Slope Side
June / July, 2010
Roads Less Traveled
Lesser Known Mountain Town Events
With the last bit of snow melting, mountains towns are sprucing up for the summer season. Besides being the epicenter for activities like rafting, biking and hiking, high country communities lure tourists with festivals and activities that have become signature events on their annual agendas. Nearly all have a music, art or food fest, so we've found some lesser-known events that you might want to consider when making your vacation plans.
By Claudia Carbone
ASPEN
Well known: Aspen Food & Wine Classic
Little known: Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival
In its third year, this hilarious party includes the National College Comedy Competition for emerging talent and acts by comedians who have been selected as those to watch in the world of comedy.
Wheeler Opera House, June 10-13
800-860-0293
wheeleroperahouse.com
BEAVER CREEK
Well known: Beaver Creek Arts Festival
Little known: Beaver Creek Rodeo Series
The whole family can watch and participate in this classic western event with bareback bronc riding, calf scramble, team roping, bull riding, barrel racing, burro racing and mutton bustin'. Pre-rodeo activities include pony rides, face painting, mechanical bull and a BBQ. Free for kids 12 and younger; in Avon with free shuttle from Beaver Creek.
July 1, 8, 15, 22 and Aug. 5, 12, 19
800-608-4849
Beavercreek.com
BRECKENRIDGE
Well known: Breckenridge Music Festival
Little known: Arts District of Breckenridge
Get in touch with your inner artist at the arts campus in the renovated historic buildings in the center of town. Visiting and resident artists offer workshops, demos and lectures for all ages in a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, textiles, ceramics, photography and creative writing throughout the summer. Also, the 30th annual Festival of Film June 10-13 offers a great opportunity to learn about filmmaking.
888-251-2417
GoBreck.com
CRESTED BUTTE
Well known: Wildflower Festival
Little known: Opera
This little town will be presenting a big opera with big talent - La Bohème - conducted by David Syrus, head of music for the Royal Opera of Covent Garden, London, and directed by Metropolitan Opera Director Sarah Meyers. Met bass-baritone and Colorado native Keith Miller singing the role of Coline will be joined by other stars from around the country singing the opera in Italian.
July 25, August 3 & 5
970-349-0619
crestedbuttemusicfestival.com
DURANGO
Well known: Narrow Gauge Railroad
Little known: Agritourism
Find out where your food comes from. This new tourist attraction takes visitors on tours of organic farms and ranches in the area where they will learn about sustainable farming and ranching. See bees make honey, watch dogs guarding free-range chickens and sample veggies you pick from the garden.
800-463-8726
durango.org
ESTES PARK
Well known: Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival
Little known: Wool Market
This 20th annual market is all about wool - the animals it comes from, how we get and products made from it. Learn from contests, exhibits and demos that include shearing, fiber preparation, spinning, weaving and how to pack a llama. Shop for wool items in more than 50 booths.
June 10-13
800-44-ESTES
estesparkcvb.com
GRAND JUNCTION (Gateway)
Well known: Wine Country
Little known: Gateway Auto Museum
This unusual museum contains 45 of the most prized classic cars of the $11 million collection owned by John Hendricks (founder of the Discovery Channel) and family. It tells an engaging story about the automotive history arranged in a timeline of more than 100 years-from the 1906 Cadillac Model H Coupe to the 2008 Tesla Roadster. Gateway is one hour southwest of Grand Junction on Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway 141.
970-931-2895
gatewayautomuseum.com
SALIDA
Well known: FIBark Whitewater festival
Little known: Riverside Fine Arts Festival
Last year, this new gathering of juried fine artists from 15 states debuted in Riverside Park and, combined with continuous music on both days, turned out to be one of the best in the country. Not surprising, as Sunset magazine named Salida "best art community in the west."
Aug. 14-15
719-221-1566
salidaartfestival.com
TELLURIDE
Well known: Jazz and Bluegrass Festivals
Little known: Telluride Yoga Festival
For yoga devotees, there's not a more beautiful place to breathe deeply than the San Juan Mountains. In its third year, world class instructors like Aadil Palkhivala from Washington and Santa Fe's Tias Little will offer workshops in the various systems of yoga for all levels with morning meditations.
July 8-11
970-728-2477
tellurideyogafestival.com
VAIL
Well known: Vail International Dance Festival
Little known: Vail Lacrosse Shootout
Though it's known in Lacrosse circles, tourists may not know about this prestigious invitational club tournament now in its 38th year. More than 3,000 athletes from national high school and college (elite) teams in men's and women's divisions as well as men's masters, supermasters and grandmasters play throughout the Vail Valley. The elite games are scheduled close to the July 4th holiday for exciting spectator thrills.
June 26-July 4
303-814-2714
vaillacrosse.com
WINTER PARK
Well known: Winter Park Jazz Festival
Little known: Zoppe Italian Family Circus & Children's Camp
This small traveling theatrical circus has been entertaining audiences in Old-World Italian tradition since 1842. The clown Nino headlines acts that include acrobatic feats, equestrian showmanship, canine capers, comedy and audience participation Aug. 6-8 & 13-15. Kids can learn circus tricks at the camp for kids 6-13 years old.
Aug. 9-13
970-726-1564
winterparkresort.com
Claudia Carbone is the editor of Out of Denver and an award-winning freelance journalist and author. She loves exploring her native Colorado in the summer. Read more in her blog womenskiingandsports.com.
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