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Please note: Some schedules change without notice. Call or check web sites to confirm your plans.
A-Basin hosts telemark clinics throughout the season, including popular Women’s Tele Clinics. Other regular events include avalanche awareness clinics, rail jams and demo days with top manufacturers. Check the website for 2008-2009 events. Complete events: www.arapahoebasin.com. It’s all uphill in Aspen this summer. Meet celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay and Mario Batali and indulge in cooking seminars at the 26th Annual FOOD & WINE MAGAZINE CLASSIC (June 13-15). For something completely different, his Holiness the Dalai Lama will be the keynote speaker at THE ASPEN INSTITUTE’S SUMMER SYMPOSIUM (July 24-26) celebrating Tibetan and Himalayan culture. The ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL (June 19-Aug.17) features many fine performers, including pianist Simone Dinnerstein and conductor Joshua Bell. The JAZZ ASPEN SNOWMASS FESTIVALS (June 22-29 & Aug. 29-Sept. 1) will feature performers Diana Krall, B.B. King, Tony Bennett, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Kanye West, among many others. Explore literature at the Aspen Writers’ Foundation annual ASPEN SUMMER WORDS WRITING RETREAT & LITERARY FESTIVAL (June 22-26). The 18th-annual SUSAN G. KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE (July 19) benefits breast cancer research. Sporting enthusiasts can gaze upon the statuesque forms of volleyball players at the MOTHER LODE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT (Aug. 29-Sept. 1), or thrill to rough-and-tumble rugby in the RUGGERFEST (late September). Complete events: www.foodandwine.com; www.aspeninstitute.org; www.jazzaspen.org; www.aspenwriters.org; www.komenaspen.org; www.motherlodevolleyball.com; www.aspenrugby.com. AUTUMN ARTWALK IN ESTES PARK, annually in the fall This self-guided tour brings you to dozens of galleries and artists’ studios in Estes Valley, where you’ll discover wildlife photography, abstract art, pottery, weaving, jewelry and many other artistic endeavors. For 2008 dates: 970-586-9203; www.estesarts.com. You’re not old; you’ve just got a fine patina. Prove it to yourself at the ROCKY MOUNTAIN ANTIQUE FESTIVAL (July 25-27), which includes food booths, street entertainment and other family events in addition to lots of old stuff to look at and buy. Celebrate an early OCKTOBERFEST (Aug. 30-31), and catch a series of OUTDOOR CONCERTS, including America (July 2), the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (July 26) and Lez Zeppelin—an all-female (is that surprising?) Led Zeppelin tribute band (Aug. 30-31). Complete events: www.beavercreek.com. Head to charming Breckenridge for the 28TH ANNUAL BRECKENRIDGE FESTIVAL OF FILM (June 5-8), where filmmakers and guests mingle while enjoying eight movie premieres and more than 50 thought-provoking independent and documentary films. KINGDOM DAYS (June 13-14) celebrates the turn-of-the-century days when the town was known as “Colorado’s Kingdom,” and features outhouse races that will leave your face flushed with laughter. The 24th-annual GENUINE JAZZ FESTIVAL takes place in midsummer. Complete events: www.BreckFilmFest.com; www.gobreck.com. The summertime views are so good in Buena Vista, who wouldn’t want to spend some time there? Try the Collegiate Peaks Stampede Rodeo (July 11-12), which includes a pancake breakfast and parade, as well as evening performances. The TRAILFEST (July 19-20) is sponsored by the Continental Divide Trail Alliance and is an all-day event with vendors, kids’ activities, food and entertainment. Gold Rush Days (Aug. 9-10) allows you to step back in time to try gold panning, watch gunfights, take a square-dance lesson or listen to Western music, but the Triple Crown Burro Race for professionals and amateurs is a highlight. The 15th-annual SALIDA ART WALK (June 27-29) in historic downtown Salida shows why this town has been named one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. Complete events: www.buenavistacolorado.org; www.salidaartwalk.org. CLEAR CREEK COUNTY EVENTS Head to the hills for year-round events in Georgetown, Idaho Springs, Empire and Silver Plume. Complete events: www.clearcreekcounty.org; www.historicgeorgetown.org.
