Friday

Free Mountaintop Yoga

Friday, December 8, 9 a.m., Eagle's Nest, Vail Mountain

Vail's annual celebration marking the start of the winter season, Snow Days, is back again, and this season's three-day party kicks off with a mountaintop flow Friday morning, free for all those with a valid lift ticket or season pass. Participants need to board Lionshead Village's Eagle Bahn Gondola by 9 a.m. for the 9:30 class at Eagle's Nest. If you're 21+, don't forget to grab your free swag bag on the way out, complete with a beer voucher redeemable at the Arrabelle's Tavern on the Square later that day. vail.com

Retail Therapy Holiday Craft Fair

Friday, December 8, 3 to 7 p.m., Mountain Soul Yoga, Edwards

In addition to helping you flex your muscles, Mountain Soul Yoga will be hosting local artisans to help you get an early start on your Christmas lists prior to the studio's weekly Happy Hour Yoga session ($10 drop-in, with an afterparty). mountainsoulyoga.com

Guided Snowshoe Tour & Aprés Parties

Friday, December 8, 3:30 to 6 p.m., Golden Peak & Tavern on the Square, Vail

If the "snow" part of Vail's Snow Days event is a must, sign up for a guided snowshoe tour from the base of Golden Peak to Lionshead Village with guides from the Vail Nordic School. Then join an afterparty at the Arrabelle's Tavern on the Square, with live music and drink special starting at 3 p.m. Space is limited for the snowshoe hike (RSVP at 970-754-4390), although the aprés party is open to all (including non-snowshoers). vail.com

Vail Yeti Hockey

Saturday, December 8, 7:45 p.m., Dobson Ice Arena, Vail

The Jackson Hole Moose come to town to take on the valley's very own semi-professional hockey team, the Vail Yeti, for a two-game series over the weekend. vailyetihockey.com

Envy Alo at the Vail Ale House

Friday, December 8, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Vail Ale House, West Vail

Boulder-based Envy Alo brings its brand of psychedelic funk jams to the mountains, with the Vail Ale House (and its 20-tap beer selection and dance floor) hosting the party 'til the wee hours. vailalehouse.com

Renegade Sons at Main Street Grill

Friday, December 8, 9 p.m., Main Street Grill, The Riverwalk, Edwards

Local rockers the Renegade Sons headline an evening of live music for the Main Street Grill's winter season kickoff party. mainstreetgrilledwards.com

Jerry Joseph and The Jackmormons

Friday, December 8, 9:30 p.m., Agave, Avon

Jerry Joseph and his band play selections from their new release, "Weird Blood," at the valley's only nightclub. $10-$12. agaveavon.com

Saturday

Eagle County Animal Shelter's Holiday Party

Saturday, December 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Eagle County Animal Shelter, Eagle

If hanging out with a few furry friends is your idea of a real paw-ty, check out Eagle County Animal Shelter & Services' holiday bash, which includes cooking making and hanging out with some sweet pooches and kitties for the day. eaglecounty.us

Fieldhouse Holiday Party

Saturday, December 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., WECMRD Fieldhouse, Edwards

Edwards' fieldhouse transforms into a holiday-themed gymnasium, with Santa stopping by from 10 a.m. to noon, and free activities for the kids planned throughout the day (although the official trampoline bounce time is scheduled to run from 1 to 3 p.m.). wecmrd.com

Freedom of the Forests Fundraiser

Saturday, December 9, 3 to 7 p.m., Shakedown Bar, Vail Village

The valley's own Weston Snowboards joins the National Forest Foundation for an epic aprés fundraising benefitting public lands protectors. Sponsors (including Breckenridge Distillery, Zeal Optics, Thule, Flylow Gear, Rocky Mountain Underground, Phunkshun Wear, Spark R&D, Backcountry United) will be raffling off swag throughout the event, which revolves around live music and guest speakers, and raising money for the cause. shakedownbarvail.com

Family Skating ‘n S’mores

Saturday, December 9, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Vail Square Ice Rink in Lionshead Village, Vail

Snow Days continues with free ice skating and s'mores roasting in Lionshead Village for the whole family, and an aprés party (3 to 6 p.m.) at neighboring Tavern on the Square for those 21 and older. vail.com

Snow Days Free Concert

Saturday, December 9, 6 p.m., Solaris, Vail Village 

Eminence Ensemble, a soulful five-piece from Boulder, opens the show before headliners The Greyboy Allstars bring their staple of funky, jazzy, rock to Vail's main stage. vail.com

Bonfire Dub: The Doors

Saturday, December 9, 7:30 p.m., Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek

Bonfire Dub heads to the Beav's premier stage for a special show that combines the group's uplifting brand of reggae-rock with classic hits from The Doors. Tickets are $15. vvf.org

Vail Yeti Hockey

Saturday, December 9, 7:45 p.m., Dobson Ice Arena, Vail

If you missed Friday's showdown between the home team and the Jackson Hole Moose, catch Saturday night's round two of on-ice action. vailyetihockey.com

Sweet Loaf at the Turntable 

Saturday, December 9, 8:45 to 10:45 p.m., Turntable Restaurant, Minturn

If you thought Turntable Restaurant was only for nursing your post-night-out headache with a jumbo-sized bacon Bloody Mary, guess again. Minturn's landmark eatery is kicking off its dinner service with live music from rollicking local funk-rock-soul quartet Sweet Loaf. turntablerestaurant.com

RMGDR with Dark Star Orchestra’s Rob Eaton Doing Europe '72

Saturday, December 9, 10:30 p.m., Vail Ale House, West Vail

Dark Star Orchestra's Rob Eaton is joined by the Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue for a 45th anniversary celebration of the band's 1972 European tour. vailalehouse.com

Sunday

Santa Brunch at Maya

Sunday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Maya at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon

Santa and Ralph, the world's tallest elf, will be the stars of Maya's Sunday brunch filled with holiday treats (and, of course, breakfast favorites). $45 for adults, $20 for kids. westinriverfront.com