A western après ski party, magic, family dining made fun and more this weekend in the Vail Valley
Take a break from skiing and do a fun nature-based craft or try the suana and cold plunge at Grand Hyatt Vail's new après ski offering
Hillbilly Demons Facebook page
20 Below Western Après Ski Party at Grand Hyatt Vail
The newest après ski event in the Vail Valley this season has a western flair to it. 20 Below is a new event being held at Grand Hyatt Vail on select Saturdays for the rest of the ski season. Here you’ll find not only a band, but also a DJ spinning tunes, drink and food specials and more for the guests of the resort and the public to enjoy.
“Après ski culture in Vail has been leaning toward EDM and high-energy club music lately, and while that resonates with many guests, we saw an opportunity to serve a different audience. There is a strong community of travelers and locals who love country music and Western culture but did not always see themselves reflected in the après scene,” said Fernando Santana, managing director of Grand Hyatt Vail Resort & Spa. “20 Below was created to fill that gap by blending the modern cowboy lifestyle with the elevated mountain atmosphere our guests expect. It is about expanding the après experience, not replacing it, and creating something that feels both authentic and inclusive.”
The entertainment lineup for this week includes live music from the Hillbilly Demons and DJ DU. The two will rotate time slots throughout the afternoon on the scenic terrace before moving into the Lobby Bar in the evening. The music starts at 3:30 p.m. and goes until 9:30 p.m.
The Cowboy Lifestyle Network is excited about bringing this concept to Vail and working with Grand Hyatt Vail. In addition to the tunes, the acclaimed Makoto Vail sushi restaurant on property will be showcasing a curated selection of signature dishes, including fan favorites such as the hamachi crispy rice, braised beef yaki noodles and indulgent A5 wagyu strip. Pair your favorite Makoto dish with one of our specialty après cocktails featuring:
- Chairlift Cowboy (hot drink) – Butter washed Bourbon, carmel foam, orange zest
- El Vaquero Tower – Patron Silver, cold brew, Liquor 43, nitro blended
- Cowgirl Glow – Chinola Liquor, Aperol, Prosecco
- *Free Spirit – Matcha martini – 0 proof gin, matcha
Bottle service is offered in three elevated tiers, each featuring premium Patrón tequila, gourmet pairings, and exclusive service touches like sparkler presentations and fire-pit seating. Guests may upgrade their experience by adding a private igloo for an extra layer of Alpine luxury.
Support Local Journalism
“We welcome locals, visitors staying at other properties, and anyone who appreciates après ski culture paired with country music. Building that sense of shared energy between guests and the Vail Valley community is a key part of what makes this event special,” Santana said.
Another unique aspect of 20 Below is how it blends celebration and the revelry of après ski with recovery. In addition to the music and social atmosphere, the resort will be activating two outdoor saunas and two cold plunges outdoors during après ski hours.
“Guests can ski, enjoy the music and then lean into wellness and recovery in a way that feels natural and distinctly mountain driven. Towels and robes will be provided, even for guests who are not staying at the resort, so everyone can comfortably take part in the full experience,” Santana said. Bring your swim suit!
Throughout the season, the list of talent at upcoming events will feature homegrown talent, with most of the bands and DJs coming from across Colorado. For more information, go to cowboylifestylenetwork.com.
Dinner at the Diner
The Little Dinner is known for having a great breakfast menu and bloody Mary’s in the morning, but now you can go there for dinner. Join them for Dinner at the Diner in Lionshead on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-9 p.m. all winter long.
“We looked around and thought there was a need for a family friendly, affordable alternative for dinner in Vail,” said Peggy Little, who owns The Little Diner with her husband, Brian Little. “We can offer a casual night out with the kids while enjoying a great burger, fries and our custard milkshakes or a beer.”
The Little’s have two little children of their own, so they know what the valley needed.
“The kids can belly up to the bar and have a chocolate chip pancake because who doesn’t love breakfast for dinner?” Little said.
