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September 11, 2006
Fall in Love with Snowmass offers something for everyone
Here is the latest press release from Snowmass, Colorado
Snowmass Village, CO. Whether you'd like long scenic drives, spectacular hot air balloon displays, adventure for the whole family or the more sophisticated culinary pleasures of a wine festival, Snowmass Village offers colorful fall entertainment September 15-17.
"This is the ultimate fall weekend in the Rockies," says Susan Hamley, Marketing Director for Snowmass Village. "Between the balloon and wine festivals, the incredibly affordable lodging, and all the hiking, biking and fall foliage drives in the area, Snowmass is the ideal base for a seasonal trip to the mountains."
Boasting the highest hot air balloon festival with regular launch in the country, Snowmass also holds a wine & jazz festival the same weekend, ensuring something for everyone including:
Snowmass for Families:
The 31st Snowmass Village Balloon Festival promises to wow kids of all ages. The weekend includes 30 hot air balloons competing roughly between 7 and 9 a.m. daily and at a spectacular balloon nightglow, barbecue, and free concert with Soul Jive on Saturday night. Travel & Leisure hosts the Kids Elevation Station with prizes, contests, snacks, and the chance to win a family vacation to Tuscany, while Westpac hosts a Family Fun Zone with a bouncy house, face painters, clowns, and more. Families will be awed by the glorious colors of all the balloons and appreciate the fun activities at the kid zones. In between ballooning events, families can check out the nature trail in Snowmass with the brand new pocket guide to plants and animals in Snowmass, the chairlift ride, or head out on a more ambitious hike or bike ride. Just a short jaunt away is the Aspen Recreation Center, which offers a huge indoor pool with slides, fountains, and a lazy river as well.
Snowmass for Couples
What could be more romantic than hot air balloons and wine tastings? And with great lodging deals, you won't have to scrimp to stay in the most luxurious accommodations. On Saturday, the Wine & Jazz Festival's grand tasting runs from 1-5 p.m. Over 50 vintners from around the world and 15 regional chefs will be offering tastings on the Snowmass Village Mall along with a silent auction and the chance to bid on everything from wine to vacation trips (Tickets are $50/person). The music of Network plays from 2-5 pm. Round out the day with a picnic or barbecue listening to the tunes of the Soul Jive, followed by the magnificent hot air balloon Night Glow, where all the balloons light up like Christmas ornaments in the night. The Snowmass Club's golf course and spa are open to the public, so don't forget to squeeze in a round of R&R!
Snowmass for Adventurers
The competitive side of the Snowmass Village Balloon Festival is sure to appeal to adventurers. From the distance race Friday morning down the length of the Roaring Fork Valley to the "Dawn Quixote" competition, where all the balloons head up into the space of a softball field to joust at huge tethered balloons, to the Target Tubing aim competition from the balloons on Sunday, the competitions offer a fascinating look at the challenges and spirit of hot air ballooning. After each morning's competitions, over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails await and the chairlift will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 4 p.m. Jeep and horseback tours, whitewater rafting, golf, paragliding, and other adventures are also available as well.
Feel like a drive? Take off on one of the many fall foliage trips in the area such as to the Maroon Bells Lake or the ghost towns of Ashcroft and Independence Pass. Head off to Glenwood Springs to explore the largest man-made hot springs in the world or the cable car ride to the legendary Fairy Caves or visit historic Downtown Aspen just 9 miles away.
Snowmass commemorative posters will be sold to benefit the Red Cross for $10 throughout the weekend. For more media information including schedules for all these events and activities, please visit www.snowmasspress.com/fall or call Allison Johnson at (970) 704-9988. For general and lodging information, please visit www.snowmassvillage.com or call 1-800-SNOWMASS.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, September 1
6:30am Balloons Inflate
6:50am Sunrise, Balloons Launch. Event: Rat Race - Downvalley Distance Race." Bring a breakfast picnic anywhere along the Roaring Fork Valley Coridor and check out all the balloons heading down valley. Time Limit is 3 hours.
Saturday, September 16
7:00-9:00am Bubbles, Blueberry, Bran & Banana Breakfast! (Snowmass Village Softball Field)
7:30-8:00am Balloons Inflate
7:30-9:30am Travel & Leisure Family Kids Elevation Station & West Pac Investments Family Fun Zone
8:00-9:30am Event:"Dawn Quixote." Come watch as 30 balloons rise into the sky and try simultaneously to pop large tethered balloons with ski poles.
1:00-5:00pm Snowmass Village Wine & Jazz Festival - Snowmass Village Mall (Tickets sold on site) Over 50 wineries, 15 Roaring Fork Valley favorite restaurants and caterers, music from 2-5 pm, and a silent auction. Cost $50/ticket. 970.379.6577 for reservations or tickets at the door.
6:00pm BBQ and Live Concert featuring the rock and roll sounds of Soul Jibe
7:00pm Sunset
7:30pm Balloon Nite Glow - Snowmass Village Softball Field
Sunday, September 17
7:30-8:00am Balloons Inflate. Event:"Target Tubing" The balloons migrate over to the Snowmass Club golf course and simultaneously try to throw the most tennis balls into large tubes set up on the golf course ponds.
7:30-9:30am Travel & Leisure Family Kids Elevation Station & West Pac Investments Family Fun Zone
10:00am 31st Snowmass Balloon Fest Awards Ceremony
Fall in Love with Snowmass Colorado
Posted by jmidthun at September 11, 2006 01:43 PM
