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Snowball Music Festival is back: Grand Valley’s snow-covered mountains will once again reverberate music during this three-day (March 8 to 10) outdoor spectacle.
Perfect for the skier-concertgoer-winter fanatic, Snowball’s stages (which will be hoisted in a field just west of Highway 40 between Winter Park and Fraser) draw performances from renowned electronic musicians. Look for Derek Vincent Smith of Pretty Lights and the instrumental rock and electronic band STS9, as well as Robert Randolph’s gospel-funk-rock-blues band and the hip-hop group Zion I.
With thousands of music-lovers expected to attend, Grand Valley restaurants are stocking their kitchens and adjusting menus for the crowd. Refuel with some of our local favorites and don’t miss the Snowball-specific specials:
Sharky’s Eatery: Ask for the local’s deal: a bacon-croissant breakfast sandwich or breakfast burrito with house-made green chile and a coffee for five bucks (to-go only). If you’re dining-in, order the huevos rancheros.
The Back Bowl Soup Company: Start the morning at Winter Park ski resort with a meat or veggie breakfast burrito (home-fries, scrambled eggs, cheddar, and green chile or gravy). Later, warm-up with a bowl of house-made soup—try the curried winter squash or magic mushroom.
Rudi’s Deli: Swing by for the popular turkey avocado melt. Or try the toasted Bacon Boy (the menu’s heftiest sandwich), which boasts three French bread slices, bacon, ham, turkey, and pepper jack with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
Hernando’s Pizza Pub: Order the Snowball grab-and-go special: mini-calzones for $6. If you’re eating in, choose the Sonoma pizza with chicken, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
The Library: Raise a glass with the Winter Park Pale Ale—an American Pale Ale with cascade hops grown in the Pacific Northwest.
Tip: Rudi’s and Hernando’s will serve food late (at least 11 p.m.) on Friday and Saturday.
Sharky’s Eatery, 221 Doc Susie Ave., Fraser, 970-726-8646
Back Bowl Soup Company, Winter Park ski resort’s base village, 970-624-0010
Rudi’s Deli, 78699 Main St., Winter Park, 970-726-8955
Hernando’s Pizza Pub, 78199 U.S. Highway 40, Winter Park, 970-726-5409
The Library, 78491 U.S. Hwy 40, Winter Park, 970-726-7951
—Image courtesy of Sharky’s Eatery.