Whether you are sidling up to one of our many AAA Four Diamond rated dining establishments, catching first tracks paired with exclusive dinners prepared by renowned chefs at the Beaver Creek Food and Wine Culinary Weekend, or picknicking at 10,000 feet at the Taste of Vail’s legendary open-air Mountain Top Picnic, being on the mountain this year is about more than just hitting the snow.
Plan your vacation around one of the high country’s prolific lineup of food and wine festivals, and bring your ski gear to work off the extra pounds. There’s an event for gourmands of every profile. Check websites for the latest updates; festivals typically offer individual event tickets as well as overall passes.
Beaver Creek
Food & Wine Culinary Weekend
Jan. 24-27, 2013
This second annual event returns as a not-to-be-missed three-day winter culinary celebration on the slopes. In 2012, Chefs John Besh, Tim Love, Marc Murphy, Stephanie Izard, Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson and Richard Sandoval joined local host chefs for a palate-pleasing culinary extravaganza.
Keystone
Winter Culinary Showcase
Jan. 18-Feb. 10, 2013
Pure foodie heaven awaits at the new month-long Keystone Winter Culinary Showcase, highlighting the latest trends in food, wine and spirits at the resort’s award-winning restaurants. The imaginative and decadent treats from Executive Pastry Chef Ned Archibald are not to be missed.
Vail
Taste of Vail
April 4-7, 2013
This winter brings the 24th annual Taste to locations around Vail as well as the slopes of Vail Mountain, site of the legendary, open-air Mountain Top Picnic. More than 6,000 foodies attended last year’s celebration. Highlights include the Colorado Lamb Cook-Off and the Grand Tasting and Auction.
Republished from EpicLife Magazine Winter 2012-13.