The wonders of ice, holiday drinks, a parade with fireworks and more this weekend in Vail

Ice Castles in Eagle

New this year is an attraction in Eagle called Ice Castles. This amazing land of ice and lights just opened on Dec. 20 and features 25-foot-high ice walls, tunnels, slides and more. Once darkness falls the icicles are illuminated with a multitude of colors to offer a different perspective than during the daytime.

Since it’s the holidays, you’ll find peak pricing from now until Jan. 12. Go to IceCastles.com/Eagle-Colorado and select your date and then reserve your arrival time, which is a 30-minute window. Once you are inside, you can wander and take photos and enjoy the surroundings for as long as you like. Peak Pricing is $29 for those 12 years old and older and $23 for kids 4 to 11 years old. Group pricing is available for $24.50 and can accommodate 15-75 guests. A few pro tips:

• Footwear – make sure you are wearing sturdy snow boots or hiking shoes because you are walking on uneven surfaces consisting of small ice particles and snow.
• Dress for the elements – wear a warm coat, hat, gloves. Sunglasses and sunscreen are good to have if you are going during the day.
• Photo ops – Make sure your phone is charged up and ready to take plenty of photos
• Food and drink – there is a snack bar called Frost Bites that will have a few tasty treats you can order if you get hungry during your stay. Adults, if you want to imbibe in an alcoholic beverage, schedule your trip on a Friday or Saturday when the Polar Pub is open.
• Optimal time frame – Schedule your arrival time around twilight so you get to see the Ice Castles in the daylight and then see it transition into the evening with the glow of the LED lighting.
• Locals Night – Eagle and Gypsum residents will get a special locals rate on Thursdays after the holiday season ends on Jan. 12. At that point, your admission cost is $5 on Thursdays if you show proof of residency in Eagle or Gypsum.

For more details, go to IceCastles.com/Eagle-Colorado.

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Holidays Around the World at The Sebastian Vail

Take your taste buds on a culinary journey around the world and discover classic flavors during this holiday season at The Sebastian Vail. For the past several weeks the team at The Gambit Bar has had fun sharing international dishes and drinks that are celebrated in Mexico, Italy, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States.  

Wind down with a holiday classics like egg nog from the United Kingdom topped off with a little rum, brandy or bourbon. Cranberry, cinnamon and nutmeg are being added to tequila to create the Navidad margarita from Mexico. Move over, Gluhwein, The Gambit Bar is serving the Italian take on this popular drink and it is called the vin brûlé. Brazil’s national drink, the caipirinha, gets a warm seasonal touch by adding cinnamon, clove and nutmeg to the mix. Lastly, what’s more American than apple pie? How about adding that apple flavor to an old fashioned? Apple cider, maple syrup and a cinnamon stick are sure to put you into the holiday spirit.  

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As for your international meal, this week they are serving up something south of the border. The tamales trio with pork, chicken and duck is offered from now until Dec. 28. Then, the culinary team will feature trofie pasta with black truffles from Italy from Dec. 29 through Jan. 1. Trofie pasta is a thin, dense, twisted pasta typically made in Northern Italy that is sure to warm the heart after a day out on the slopes.

Finish off your dining experience with brigadeiros, Brazil’s favorite dessert and The Gambit Bar is serving up a coconut confection sampler. To learn more and to see the international menus, go to TheSebastianVail.com.  

Silhouettes perform a holiday experience at the Vilar Center

The spirit of the season will be displayed on stage in a very creative way when Silhouettes perform at the Vilar Performing Arts Center on Friday night. Silhouettes: The Light of Christmas is part of the theater’s holiday line up and the award-winning group is making a stop in the Vail Valley after touring across the nation. Silhouettes is based in Westminster and that is where they perfect their craft using body movements combined with light, color, video, photographs, dance, acting and mime.

Silhouettes gained attention after performing on season six of “America’s Got Talent” and earned second place in 2011. Since then, they have performed on several “America’s Got Talent” episodes and were the Golden Buzzer winners on “America’s Got Talent – The Champions” in 2020 and have been the resident act at AGT Superstars Live at the Luxor in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The stories unfold on stage and have not only won over the hearts of the judges on “America’s Got Talent” but also hearts around the world. Even if you just catch a glimpse of their act, you are mesmerized by how these dancers can interpret so much by using body movements and light.

The group’s mission is to help children in need, veterans with PTSD and to offer hope and inspiration to all. They have done that and more through fundraising efforts and performing at corporate events, starring in commercials and teaching others how to shadow dance. Get your tickets for this show as it is sure to be a popular offering at the Vilar Center in Beaver Creek. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. Call the box office at 970-845-TIXS (8497) or go to VilarPAC.org.

Vail Legacy Parade, ice skating shows and more with Vail Après

The holiday season continues with festivities on and off the snow during Vail Après. The Kringle Crossing display is still up along the International Bridge in Vail Village and features an adorable mini village that is sure to surprise and delight all who encounter these buildings with a North Pole theme.

Silent Disco happens this Friday and next Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Lionshead Village with complimentary headphones that you can switch to different channels and then dance to your own beat with others dancing to their own tunes. It’s a fun way to loosen up after being on the slopes all day.

Also on Friday, make your way over to the base of Gondola One (No. 1) to experience the 10th Mountain Division Legacy Parade at 6 p.m. This event honors the history of Vail and the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division, the famed winter warfare unit that trained south of Vail at Camp Hale. The battles they fought during World War II were pivotal in securing the Nazi gothic line and advancing to victory. The event will start with a short film focusing on the history of the 10th Mountain Division followed by a torchlight ski-down with skiers wearing traditional ski trooper uniforms and fireworks will light up the sky.

The parade will continue down Bridge Street and the public is encouraged to follow along and meet at the 10th Mountain Division statue near the Covered Bridge for photo opportunities and the Colorado Snowsports Museum will extend its hours for those who want to check out the extensive exhibit featuring the 10th Mountain Division.

The Vail Après Ice Skating Shows continue this weekend as well with two shows on Saturday at the ice rink at Solaris. These shows are free and are 15 minutes each, which is perfect if you are wandering around after skiing and riding all day or on your way to dinner, you can catch the first one at 4:45 p.m. and the second at 5:30 p.m. The skaters are high-caliber athletes and the lights and music really amp up these performances.

For information on all the Vail Après activities, go to DiscoverVail.com.

DJs at Après All Day

Speaking of après, Vail Mountain is hosting Après All Day throughout the season with different DJs spinning tunes on select dates at the Express Lift Café and Bar from 1-3 p.m. This Saturday, check out Alana English, who’s no stranger to playing the ski town circuit and has been an opening act for Après at the Amp and other shows in our area. On Sunday, it’s time for Sunny Side Up. You’ll hear the music before you even reach Mountain Plaza. Vail Mountain has more DJs on the schedule for the rest of the season. Check out the list at Vail.com.