This year, our resorts are celebrating Independence Day weekend with a variety of fun activities. Make sure you check out the concerts by local artists, patriotic parades, spectacular fireworks displays, and don’t forget that this year there will be lift-served skiing for the first time in 14 years.
Steamboat Springs
Fourth of July weekend is typically known for fireworks and parades, but in Colorado this year, it will also be known for skiing and riding. One of Colorado Ski Country USA’s resorts, Arapahoe Basin, has had robust spring snowfalls, including six fresh inches as recently as last week, and cooler temperatures which has kept the snow in good condition.
Many of our other resorts are enticing guests with a menu of fun family activities and plenty of events that pay patriotic homage to the stars and stripes. Below are some of the holiday highlights happening this Fourth of July weekend in Ski Country USA.
Arapahoe Basin
For Independence Day weekend at Arapahoe Basin the slopes will be open July 1 4. The ski area will open at 8:30 a.m. and two lifts will be running each day Black Mountain Express and Lenawee Mountain Lift and will close at 2:30 p.m.Lift tickets will be $39 for adults, $29 for youths (15-19) and $19 for children (6-14). Season passes valid at A-Basin during the regular season will continue to be valid during the Fourth of July weekend. For more information please visit www.arapahoebasin.com.
A-Basin received six "unofficial" inches of fresh snow last week
Aspen/Snowmass
At Snowmass Village in Aspen, the Eco Music Festival will be held June 30 July 3. Every part of Eco Music Festival is designed to make a positive environmental impact, from ticket purchases that grow trees to action-packed competitions that raise funds for green local schools. For more information please visit www.emufestival.com.
The Thursday Night Summer of Free Music Series makes its weekly appearance as another music event held in Aspen during the Fourth of July weekend. Each Thursday thousands of locals and visitors gather at the base of Fanny Hill forfree open-air concerts featuring some of the best rock, reggae and R&B in the country. Concert goers can bring along a blanket or low lawn chair and a picnic dinner for the ultimate al fresco experience. Call 1-800-SNOWMASS for more information. Then on July 4, Aspen will celebrate the holiday with an old-fashioned Fourth of July parade on Main Street. For more information on weekend events please visit www.aspenchamber.org.
During the weekend and beyond, Aspen also encourages guests to explore the many other summer activities on Snowmass and Aspen Mountain, including the new mountain bike trails on Snowmass.
Copper Mountain
This summer, FAC stands for Fridays at Copper, or not-so-coincidently, Free at Copper. Starting July 1, which is a Friday, Copper’s FAC includes free music, free movies and free activities. After guests spend $30 in the Village, guests can redeem free tickets to Coppers village activities, from bungee to bumper boats. On July 1, the Friday Night Street Party includes free live music by Jeremy Dion, while the free movie in Burning Stones Outdoor Theater is Tangled (PG).
Coppers 3 Ring Weekend kicks off on Friday, July 1 and lasts until Sunday, July 3. 3 Ring Weekend is a free family event featuring live music, a conscious carnival, the Primp my Ride kid-powered parade, fireworks and interactive activities designed to educate and entertain. This summer enjoy the musical samplings of Jeremy Dion, as well as the Salteens. Bringing back the 80s, and new this year, is the first annual Big Wheel Rally on Saturday, July 2, from 1:00 2:00 p.m., featuring races for both kids and adult. Please visit www.3ringweekend.com for more information.
In conjunction with 3 Ring Weekend, the Copper Mountain Half Marathon returns for a fifth year, July 2 3. In addition to the half marathon through the scenic Rocky Mountains, runners can test their skills with the Saturday 10k trail run and the kids MaraFun Run for ages 3 12 later in the morning. The exhilarating course starts and finishes in the heart of the Village at Copper and has a little something for every level of runner a great t-shirt, an expo, beer, food and fun. Visit www.copperhalf.com or call 303-926-1017 for more info or to register for the races.
Crested Butte
Fourth of July weekend at Crested Butte includes a legendary parade, an afternoon patriotic performance, a pancake breakfast, and two fireworks displays.
