Eagle County's Easter church services and egg hunts

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — At dawn on Easter, Melinda Carlson will grab her keyboard, ride the gondola to the top of Vail Mountain and worship.
She’s among roughly 500 people expected to flock to the sunrise service at Eagle’s Nest.

Worshippers will gather in a building overlooking the Gore Range, then step outside to sing “How Great Thou Art.” Sometimes, the sunrise is so bright, congregation members slip on their shades.

Carlson, band leader and worship pastor for Trinity Church, said the mountaintop service has going on for at least 16 years.

“It’s happened so long here that if you’re much of a local and you are a believer, it’s a tradition for a lot of people,” she said.

Another tradition come Easter is the annual egg hunts taking place throughout the valley. Hoardes of children will line up, a sea of brightly colored eggs spread before them, and wait for the word “Go.”

For those families searching for something unique in the way of Easter egg hunts, check out the Eggquatics Easter Egg Hunt at the Gypsum Rec Center where children will dive in the center’s pool to pluck a myriad of eggs from the bottom.

Here’s a sampling of Easter services on and off the mountain, as well as a listing of Easter egg hunts throughout the valley.

Mountaintop services

Vail
Vail Religious Foundation
Service details: Ecumenical sunrise service, a combination of Christian faiths
When: 6 a.m. Sunday
Location: Eagle’s Nest, inside the building
Getting there: Ride the Lionshead gondola. The free gondola opens at 4:30 a.m. for foot traffic. No ski equipment.
More information: Call Trinity Church at 926-1759

Alpine Resort Ministries
Service details: Regular mountaintop worship
When: 12:30 p.m. Sunday
Locations: Outdoors at Mid-Vail, Eagle’s Nest, Two Elk Lodge
Getting there: For Mid-Vail, ride the Vista Bahn lift beginning in Vail Village; for Eagle’s Nest, ride the Lionshead gondola; For Two Elks, take the Vista Bahn lift, then take chair 4 Mountaintop Express, then ski down the Timberline catwalk, and take chair 14 Sourdough Express Lift. Lift tickets required for these services.
More information: Call Trinity Church at 926-1759

Vail Religious Foundation
Service details: Ecumenical worship service, a combination of Christian faiths
When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday
Location: Eagle’s Nest, inside the building
Getting there: Ride the Lionshead gondola. Foot passengers are free; skiers need a lift ticket.
More information: Call Trinity church at 926-1759

Beaver Creek
Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church and Covenant Presbyterian Chapels at Vail and Beaver Creek
Service details: A Lutheran and Presbyterian service with band performance and holy communion.
When: 6 a.m. Sunday
Location: Spruce Saddle
Getting there: Take the Centennial lift; Walkers can ride the lift for free beginning at 5:15 a.m. No ski equipment.
More information: Call Kim Law at 476-6610

Alpine Resort Ministries
Service details: Regular mountaintop worship
When: 12:30 p.m. Sunday
Locations: Spruce Saddle
Getting there: Ride the Centennial lift. Lift ticket required.
More information: Call Trinity Church at 926-1759

Regular Easter services

Vail
St. Patrick’s Parish
Service details: Catholic vigil and Easter mass
When: 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Location: Vail Interfaith Chapel, 19 Vail Road
More information: Call 477-0378

The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
Service details: Candlelit vigil and Festival Eucharist
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Location: Vail Interfaith Chapel, 19 Vail Road
More information: Call 476-0618

The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
Service details: Festival Eucharist
When: 8 a.m. Sunday
Location: Vail Interfaith Chapel, 19 Vail Road
More information: Call 476-0618

Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Service details: traditional worship with holy communion
When: 9:30 p.m. Sunday
Location: Vail Interfaith Chapel, 19 Vail Road
More information: Call 476-6610

Covenant Presbyterian Chapels at Vail and Beaver Creek
Service details: Family service
When: 11 a.m. Sunday
Location: Vail Interfaith Chapel, 19 Vail Road
More information: Call 477-0383

St. Patrick’s Parish
Service details: Catholic mass
When: 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Location: Vail Interfaith Chapel, 19 Vail Road
More information: Call 477-0378

Trinity Church
Service details: Baptist service
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Location: Vail Interfaith Chapel, 19 Vail Road
More information: Call 926-1759

Minturn
St. Patrick’s Parish Church
Service details: Easter vigil
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Location: St. Patrick’s Parish Church, 476 Pine St.
More information: Call 477-0378

St. Patrick’s Parish Church
Service details: Catholic mass
When: 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday
Location: St. Patrick’s Parish Church, 476 Pine St.
More information: Call 477-0378

Avon
The Vail Church
Service details: Easter worship
When: 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday
Location: The Vail Church, 39209 Highway 6
More information: Call 949-6585

Eagle River Presbyterian Church
Service details: regular worship service
When: 9:30 a.m. Sunday service followed by 10:30 a.m. potluck and Easter egg hunt for children.
Location: 455 Nottingham Ranch Road, Avon
More information: Call 748-0040

Beaver Creek
Covenant Presbyterian Chapels at Vail and Beaver Creek
Service details: family service
When: 8 a.m. Sunday
Location: The Chapel at Beaver Creek, 33 Elk Track Road
More information: Call 477-0383

