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The Best Outdoor Concert Venues in Ski Country, Mapped

Where to listen to music in the high country

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It's a well-established fact that one of the best ways to recuperate after a multi-sport summer day in a mountain town is to kick back with a beer, but to have that beer at one of ski country's breathtaking outdoor concert venues takes the experience to a whole new level. To give you a tour of what you could be doing this summer, Curbed Ski has rounded-up the ultimate outdoor ski town concert venues. We've got classics like the Gerald Ford Amphitheater in Vail, beach side stages in Lake Tahoe, flower-filled meadows in Stowe, and some of the country's best high altitude decks in Aspen. There's something for everyone.

Please note, the venues below are listed from East to West, not from best to worst.

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Trapp Family Lodge

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The hills are alive with music at the Trapp Family Lodge’s Concerts in the Meadow series. With musical acts ranging from classical to bluegrass, and fireworks after most shows, this is an ideal way to spend a summer evening.

The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

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Set at Montage Mountain Ski Resort in Pennsylvania, The Pavilion at Montage Mountain is a picturesque venue that can still pack in the crowds for all types of concerts, from Warped Tour to Camp Bisco to a Blink 182 show at the end of the season. Relax on the grass and watch the sun set as the music of your (i.e. our) youth floats out from the pavilion.

Hideaway Park

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The remade Hideaway Park outdoor amphitheater in Winter Park is home to plenty of concerts and events throughout the summer, but the big event is the Winter Park Jazz Festival scheduled for July 16 and 17. This year will be headlined by The Isley Brothers the first night and Anthony Hamilton the next.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

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Remodeled in 2001, Vail’s Ford Amphitheater has both covered reserved seating and general admission seating on its expansive grassy hillside. Since its opening, the Ford Amphitheater has been host to the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series. Enjoy free live music Tuesdays from June through August while taking in killer views of Vail's mountains. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with shows starting at 6:30 p.m.

Aspen Mountain

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Aspen is host to a number of music festivals throughout the summer, but some of our favorite happen on top of Aspen Mountain. Enjoy Classical Music Saturdays and Bluegrass Sundays through August. Pack a picnic and hop aboard the gondola to hear great tunes at 11,000 feet.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Fanny Hill

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Looking for some Aspen tunes at a little lower altitude? How does 8,650 feet at Fanny Hill Sound? Jazz Aspen Snowmass' Summer of Free Music puts on concerts every Thursday. Bring a blanket, the fixin's for a picnic and enjoy the view.

Alpenglow Concert Series

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The Crested Butte Center for the Arts' free Alpenglow Concerts happen Monday evenings at the center's outdoor stage. Bring the whole family to these community shows that run through August.

Telluride Town Park

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Telluride Town Park has a ton of awesome stuff to enjoy during the day. Think pools, various playgrounds including the “community built” Imagination Station, and lots of great places for picnicking. Top off your park day with a concert in the park or spend the day (or the weekend!) there for the Telluride Jazz Festival, which runs from Aug. 5 to 7 this year.

Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater

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Leave it to Deer Valley to up the ante on outdoor concert venues. Nestled at the base of the Deer Valley Resort, the Grand Valley Bank Community Concert Series hosts free outdoor concerts at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater on Wednesdays through Aug. 17. While guests are welcome to bring their own picnics, who could pass up an amazing Deer Valley gourmet picnic baskets.

Sun Valley Pavilion

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Located on the lower esplanade of Sun Valley Resort, this beauty features a 3,000 square foot stage and has seating for over 4,500 guests. We’re fans of the efforts to integrate the venue into the mountain environment through the use of planters, water features, and a spectacular view of Baldy. Check out the Sun Valley Summer Symphony free concerts through the summer.

Kings Beach

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Lake Tahoe’s Kings Beach is a popular venue for the summer crowds in Tahoe. Think icy blue water surrounded by dark green forested mountains. Add in some free kick ass local bands, food and drink vendors, and call it the start to your weekend. Kings Beach has weekly free concerts on Fridays through Sept. 2. Click here for a full schedule.

