Freeskier's Best Of: Part 2 - Mountain Towns

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STRIKING THE RIGHT CHORD FOR

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DEAR READER ,

Welcome to FREESKIER’s second “Best Of” booklet — one in a series of four mini-magazines highlighting some of the best products, events and destinations in our sport.

This month, we call attention to the best ski town festivals in the evergrowing circuit of mountain town events across North America. With new offerings popping up every year it can be difficult to decide where to go.

So, we’ve saved you the trouble of guessing by rounding up the crème de la crème, arming you with the knowledge to make the right decisions.

All of the events featured herein will tingle your senses with a variety of sights, sounds, smells and tastes. These festivals serve to bring communities and soon-to-be-friends closer together. After all, there's hardly a weekend better-lived than one in which skiing, music, arts and après are a part of the equation. So, without further ado, turn the page and find out where you'll be having the best time ever.

Sincerely, — Your friends at FREESKIER

P U B L I S H E D BY

S TO R M M O U N TA I N M E D I A PO Box 789 — 137 2nd Ave Niwot, CO 80544

WELCOME

THE SKI WEEK ASPEN, CO There’s no arguing that Aspen is known for its indulgent party scene as much as its outstanding ski terrain. The town hosts numerous events during the year that highlight both, and while the X Games or this year’s World Cup are sure bets, The Ski Week is one event that tends to fly under the radar for those who aren’t in the know. Organized by the same group as the infamous Yacht Week, this week-long (or weekend) package is aimed solely at providing self-indulgent good times both on and off the hill. The event is a great place to hang with friends, and with everybody being there for the same reasons, you'll be sure to make some new ones along the way. Signing up for the full package gets you reserved lodging with an equal mix of guys and gals (for best mingling), ski tickets and entry to activities from daily après parties to yoga classes and everything in between.

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The Ski Week Aspen, Colorado April 2–9, 2017 theskiweek.com

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| courtesy of Aspen Snowmass

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| courtesy of The Ski Week

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| Kelly MacDonald

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SNOWDAYS FESTIVAL BANFF Banff does not mess around when it comes to winter festivals, as shown by the two-week-long SnowDays held every winter.

Located inside Banff National Park, the picturesque town is set against the rugged Cascade Mountain and plays host to the event's opening party, featuring a palate-pleasing beer and food garden, impressive ice carving demonstrations and live music and entertainment to tie it all together. Three world-class ski resorts are within striking distance: Sunshine Village, Norquay and Lake Louise, the latter of which hosts a 10-day ice festival. Back in town, Banff’s Big Taste caters to the foodies in attendance and finally, the pros put on a show downtown during the Big Bear freestyle competition, where rails and jumps are set up to entertain you as you once again peruse the local beer and food offerings. Stay tuned to the website for more details.

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SnowDays Festival Banff/Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada January 13 — February 5, 2017 banfflakelouise.com/snowdays

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BIG SKY BIG GRASS B I G S KY, M T It just ain’t a mountain resort if you can’t find somebody pluckin’ on strings and stompin’ their ski boots. Bluegrass is more popular than ever and Big Sky will be drawing some of the best acts in the biz this year for its 11th annual Big Sky Big Grass festival. To accommodate the intimate mid-winter event, Big Sky sets up various stages in ballrooms and bars around the resort where legends like Sam Bush, David Grisman and Bela Fleck can be seen pushing the boundaries of contemporary bluegrass sounds.

Of course you’ll need to take a ride on the Lone Peak tram while you’re there and shred the Big Couloir as well as the myriad of other terrain options Lone Peak has to offer.

Once your day is over you’ll have plenty of lodging options at Big Sky or just down the road in Bozeman where the locals will welcome you with open arms.

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Big Sky Big Grass Big Sky, Montana February 10–12, 2017 bigskyresort.com

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| Jeff Engerbretson

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| courtesy of Big Sky

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RENDEZVOUS SPRING FESTIVAL JACKSON, WY Jackson Hole, long known for its legendary skiing, has also gained a reputation for throwing one hell of a party every March.

Dubbed the Rendezvous Fest, it features live music, great skiing, delicious libations and all-around good times. In addition to a number of free concerts and après parties in Teton Village, the resort pulls out all the stops to line up big-name musical acts to headline concerts both in the village and on Jackson’s famous town square. Last year’s guests included the Zac Brown Band as well as Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats.

