End of season parties, gear sales, meet an Olympian and more this weekend in the Vail Valley
Luaus, silent discos, free drinks and more can be found as the season winds down
Après Madness Championship Party at Avanti F&B
The NCAA College Basketball Tournament may have crowned a champion on Monday, but Friday is when you can congratulate this year’s winner of Vail’s own form of competition: choosing the best après ski bar. Discover Vail hosted a bracket-style competition that pitted eight Vail bars against each other and voters picked a winner in the inaugural Après Madness Championship. The winning bar is Avanti Food & Beverage, located at Golden Peak at the base of Vail Mountain. This bar should also get a Rookie of the Year award since it’s only been open since December.
The celebration starts at 2 p.m. on Friday with DJ Styla playing until 6 p.m. The first 100 drinks are free from Avanti’s mystery cooler starting at 2 p.m. There will also be fun activity stations including permanent jewelry by Luna & Stella Permanent Jewelry, a piercing station by Piercings by Jill, a hair tinsel station by Frankie Styles and hat decorating by Town of Vail. Celebrate the end of the season and the spirit of après ski at Avanti this weekend. For more information, go to Avanti Vail’s Instagram page.
Agave hosts Marvel Years on Saturday night
Agave is your mid valley music venue that invites all sorts of acts to play throughout the season. Head over to Avon on Saturday night for Marvel Stars, Cory Wythe’s moniker that allows him to be part DJ and party guitarist, but the result is 100% awesome music. The way he produces music and then blends in the six string will delight not only the EDM crowd but also people who like a bit of retro funk, hip hop and classic rock. For more information, go to AgaveAvon.com.
Local band Quadrasonic plays at Shakedown
Rock out with the newest local band in town. Quadrasonic hit the music scene earlier this winter and if you like alternative rock, grunge and ’70s punk this band is for you. Consisting of locals Mark Roebke (guitar), Adam Peltier (bass), Josh Lautenberg (drums) and Michelle Cohn Levy (lead vocals), Quadrasonic will bring a whole new vibe to Shakedown Bar in Vail on Saturday. Listen up for tunes like “Still into You” by Paramore, “Spiderwebs” by No Doubt and “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus.
Quadrasonic will be playing the early set at Shakedown Bar on Saturday with the band scheduled to be on stage from 5-8:30 p.m. and doors open at 4 p.m. Check out Quadrasonic’s website for more information about this new band at QuadrasonicBand.com.
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Luau Party at El Segundo
On Sunday, El Segundo is getting ready to celebrate the end of the season with a Hawaiian theme. Get ready to feel the aloha with Hawaiian cocktails and food specials all day. Dave Tucker and His Imaginary Band will play from 4-7 p.m. Bring your friends and dress in your best island wear.
Pig Roast at The 10th on Vail Mountain
The 10th restaurant at the top of Gondola One (No. 1) is hosting a Pig Roast on Sunday. In addition to the swine, you’ll find all the fixings to go with it like chili peanut sauce, nouc cham, salsa verde, kimchi, potato and tomato salads and of course, King’s Hawaiian rolls. Other offerings on the buffet include tuna poke, oysters escabeche and shrimp cocktail. DJ Rē K will be performing during the event from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm. The cost is $84 and that includes two drinks.
Queer Ski Week at Vail
Show your pride with plenty of events at Vail’s Queer Ski Week. On Friday, head to Two Arrows in Vail Village for cocktails and fun vibes. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the DJ will be spinning tunes from 10 p.m. to midnight. On Saturday, head to Vail Mountain to meet up to ski or snowboard. There’s an organized meet up at 2 p.m. at Gondola One (No. 1) followed by an après ski party at Express Lift Café with DJ Acid Cowboy. On Saturday night, Chasing Rabbits will let you dance the night away to house music. On Sunday, Vintage Vail restaurant is hosting a Drag Brunch with three shows at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. For more information, go to MountainPride.org.
Silent Disco at the Colorado Ski Museum
You don’t usually associate museums with late night dancing, but the Colorado Snowsports Museum is once again hosting its Silent Disco at The Museum party on Saturday night. Don your best disco attire, maybe even with an après ski flair, and come to the place that houses the history of our beloved winter sports.
The event will run from 9 p.m. until midnight and is for those 21-years-old and older. There will be a cash bar available as well as the headphones you need so you can experience the silent disco. What’s silent disco, you ask? This is where everyone is given a set of headphones which are all pumping out different genres of music on the separate channels. Don’t like the music? Just change the channel to another genre.
Meet U.S. Ski Team athlete Tess Johnson
On Saturday, the Colorado Snowsports Museum will be hosting U.S. Ski Team athlete Tess Johnson from 4-5 p.m. Johnson grew up in the Vail Valley and first learned her skills at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. Come meet the 2018 Olympian who’s coming fresh off the World Cup tour and spending a short time at home with family before she focuses on next season.
Gear swaps and sales
Alpine Quest Sports River Gear Swap
For 20 years Alpine Quest Sports has been helping river lovers get out and enjoy the waves at a discount with its Spring River Swap. Shop the store Friday through Sunday and find gear that that can help you get out and kayak, standup paddle and more. Got gear you want to sell? Drop it off by Friday afternoon. Sell your gear for 100% store credit or 70% in the form of a check. Want to upgrade? Alpine Quest Sports will be treating you to a few discounts on new gear, too.
Even though the winter season is winding down and the store is flipping the switch to summer, Alpine Quest Sports will have sales on winter equipment and accessories – some discounts range between 30-70% off. So, if you’ve wanted to get into alpine touring or need new outerwear, now’s your chance. For more information, go to AlpineQuestSports.com.
Ski gear tent sale
The valley is home to several ski brand representatives and it’s time for them to unload some gear, which means you get that gear at a discount. Head to Vail Brewing Company in Eagle-Vail on Saturday from 2-6 p.m. Several brands will be represented: K2, Line, Armada, Sweet Protection, Pret and Pit Viper. Products include skis, boots, helmets, goggles, sunglasses, apparel and accessories. Vail Brewing Company will be offering $6 Hot Mess Blondes during the event.
