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Birds of Prey ski racing at Beaver Creek

This weekend is the first of not one, but two weekends of ski racing action on the slopes of Beaver Creek. The world’s fastest men and women of the alpine skiing world will descend upon Beaver Creek for the Birds of Prey World Cup competitions. This first weekend will feature the men’s downhill race on Friday followed by the super G race on Saturday and the giant slalom race on Sunday. The women’s teams will compete in two races next week.

Take advantage of being able to view the race in person – and for free. On Friday, the downhill race will begin at 11 a.m., on Saturday the super G race will begin at 10:30 a.m. and on Sunday for the giant slalom there are two races with the whole field racing at 10 a.m. and the top 30 finishers from that race competing again at 1 p.m. Head up early for fun at Red Tail Stadium where they will have music, drinks and concessions for sale.

Park at the base lots and take the free shuttle buses to Beaver Creek Village where you will hop on another free bus that takes you to Red Tail Stadium. This year, snow conditions have allowed ski-in, ski-out access to the races, too. Head up the Centennial Lift (No. 6) at Beaver Creek and from there take the Red Tail trail to the race venue. To exit after the races, either take the Birds of Prey lift (No. 9) from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. or ski down to the base via Dally Trail.  

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After the races, head back down to Beaver Creek Village for all the post-race fun. Birds of Prey Way will offer a musical mix of DJs and live bands. The Beers of Prey is an event-within-an-event with a mini beer tasting at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Don’t miss autograph signings with the U.S. ߣÏÈÉú Team on Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. at Gorsuch and a Ted Ligety signing at the Kjus store at 4:30 to 6 p.m. On Saturday, Eagle County local River Radamus will do an autograph signing at the Celsius booth from 4-5 p.m.

Keep the party going at the Vilar Performing Arts Center. On Friday, check out “75” which commemorates the 75th anniversary of the iconic Warren Miller films at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Colorado favorites, Big Head Todd and the Monsters play on Saturday night at the Vilar Performing Arts Center, but it is already sold out. For a full schedule and more information, go to .

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Christmas on Broadway in Eagle

Eagle will get into the holiday spirit with its annual Christmas on Broadway parade and celebration that will take place on Saturday with a parade at 5:30 p.m. Broadway and the surrounding streets in downtown Eagle will be shut down for this event that has become quite the tradition in Eagle; this season marks its 34th year.

You may see Santa in the parade and you will see your friends and neighbors, area businesses and nonprofit groups cruise down Broadway with their holiday-themed floats.

Earlier on Saturday you can enjoy the Jingle Jog 5K and Kid’s Fun Run, presented by Mountain Tots Preschool at 10 a.m. Want to get your photo with Santa? No need to go to the North Pole, he will be at an igloo from 2 to 4 p.m. taking photos next to Wishes Toy Store. Throughout the day, enjoy sampling Wassail and supporting local businesses as part of the Wassail Fest celebration. Area businesses have put forth their best Wassail recipes and you get to judge which drink tastes the best.

Afterward, stick around and get your holiday shopping done at area stores, grab some dinner and soak in this small-town holiday fun. For more information, go to .

Minturn Tree Lighting

The town of Minturn’s Tree Lighting will take place on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., but this year it is extra special because it’s being held in conjunction with First Fridays, a new event the town of Minturn started this fall. First Fridays invites people from all over to come and celebrate the businesses and restaurants of Minturn. This month’s featured spot is the Wee Dram, the tiny house that serves at Eagle River Whisky’s Tasting Room on Main Street in downtown Minturn.

The Wee Dram has big plans for Friday. They are decking out the whole area surrounding the Tasting Room to make it look like an authentic Christkindlmarkt in celebration of Nikolaustag. Translation: German holiday market in celebration of St. Nicholas Day.  

Look for tents with kids activities like painting wooden ornaments and decorating cookies, real Lebkuchen (a German sweet similar to gingerbread), Stollen (German fruit bread) and Gluhwein (hot, spiced wine). The valley’s authentic Bavarian entertainer, Helmut Fricker will also be there to bring on the cheer. With spiced apple cider, egg nog, a fire, hot cocoa, s’mores, and the Chi-shack food truck is doing brats and pretzels. 

Head over to Holy Toledo for the tree lighting where Mountain Harmony will do some caroling, there will be Christmas-themed holiday trivia and a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Following the event, check out the heartwarming Winter Magic show at The Barn which will feature youth aerial students aged 9-13 years old performing an aerial act in the show along with the more experienced adult aerial and acrobatics performers. There will be a show at 5 and at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, The Barn and Bat Country Studios will house the Winter Holiday Market from noon to 4 p.m. where you’ll find many of your favorite vendors from the summer market in Minturn and a few more from around the region. Shop local and find unique gifts for loved ones and get your holiday shopping done early. For more information, go to .

Vail Après

The holidays are here and if you want to check out a rather unique way to dine during this festive season, attend the Kris Kringle Farm to Table Dinner at Donovan Pavilion on Friday. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. enjoy holiday vendors and Santa roaming throughout the facility. At 6 p.m., sit down for a multi-course dinner dreamed up by renowned chefs from Grazing Fox, Fall Line, Foodsmith and Dessert Lab. To elevate the evening, exquisite wines from the Paso Robles region in California including Lopai Cellars and Royal Nonesuch Farms will be expertly paired with each course. Tickets are $150 per person and available on .

Also part of Vail Après experience are the ice skating shows. These are short but action-packed demonstrations of strength and grace on the ice. The talented skaters are from international, world and Team USA groups and bring their best to the rink each week. On Saturday at the ice rink at Arrabelle in Lionshead the first show will be at 4:45 p.m. and the second show will be at 5:30 p.m. and will last about 15 minutes long, so you won’t stand out in the cold for too long.

Smile with Santa is scheduled on Sunday between 3:30 and 5 p.m. where you get a photo with the big guy and your free photo with Santa can be printed out right at Kringle Crossing and they can be shared digitally. Also on Sunday is the Vail Village Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. near the Children’s Fountain between Pepi’s and Lancelot. Live music and more Santa sightings are on the schedule. For more information on these events and more (it’s a busy weekend) go to .

Alpine Art Center’s Holiday Market

This year, the Alpine Art Center in the Riverwalk in Edwards wants to promote giving handmade gifts instead of big-box items with less sentimental value. It shouldn’t be hard to find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list with dozens of artists showing their wares.

Potters, painters, jewelers, a crochet expert, chocolate and more can be found at the Holiday Market which will be held in the Alpine Arts Center studio Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For more information, go to .