Not going to be able to make it to Bourbon Street in New Orleans this year for Mardi Gras? Not a problem, just head for the slopes in Vail where you can ski, chow down on some crawfish, and party on Bridge Street.
Vail's Mardi Gras celebration, called CarniVail, kicks off Sunday at the top of the Lionshead gondola with a traditional Louisiana crawfish boil and music by local funk band 24 South. The party continues on Fat Tuesday with a parade through Vail Village and music from Frogs Gone Fishin'. The party wraps up next Friday with a performance by Karl Denson and his Tiny Universe.
Oh, and here's a list of bar parties you might want to check out while you're there.