Talons Challenge at Beaver Creek

The Talons Challenge is back at Beaver Creek this weekend and the challenge is to alpine ski, snowboard or telemark ski the 14 black and double black diamond runs all in one day. If you complete all the runs, you will have tracked 26,000 vertical feet on some of the steepest terrain on the mountain.

This event is held over two days and Saturday is already sold out, so sign up for Sunday before it sells out and please note that there is no day-of registration. It’s $75 per person and it gets you access to the event, a Talons lanyard and credential for tracking your runs, swag, lunch and a drink and of course, bragging rights. 

Even if you can’t get entered into the Talons Challenge, the Talons lifts — Birds of Prey Express (No. 9), Grouse Mountain Express (No. 10) and Larkspur Express (No. 11) — are open to the public throughout the event and there is going to be a fun vibe with a DJ spinning tunes from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Helly Hansen, Nature Valley, Gatorade and Michelob Ultra will be at Talon’s Restaurant doing activations. Join the after party in the village from 1:30 – 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday with music from DJ Pippen starting at 2 p.m. and the Little Trips at 3 p.m. To find out more, go to BCTalonsChallenge.com.

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Vail Legacy Weekend honoring the 10th Mountain Division

Vail Legacy Weekend returns and this year marks the 80th anniversary of when the soldiers from the famed 10th Mountain Division, the winter warfare unit in the U.S. Army that trained south of Vail at Camp Hale, fought pivotal battles in the Apennine Mountains in Italy and surprised the Nazi forces with a night attack on Feb. 18-19, 1945. Come out and celebrate the soldiers who came back and shaped much of the ski and outdoor industry into what we know it as today. Vail Mountain, the Town of Vail and the Colorado Snowsports Museum have quite the lineup of events:

Friday:

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“Tales from the 10th” with author Lance Blyth who wrote “Ski, Climb, Fight.” Tickets are $20 for Colorado Snowsports Museum members and $25 for nonmembers. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. with light refreshments and the presentation starts at 6 p.m. For more information go to SnowsportsMuseum.org.

Saturday:

Meet & Eat with the 10th Mountain Division: 11 a.m-2 p.m. – Meet at Sarge’s Shelter at Mid-Vail for lunch with the 10th Mountain Division Soldiers.

80th Anniversary Riva Ridge Presentation by the WWII Foundation: 3 p.m. at the Colorado Snowsports Museum

10th Mountain Division Parade: 6:30 p.m. Torchlight parade, fireworks, 10th Mountain Division video, parade down Bridge Street to 10th Mountain Division statue. The Colorado Snowsports Museum will stay open until 8 p.m. after the parade.

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Never ask “What should we do this weekend?” again.

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Sunday:

Blackhawk Helicopter Landing: 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. (weather permitting) – Top of Avanti Express Lift (No. 2)

Ski Troopers Cup: 2:30 p.m. – Mountain Plaza – Teams off three soldiers from the current 10th Mountain Division competing in skill and strength tests on Pepi’s Run. To learn more, go to Vail.com and check out Signature Events.

Last weekend (and a discount) at Ice Castles in Eagle

One of the newest attractions in the Vail Valley is ending its run for the season, so if you have not been to the Ice Castles in Eagle, you have until Sunday to enjoy this experience.

Ice Castles is an immersive, self-guided experience through a maze of icicles where the whole family can explore the wonder of ice through caverns, tunnels, slides and more. By day, you can see all the intricate details of the icicles that have been formed, added and built up over time. By night, LED lighting casts a whole different look to these features.

In addition to the ice features, there will also be snacks at the concessions at the Frost Bites trailer and the Polar Pub will serve up adult beverages on Friday and Saturday. Dress for the elements and wear sturdy snow boots. Get your tickets in advance on the website, IceCastles.com, use discount code LASTCHANCE40 for 40% off tickets.

Mind-blowing illusion and comedy with Colin Cloud: Mastermind at Vilar Center

Be prepared to be blown away by the entertaining and mysterious antics during Colin Cloud: Mastermind, at the Vilar Performing Arts Center this Saturday. Cloud is from Scotland and at a very young age he read books about Sherlock Holmes and was fascinated with the detective’s observation skills and his deductive reasoning. Cloud also began studying forensic science at age 15. Both of those experiences have led him to the fame and notoriety he experiences now.

Cloud is the only mentalist in history to perform at London’s West End, Broadway and the Las Vegas Strip. He’s been on all sorts of television shows wowing audiences and the hosts. He was on “America’s Got Talent,” “Britain’s Got Talent,” “Today,” “Ellen” and many more.

Currently he performs almost nightly in Las Vegas, so we’re lucky to have him for one night only at the Vilar Center, which will be the perfect venue for an intimate performance where you might become a part of the action. Audience participation is huge at Cloud’s shows.  

This performance is part of the Vilar Center’s Broadway Series and just a quick note that another Broadway performance, “Dear Evan Hansen,” is here on Tuesday and Wednesday. For information and tickets, go to VilarPAC.org.  

Scavenger Hunt at Beaver Creek

The Scavenger Hunt at Beaver Creek is a fun way for kids to explore the village. Pick up a free Eager Beaver Adventure Company Adventure Kit at the guest services office next to the ticket office and Coyote Café. The Adventure Kit can also be picked up at several hotels in Beaver Creek. The kit contains the Adventure Guide booklet, the Cookie Compass and a small pencil to keep track of clues.

“X” marks the spot at the Super G Goggles next to the ice rink and that’s where the scavenger hunt will begin. Follow all the instructions on each of the signs throughout the village until all clues are revealed. This activity is great for ages 7 and older. There will be a prize once the puzzle is solved, so keep at it. To learn more, get the Beaver Creek app and look under Family Activities.