The festival typically takes place during the third weekend in March, a time slot repeatedly blessed with a fresh blanket of the white stuff. Stay tuned to the URL below for news and updates as they become available.

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Rendezvous Spring Festival Jackson, Wyoming Mid-to-late-March, 2017 (TBA) jacksonhole.com/rendezvous

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REGGAEFEST M O U N T S N O W, V T For those who prefer a little irie twist in their festival scene, Mount Snow presents ReggaeFest. This three-day celebration includes musical performances at the Snow Barn as well as outdoor shows in the base area. Past acts include John Brown’s Body, The Nth Power and Wobblesauce, to name a few. In addition to music, the weekend features on- and off-hill competitions that are as fun to watch as they are to participate in. Saturday’s Sink or Skim pond skimming competition is sure to provide some wet and wild fun while Sunday’s Duct Tape Derby gets downright ridic'.

The challenge: Build a craft out of cardboard, duct tape, zip ties and paint, and race it down the hill, preferably in an eyecatching costume. May the most absurd contestant win.

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ReggaeFest Mount Snow, Vermont March 24–26, 2017 www.mountsnow.com

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SNOWGLOBE MUSIC FESTIVAL S O U T H L A K E TA H O E , C A If watching the ball drop while Ryan Seacrest tells terrible jokes isn’t your thing, then you should consider ringing in the New Year at one of the best musical events to straddle 2016-17. Tahoe’s Snowglobe is a three-day festival featuring more than 50 artists spread across three stages. Check out the stellar skiing at a few of the many Tahoe resorts by day, then head to South Lake for live music intertwined with live art, big air competitions and more.

With all this and 24-hour casinos to boot, the only problem you’ll have is finding time to sleep. This year's headliners include Major Lazer, Odesza and Flume so tickets are sure to sell out fast.

Make sure you get them while they last.

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Snowglobe Music Festival South Lake Tahoe, California December 29, 2016 — January 1, 2017 snowglobemusicfestival.com

| Molly Gale

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FIRE FESTIVAL TELLURIDE, CO While many mountain festivals offer plenty of live music and partying, Telluride’s Fire Festival adds a little something warmer to the usual ingredients. Those who descend upon the mountain town in mid-January are treated to all forms of man’s oldest and most unique obsession: fire. From largescale fire art installations to impressive "art cars" and live performances, the schedule is full of entertainment of the sort that you’ve likely never experienced. Those who want to get intimately involved will enjoy the educational workshops and those who dig the party vibe can get down with various musical acts throughout the weekend as well as a pub crawl to some of the favored local watering holes.

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Fire Festival Telluride, Colorado January 20–22, 2017 telluridefirefestival.org

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SNOW DAZE VA I L , C O Most resorts wait until well into the ski season to pull out the festival card but Vail kicks the year off right with its three-day Snow Daze extravaganza in early December. Over the course of the long weekend you can ski Vail’s vast terrain, then have the time of your life between the various bars, restaurants and entertainment below. After crushing the mountain in the early part of the day, you can peruse the the many vendor booths before slipping into an après party in Vail Village or Lionshead to take down a few beverages. Once you’re feeling socially lubricated, head out to the free concerts that are held Saturday and Sunday in the middle of all the madness. Last year’s headliners included JJ Grey and Mofro along with Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Check out the website below for more info and get ready to party because this one will be here before you know it.

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Snow Daze Vail, Colorado December 9–11, 2016 vail.com/snowdaze

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WORLD SKI AND SNOWBOARD FESTIVAL WHISTLER, BC Now in its 22nd year, the World Ski and Snowboard Festival, or WSSF as it's known, is a monstrous event, jam-packed with skiing, art and entertainment for everybody. Spring in Whistler is like a dream: Ride fresh pow in the morning and maybe share a chairlift with top-name pro skiers as they enjoy some "soul shredding" in between competitions. When you've had enough skiing for the day you can lounge by the pool at your choice of village hotels, basking in the warm afternoon sunshine. In a mountain village that already offers endless good times year round, WSSF goes further, playing host to art shows, TED-like storytelling events and film and photography competitions. Enjoy all of these offerings and be sure to check out the world class food and beverage options. Finally, if all that wasn’t enough, WSSF boasts the largest annual free outdoor concert series in Canada. Now, that’s something to write home about.

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World Ski and Snowboard Festival Whistler, British Columbia, Canada April 7–16, 2017 wssf.com

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ALWAYS up for

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