Eagle Launches Lift Off Music Jamboree as Ski Seasons Close

The weather cooled down. That’s the only thing stopping summer from arriving in the Vail Valley this weekend. Locals aren’t waiting for the snow to melt to celebrate. They’re heading to Moe’s Original BBQ in Eagle for the kickoff of the Eagle River Jamboree.

The event is called “The Lift Off.” It’s a play on words that fits the mountain setting. The music will be performed by Airshow, a Nashville-based band. The date is Aug. 8-9. The location is the Eagle County Fairgrounds. But the hype starts Friday.

Zach Gilliam is organizing the Jamboree. He says the public response has been overwhelmingly positive. He points to a "real sense of excitement" about bringing a large-scale music event back to Eagle. He wants it to showcase local businesses and mountain town culture.

“The feedback from local businesses and potential sponsors has been very encouraging,” Gilliam said. “There’s a shared understanding that an event like this has the potential to create meaningful economic and cultural impact for the town.”

Moe’s Original BBQ is donating a portion of all food and drink sales to the Colorado Music Foundation. That foundation expands access to music education and performance opportunities across Eagle County. Emily Brudwick, a manager at Moe’s, says music and community are central to their brand. She called it the “perfect way” to support a great cause. Doors open at 5 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Entry is free.

This isn’t just about noise. It’s about keeping the off-season alive. Locals get 10% off tickets. That’s a discount worth taking if you plan to attend.

While Eagle prepares for music, the ski areas are preparing for the end of the line. Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Resort are closed for the season. New snow is falling. Temperatures are dropping. If you want to ski or snowboard this weekend, you have to head east.

Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Loveland, and Arapahoe Basin are still open. Arapahoe Basin boasts the longest ski and ride season in Colorado. They have events lined up.

Telefest happens Friday and Saturday. It’s for skiers who want to free the heel. You get discounted lift tickets. There are demos. Clinics. Groups skiing. Breakfast. A social event after the lifts close.

Then there’s the Save Our Snow Sustainability Party on Saturday. The Mountain Goat Plaza turns into a village. You learn about sustainability. Prizes are given for trivia. Carpoolers with four or more people get extra treats while supplies last.

Sunday brings the Festival of the Brewpubs.

The short version: Eagle is throwing a party for the music. Arapahoe Basin is throwing a party for the snow. Both are happening now. The ski season is ending. The music season is starting. The locals are busy.

Read that again. The ski season is ending. The music season is starting.

Moe’s is happy to hop on the bandwagon. Gilliam is happy to host the Jamboree. The question is whether the economic impact he predicts will actually materialize or if it’s just another off-season filler. The tickets are cheap. The beer is cold. The band is from Nashville.

It’s a weekend. You can be in Eagle eating barbecue or in A-Basin eating trail mix. You can’t do both.