Vail Is Upping Its Live Music in the Mountains This Ski Season

Vail is a vibe. Of course, the mountain town nestled along I-70 is best known as a premier skiing destination, including its seven Legendary Back Bowls, but the overall experience doesn't begin and end at the slopes.

Recently, seeing live music throughout the village has become commonplace, too, which is why Vail Resorts, the Town of Vail, the Vail Valley Foundation and AEG Presents teamed up to put together a robust lineup of concerts and events this season.

The festivities kick off Friday, December 13, with two performances. First, DJ duo Eli & Fur will play a free pop-up show at the Eagle’s Nest rooftop before opening for Dutch DJ and producer Tiësto at the Ford Park later that evening as part of the Stifel Birds of Prey World Cup ski races.

“What’s cool is we are totally transforming the rooftop of Eagle’s Nest. This is something we’ve never done before,” John Plack, Vail Resorts director of communications, says. “Come ski, enjoy some light music, après, maybe rest, then go to Tiësto, and repeat.”

Techno DJ John Summit, who has played Vail before, returns to Ford Park on February 14 and 15 for what’s being called Experts Only weekend. Then, L'Impératrice, Jungle and Goth Babe will head to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater for Après at the Amp on April 4 and 5. In addition to the headlining performances, dozens more on-mountain, pop-up concerts are set to be announced throughout the season, and several bars and restaurants throughout the village will host live music regularly. Basically, wherever you go, you’ll be treated to a show.

“Pretty much every day of the week you can experience some kind of live music somewhere. It’s kind of ever-present and ambient and all around you,” Plack explains. “On Opening Day [November 15], we came down the gondola and, sure enough, you walk off and Los Amigos has a DJ performing live right outside, then you turn left, and Express Lift had a DJ performing live outside — right there, as you got off the gondola and off the mountain.

“It's taken off since then. I was walking through the village last week and there was a live music performance on International Bridge, then I went into the Gambit Bar, and they had a live DJ playing. Really, it’s everywhere, all over the place. It’s kind of fun.”

Right now, Los Amigos, Gambit Bar, Treff Café, Two Arrows, Vail Chophouse, the Red Lion, the Lodge at Vail, the Arrabelle at Vail Square, Shakedown Bar and Chasing Rabbits all have shows in store as part of the 2024-25 lineup.

The idea of embracing and providing an official soundtrack to the slopes came together this year, according to Plack. “As we got to thinking, it really seemed right. You think of a lot of music in mountain towns; they’re either connected to a sporting event that’s already occurring or they’re one moment in time,” he says.

“As we looked at what was going on organically around the community, where we had bars and restaurants and hotels doing live music, we realized we had something — and something pretty unique, where I think over time will become synonymous with Vail,” Plack continues. “There’s a lot of energy no matter where you are. This year is the first year where we connected all the dots, put all the pieces together and are rolling out a really great program for the full season.”
Vail is also welcoming bands to record unplugged sets on the mountain, which will be shared exclusively online and via social media, after Vermont indie group Dispatch did so over the summer. It’s just another way to show guests “what Vail’s all about,” as Plack sees it.

“Vail is the world’s premier mountain destination, and now it’s the world’s premier mountaintop music venue. It’s cool to see something like this come to life,” he says, adding that it’s a perfect pairing of “high-energy music and high-energy skiing.

“Just like mountains are, music is a powerful, emotional force, so those two combined, I think, are really special for folks, whether you’re on skis or a snowboard or pedestrian traffic coming up the mountain. It should make for a really fun time,” he continues.

The true headliner, however, remains the mountain, with its 34 lifts and 277 trails. As of December 10, nineteen lifts and 168 trails were open. For the most up-to-date info, visit the resort's website. 

“Don’t get me wrong: The Back Bowls are huge and vast, and at some point, you leave the hustle and bustle of mid-Vail, which I like to think of as the center of the skiing universe, so, of course, there’s music and DJs that will perform up there — same thing with Eagle’s Nest. Then you get to the Back Bowls, and you’re totally in nature,” Plack says.

“Then when you’re done, you come back to a lively atmosphere to celebrate what you accomplished at Colorado’s largest ski resort.”

Tiësto, with Eli & Fur, 5:30 p.m. Friday, December 13, Ford Park, 530 South Frontage Road East, Vail. Tickets are $160.