Vail Snow Daze features free concerts all week in Vail

Vail Snow Daze, the annual festival that celebrates the start of the winter season, began Monday and will continue throughout the week with a full schedule of events that includes free concerts, après and after-dark parties, brand expos and more.

Snow Daze has become known for outstanding music lineups, and once again this year's event boasts a fantastic schedule of free headliner concerts. Kicking off the Vail Snow Daze concerts on Thursday, Dec. 8 at Solaris in Vail Village will be alternative rock band Guster, with opener The White Buffalo.

Jakob Dylan and Band, with opener Zach Heckendorf, will take the stage at Solaris on Friday, Dec. 9. Bud Light will present super group Yukon Kornelius, who will rock the house in Ford Park, on Saturday, Dec. 10 with opener Lit. Closing up on Sunday, Dec. 11 at Checkpoint Charlie will be The Polish Ambassador with opener DJ Mo:Rockin.

Private Reserve passes are available for the Yukon Kornelius show in Ford Park. While admission to all Vail Snow Daze concerts and events is free, Private Reserve passes give holders access to preferred viewing of the stage in Ford Park as well as complimentary food and beverages.

The Private Reserve pass is the ultimate Vail Snow Dazeconcert experience, providing access to an exclusive area of the venue complete with outdoor heaters and close-in viewing of the main stage. Passes are $95each and can be purchased through the Vail Box Office by calling 970-845-8497.

A full schedule of après and after dark parties are on the agenda for the week, including the Yukon Kornelius Pub Crawl presented by Bud Light on Thursday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The Yukon Kornelius Pub Crawl, happening at The Club, The George and Vendetta's, will give attendees the chance to earn a free Bud Light at the Guster concert by stopping by all three of the pub crawl locations and collecting all of the Yukon Kornelius themed gear.

All redeemed Yukon Kornelius Pub Crawl beer vouchers will be entered into a drawing for a pair of Liberty skis at the Guster concert at Solaris, which will happen before 8 p.m. that evening. For full details on the Yukon Kornelius Pub Crawl and drawing, visit the FAQ page at www.vail.com/snowdaze.

In addition to the Yukon Kornelius Pub Crawl presented by Bud Light and Après…Skiing Magazine Style, Bud Light après and after-dark parties will take place throughout the week, complete with drink specials and giveaways:

· Tuesday, Dec. 6, 8-10 p.m. – Bud Light After Dark Party at The Sandbar, West Vail

· Wednesday, Dec. 7, 4:30-6 p.m. – Bud Light Party at The Red Lion, Vail Village

· Friday, Dec. 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m. – Bud Light Après Party at Bob's Place, Avon

· Friday, Dec. 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m. – Bud Light Après Party at The Red Lion, Vail Village

· Friday, Dec. 9, following the concert – Bud Light Post Party at Samana, Vail Village

· Saturday, Dec. 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m. – Bud Light Après Party at The George, Vail Village

· Saturday, Dec. 10, following the concert – Bud Light Post Party at The Club | Vendetta's | Whiskey Jack's, Vail Village

Guests at the après and after-dark parties can expect to find great drink specials.

The Reverb Eco Village and Demo Daze will return to the base of the Vista Bahn Friday – Sunday, Dec. 9-11, with expos from brands like Sprint, Maui Jim, Rockstar, Muscle Milk, Rustic Crust, Stonyfield Farms, Evol Burritos and MATADOR® Beef Jerky and gear demos from Burton, Nordica and Ramp Sports. The Cadillac Experience will take place in Solaris Plaza on Friday – Sunday as well.

Vail Snow Daze lodging specials are still available but are filling up quickly. For a comprehensive availability of package rates and specials, go to www.vail.com/snowdaze.

Vail Snow Daze is presented by Vail Mountain, Bud Light, Cadillac, SoBe Lifewater, Sprint, Town of Vail, Tequila Don Julio and Skiing Magazine and is presented in part by Helly Hansen, Maui Jim, LibertySkis, Macanudo, Reverb, Sonnenalp Resort of Vail, MATADOR® Beef Jerky, Colorado Mountain Express, Vail Daily, TV8 and KZYR-The Zephyr.

For more information on Vail Snow Daze, visit www.vail.com/snowdaze.