Weekend Picks: The GoPro Mountain Games return to Vail

If you were to visit Vail for one weekend in the summer, you’d experience a huge slice of the mountain lifestyle during the GoPro Mountain Games. Its tagline: Athletes, Art, Music and Mountains, pretty much sums up why we love it here. Locals and visitors flock to it and everybody has their favorite part about the Mountain Games.

Spend all day or just an afternoon and you’ll feel like summer has kicked into full gear with many things to do and see for all ages.

The first thing to do is get the lay of the land. The GoPro Mountain Games venues are spread out from Lionshead, Vail Village, Golden Peak and Ford Park. In general terms, Dock Dogs, Incredible Dog Challenge Experience and other canine events, including adoptions from the Eagle County Animal Services, are held at the Purina Pro Plan Dog Town.

Vail Village plays host to the BFGoodrich Gear Town. Think of this as a farmer’s market without the produce, it is tent after tent of awesome products, samples, giveaways and prizes. The Turtlebox Music stage is set with bands playing for free throughout the day. It also plays host to The CoLab: A Creator Stage where you will learn about all types of topics. This year’s speakers include music phenomenon Miles the Music Kid, the Dogfather Matt Nelson at WeRateDogs, mycologist Paul Stamets and Rowdy Dachshund the skateboarding dog. There will also be a creative fashion show with artist Pat Milbery and fashion designer and stylist Fresh Sam.

A few things to note this year are some venue changes for the whitewater events. Due to low water levels, some of the events have been canceled while others have been moved to the Upper Colorado River and the Whitewater Activity Wave in Glenwood Springs. Even though you won’t be able to see the kayaking in person in Vail, the Pacifico Kayak Freestyle whitewater action will be on the Lucid big screen near the International Bridge, where there will still be plenty of slackliners doing amazing stunts over the kayak hole on Gore Creek.

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Nature Valley Mountain Plaza is next to Gondola One at the base of Vail Mountain and will play host to the North American Cup Series, climbing and bouldering events. It will also host a drone show. The GoPro Mountain Games and Discover Vail are teaming up to celebrate the town of Vail’s 60th, Colorado’s 150th and the nation’s 250th anniversaries.  BrightFlight Drones is producing shows all across the state and will make a stop in Vail on Saturday at 9:45 p.m., high above Pepi’s Face.

The Bulleit Hangout is back at Golden Peak once again. If you need to take a load off, this is the place. Food, drinks and shade can be found. The Bulleit Hangout Stage will offer free live music. The kids will love the Bulleit Hangout because here is where they can try all sorts of activities like kayaking and standup paddle boarding in the small pool.

The Ford Park area boasts the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and the Zen Zone. The amphitheater, also known as The Amp, will be where all the ticketed concerts are held. On Friday, Wilderado & Michael Marcagi will take the stage with the help of Steph Strings at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday at 6:30 p.m., the Allman Betts Family Revival in the Rockies will treat concertgoers. Two sons of the founding members of The Allman Brothers Band, Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman) and Duane Betts (son of Dickey Betts) will be joined by a talented list of special guests including Luther Dickinson, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Anders Osborne and Lamar Williams. That lineup alone is reason to come out and enjoy the GoPro Mountain Games.

Ford Park is also where you’ll find the Zen Zone. Ready for some yoga with a view? Classes will be held throughout the event. Nomadic Roots will also be setting up its mobile sauna, cold plunges and recovery experiences each day.

To learn more about competitions, which bands are playing and where, vendors, dining options, transportation, parking and more, go to mountaingames.com or download the app.