Spring Back to Vail brings in free concerts, killer parties for Vail's closing week

Spring Back to Vail, the annual festival that celebrates the close of the winter season, began Monday and continues throughout the week with a full schedule of events that includes free concerts, après and after-dark parties, brand expos, the World Pond Skimming Championships presented by Rockstar and more.

Spring Back to Vail has become known for outstanding music lineups, and once again this year's event boasts a fantastic schedule of free headliner concerts. Returning to Vail by popular demand to kick off the Spring Back to Vail concerts on Thursday, April 12 at Ford Park will be blues-rockers Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Bud Light will present Thievery Corporation, with opener DJ Logic, in Ford Park on Friday, April 13. JJ Grey & Mofro will rock the house at Solaris on Vail Village on Saturday, April 14 with opener The Sessh.

Closing up on Sunday, April 15 immediately following the World Pond Skimming Championships presented by Rockstar will be reggae band IRATION with openerSchwing Daddy at Solaris.

Private Reserve passes are available for the Thievery Corporation show in Ford Park. While admission to all Spring Back to Vail 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 Spring Back to Vail concert experience, providing access to anexclusive area of the venue complete with outdoor heaters and close-in viewing of the stage. Passes are just $125 each and can be purchased through the Vail Box Office by calling 970-845-8497.

Also part of the Spring Back to Vail festivities are the wet and wild World Pond Skimming Championships presented by Rockstar, happening at the Golden Peak base area on Sunday, April 15. The legendary World Pond Skimming Championships presented by Rockstar entail floatable (and many times sinkable) athletes who aren't afraid of a little water launching off an on-snow jump onto an icy-cold pond with the goal of making it to the other end on both feet.

Two champions will be awarded this year, the top male and the top female competitor, both of whom will receive Epic Passes for next season. Registration for this year's World Pond Skimming Championships presented by Rockstar is now open at www.vail.com/springback and costs $75 per competitor.

The field is limited to 75 participants ages 14 and older on a first-come, first-served basis so thoseinterested in participating are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

A full schedule of Bud Light après and after-dark parties are also on the agenda for the week, where guests can expect to find great specials on Bud Light and tons of fun giveaways:

· Wednesday, April 11, 4-6 p.m. – Spring Back to Vail Opening Party presented by Bud Light at the Red Lion, Vail Village

· Thursday, April 12, 4:30-6 p.m. – Bud Light Après Party at Vendetta's, Vail Village

· Thursday, April 12, 10 p.m.-midnight – Bud Light Post Concert Party, The George, Vail Village

· Friday, April 13, 4-6 p.m. – Bud Light Après Party at The Club, Vail Village

· Friday, April 13, 10 p.m.-midnight – Bud Light Post Concert Party at Vendetta's, Vail Village

· Saturday, April 14, 4-6 p.m. – Bud Light Après Party at The Red Lion, Vail Village

· Saturday, April 14, 10 p.m.-midnight – Bud Light Post Concert Party at Samana, Vail Village

· Sunday, April 15, 8-10 p.m. – Bud Light Post Concert Parties at Samana and The Club, Vail Village

The Spring Back to Vail Expo Village and the Reverb Eco Village will return to the base of the Vista Bahn Friday – Sunday, April 13-15, with expos from brands like Helly Hansen, Sprint, Maui Jim, Rockstar, Muscle Milk, Rustic Crust, Stonyfield Farms, Evol Burritos, Ski Bumper and MATADOR® Beef Jerky and gear demos from Liberty skis, Nordica and Ramp Sports.

Spring Back to Vail is the annual spring bash in Vail, Colo. celebrating the close of the skiing and riding season with a jam-packed schedule of events that includes free headliner concerts, nightly bar parties, the Spring Back to Vail Expo Village and the wet ‘n' wild World Pond Skimming Championships presented by Rockstar.

For more information on Spring Back to Vail, including the full event schedule and registration for the Pond Skimming World Championships presented by Rockstar, visit www.vail.com/springback.