Trinity Church
Service details: Baptist service
When: 9:30 a.m. Sunday
Location: The Chapel at Beaver Creek, 33 Elk Track Road
More information: Call 926-1759

Mount of the Holy Cross Lutheran
Service Details: traditional worship with holy communion
When: 11:30 a.m. Sunday
Location: The Chapel at Beaver Creek, 33 Elk Track Road
More information: Call 476-6610

St. Clare of Assisi
Service details: Catholic mass
When: 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Location: The Chapel at Beaver Creek, 33 Elk Track Road
More information: Call 926-2821

The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
Service details: Festival Eucharist
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Location: The Chapel at Beaver Creek, 33 Elk Track Road
More information: Call 476-0618

Edwards
St. Clare of Assisi
Service details: Candlelight vigil in Spanish
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Location: St. Clare of Assisi, 31622 Highway 6, Edwards
More information: Call 926-2821

St. Clare of Assisi
Service details: Various services
When: 8 a.m. Sunday English mass; 7 p.m. Spanish mass
Location: St. Clare of Assisi, 31622 Highway 6, Edwards
More information: Call 926-2821

Gracious Savior Lutheran Church
Service details: praise and worship
When: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday with brunch after each service
Location: 33520 U.S. Hwy 6, Edwards
More information: Call 926-3550

Calvary Chapel Vail Valley
Service details: Non-denominational service
When: 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Sunday
Location: Berry Creek Middle School, 1000 Miller Ranch Road
More information: Call 748-1103

The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
Service details: Episcopal Festival Eucharist
When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday
Location: St. Clare of Assisi, 31622 Highway 6, Edwards
More information: Call 476-0618

Trinity Church
Service details: Baptist service
When: 11 a.m. Sunday
Location: Trinity Edwards Chapel, 90 Lariat Loop
More information: Call 926-1759

Gypsum
United Methodist Church of Eagle Valley
Service details: traditional service
When: 9 a.m. Sunday
Location: United Methodist Church of Eagle Valley, 118 Eagle St.
More information: Call 328-6598

First Lutheran Church
Service details: Easter service of Holy communion
When: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday; Easter brunch at 10 a.m.
Location: 400 2nd Street (corner of Eagle and Second streets)
More information: Call 524-7919

Eagle
Mountain Valley Lutheran Church
Service details: traditional service
When: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; brunch served between services, Easter egg hunt following the 10:30 service
Location: 802 Brush Creek Terrace
More information: Call 328-6718

St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Service details: Traditional mass
When: 8:30 a.m. Sunday mass in English; 10:30 a.m. bilingual mass
Location: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 215 Capitol St., Eagle
More information: Call 926-2821

United Methodist Church of Eagle Valley
Service details: traditional services
When: 9:45 a.m. Sunday school; 11 a.m. service Sunday
Location: United Methodist Church of Eagle Valley, 138 Howard St., Eagle
More information: Call 328-6598

Family, child-friendly Easter events

Gypsum
Gypsum Recreation Center Eggquatics Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Gypsum Rec Center swimming pool, 52 Lundgren Boulevard, Gypsum
When: Saturday, 11 a.m. to noon
Details: Event is free with daily admission. Maximum age is 10 and hunt will be organized by age groups. Call for schedule.
More information: Call 777-8888

Gypsum Town Hall Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Gypsum Town Hall, 50 Lundgren Boulevard
When: Saturday, children’s activities begin at 9:15 a.m. and run until 11:30 a.m. The egg hunt begins at 10 a.m.
Details: Parking is tight, plan on parking at Eagle Valley High School and walking over. Children’s activities include bouncy houses, arts and crafts, games and an Easter bunny.
More information: Call 524-7514

Eagle
United Methodist Church of Eagle Valley Easter Egg Hunt
Location: 138 Howard St., Eagle
When: Sunday, hunt follows 11 a.m. church service
More information: Call 328-6598

Edwards
Gracious Savior Lutheran Church Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Gracious Savior Church, 33520 U.S. Hwy 6, Edwards
When: Sunday, 9:45 a.m.
More information: Call 926-3550

Avon
Town of Avon Egg Hunt
Location: Nottingham Park, Avon
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
Details: Event is for children 9 and under. There’s also an appearance by the Avon bunny, mural coloring, sand art photo frame making, fuse bead crafts, a jelly bean guessing contest, petting zoo, bouncy houses and over 10,000 eggs.
More information: Call 748-4060

Unity of the Mountains Church concert with Jan Garrett and J.D. Martin
Location: Avon Public Library community roomo
When: Sunday, 5:30 p.m.
Details: Garrett and Martin are independent, award-winning singer/songwriters.
More information: Call 845-0599

Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek Eggstravaganza
Location: Creekside Park, located between The Charter and the Creekside Lodge in Beaver Creek
When: Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
Details: Kids ages 12 and under can hunt for candy-filled eggs.
More information: Call 845-9090

Vail
Vail Recreation District annual Easter Egg Hunt
Location: Lionshead Plaza in Lionshead
When: Saturday, 9:45 a.m. visit with the Easter bunny, 10 a.m. easter egg hunt.
Details: Free event for children ages 2 to 10 and their families.
More information: Call 479-2292

High Life writer Sarah Mausolf can be reached at 748-2938 or smausolf@vaildaily.com. High Life Editor Caramie Schnell contributed to this story.