Women’s World Cup races, Tiesto, Grace Potter and Santa headline the weekend in the Vail Valley
The Birds of Prey World Cup races return as the women take to the course at Beaver Creek while plenty of holiday happenings can be found in Vail and Edwards
Vail Recreation District/Courtesy photo
Birds of Prey women’s World Cup races
The fastest women alpine ski racers in the world are in Eagle County for the Birds of Prey World Cup races this weekend. Last week, the men’s alpine race teams were here to compete in the downhill, super-G and giant slalom and this week the women will compete in the downhill on Saturday and the super-G on Sunday. Both races begin at 11 a.m. and you can watch them live and in person at Red Tail Stadium. Park at the lots below ($13 or free after 1 p.m.) and take the free shuttle bus to Beaver Creek Village. From there, hop on the free shuttle that takes you from the village to the finish stadium. Concessions and restrooms are available at the race venue and there’s a big screen television to help you see the action at the top of the course before the racers come into view and end with a flourish in the finish corral. It’s amazing to see the finest racers in the sport on our home hill.
Big news this year: Lindsey Vonn has come out of retirement at 40 and due to a partial knee replacement last April, the Olympic medalist and World Cup champion is feeling good enough to return to her passion. She was able to come back to the sport thanks to a new wild card rule that the International Federation of Skiing (FIS) put into place, but Vonn did not have enough World Cup criteria to compete at Beaver Creek and wasn’t quite ready to get back into the competition, but according to her social media posts and comments made to the media, she is happy to be here and she will forerun the course during the competitions, so get up to the races early to see the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail star. Forerunners ski down the hill before the actual races begin.
Come and meet the U. S. Ski Team, including Vonn, at the autograph signing at 2:45 p.m. on Friday in Beaver Creek Village where they will be signing posters and anything you bring them, like your helmet or a cap or article of clothing. There will also be a chance to see the athletes at the bib draw on Saturday at 6 p.m. on the Stranahan’s Music Stage in Beaver Creek Village. A bib draw is where racers draw their bib numbers and those numbers determine their start order at the next day’s race. The bib draw will be followed by fireworks at 6:30 p.m.
There will be a lot of music surrounding the Birds of Prey races this weekend. Free concerts will be happening outdoors at the Stranahan’s Music Stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Teton Gravity Research will be showing “Beyond the Fantasy” at 4 and 7 p.m. on Friday at the Vilar Performing Arts Center and tickets are still available.
There are also some big acts coming to the valley for the ticketed concerts. On Friday, Tiesto will perform in Vail at Ford Park at 6:30 p.m. Tiesto is an electronic dance music artist with a worldwide following. This show is sure to draw people from other surrounding ski towns and the Front Range. Get your tickets and dress for the elements since this is an outdoor show.
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Another famous artist coming to play during the Birds of Prey World Cup weekend is Grace Potter, who will be at the Vilar Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Potter has had multiple Grammy nominations and has gained critical acclaim for work and she has recently released “Mother Road,” her fifth solo album. She also is a ski racer at heart and loves to travel to different ski towns to play.
The Beers of Prey continues for its second weekend at the Birds of Prey World Cup on Saturday between 2-5 p.m. Sample beers from 10 different breweries. This will be happening along Birds of Prey Way in Beaver Creek, adjacent to the sponsor booths and the live music throughout the day. Birds of Prey Way will host fun booths like Josh Cellars Hearth where they will be pouring wine samples. Aviator Nation will be back again this weekend with merchandise you can buy right on the spot including their collaboration with the Birds of Prey World Cup. Look for ski racer-inspired designed sportswear made in the U.S.A. and designed by Aviator Nation founder Paige Mycoskie, who is a skier herself and has ties to Beaver Creek Resort.
For more information and to see a schedule of the musical line up and events and to get tickets, go to BCWorldCup.com.
