5 Things to Do This Weekend: August 16–18, 2019
Competitive mountain bikers come to Snowmass this weekend for various races.
Through Sunday, August 18
Snowmass Bike Festival
Various times, Snowmass Village
So many mountain biking events are slated for this weekend that the powers-that-be smartly decided to incorporate everything MTB related throughout the week and brand it as a festival. On Saturday from 7 a.m.–4 p.m., the Audi Power of Four Mountain Bike Race takes place, with competitors tackling a new course comprised of 50 miles of primo single-track in solo and team divisions; there’s also a less daunting 25-mile option (registration from $100, aspensnowmass.com). Meanwhile, pro and amateur racers compete Saturday (8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m.–6 p.m.) in the Big Mountain Enduro Finals’ six stages, held in the Snowmass Bike Park and on Aspen Mountain (registration from $99, bigmountainenduro.com). And gals can sign up for the Vida Mountain Bike Series Women’s Skills Clinic, with two days of instruction in the Snowmass Bike Park, Yeti demos, tech talks, and more ($395, vidamtb.com). Tie it all together Saturday at 8 p.m. during a free outdoors screening in Base Village of the mountain bike film Return to Earth, which features more than a dozen top riders taking epic lines around the world (gosnowmass.com).
Friday, August 16
The Hoot
5–10 p.m., 4th Street Plaza, Carbondale
Carbondale’s public radio station, KDNK, puts on this free outdoors concert featuring Denver ska band the Dendrites and electro folk-pop group We Dream Dawn (founded by a former member of Elephant Revival), plus food trucks, drinks from local breweries and distilleries, and activities for the kiddos. Free, kdnk.org
Saturday, August 17
Hike, Hope, Heal
7:30 a.m.–11 a.m, Herron Park
This annual hike up Smuggler Mountain benefits mental health resource nonprofit Aspen Strong. A pre-hike session of Thug Yoga (8 a.m.) kicks off the morning. $30 suggested donation, aspenstrong.org
Sunday, August 18
Aspen Music Festival and School Concert
4 p.m., Benedict Music Tent
Can you believe we’re already at the last Music Fest concert of the summer? This is your chance to either mark the culmination of eight weeks of inspiring performances or catch the concert you’ve been meaning to attend all summer before it’s too late. The season’s final Sunday performance features Mahler’s “Resurrection” symphony, the first work that brought the composer fame and his personal favorite. The program starts off with a Bach cantata sung by the Seraphic Fire ensemble and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Tickets $90, lawn seating free, aspenmusicfestival.com
Discover the benefits of a Silent Hike with composer and MindTravel founder Murray Hidary this Sunday.
Image: Courtesy MindTravel
MindTravel Silent Hike
5–7 p.m., Hunter Creek Trail
Hiking while wearing your headphones takes on a new dimension through the national series of outings created and led by composer and entrepreneur Murray Hidary. Riffing on the concept of a silent disco, this excursion up Hunter Creek, part of MindTravel’s new Silent Hike series, involves donning a pair of wireless headphones for an immersive music experience. As you hike, you’ll hear Hidary’s improvisational compositions, designed to help you feel totally present, find new connections, and achieve emotional healing. Yes, it’s a tall order for a hike, but why not see if it gives you a different perspective on a familiar trail? Free but registration requested, mindtravel.com
