Check out a snow festival, bike races, a new rooftop bar and more

By the Thirst Team

Welcome to our new events roundup. We are expanding the scope of this weekly column to all kinds of events, activities and destinations across Colorado, especially everything beyond Denver. We appreciate all our Denver media colleagues’ hard work finding the best events in the big city, but events around the rest of the state can get overlooked. So here are our first recommendations to help you “get out of town” (or be entertained in town if you already live in these places).

Please let us know what you think, and send us your events, thoughts and updates.

A reinvented ‘Bolero’ in Beaver Creek

BODYTRAFFIC is an acclaimed Los Angeles dance troupe that tours the world. At 7 p.m. Friday at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, the nimble group will perform a set of works by four choreographers, including a newly commissioned work. Spanish choreographer Fernando Hernando Magadan crafted “The Act of Becoming” around his reimagining of Ravel’s iconic “Bolero.”

Vilar also hosts comedian and “This American Life” favorite Mike Birbiglia next Wednesday, March 27, and Boulder’s own rock legends Firefall on March 28.

Bodytraffic also performs at 7 p.m. Sunday in Lone Tree. Click here for tickets and more information.

Bikes and beer in Grand Junction

The Colorado Mesa University Cycling Team is defending a national championship title, and will get back in the saddle on Saturday for a criterium race in Grand Junction. Fans can watch all the action from the Maverick Classic Beer Fest. Advance tickets cost $25 each, and include unlimited pours of 24 area beers.

Spring Jam around Aspen

The 24th annual Spring Jam festival comes to Aspen Snowmass all weekend. The event kicks off with a photo and video awards show at Wheeler Opera House on Thursday night. Short ski and snowboard films are judged on “creativity, editing, quality, cinematography, and all-around stoke.”

New York rock and electro-pop band The Nude Party will play a show Friday night, followed by FRENSHIP on Saturday night. Spring Jam also includes Aspen night skiing and the “Slash the Mass” banked slalom snowboard contest.

Taste of the week: One Rooftop Bar

One Rooftop Bar opens Thursday at Avon’s Riverfront Village, with views of Beaver Creek. The owners say it is the first rooftop spot in the Vail area.

“We worked hard to create a unique menu of interesting cocktails for people to sip on while enjoying our fantastic views,” said lead bartender Matthew Hallas. “We are excited to welcome both locals and visitors to this new year-round destination.”

The food menu focuses on shareable eats, and includes terrines, raclette and salads.

The venue can also be booked for private events for up to 60 people.

Destination of the week: Eldora

To avoid some of the Spring Jam and spring break crowds, ski and ride at Eldora this week. Out-of-state travelers are more likely to fly into Vail or Aspen, or hit the resorts off I-70.

As an added bonus, there will be plenty of great snow. Last week’s big storm really walloped Eldora, dumping at least 46 inches of snow, and closing the resort for two days.

And there is still plenty to do, with DJs spinning tunes at the mountain base from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and aprés music from PJ Moon on Friday, and Grateful Holler on Saturday.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. And enjoy your Colorado craft libations responsibly.