For the first weekend in a month, there’s not some holiday to get in the way of getting outdoors and having some fun. Here are three events to help you keep your salubrious New Year’s resolutions, plus one great beer fest to undo it all.

By Katie Rogers

 

The Winter Dew Tour, January 8-11
Mount Snow, Vermont

Come watch top freestyle skiers and snowboarders such as Shaun White, Travis Rice, Sarah Burke, Hannah Teter, and more battle it out for a $1.5 million prize at the Winter Dew Tour this weekend. The top athletes will meet on the Carinthia at Mount Snow, a 95-acre terrain park system, competing in men’s and women’s snowboarding and freesking in slopestyle and superpipe. After the competitions, live concerts (with bands like Flobots and Dirty Heads leading the charge) will take the party into the night. This is the tour’s only stop along the East Coast, and all events are free (allisports.com/events/mount-snow).

Accommodations and Travel: Mount Snow is Vermont’s closest big mountain to the Northeast’s major metropolitan areas, and is just 29 miles west of I-91. A handful of fantastic lodging options are available, like staying slopeside at the magnificent Grand Summit Resort Hotel. Mountsnow.com has information on skiing and snowboarding packages.

 

 

Ninth Annual Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines Festival, January 10
Vail, Colorado

Tired of staple macro brews and plain average beers? Sample international and unique brews this weekend at the Ninth Annual Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines Festival in Vail. Mingle with brewmasters and brew-lovers alike at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa and participate in experimental brewing seminars and tastings, showcasing more than 175 specialty beers from around the world ($35; bigbeersfestival.com). Make it a full weekend getaway and get a few runs in on world-class slopes while you’re there — the resort is offering discounted ski, snowboard, and lodge rentals for all festival attendees (marriott.com).

Accommodations and Travel: Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa, the largest ski resort in the nation, is located in Lionshead Village (close to Vail Village), just 30 miles from Vail/Eagle County Airport (marriott.com).

 

 

Boulder Lake Ski Race and Snowshoe Stomp, January 11
Duluth, Minnesota

Kick off this year’s cross-country ski season with a skate-skiing race in Duluth, as part of the Minnesota Skinny Ski Series. The race includes 10.3 K and 31K races through a rolling course, and a 4K snowshoe stomp race for all non-skiers. The race will be conducted in waves according to skiers’ abilities, and each wave will be two minutes apart. Registration will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Boulder Lake Management Ski Trails, and the races kick off at 11 a.m. Hot chili will be served at the finish line to all skiers and stompers — added incentive to pick up the pace (from $45; boulderlakeskirace.com)

Accommodations and Travel: The race starts and finishes at the Ski Den at Boulder Lake Ski Trails, about 18 miles north of Duluth on Boulder Dam Road. For registration and lodging info, visit boulderlakeskirace.com.

 

 

Bridle Trails Winter Trail Running Festival, January 10
Kirkland, Washington

Put your endurance to the test this weekend in an all-day trail running festival. Five-mile, 10-mile, and 50-km solo races will be held, along with 50-km relay team races and 50-km pair races. The festival begins at 3 pm in Bridle Trails State Park (from $5; seattlerunningcompany.com). While you’re in the area, Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland is a great place to go bird watching.

Accommodations and Travel: Bridle Trails State Park is located at exit #17 off of I-405. For more information, fees, and online registration, visit seattlerunningcompany.com. For hotels in the area, visit explorekirkland.com.