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Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival
February 8 to 12
Don’t miss: Learn to ski jump over meters of snow in a (relatively) safe environment at Howelsen Hill on February 10, when experts from the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club teach skiers how to soar.
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Sleep: Less than 18 miles north of Steamboat, the Glen Eden Resort has comfy two-bedroom cabins from $166 per night.
Eat: We’re skeptical about trying Indonesian fare in the mountains. But Steamboat’s Sumatera restaurant made us believers with its spicy nasi goren —fried rice with onions, garlic, and eggs.
Toast: Warm up at Rex’s American Grill & Bar with the Chocolate Truffle, a rich blend of hot cocoa, amaretto, and raspberry liqueur.
WinterBike at Copper Mountain
February 18 to 19
Don’t miss: The biggest event of the weekend—a nighttime mountain-bike race around Copper Mountain—starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The cutest event, however, begins two hours earlier, as tykes on Strider bikes parade through the resort’s Center Village.
Sleep: The Frisco Inn on Galena is a 15-minute free shuttle ride from Copper. Sleep in too late, though, and you’ll miss out on the Belgian waffles that come with your room rate (from $179 a night).
Eat: Consider the pappardelle and meatballs at JJ’s Rocky Mountain Tavern your pre-race carbo-load.
Toast: Have happy hour with the locals at Endo’s Adrenaline Bar & Grill, where certain shots go for only $3.
Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships
Vail, February 27 to March 4
Don’t miss: Before watching Shaun White defend his half-pipe title, get into the action yourself during the Open’s notoriously competitive Broomball Tournament at Solaris Skate ice rink. Anyone can put together a team, but it’s first come, first served to nab a spot in the qualification tourney on February 25.
Sleep: Hotel Minturn is bright, modern, and 10 minutes from Vail Mountain. (Winter rates start at $159.)
Eat: Servers at the Antlers Room, a wild-game eatery inside Pepi’s Restaurant & Bar, carve the caribou tableside.
Toast: Après broomball, try the Tin Man cocktail—a mix of bourbon, elderflower, lime juice, and agave water—at Frost, the sleek tavern inside the Sebastian Hotel.