On July 3 and 4, visitors can start the holiday by celebrating on Sunday night with a fireworks show in the town of Crested Butte. Early the next morning, guests can participate in the Gothic Run, Walk or Crawl Marathon, benefiting Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, followed by a carb load at the Crested Butte Fire Protection District Annual Pancake Breakfast.
After pancakes, Elk Avenue (Crested Buttes main street) will accumulate with spectators, filling sidewalks and rooftops in anticipation of the parade. Those looking to get wet after standing in the summer heat can make their way to the end of the parade for the annual town water fight. Elk Avenue also hosts food, entertainment, and old-fashion games to continue the downtown celebrations. Guests can also head up the ski hill for an afternoon of fun, which includes access to the resorts Adventure Park. The park will remain open until 8:00 p.m., and is complete with a climbing tower, bungee trampolines, disc golf, 18 holes of miniature golf, and the new Zip Line Tour. For a fitting finale, Orgone, a Los Angeles funk band, takes the Red Lady Stage in the base area to celebrate Independence Day, including a second fireworks show during intermission over the iconic peaks of Crested Butte.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort
Purgatory invites guests for the Fourth of July weekend to enjoy many spectacular events like the Firecracker Fun Run, BBQ, live music and a beautiful fireworks display that will light up the Durango skyline.
On July 3 and 4, Durango hosts the Red, White and Blues celebration. Participants are encouraged to sign up for the Firecracker Fun Run, a half-mile run the whole family can do together, or the Firecracker 5k Trail Race.Registration for the Fun Run is free and will be held on the morning of the race. The grill will be cranking all weekend with all-American favorites, including mouth-watering burgers and hot dogs. Registration and more information can be found at www.active.com.
Fourth of July revelers can also enjoy live music on the outdoor patio before taking the shuttle to watch the fireworks display in Silverton. For more information about the shuttle call 970-426-7282.
Sunlight
At Sunlight this Independence Day weekend there will be a free concert and fireworks show. The City of Glenwood Springs and the Symphony in the Valley will celebrate the Fourth of July with a free concert in Two Rivers Park, followed by a fantastic fireworks display. Please visit www.SymphonyInTheValley.org for more details.
Telluride
The 2011 Telluride Plein Air event will take place June 28 July 4. Artists will arrive and begin painting in and around the Telluride area on June 28. Upon arrival, the artists will take to the streets to paint, before selling their artwork at the annual art sale, which will take place on July 3 and 4 in front of the Sheridan Opera House (Oak Street and Elk’s Park). The gala premiere, silent auction and annual concert will take place the evening of July 2 at the Sheridan Opera House.
Hot 8 Brass Band kicks off the Fourth of July holiday weekend on July 2 with a free concert in Sunset Plaza. In addition to great live music, there will be family-friendly activities beginning at 2:00 p.m., including a bungee trampoline, jumping castle, face painting, and the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program ice cream fundraiser.
On July 4, guests are welcome to celebrate Independence Day the old-fashioned way, with a parade down Telluride’s main street at 10:00 a.m., a community picnic with games for kids in Town Park around noon, and spectacular fireworks that begin shortly after dark. A more detailed schedule, information about parking and more will be released at a later date.
Winter Park
To keep the family active this holiday weekend, Winter Park will extend its Trestle Bike Park hours on Friday, before inviting guests to play all day Saturday with Colorados longest Alpine Slide. Also on Saturday, many other base area activities will be taking place, and guests can sign up to run, jog or walk in the five mile Grand Park Run for Independence to raise funds for childrens camps at the YMCA. On July 4, the Fraser Valley Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Extravaganza will take place. This free county-themed celebration will include fun-filled family activities:sporting games; rodeo; kids activities; a community picnic and ice cream social; fishing derby; live music by the Informants; carnival games; face painting; hot air balloon rides and more.With plenty of food vendors, guests can enjoy dinner while participating in the family-friendly events. The festivities culminate at dusk with a spectacular fireworks fanfare in the Town of Fraser. Please contact Winter Park at 970-726-4118 or www.playwinterpark.com.
