Mountain Village: Winter Fest Starts 12/13

05 Dec Mountain Village: Winter Fest Starts 12/13

Some speak of the holidays in terms of “endurance” and “survival.” It’s all about materialism and family psycho-showdowns, right? Well, not so much. Just ask any child – or Google your own history for fond memories. Chestnuts roasting on open fires. Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Carolers singing familiar tunes. “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Santa. Reindeer. Mistletoe. And yes, presents. The holidays should not be about giving in. They should be about giving. Period. And not just stuff. Shared experiences. To cynics we say lose your Grinch. Get with the program. Swan dive into the eggnog.

In Mountain Village, Telluride, a beautiful tree stands in Heritage Plaza all tricked out and waiting to light up like Vegas. The tree is centerpiece of the town festooned with garlands, bells, ornaments, and lights, all to set the scene for the season and this year’s major holiday event: the first ever Winter Fest. The collaboration among TMVOA, Town of Mountain Village, and all the businesses and merchants “uptown” takes place all weekend, starting Friday, December 13 – although kits for the Ginger Bread House Competition were distributed to merchants on December 4. Completed houses go on display Friday, December 13, at noon. Be sure to vote for your favorite. The winner will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony, December 13, 6 p.m.

Find further details about the rest of the weekend holiday fun fest below.

Every day of Winter Fest:

Free Parking in all Mountain Village Lots (excluding Heritage Parking Garage) ~ 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Overnight parking fees will apply. (Amenity provided by the Town of Mountain Village.)

Free Ice Skating on the Mountain Village Ice Rink ~ 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
BootDoctors, operators of the Mountain Village ice rink, is giving the community an early holiday gift: free skating during Winter Fest. For those without skates, rentals are available.

Holiday Music ~ 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The classic holiday songs, the ones we all know by heart – “Jingle Bells,” “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night” – will echo throughout Mountain Village’s plazas during Winter Fest. ( TMVOA will provide the music in Heritage Plaza; the Town of Mountain Village in The Telluride Conference Center plaza; and BootDoctors at the ice rink.)

Holiday Busker Entertainment ~ 12:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.
CirqueCore and Jeff Badger (of Siam’s Talay) is providing holiday busker entertainment.

Friday:

Number / Sticker Game ~ 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Stop by the Telluride Ski Resort booth in the Heritage Plaza to pick up your sticker. Find your matching number (on another sticker) and get a chance to meet new people or win prizes at participating Mountain Village retailers.

Sitting with Santa ~ 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages can say hello to Santa in the Heritage Plaza and tell him what’s on their wish list. This year pictures will be taken by parents. Please upload your best to the Mountain Village Merchants Facebook page.  (Fun provided by Realize Planning.)

Holiday Crafts for Kids (while supplies last) ~ 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
As kiddos wait to talk to Santa, kids of all ages will have an opportunity to be creative. There will be face painting, holiday crafts and the chance to decorate their very own Christmas tree ornament to add to tree in Heritage Plaza. (The fun is provided by Telluride Sitters, 970-708-0170.)

Holiday Cookies (while supplies last) ~ 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. While feeding their imaginations waiting for Santa, kids also get to enjoy holiday cookies. (Provided by Realize Planning.)

“Guess How Many” ~ 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Children and adults alike will be able to sign up for a guess by the Santa tent. Winner will receive a prize. (Fun provided by Realize Planning.)

Free Sledding ~ 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Telluride Ski Resort will open up the bottom of Misty Maiden for free sledding. (Sleds will be available or tote your own.)

Tree Lighting Ceremony ~ 6:00 p.m.
Carolers will provide pre-lighting entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m. as the crowd gathers in Heritage Plaza for the tree-lighting ceremony. That takes place a 6 p.m. and features the usual suspects, Santa and his elves – and local kids. (Tree, tree lighting and tree decorations all provided by Town of Mountain Village.)

Saturday:

Hang out with The Grinch! ~ 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Kids of all ages can say hello to The Grinch at the Hotel Madeline – and get a picture with Dr. Seuss’s famous character. Also enjoy kids’ crafts. This year, pictures will be snapped by parents and friends, so please upload for best shots to the Mountain Village Merchants Facebook page. (Fun hosted by Telluride Sitters and Hotel Madeline.)

Light up your Bike! ~ 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Join BootDoctors for a Fat Tire Bike “light up your bike” ride through the core. Bikes are then encouraged to head “downtown” to Telluride for the Fire & Ice event at Town Park. Also visit Smugglers. The brew pub is introducing a new holiday brew.

