Music and brews will integrate with the mountains of Steamboat Springs to deliver an authentic Colorado gathering celebrating bluegrass and craft beer. The 5th year festival was born in Edwards, Colorado, moved into Avon in 2014 and expanded to Squaw Valley, California, creating WinterWonderGrass Tahoe. The festival has now found the ideal Colorado location in Steamboat, Ski Town, U.S.A.®. Steamboat Springs has welcomed WinterWonderGrass as a natural addition to the town’s rich western history and close-knit community.
“We have nothing but respect and gratitude for the people and businesses of Avon and Edwards who have supported us on this journey”, said WinterWonderGrass founder Scotty Stoughton. "The move to Steamboat allows us to realize our original vision of a truly integrated music and mountain experience, with on mountain events and a festival site next to the ski hill.
The WinterWonderGrass vision is grounded in the commitment to deliver the best and most authentic grassroots bluegrass and Colorado craft beer festival imaginable. Paramount to that vision is establishing roots in a setting that incorporates on mountain activities and offers an assortment of affordable lodging within walking distance to the event and the ski mountain.
The move to Steamboat will bring with it many new and exciting elements. Kicking-off the weekend on Thursday, February 23rd, will be a free welcome party featuring the WinterWonderGrass Allstars at the base of the Gondola as well as a mountaintop dinner at Thunderhead Lodge on Steamboat mountain. Throughout the weekend, WinterWonderGrass will host “pop-up” bluegrass jams at different locations on the Champagne Powder® snow covered mountain surrounded by outdoor fire pits and barbecues. There will also be workshops and bluegrass picks for those staying warm while sipping whiskey and hot cocoa in the base area. After the festival each night at the top of the Gondola at 9100 feet, fans can join “An Evening with” series featuring 2017 WinterWonderGrass headliners and special guests.
WinterWonderGrass at Steamboat will see additional craft beer partners, new hard cider sampling stations, a new warming hut and a tent celebrating the 5th year anniversary of WinterWonderGrass with festival history and photos. Special ski packages, trips to the famous natural mineral hot springs, and late night shows around town will add to the fan experience. WinterWonderGrass features local libations and brands rooted in Colorado and aligning with the festival’s core values of community, sustainability and environmental stewardship.
“Steamboat is thrilled to work with Scotty and the entire WinterWonderGrass team to host a community event focused on authentic bluegrass, Colorado craft beers and comradery in the mountains,” says Katie Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. Ski Town, U.S.A.® is known for our western hospitality, and we look forward to welcoming guests from near and far to share in our excitement for WinterWonderGrass.”
WINTERWONDERGRASS
Music, Brews and Mountains is the foundation for the WinterWonderGrass Festival featuring more than 25 bands and 20 Colorado breweries over four days. WinterWonderGrass Festival is the perfect storm of world-class bluegrass, roots and acoustic artists, craft beer and libations under star filled Rocky Mountain nights encapsulating all things Colorado. Previous WinterWonderGrass artists include: Greensky Bluegrass, Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, the Infamous Stringdusters, Peter Rowan, Elephant Revival, Fruition, Les Claypool, The Wood Brothers, Head for the Hills and many more. Each year WinterWonderGrass supports local Colorado nonprofits with a focus on music education, environmental protection and disaster relief. The festival boasts a strong environmental program diverting over 80% of festival waste from landfills. A Klean Kanteen stainless steel commemorative festival mug is included with each three-day festival ticket dramatically reducing single use plastics. WinterWonderGrass is a community and family friendly event with a colorful kid’s zone including face painting, hula hooping and crafts.
WinterWonderGrass packs an incredible amount of fun into its’ four-day event, offering attendees the spirit of an intimate gathering combined with a contagious high energy. With the unbroken sound of acoustic rooted jams coming from 4 different stages throughout the weekend, and the 'Grass after Dark' late night shows around the community, the music never stops.
THE COMMUNITY
Steamboat is famous worldwide for its authentic Western atmosphere, genuine friendliness, Olympic tradition and Champagne Powder® snow. Steamboat-Ski Town, U.S.A.® encompasses 165 trails, 3,668 vertical feet and nearly 3,000 skiable acres across six peaks filled with world-class groomed cruisers, bumps, steeps, meadows, legendary trees, terrain parks and rarely a lift line to be seen.
To welcome the WinterWonderGrass family, Steamboat is offering the limited-edition Steamboat-WinterWonderGrass 3-day Ski Pass, starting at $159 when you book early bird lodging deals from Steamboat Central Reservations ®. This pass includes lift tickets and lodging only, festival tickets are on sale October 13th. WinterWonderGrass has sold out all 4 years in Colorado and hopes to carry on the tradition in Steamboat Springs so buy your tickets early. Full lineup announcement and tickets on sale October 13th at 9am MST.
Upcoming WinterWonderGrass events:
October 13th – 9 am MST Full festival lineup announced and tickets on sale
October 13th – 6 - 9 pm MST - WinterWonderGrass Kick-off Party in Steamboat Springs with the WinterWonderGrass Allstars- Free
October 14th – 6 – 9 pm MST - WinterWonderGrass Kick-off party at Great Divide Brewing in Denver with the WinterWonderGrass Allstars- Free
For more information on the festival, lodging and ski passes please visit www.winterwondergrass.com
