Events in Vail Valley

This event honors the memory of Vail local, Lyndon Ellefson, who was instrumental in starting the U.S. Men’s Mountain Running Program, with some of the entry fees supporting the U.S. Mountain Running Team.

For the past nineteen years, the Vail Mountain Winter Uphill has proven to be a challenging midwinter competition for some, and a fun, non-competitive community hike for others. It presents an opportunity to support a worthy organization, while also paying tribute to Ellefson, a trailblazer in the sport of mountain running who lost his life in 1998, due to an accident near the Matterhorn while training for a mountain race in Italy. Ellefson was the foreman for the Lionshead Gondolda, the same gondola the race begins and finishes next to. Ellen Miller, along with fellow mountain runner and Vail local, Hooker Lowe, started the race in 2008 to spread their passion for mountain running and uphill skiing (skinning) and to pay homage to Ellefson.

Base of Eagle Bahn Gondola – Lionshead | 7 a.m.

James Baik, cello

Haddon Kay, cello

Sydney Lee, cello

Luiz Fernando Venturelli, cello

Galvin Cello Quartet performs “Voice of the Piano”

“Voice of the Piano” explores the captivating versatility of the cello by reimagining iconic piano compositions through its rich tones and expressive qualities. Bringing works such as Mozart’s Four-Hand Sonata, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and Schumann’s Kinderszenen, this program showcases the cello’s virtuosity and emotional depth. Join us for an evening that highlights the instrument’s capacity to bring new life and color to cherished piano masterpieces.

Mozart Sonata In D Major, K. 381, Arr. Valter Despalj

Debussy Reverie, Arr. Blaise Dejardin

Mussorgsky Pictures At An Exhibition, Arr. Blaise Dejardin

Beethoven Sonata Pathétique No. 8, Op. 13, Arr. Gcq

Mehmari Adagio Cantabile

Intermission

Gardel Por Una Cabeza, Arr. James Barralet

Schumann Kinderszenen, Arr. Renaud Guieu

Gershwin Three Preludes, Arr. Gcq

Performing to critical acclaim for nearly 30 years and over 3300 shows, Dark Star Orchestra continues the Grateful Dead live concert experience. The seven-piece band performs shows based on actual Grateful Dead set lists from their 30 years of touring, or creates unique sets from the Dead’s extensive catalog. This approach allows fans both young and old to share in the experience while offering a continually evolving artistic outlet within this musical canon.

Dark Star Orchestra offers much more than just the sound of the Grateful Dead—they truly encapsulate the energy and experience. It’s about that sense of familiarity and contagious energy that creates the complete concert experience fans expect.

The band has featured guest performances from six original Grateful Dead members: Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Vince Welnick, and Tom Constanten, plus longtime Dead soundman Dan Healy. Other notable guests have included Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish, Warren Haynes, Steve Kimock, and many more.

“For us it’s a chance to recreate some of the magic that was created for us over the years,” explains keyboardist and vocalist Rob Barraco. “We offer a sort of historical perspective at what it might have been like to go to a show in 1985, 1978 or whenever. Even for Deadheads who can say they’ve been to a hundred shows in the 90s, we offer something they never got to see live.”

Absolutely unique and utterly original, this fearless, powerful company reigns from France, Algeria, and beyond. Combining contemporary and urban dance movements, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography, the dancers defy gravity. Inspired by Algerian author Yasmina Khadra’s novel, What The Day Owes To The Night traces Koubi’s own personal lineage as a French-Algerian choreographer. After learning about his family’s Algerian roots, Koubi returned to the country of his ancestors to collaborate with street dance performers from across the Mediterranean basin. What emerged is “a creation of poetic beauty” (The New York Times), a meditative yet strikingly athletic work about the ties that bind us.

“They Fly. They Spin. They Change How You See the Amazing.” –The New York Times

“In Compagnie Hervé Koubi’s “Sol Invictus”, the dancers’ extraordinary moves are integrated into a poetic vision.” –The New York Times

“The dancers of Compagnie Hervé Koubi, could be mistaken for gods.” –The New Yorker

The Band Perry is a GRAMMY®, CMA, and ACM Award-winning trio known for their genre-defying sound and bold artistic reinvention. Since bursting onto the scene with their 9x Platinum smash hit “If I Die Young,” the Band, led by the artistic eye and creative direction of lead singer / songwriter, Kimberly, have captivated audiences worldwide. The band’s 2025 return marks the end of hiatus and the start of the band’s next era.

Spanning a decade-plus of music and two albums, The Band Perry has sold two and a half million albums, 12 million singles, and racked up over 1 billion streams. Their success story continues to grow both domestically and globally, a talent powerhouse touting sold-out world tours, six #1 singles, multiple RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications, and pioneering chart success. Their Appalachian gothic sound is amplified by heartfelt, original storytelling, dynamic musicianship, and high-energy performance. Known for pushing creative boundaries while staying rooted in Southern tradition, the trio continues to evolve — both artistically and as individuals.