Nothing beats Copper Mountain’s cool breezes once summer’s heat sets in, and there’s plenty to see and do, too. Try the 19th-annual COPPER COURAGE CLASSIC (July 25-28), a 157-mile bike tour benefiting the Children's Hospital Foundation in Denver. Or there’s the RING WEEKEND (July 5-6), which includes live music, interactive games for children and an eco-friendly circus as well as the Sustainable Living Roadshow—a caravan of experienced educators, activists and entertainers aimed at inspiring communities to live in harmony with the earth. If it’s country music you’re hankerin’ fer, there’s the Labor Day weekend COPPER COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL (Aug. 30-31), which features top performers and the Copper Country Rodeo Championship and the Peak Performer singing contest. Complete events: www.couragetours.com. www.3ringweekend.com, www.sustainablelivingroadshow.com; www.coppercolorado.com. Close and convenient, Eldora offers something for everyone, from hard-core skiers to families. Check the website for 2008-2009 events. Complete events: www.eldora.com. Surrounded by snowcapped mountain peaks and set at the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park doesn’t need anything extra to attract tourists. But it’s got a lot going on this summer, including the MACGREGOR RANCH CHUCKWAGON DINNER (June 21), a benefit to help preserve Western heritage and youth education programs that includes hay wagon rides, barn tours, museum tours and a silent auction—oh, and an authentic chuckwagon supper followed by entertainment. Riders in the HUNTER JUMPER HORSE SHOW / FESTIVAL II (Aug. 8-10) negotiate obstacle courses and make dramatic jumps at top speed. Complete events: www.estesparkcvb.com; www.macgregorranch.org; www.chja.org. GILPIN COUNTY Some of the best fine artists in the Rocky Mountain Region showcase their work in THE GILPIN COUNTY ARTS ASSOCIATION 60TH ANNUAL EXHIBIT (June 1-Aug. 15). The exhibit and sale features works in all media and includes paintings, sculpture, weaving, pottery, glass and jewelry by area artists. Take in even more high-mountain art at the association’s MEMBERS EXHIBIT & SALE (Aug. 29-Oct. 4). Complete events: www.gilpinarts.org. GRAND JUNCTION This is Colorado’s wine country, and WINERY TOURS are available throughout the summer and into the fall, including ones at the Grande River Vineyards, the Two Rivers Winery and Plum Creek Cellars. The juicy PALISADE PEACH FESTIVAL takes place in mid-August. Complete events: www.visitgrandjunction.com. GUNNISON & CRESTED BUTTE EVENTS Celebrate the 27th-annual FAT TIRE BIKE WEEK (June 18-22), which includes a chainless race from the top of Kebler Pass into town, and was voted the best festival in a Bike Magazine reader poll. Chef Mike Marchitelli brings back BAYOU IN THE BUTTE (June 14-15), a swamp party featuring Louisiana cuisine served by nine local restaurants and caterers; expect dishes such as boiled crawfish, alligator and blackened scallops. If you forgot that Crested Butte was designated the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado” by the Colorado State Legislature in 1989, head up to see why at the 22nd-annual WILDFLOWER FESTIVAL (July 7-13). Not as pretty but much tastier is the CRESTED BUTTE WILD MUSHROOM FESTIVAL (Aug. 14-17), which educates participants about wild mushrooms via forays, cooking classes, lectures and workshops. People who love horses and bulls will love the 108TH ANNUAL CATTLEMEN’S DAYS (July 5-13), featuring a county fair, parade, carnival, live music and dancing, horse shows, cowpie bingo, horse races, and events sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). If you’re just not in an outdoor mood, the PUBLIC POLICY FORUM OF CRESTED BUTTE (July 3-Aug. 29) features experts lecturing on topics like “Climate Change: Fact or Fiction?” and “The Bush Legacy: A View from the Press Room.” Complete events: www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com; www.skicb.com; www.cbmushfest.com; www.cattlemensdays.com. KEYSTONE