Summer on the mind: Snowmass releases summer and September events

Hey Snowmass, time to break out (or purchase) those 2017 calendars.

Whether summer is an afterthought for you right now or the recent mix of rain and snow has you thinking warmer thoughts, Snowmass’ summer event lineup is on the books.

The team at Snowmass Tourism released its calendar for the summer season, which also includes the month of September, just in time for the new year.

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This summer features three new events: the international cycling race the Haute Route, a vintage car race, and Bluebird Art + Sound, an art and music festival in lieu of Wanderlust Festival, which will not return to the village this year.

Also not returning to Snowmass this summer is the Tough Mudder challenge.

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Snowmass Village hosted both Wanderlust Festival and Tough Mudder for the three previous summers.

The Colorado Rockies chapter of the Haute Route — a new cycling event with races that span over several days — is a more than 540-mile race that starts in Boulder and ends in Colorado Springs.

From June 24 to 30, the amateur event will host seven individually timed and ranked stages.

The sixth and second to last stage of the event, from Snowmass Village to Crested Butte, kicks off June 28.

Bluebird Art + Sound is the brainchild of a collaboration between Snowmass Tourism and the Los Angeles-based entertainment company Drive Group.

The festival will feature concerts on Fanny Hill, an art exhibit in Base Village and an art walk on the Snowmass Mall.

Garret Chau, Chief Executive Officer of Drive Group, said the name behind the event is “inspired by the concept of a perfect day.”

“Specifically, the incredible bluebird skies of Snowmass,” Chau said.

The festival producers will soon announce the featured artists and musical performances.

Other notable changes to Snowmass’ summer and fall calendar involve scheduling shifts, including with the signature Snowmass Balloon Festival, which will take place the weekend after Labor Day (one week earlier than usual).

In addition to filling the void left by Tough Mudder that weekend, Snowmass Tourism Director Rose Abello said the previous weekend had become too busy.

“It makes sense for the community to spread out those very busy fall weekends,” which had grown increasingly popular not only due to town-hosted events, but also for leaf peepers and weddings, Abello said.

Other popular events, including the Zoppé Italian Family Circus, the Enduro World Series and the Colorado Scottish Festival, also will return to Snowmass this summer.