Little said they have some breakfast favorites like pancakes and French toast on the dinner menu, but also raves about the Greek gyro with traditional shaved lamb tzatziki sauce and all the fixings.
“I’d been craving a good gyro and couldn’t find one anywhere, so we decided to do our own,” Little said.
Other dinner items to note include The Brooklyn Avenue, which is a half-pound of hot wagyu pastrami with homemade slaw and melted Swiss cheese on toasted marble rye bread. Little recommends you eat it with a side of onion strings.
From a sirloin steak to a dozen of burgers to choose from, there’s something on the menu for everyone in your group.
“We used to do this a while ago and felt this was a good time to bring it back to offer a great meal with quality ingredients at a value for our customers,” Little said. “The response has been very positive and we’ve been excited about its success.”
The Little Diner is located in the Concert Hall Plaza building in Lionshead and that building is supposed to be torn down in the spring of 2027.
“We’re also trying dinner out to see how that goes. We’re doing a little exploring to see what works and wanted to create some ideas on what we’ll do next,” Little said.
The Little Dinner has earned quite a few of the Vail Daily’s Best of Vail Valley awards including Best Family Restaurant, Best Service, Best Chef, Best Sandwich and more.
“We invite you to come in for a great home cooked meal,” Little said. “We see locals, we see guests and we sometimes see the same people who were here for breakfast come back to our dinners on the same day.” For more information go to TheLittleDiner.com.
Von Trapp Brewing comes to the Vail Valley
The hills are alive with the sound of music and the taste of von Trapp beer. Yes, that von Trapp name from the “Sound of Music,” the 1965 film based on the real life story of the von Trapp Family singers. The family was one of the world’s best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Von Trapp Brewing is coming to the Vail Valley and here you can join Kristina von Trapp, the granddaughter of Maria von Trapp of “Sound of Music” fame. After a day of skiing and snowboarding stop in for some cold lagers brewed on the grounds of the iconic von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort in Stowe, Vermont. Try one of the pours and von Trapp Brewing swag will be handed out at the following locations:
- Sunday, Feb. 1 at Two Arrows Vail in Vail Village from 3-6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Craftsman Brew Company in Edwards from 4-6 p.m.
Magical offerings
Would you like your steak with a side of slight-of-hand tricks? Then check out some of the restaurants that offer tableside magic.
Beaver Creek Chophouse
Dan Fleshman has been dazzling audiences for years with his card tricks and mind-boggling fun for all ages. Whether it’s writing your name on a playing card only to find that very card in a sealed envelope or have “rabbits” magically appear out of nowhere, enjoy the wonder of magic with your meal. Check out VailChophouse.com and select Magic on the website’s menu (do note that magic is offered only at the Beaver Creek Chophouse location) for details and a calendar of when Fleshman is appearing — or, disappearing. This weekend it looks like he will be there Friday to Sunday.
Magic at Moon Rabbit
In Vail Village you’ll find magic at Moon Rabbit, inside Chasing Rabbits at Solaris. Moon Rabbit is the property’s speakeasy, which already lends an element of surprise even before you add the magic. This is also a magic show for those 21 years of age and older, so leave the kids at home.
Shawn Preston will be your magician for the evening. This magic man has been on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” and has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the magic begins at 7:30 p.m. and runs until 10:30 p.m. No reservations needed but you do need to buy tickets, which are $25 for non members and free for members. If you want to find out more, go to ChasingRabbitsVail.com for additional details.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Floating Frames art project
Get crafty with the help of the folks at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Add to your ski day or do a fun craft while taking the day off from the slopes. Spend Friday discovering the beauty of the Alpine flora and create a dried flower floating frame to take home or hang on your wall here.
This is for those ages 10 years old and up and runs from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Friday. The cost is $25 per person, and the event will be held at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Education Center, which is in Ford Park. To register, go to BettyFordAlpineGardens.org.
