For those looking to elevate their summer/fall festival adventures – go up. High-altitude mountain festivals means iconic views, cooler temperatures and oftentimes less crowds (though you have to watch your alcohol consumption at high elevations!).
We put together a list of our favorite late summer/fall food/beverage and movie festivals that are over 8,000 feet of elevation –
Vail Wine Classic (8,150’, August 11-13): The Vail Wine Classic includes “Vail Uncorked Dinner Series” featuring five-course dinners at Vail’s top restaurants, a Somm-led “Argentine Experiences Hike” that culminates with a three-course paired lunch, a seminar about RIEDEL’s’s varietal-specific glassware, and much more. Vail Wine Classic brings master winemakers and wine enthusiasts together for an immersive three-day tasting event that includes all-inclusive tastings of diverse and distinctive wines from around the world and a-la-carte events.
Breckenridge Wine Classic (9,600’, Sept. 15-17): In addition to the iconic Grand Tasting sessions that feature hundreds of wineries, breweries, distilleries, and epicurean purveyors, the Breckenridge Wine Classic’s innovative lineup includes a “Winemaker for a Day” experience, “Wine & Wildflower Hike,” and exquisite paired dinners with some of the country’s best vintners at five standout Breckenridge restaurants, including one at the ski resort.
Vail Oktoberfest (8,150’, Sept 9-11 + Sept. 16-18): The beloved Vail Oktoberfest is a Bavarian extravaganza of competitions, costume contests, German delicacies, flowing German beer, traditional music and dance, children’s entertainment and more. This free, family-friendly event was named among the 10 greatest Oktoberfest celebrations in the U.S. by USA Today.
Telluride Film Festiva l (8,750’, Sept. 2-5) – Each Labor Day weekend, the tiny mountain village of Telluride, Colorado triples in size. Swells of passionate film enthusiasts flood the town for four days of total cinematic immersion, embarking on a viewing odyssey, blissfully spending entire days in flickering dark rooms.