Complete events: www.keystoneresort.com. Say “I do” at 12,440 feet every Valentine’s Day. Loveland’s Feb. 14 Moutaintop Matrimony happens at noon at the top of Lift 2. A reception at Loveland Basin with music, food and spirits follows the cere-mony. Participating couples who pre-register online receive a two-for-one lift-ticket special. Loveland hosts more great events on and off the snow all winter long. Check website for 2008-2009 events. Complete events: www.skiloveland.com. STEAMBOAT SPRINGS EVENTS Steamboat Springs was never home to a steamboat, but it got its name from a hot spring that sounded like one. Perhaps you’ll be more interested in the 20TH-ANNUAL ROCKY MOUNTAIN FORD MUSTANG ROUNDUP (June 12-15). Or there’s raw animal power at THE 105TH-ANNUAL COWBOYS’ ROUNDUP DAYS AND FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION (July 4-6), which boasts a real cattle drive and an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. The 28TH-ANNUAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL (July 12-13), is hotly followed by the 4TH-ANNUAL WILD WEST AIR FEST, which features everything from vintage warplanes to remote-controlled aircraft. Complete events: www.steamboat-chamber.com. Gold and silver mining put Telluride on the map more than 100 years ago, but now the town helps support itself with world-class music festivals, including the TELLURIDE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL (June 19-22), featuring the Sam Bush Band, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Ani DiFranco and the Yonder Mountain String Band. There’s also the TELLURIDE MUSICFEST (June 6-15), with chamber music performed the way it was intended—in living rooms. There’s also the TELLURIDE BALLOON RALLY (June 6-8), the more down-to-earth TELLURIDE MUSHROOM FESTIVAL (Aug. 21-24) and the famous TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL (Aug. 29-Sept. 1). Complete events: www.telluridevisitorguide.com Vail has got to be one of North America’s most authentic-looking faux Alpine villages (Whistler’s also nice), and it offers a lot to see and do in summer. For highbrow entertainment, take in the VAIL VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL (June 25-Aug. 2) featuring performances by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, in addition to more than 40 internationally acclaimed soloists and chamber musicians. Or try the VAIL INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL (July 27-Aug. 9), with performances from the Paul Taylor Dance Company, composer/pianist Philip Glass and Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca. The VAIL ARTS FESTIVAL (Aug. 8-10) is a great place to view everything from watercolors and sculpture to jugglers. Complete events: www.vailmusicfestival.org; www.vaildance.org; www.vailartsfestival.com; www.tevamountaingames.com. WINTER PARK & FRASER VALLEY EVENTS
Or enjoy the WINTER PARK MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES (June 14, June 29, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 30) and the 35th-annual ALPINE ART AFFAIR (July 26-27), featuring fine arts, crafts, jewelry, photography, sculpture, used book sale, food, and entertainment. THE 24TH-ANNUAL TASTE OF GRAND COUNTY (Aug. 9) features beer and food tasting, and a silent auction, and it benefits the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD). Another NSCD benefit is the FAMOUS FLAMETHROWERS HIGH ALTITUDE CHILI COOKOFF (Aug. 23-24), during which costumed chefs compete for the state title and a chance to represent the Rocky Mountain region in the World Chili Cook-Off. Complete events: www.skiwinterpark.com.
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Don’t let Winter Park’s official population of about 700 people fool you. There’s plenty to do here besides ski. There’s the GRAND COUNTY BLUESFEST (June 28-29) with performances from masters like Johnny Winter, Jimmy Thackery and Joe Bonamassa. 