Free Sleigh Ride ~ 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Telluride Ski Resort will be offering one round-trip sleigh ride trip to Gorrono Ranch from the base of Lift 4 (Based on space availability. About 30 seats/spaces available in all.)

Sunday:

Free Sledding ~ 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Telluride Ski Resort will open up the bottom of Misty Maiden for free sledding. (Sleds will be available or tote your own.)

PLUS…

(See, “Every Day of Winter Fest” above)

Merchant specials

Can’t buy me love. But you can try. And at great discounts. Or you’ve shopped til you drop and now your tummy is hungry for attention. Below are the details of  all the specials being offered by all Mountain Village merchants throughout Winter Fest weekend.

Alternative Edge
Grab bag discounts Saturday, the 14th

Crazy Elk
$8 pizza slice, chips, and fountain drink

La Piazza del Villagio Ristorante/La Pizzeria 
From Friday, December 6 – Thursday, December 19, dinner is 5.30 p.m. – 9.00–9.30 p.m.
Menu: $25/per person
Main course from al la care menu and your choice of complimentary appetizer or soup or salad
Menu: $29/per person
Main course from a la carte menu and a choice of complimentary appetizer or soup or salad and dessert.
Reservations, call 970.728.8283
Pizza + complimentary soda & gelato at La Pizzeria

The Resort Store
Grab Bag discounts from 10% – 50% all three days

Telluride Naturals
Grab Bag discounts from 10% – 50% all three days

Swanky Buckle
Grab Bag discounts from 10% – 50% all three days

Alpenglow Beauty
Free goodie bags all three days. Gift-with-purchase all three days. Enter to win a free facial, one give-away each day, and grab bag discounts on Saturday the 14th.

Heritage Apparel
Grab Bag discounts from 10% – 50% all three days

Little Bar
Happy Hour all night Friday and Saturday, 3p.m.- 8p.m.
Sample Happy Hour menu
All menu items include one tap beer, glass of wine, or featured cocktail
$16 Papillote of a dozen Little Neck clams, butter, garlic and peppers.
$8 local Buffalo slider with horseradish cream and field greens
$15 personal-size rustic flatbread pizza

Smak Bar, Hotel Madeline
Smak Chill Apres with DJ Ryan, drink & app specials, Friday, 3 – 6 p.m.
Ugly Sweater Party, Friday the 13th, following the tree lighting ceremony, 6 – 8 p.m.
Smak/Rev/Starbucks. Fun promotions on food/beverages and retail items throughout the weekend
Spa, 20% off I-SUN products. (Buy $100 gift certificate and get a free spa gift)

The North Face
Grab bag discounts up to 40% off on Saturday
Celebrate our new Snowell tune machine with half-off 5-punch tune cards or 30% single tunes on Sunday.
20% off demos and rentals the entire weekend

The Peaks
Complimentary valet parking.
$99 room rate

Telluride Sports Franz Klammer
Grab bag discounts up to 40% off on Saturday.
Celebrate our new Snowell tune machine with half-off 5-punch tune cards or 30% single tunes on Saturday.
20% off demos and rentals the entire weekend

Tomboy Tavern
Dirty Hippy Dark Wheat draught and edamame, $8

BootDoctors & Paragon Outdoors
Bingo drawings for discounts 10% to 50% all day Friday.
Snacks and holiday beverages starting at 3 p.m. on Friday.
Last chance for 25% off tunes cards.
Show us your Happy Feet Snow Dance and be entered to win a $100 gift card!
Drawings 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. for demos, tunes, fat tire bike demos, Nordic demos, helmet, gloves footbeds, and more.

Christy Sports
Friday grab bag discounts up to 50%.
All weekend, 2013-2014, skis will be 15% off

Diggity’s Dogg House
Friday 10% of all Hot Food

Mountain Lodge
Walk in rate of $99 per night for a junior suite

Telluride Coffee Company
15% discount on all breakfast and lunch menu items

Telluride Truffle
All weekend 20% off hot chocolate and grab-bag discounts

Mountain Village Market
All weekend 1p.m.- 8 p.m., free hot chocolate, hot cider, coffee and cookies, plus gourmet cheese samples/tasting

Spirits at the Mountain Village Market
Friday & Saturday 1p.m.-3:30 p.m., free wine tastings

Siam Talay
Free steamed bun w/ purchase of Talay signature cocktail for Winter Fest weekend.

Tracks Cafe & Bar
$5 rumple and hot cocoa, plus $2 ice cream cones Friday night

                                                                                            HAPPY HOLIDAYS!