a table at WYLD a must (Buffalos does not take reservations).  ritzcarlton.com, 970-748-6200

Vintage, Vail Village: Vintage will be offering a three-course spread from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($45 for adults, $25 for kids; reservations are a must), although, if you'd rather cozy up in your sweats post turkey trot, the restaurant will be offering family-style take-out until 4 p.m. vintage-vail.com, 970-479-0175

Friday, November 24 

Black Friday Community Run

Friday, November 24, 8 a.m., lululemon Vail, Vail Village

If you're still working off those Turkey Day calories, head over the Vail Village's Lululemon for a 45-minute run with ultra marathoner Rich Airey, and local mountaineer/trail runner/how-to-live-the-good-life coach, Ellen Miller. lululemon.com; 970-476-7040

Fill the Ambulance Toy Drive

Friday, November 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Walmart, Avon

Eagle County Paramedic Services will be parking their ambulances at Walmart in Avon for the day collecting unwrapped toys for kids (infants through 12-year-olds) to be donated to our local Salvation Army.

Beaver Creek's 37th Annual Tree Lighting

Friday, November 24, 3 to 6:30 p.m., Beaver Creek Village, Beaver Creek

With Thanksgiving officially in the books, the Beav' kicks off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa. Stick around for the end of the show, when fireworks will light up the village. beavercreek.com

Wolf Van Elfmand & Luke Callen at Loaded Joe's

Friday, November 24, 8 p.m., Loaded Joe's, Avon

Loaded Joe's hosts folk and country blues artists Wolf Van Elfmand (a Battle Mountain High School grad) and Luke Callen for a night of music. loadedjoes.com

Rum Creek at the Vail Ale House

Friday, November 25, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Vail Ale House, West Vail

Members of Coral Creek and Hot Buttered Rum hit the stage in West Vail to kick off opening weekend. vailalehouse.com

Saturday, November 25

Powlandia Snowmobile Movie Premier

Saturday, November 25, 9 p.m., Vail Ale House, West Vail

Filmed locally, Powlandia makes its debut on Saturday evening, followed by raffles, prizes, live music, and an afterparty that should keep things lively 'til the wee hours of the night. vailalehouse.com

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Saturday, November 25, 10 p.m., Blue Starlite Theater, Hotel Talisa, Vail

The newly opened Hotel Talisa (formerly the Vail Cascade) and the Vail Valley Theater Company host a film presentation of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Blue Starlite's new in-house boutique cinema. Tickets are a must, and can be purchased online. thebluestarlite.com