Culinary celebration, concerts and chocolate make this weekend in the Vail Valley special

Beaver Creek Winter Culinary Weekend

Join guest chefs from around the world and host chefs from Beaver Creek for a weekend celebrating not only the culinary arts but the beauty that surrounds the Rocky Mountains. Beaver Creek Winter Culinary Weekend has events happening on and off the hill to quench your appetite and adventurous side from Thursday, Feb. 1, through Sunday, Feb. 4.

This weekend, Beaver Creek will welcome guest chefs Andrew Zimmern, Diane Kochilas, Jacob Hilbert, Brother Luck, Anthony “Ni” Nguyen, Jo Grootaers, Paul Luc Meesen, Francisco Lopez and guest sommelier Anthony Giglio. The guest chefs work alongside Beaver Creek’s host chefs to provide intimate and amazing experiences for patrons.

The schedule of events takes attendees on snowshoe, ski and snowboard adventures to various restaurants and even takes some people to the on-mountain restaurants via a snowcat-driven sleigh, so it’s different than a food and wine event you might find in a metropolitan area.

After enjoying the slopes on Saturday, check out the Small Plate Soiree at Citrea, next to the ice rink in Beaver Creek Village. The menu is being created by host chef Ryan Little and guest chef Andrew Zimmern. Zimmern is an award-winning chef, television host and author who has been a part of the Winter Culinary Weekend for many years and brings new ideas to the event.

The Small Plate Soiree will take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and in addition to the chefs’ creations, guests can try hand-crafted cocktails by pouring partners, Lalo Tequila, Breckenridge Distillery, Eagle River Whisky of Minturn and Fourchette beer out of Belgium, which will be serving its brews for the first time in the United States during the Winter Culinary Weekend. International sommelier Anthony Giglio will be curating wines to match the small plates. There will also be live music at the event.

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On Sunday, wind down your weekend with the Sunday Après Extravaganza: Tastings and Chef Competition from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek. The slopeside venue welcomes you to come in and try hors d’oeuvres and signature dishes prepared by the visiting and host chefs. All the pouring partners will be filling glasses and live music will fill the space as you relax and recap the events of the weekend.

To check out all the events, read chef bios and get tickets, visit BeaverCreek.com and go to Signature Events. Some events are close to selling out, so don’t delay if there is an event that catches your eye.

Vilar Performing Arts Center shows

This weekend offers two very different but equally intriguing performances. On Friday, Feb. 2, enjoy smooth jazz sounds of Rachael and Vilray and on Sunday, get amped to hear the rock star and organ player, Cameron Carpenter.

Rachael and Vilray are a duo that blends harmonies so beautifully together. Rachael Price is the lead singer for Lake Street Dive. Vilray Blair Bolles is a jazz guitarist and singer-songwriter and the two together are just pure magic. The pair met over two decades ago as students at the New England Conservatory of Music. Their friendship comes through on stage as they sing “songs they love to love.”

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The setting of the show will take attendees back to the 1930s and 1940s jazz era but it will also blend in new music composed by Vilray. Find out why the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s artistic director, Owen Hutchinson, says, “there’s so much to appreciate about this important duo.”

On Sunday, it’s time for organ music, and this isn’t just any organist — it is Cameron Carpenter, known as the bad boy of classical music. This young virtuoso is dispelling stereotypes and creating a new path with his approach to getting his audience to understand and get excited about his music.

Carpenter is the first organist to be nominated for a Grammy Award for a solo album. He also commissioned the first International Touring Organ, built to his specifications.

Carpenter is playing at David Geffen Hall in New York City on Feb. 7 and is going to be giving listeners a special preview of what he will be playing with the New York Philharmonic. Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures in an Exhibition” will be performed on Sunday night.

The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets start at $42 and there is a special student price of $10 for those 22 years of age and younger with a valid I.D.

Get your tickets for Rachael and Vilray or Cameron Carpenter or both by calling the box office at 970-845-8497 or by visiting the website at VilarPAC.org.  

Ski with a Ranger

The Ski with a Ranger program returns to Beaver Creek on Fridays through early April. If you’re skiing or riding the slopes, take a little departure from your regular day and learn something new with the help of the Walking Mountains Science Center.

This free offering invites those curious about their alpine surroundings to come along for a nature talk. You will be skiing and riding to different locations on the trails of Beaver Creek while the guide will periodically stop to give you details and help you learn more about the winter habitat. The group will meet with a volunteer Forest Service Ranger at the top of Cinch Express (No. 8) at 1:30 p.m. All ages are welcome but all participants must be a Level 3 or above skier or snowboarder.

Learn about how the U.S. Forest Service works with ski resorts to provide access to fun on the slopes. Discover which animals go into hibernation or torpor and the difference between the two. Not all animals migrate during the winter season. The ones that stick around are called resisters, such as deer, weasels and gray jays. Also, check out the vegetation surrounding you and learn about the difference between fir and spruce trees among other things.

The tour lasts about an hour but the knowledge you gain will last a lifetime. To register for this free activity, go to WalkingMountains.org‘s Events Calendar and sign up.

Make Valentine’s Day Treats

Sure, you can easily buy a box of chocolates for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day, but why not do something extra special and make these delights yourself? The Vail Recreation District is hosting two chocolate-making sessions as part of its Cocktails and Canvas series. This Friday marks the first one and will show people how to make chocolate ganache and truffles. On Feb. 9, impress your loved one by learning how to make molded chocolate hearts.

The class will be led by Felicia Kalaluhi of Cornerstone Chocolates and Confections. Kalaluhi has been a staple of the Vail Valley scene for years and creates amazing artisan chocolates, custom cakes and fun dessert bars for any occasion. Check out the photos on her website where you will find anything from lavish wedding cakes, personalized birthday cakes and humorous cakes like the block of cheese with the Green Bay Packers logo on it or a Titleist golf ball cake. It truly is edible art but don’t let that intimidate you. Kalaluhi will break down the chocolate-making into simple steps you can follow to create your own edible work of art.

The class on Friday will start at 6 p.m. and go until 8 p.m. at Imagination Station, which is on the P2 level of the Lionshead Village parking structure. The cost is $60 per person and that includes all the materials to make the chocolates and you get to bring home your creation. The class is for people 16 and older, and anyone 18 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Snacks and a cash bar will be provided with beer and wine for those older than 21.

Space is limited so sign up at VailRec.com/Register.

Yeti Hockey

Vail Yeti Hockey welcomes a team from Chicago this weekend for two home games. Take advantage of seeing exciting hockey in Vail’s backyard at Dobson Arena in Lionshead. It’s fast-paced action and a fun form of family entertainment at an affordable price. Vail Yeti Hockey has a 9-3 win-loss record at home this year, which could put the team on pace to match its 14-5 win-loss record last year.

In addition to the hockey game, the team does giveaways each week during the first intermission. Friday’s prize is a backpack from Cutwater Canned Cocktails and Saturday’s prize is a Vail Yeti Hockey jersey. You can also sign up for Chuck-a-Puck during the second intermission with proceeds this week will go to the Vail Veterans Program. The winner gets a gift card to either Vendetta’s, Alpine Kind of Venture Sports.

Plan ahead and save. Buy your ticket for $10 online in advance of the game or you can get tickets at the door for $15 if they don’t sell out. Doors open at 7 p.m., the teams warm up at 7:30, the national anthem is performed at 8 p.m. and the puck drops at 8:05 p.m. Go to VailYetiHockey.com for more information.