Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration in Snowmass

Overview

Snowmass celebrates Fat Tuesday revelry with one of the biggest Mardi Gras bashes in ski country. This celebration that originated with New Orleans natives themselves starts off with The Mother of All Ascensions - a wild, costumed, 1,741-foot vertical uphill race up Snowmass at the crack of dawn. Nonstop action follows all day long, including King Cake giveaways, a bead and prize throw, crawdad boils, live music, a crazy costumed parade and mask-making and face painting for kids.

Schedule of Events

This is the 2009 schedule, please check back for updates.

Mardi Gras Schedule
Time	Event	Location
7:00 am	Snowshoe Race	Snowmass Mountain
1:00 pm	King Cake Giveaway
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm	Kids Carnival	Snowmass Village Mall
2:00 pm	Mask Making	Snowmass Ticket Pavilion
3:00 pm	Massive Bead Throw	Snowmass Village Mall
4:00 pm	Parade	Snowmass Village Mall
Immediately Following the Parade Celebration	After Parade Party	Snowmass Village Mall

Description of Events

Snowshoe Race

Kick of "Fat Tuesday" with an outrageous competition of the most extravagent Mardi Gras costumes in the Mother of All Ascensions, a challenging uphill snowshoe race with a 1,741 feet vertical rise. The race starts at the crack of dawn from the bottom of Fanny Hill and goes up to Gwyn's High Alpine Restaurant. $15,000 in prizes will be awarded for such categories as best time, worst time, and best costume, so don’t forget your boa!

Bead Throw and King Cake Giveaway

Over 24,000 beads will be thrown into the crowds including special sets that entitle the lucky catchers to a piece of King Cake and the chance to win a Snowboard giveaway donated by sponsor Jagermeister. Countless other prizes include gear by Camelback, Boleri, Gyro, and others will be given away.

Parade

Get ready for the wackiest parade in the mountains as kings and queens, mountain jesters, jugglers, jokers, and feather-festooned fools strut their stuff or flit their float through the Snowmass Village mall. Bagpipes, the Glenwood Springs Marching Band, the Basalt Dance Troupe, which won fourth at the state championships, and more will all dazzle the crowds. Parade is open both to floats and costumed folks.

Back to Schedule

After-Parade Parties!

When the sun goes down, Snowmass remains lit up in the afterglow hues of purple, gold, and green. Check out the official Jagermeister party hosted by the Jager Girls at the Blue Door. Festivities include live music, giveaways, drink specials, and partying into the wee hours. The Cirque, Zane's Tavern, Mountain Dragon, S'No Beach and others offer additional festive Mardi Gras parties as well.

Snowmass Mardi Gras Lodging

Book your lodging before it sells out for this event! For all-inclusive event packages, including lodging, airfare, rental cars, or anything else you may require, call one of our local vacation experts at 888.649.5982 to have a customized quote sent to you via e-mail.

Photos

Mother of All Ascensions Snowshoe Race Mother of All Ascensions Snowshoe Race