11 Fun Things To Do in the Mountains This May

While some declare Memorial Day Weekend the official start of summer, we say: Why rob yourself of an extra month of sun-fueled fun? As long as you’re prepared for whatever season fickle Mother Nature throws at you on any given day, there are plenty of festivities to keep you busy in the mountains this May.

Bookworms will want to hit up the Mountain Words Literary Festival in Crested Butte, cyclists can ride an iconic pass in Aspen, and those in search of something entirely off-the-wall can grab tickets to Fruita’s Mike the Headless Chicken Festival.

Jump Ahead:

Aspen
Crested Butte and Gunnison
Estes Park
Fruita
Steamboat Springs
Summit County
Vail and Beaver Creek

Aspen

Ride for the Pass

Photo by Matt Power

Cruising Independence Pass in a car is spectacular, so what cyclist wouldn’t want to cross the iconic Colorado byway on their bike? Before the pass opens for the summer, you’ll have an opportunity to do just that. Choose a challenging 10-mile course up the Independence ghost town site (elevation gain: approximately 2,300 feet) or a more relaxing two-mile jaunt that ends at the Weller Lake turnout. Once you’ve conquered the climb, reward yourself with a barbecue lunch back at the starting line. May 16; 10:30 a.m.; $25–$45 per adult, registration closes on May 15

Crested Butte and Gunnison

Beer, Bands, and Barbed Wire Strands

One way to make that 5 p.m. brew taste even better is to precede it with hours of gratifying outdoor labor. This stewardship event marries hard work and hard play: You’ll do hands-on habitat restoration like removing barbed wire fencing and restoring wetlands alongside landowners, volunteers, and agency partners. At quitting time, chow down on dinner at I Bar Ranch, listen to live music, and raise a pint to preserving public lands. May 15–16; times vary; $20

Mountain Words Festival

Typically, Crested Butte attracts ski bums, mountain bikers, and occasionally, film buffs. But, this weekend, the high-elevation locale will be swarmed with wordsmiths from across the country. Authors such as Terry Tempest Williams (The Glorians), Nina McConigley (How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder), and Ben Goldfarb (Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet) will discuss their work, lead workshops, and host book signings. The packed schedule includes conversations about the state of the publishing industry, comedy writing, and how to pen your own bestseller. May 21–24; event times vary; some events free, single events start at $50; three-day passes cost $350

Estes Park

Art Market in Bond Park

Forgo the typical magnet or keychain and commemorate your time in Estes Park with a one-of-a-kind piece from this alfresco art fair. Not only are they more aesthetically pleasing, but you can’t lose a framed painting in a junk drawer. The show will include dozens of artists from the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies representing mediums including textile art, jewelry, photography, pottery, and painting. May 23–25; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; free attendance

Samson’s Revenge

Photo courtesy of Running Wild USA

The namesake of this race series has been called Estes Park’s most famous elk. A frequent guest of YMCA of the Rockies’ land, Samson the elk became a local celebrity because of his remarkably friendly nature toward humans—that is until 1995 when a poacher illegally killed him. So, residents created these 10K, 26K, and 50K running races that ascend Estes Park’s Bible Point Trail in his memory. Finishers receive a custom Fractel hat and wool socks, plus an epic after-party at the summit of Bible Point. May 23; 9 a.m.; $75–$143

Fruita

Mike the Headless Chicken

Photo courtesy of Mike the Headless Chicken Festival

Mike the chicken allegedly lived for 18 months without his noggin, during which time he toured the country and was featured in Life magazine. More than 80 years later, Mike continues to draw a crowd. Every May, Coloradans flock to the scene of the miracle to sip brews, take part in a wing-eating contest, boogie to live music, and grub on all forms of chicken. To Mike! May 29–30; Friday, 4–9 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; free attendance

Steamboat Springs

Wild Edible Cookoff and Feast

If the economy has you eyeing your grocery bill with dread, it’s time to learn how to forage. Step one: Sign up for this meal at Cafe Diva featuring locally foraged ingredients. The event will include presentations by experts, plus a cooking demonstration. For a hands-on experience, sign up for Yampatika’s edible landscapes tour (May 16), during which two experts will guide you through the backcountry and teach you about herbal medicine and edible plants. May 21; 5 p.m.; $250

Yampa River Festival

For 46 years, the Friends of the Yampa River have hosted this raucous river party to raise money for the body of water’s conservation. Water enthusiasts can enroll in a variety of races and events—like a SUP downriver race, a tube rodeo, and a kayak cross—or watch from the banks with a beer in hand. May 28–31; event times vary; free to attend, event participation $15–$25

Summit County

Blues, Brews & BBQ

The barbecue-and-blues heartland might be a thousand miles away from Beaver Creek, but luckily this annual gathering can help transport Southern transplants right back home. While you listen to live arrangements from the likes of New Orleans jazz master George Porter Jr. and blues guitarist Tab Benoit, you’ll get to watch—and taste the results of—competitions centered around beef and pork. Make sure to purchase a beer punch card so you can pair your entrées with a pint. May 22–24; times vary; free admission, food and beverage available for purchase

SunsetLIVE!

The sun isn’t setting at 4:30 p.m. anymore—and in our book, that’s reason to celebrate. This Sunday night music series in Avon invites folks to post up at Avon Pavillion or paddle over on a SUP on Nottingham Lake and listen to tunes from the likes of Orchard Creek Band (May 24) and String Creek Band (May 31). May 24–Sept. 6; Sundays, 6–8 p.m.; free

Vail and Beaver Creek

Vail Comedy Festival

Cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Boston are typically contenders for the best comedy scenes, but for one week each spring, Vail turns into a comedy hub in its own right. Comedians including Nick Vatterott (as seen on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon) and Tom Thakkar (Comedy Central, Conan) will perform sets at venues around Vail. You can also catch screenings from the FILM@Vail Comedy Fest, including Tommy Hoarder and the Search for Missing Keys, made by headliner Vatterott. May 22–24; times vary; three-day pass starting at $229