50th Anniversary Celebration, Steamboat January 11 – 21, 2013,
It seems like a blink of an eye. That it was just yesterday the first skis were strapped on, the principal trails were laid out and the ski area first took shape. This year, celebrate the amazing spirit and vision that created the Steamboat Ski Area 50 years ago and all that has evolved over that time. We celebrate a mountain that is truly legendary in its physical attributes and equally compelling in its emotional ones. With events, promotions and specials all season long, make sure to mark your calendars to be in Ski Town USA during Steamboat’s Birthday Blowout celebration taking place from January 11 through 21. Be here as Steamboat goes all out for it 50th Anniversary with fireworks, torchlight parade, free concerts and special events culminating the anniversary period with the Bud Light Cowboy Downhill on Monday, Jan. 21st. For more information please visit http://my.steamboat.com/
32nd Annual Colorado Indian Market and Southwest Showcase. Want to teach your kids more about Indian culture? You’ll have your chance January 18-20, 2013 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Little ones will love the colorful demonstrations, a variety of entertainment, art, balloon artists, face painting, magic and cowboy tricks. Adults are $12, children 13 and under are free (admission is valid all weekend). http://www.indianmarket.net/P7.html
National Western Stock Show. Yee-haw! From January 12-27, 2013, this 16-day show at the National Western Complex serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular season professional rodeos, largest horse show and Colorado’s largest tradeshow. Little ones will love checking out the more than 15,000 head of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats, llamas, alpacas, bison, yak, poultry and rabbits. Other family-friendly favorites include the Super Dogs, Mutton Bustin’, Mexican Rodeo, petting farm, the Activity Pavilion with Stick Horse Rodeo, pony trails and more. Ticket prices vary for each event so be sure to go here for more pricing information and hours.
WinterBike, Copper (January 19). Winner of the NSAA’s “Most Unique Event” in 2012, the 2nd annual festival encourages participants to slip, slide and ride their way through Copper Village to a finish line celebration complete with fireworks. The kids can join in the fun this year with LittleBike, the free kids-only ride. Registration for WinterBike is $20.
Keystone Resort’s Snowed In Festival. This festival January 11-21, 2013 will feature movie nights, Kids Concerts, Kids Terrain Park Rail Jam and Slopestyle competition, Science Experiments, and much, much more. This is in addition to their already-fun Kidtopia, a veritable kid extravaganza where the Littles can explore the Snow Fort at the top of Dercum Mountain, dance to live music, enjoy the Ripperoo’s Village Parade at 4 p.m., marvel at the fireworks and enjoy free cookies at Dercum Square Ice Rink. Be sure to go here for more information.
Nothing is more important for skiers and riders than safety and this is National Safety Awareness Week Jan. 19-27. Many Colorado resorts are showcasing fun safety-themed events including Copper Mountain’s Avalanche Dogs meet-and-greet, three daily guest raffles with prizes totally $9,000 and a torchlight parade and fireworks, Loveland’s National Forest Service’s Junior Snow Ranger Program that focuses on ecology, biology, sustainability, safety, and education and Crested Butte’s Kids’ Helmet Decorating Extravaganza at the Trailhead Children’s Museum. Check individual resorts for more information.
Winter Park Winter Carnival, Winter Park. Carnivals aren’t just for summer! Honoring the birthday of local legend Mary Jane, this winter festival January 26-27 is not just for historians. The two-day celebration invites one and all to take part in live music, a snow-sculpture contest, sledding races, SnowDash, fireworks, a parade and much more. For more information please visit http://www.playwinterpark.com/wpwintercarnival.html
Snowdown, Durango (January 30 – February 3). Celebrate snow at Durango’s annual quirky winter festival, where this year’s theme is “Get Your Geek On” iSnowdown 2.0.13. Guests will enjoy more than 60 unique and zany events: evening torchlight parade, ski softball tournament, Snowdown Balloon Rally, wine tasting, beard growing contest, Snowdown Follies, Bed Race, a magnificent fireworks show and more.
Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Live: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! “Mom! Phineas and Ferb are going on a LIVE tour!!!” School‘s out for summer and anything is possible as Phineas and Ferb create their biggest invention yet — Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: The Best LIVE Tour Ever! On February 1 and 2, Phineas, Ferb, and the whole tri-state area gang embark on a bold escape jumping out from behind your TV and onto the stage in a live action adventure – right in at the BellCo Theater in the Colorado Convention Center. Tickets are between $27-67. http://denverconvention.com/events
WinterFest Weekend, Pagosa Springs (February 7 – 10). Join in three snow-filled days of fun as Pagosa Springs celebrates winter. Some events include Nordic races for kids and adults, Anything Goes Downhill Sled Race, Snow Sculpting Contest, Snowshoe Stop and more.
The Ski Joring & Crystal Carnival, Leadville (March 1 – 3). Ski joring is a competition where a horse and rider pull a skier at a fast pace through a course that features gates, jumps and rings. The skier is timed through the course, and penalties are assessed by missing gates or jumps, and by missing or dropping any of the rings. Additional activities include a children’s parade, Nordic and winter mountain bike races and more.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