Your unforgettable adventure begins at 7:15am at the base of Centennial Express lift. Our First Tracks hosts will greet you in the morning and then offer the best terrain recommendations.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite by leaving your freshly carved tracks on the mountain, you’ll head over to Beaver Creek’s mid-mountain lodge, Spruce Saddle, where an amazing culinary team will welcome your group to a delicious buffet-style breakfast—a rewarding treat for a job well done. Along with a delicious breakfast, you’ll receive a custom First Tracks pin, Helly Hansen swag and exclusive prizes from American Express!

Select your dates and book reservations online. Confirmation will be sent via email. No refunds for cancellations. Event is subject to minimum participation thresholds.

The GRAMMY Award-nominated trio amplify the power of their bond on their fourth full-length album. The nuances of their personalities seep through loose, bluesy guitar leads, airtight drum grooves, thick bass, & vividly evocative lyrics.

The Album ‘Give It Back To You’ earned a “Best Contemporary Blues Album” nomination & spawned “Off The Ground,” which reached #1 at AAA Radio & tallied nearly 40 mil total streams & counting.

About Love For The Locals

Love for the Locals is a programming initiative offering extraordinary experiences at an outstanding value. Love for the Locals replaces the long-running Underground Sound series and expands its offerings with year-round performances, flexible ticket bundles and community-focused perks.

Each Love for the Locals ticket includes one complimentary draft beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverage while supplies last. Select performances will also feature live pre-show music by local musicians in the lobby, adding to the immersive community experience.

Margaritas and Memories— an evening of island spirit, country storytelling, and unforgettable hit songs.

Mac McAnally, ten-time CMA Musician of the Year and cornerstone of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, brings decades of celebrated musicianship and songwriting, including hits like “Down the Road” and “Back Where I Come From.” He’s joined by Scotty Emerick, the Nashville hitmaker behind Toby Keith anthems like “Beer for My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” and “As Good as I Once Was,” with Eric Darken on percussion — a veteran musician who’s played with Buffett, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, and many more.

Together, they deliver songs that feel like old friends, carrying the crowd from the height of ski season in Beaver Creek to a carefree night in the islands. From breezy ballads to behind-the-scenes stories, this trio embodies tropical soul with country roots — music best enjoyed with good company, a drink in hand, and the feeling that the night could last forever.

Professional skier and filmmaker Chris Anthony brings to the screen the extraordinary life journey of Austrian Skiing Champion, WWII Veteran, and founder of Aspen Ski Corporation, Friedl Pfeifer.

While researching material for a sequel to his still-touring, award-winning documentary “Mission Mt. Mangart,” which tells the story of the 10th Mountain Division from 1939 to June 3, 1945, Chris Anthony encountered the name Friedl Pfeifer while in Austria, digging through skiing archives. Recognizing Pfeifer only from his statue at the base of Aspen Mountain in Colorado, Chris’s curiosity led him to explore Friedl’s remarkable story and the connection between the Arlberg Region, Sun Valley, Idaho, Colorado, and the 10th Mountain Division.

Friedl Pfeifer was born and raised on a farm in St. Anton, Austria, and grew to be one of Austria’s top alpine ski racers, winning many classic events, including the legendary Grossglockner. Mentored by the iconic Hannes Schneider, Friedl’s life changed dramatically after Schneider’s arrest by the Nazis. This compelled Friedl to flee Austria, beginning an incredible journey: through Italy, by ship to Australia, then to New York City, and by train to Sun Valley, Idaho. There, after meeting his wife, Friedl was temporarily arrested by the FBI and interned. Upon release, he became an instructor with the 10th Mountain Division and served on the front lines of Italy during WWII. Left for dead on the battlefield, he barely survived, returned to the United States, and eventually founded Aspen Ski Corporation.

Chris Anthony has retraced Pfeifer’s path, inspiring his documentary to highlight not only Friedl’s story but also the world from the 1920s through the 1950s. Anthony creates these films through his Youth Foundation to educate and inspire youth, while raising funds to enable underserved individuals to experience skiing for the first time.

Proceeds from this screening will benefit the Chris Anthony Youth Project and the Colorado Snowsports Museum.  This will be the premiere screening of the film in the Vail/Beaver Creek area.

Winner: Best Biographical Feature Film at World Film Festival in Cannes!

Think you can conquer over 26,000’ of vertical down 14 of the toughest black and double black diamond runs on the mountain—in one day? Then take on the Talons Challenge at Beaver Creek. Participants who rip down all fourteen runs will earn killer swag, and all kinds of bragging rights.  

If your ski legs are up for it, you can also register to take on the challenge Saturday and Sunday for twice the clout, and the coveted “Master of the Mountain” title.  

Registration Information: 

Dates: February 21-22

Registration opens on November 26th and includes lunch and a beverage at Talon’s Restaurant during the event.

Register between November 26th – December 14th and receive $10 OFF your registration! 

This event fills up fast, so don’t wait!

Thank you to all of our partners that help bring this experience to life! 

Helly Hansen, Gatorade & Nature Valley.