Kris Kringle Market
Holiday shopping returns to the streets of Vail with the annual Kris Kringle Market. Browse through over 60 booths along Willow Bridge Road and Meadow Drive from now until Sunday. The Kris Kringle Market will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from noon until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The Kris Kringle Market will be a great place to buy a gift or souvenir. Look for specialty items like handmade toys, Christmas ornaments and decorations, cookies, chocolate treats and more. Soak in the true spirit of the holiday season and support local craft vendors while enjoying authentic food and drinks and music.
Check out the list of vendors at VailFarmersMarket.com. The same organizers of the Vail Farmers Market and Art show put on the Kris Kringle Market, and you will find some of the same vendors who appear at the summer market. Come after skiing or make a day of it. Dress warmly so you can shop until you drop.
Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run
The Vail Recreation District is bringing back the Ugly Holiday Sweater Fun Run on Sunday in Lionshead. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. at Bart and Yeti’s, which serves as the start and finish of the event. Choose between the 5K or a 3K walk, jog, stroll – however you want to move your body. The route will take you through town, not much elevation gain at all, and a good way to burn some calories before coming back to Bart and Yeti’s for the after party. There will be free breakfast burritos and beer (for those 21 and older) hot chocolate and raffle prizes. Zany holiday sweaters are highly encouraged and could win you a prize. Prizes will be handed out for best costumes for individuals, groups, kids and dogs.
This is a charity event for The Community Market food bank and there’s a toy drive. The price to enter is a very affordable $8 and then you are supposed to bring a food item or a new, unwrapped toy. If you can’t make it to the event, you can donate items at drop boxes at Santa’s Workshop and the Bill Wright Tennis Center in Vail. To register and to find a list of items The Community Market needs, go to VailRec.com.
Santa and a Movie at Riverwalk Theater
Also on Sunday, it’s time for Santa and a Movie. Presented by the Riverwalk Theater in Edwards, and benefiting Edwards Elementary, this is a fun way to start your day. The Riverwalk Theater will be playing some fun holiday classics that all ages can enjoy. Come early for photos and visits with Santa, which start at 9:15 a.m. the movies will begin at 11 a.m.
Stick around for the s’mores, mimosa bar, hot cocoa and more. Tickets are $25 and that includes the photo op with Santa and a movie. Get your tickets at RiverwalkTheater.com or at the box office.
Party on Wall Street
Did you know that there’s a Wall Street in Vail? It’s not a financial district, it’s more of a hub of a great variety of businesses which are banding together to host its first ever Wall Street Block Party. Head to this street, which is just west of Bridge Street and next to the Children’s Fountain in Vail Village. Sponsored by Discover Vail, J. Cotter Gallery, American Ski Exchange and Two Arrows Coffee and Bar, check out the fun from 2-6 p.m. There will be a free keg, live music with a band and then DJ, glass blowing and other artists on the street and a raffle with items from Wall Street businesses. There will also be a large screen for viewing of the Birds of Prey world Cup events. The women’s downhill race is at 11 a.m. but NBC will show it at 2 p.m.
Musical Pop-Ups in Vail
Vail Mountain is getting the party started at the top of the Eagle Bahn (No. 19) on Friday with a pop-up musical set with Eli & Fur at Eagle’s Nest Rooftop. In addition to Eli & Fur, check out Denver local GOLDSTAR. Although this is free, you must get a wrist band. 400 free wristbands will be given out on a first come first serve basis, with dedicated access for a group of Epic Pass Holders. Wristband pickup will be east of Lionshead ticket office, near the walking path, starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, the day of the show. The event is from noon until 2 p.m. and you’ll need your Epic Pass or a scenic gondola ride ticket to get to the show.
On Saturday at the base of Gondola One (No. 1) you’ll find Après All Day at the Express Lift Bar. On select dates throughout the winter, Express Lift will host free DJs from 1-3 p.m. This week it’s Vanaken and if you want to view the schedule, go to Vail.com’s Signature Events page.