Commons Beach

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Still in Tahoe and searching for music on Sunday afternoon? Check out Commons Beach through Sept. 4. Free concerts typically run from 4 to 7 p.m. Pack your cooler with a picnic and some adult beverages and ditch your kiddos at the nearby playground and listen to some local favorites ranging from reggae to rock to classical.

Whistler Olympic Plaza

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Surround yourself with memories of the 2010 Winter Olympics and hear some awesome local music this summer. Whistler's Olympic Plaza hosts the Outdoor Concert Series with artists lasting into September. Picnic, frolic on the expansive lawn and enjoy epic views of Blackcomb.

Mountain Village Resort

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Not many venues can match the backdrop of the Sawtooths. Add two rounds of the Stanley Sawtooth Mountain Music Festival, and that's an atmosphere that's hard to beat. This year's second round of artists is still coming up July 2, featuring Suzy Bogguss. And that's not even all the music happening at Mountain Village this summer.

Trapp Family Lodge

The hills are alive with music at the Trapp Family Lodge’s Concerts in the Meadow series. With musical acts ranging from classical to bluegrass, and fireworks after most shows, this is an ideal way to spend a summer evening.

The Pavilion at Montage Mountain

Set at Montage Mountain Ski Resort in Pennsylvania, The Pavilion at Montage Mountain is a picturesque venue that can still pack in the crowds for all types of concerts, from Warped Tour to Camp Bisco to a Blink 182 show at the end of the season. Relax on the grass and watch the sun set as the music of your (i.e. our) youth floats out from the pavilion.

Hideaway Park

The remade Hideaway Park outdoor amphitheater in Winter Park is home to plenty of concerts and events throughout the summer, but the big event is the Winter Park Jazz Festival scheduled for July 16 and 17. This year will be headlined by The Isley Brothers the first night and Anthony Hamilton the next.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

Remodeled in 2001, Vail’s Ford Amphitheater has both covered reserved seating and general admission seating on its expansive grassy hillside. Since its opening, the Ford Amphitheater has been host to the Hot Summer Nights Concert Series. Enjoy free live music Tuesdays from June through August while taking in killer views of Vail's mountains. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with shows starting at 6:30 p.m.

Aspen Mountain

Aspen is host to a number of music festivals throughout the summer, but some of our favorite happen on top of Aspen Mountain. Enjoy Classical Music Saturdays and Bluegrass Sundays through August. Pack a picnic and hop aboard the gondola to hear great tunes at 11,000 feet.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Fanny Hill

Looking for some Aspen tunes at a little lower altitude? How does 8,650 feet at Fanny Hill Sound? Jazz Aspen Snowmass' Summer of Free Music puts on concerts every Thursday. Bring a blanket, the fixin's for a picnic and enjoy the view.

Alpenglow Concert Series

The Crested Butte Center for the Arts' free Alpenglow Concerts happen Monday evenings at the center's outdoor stage. Bring the whole family to these community shows that run through August.

Telluride Town Park

Telluride Town Park has a ton of awesome stuff to enjoy during the day. Think pools, various playgrounds including the “community built” Imagination Station, and lots of great places for picnicking. Top off your park day with a concert in the park or spend the day (or the weekend!) there for the Telluride Jazz Festival, which runs from Aug. 5 to 7 this year.

Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater

Leave it to Deer Valley to up the ante on outdoor concert venues. Nestled at the base of the Deer Valley Resort, the Grand Valley Bank Community Concert Series hosts free outdoor concerts at Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater on Wednesdays through Aug. 17. While guests are welcome to bring their own picnics, who could pass up an amazing Deer Valley gourmet picnic baskets.

Sun Valley Pavilion

Located on the lower esplanade of Sun Valley Resort, this beauty features a 3,000 square foot stage and has seating for over 4,500 guests. We’re fans of the efforts to integrate the venue into the mountain environment through the use of planters, water features, and a spectacular view of Baldy. Check out the Sun Valley Summer Symphony free concerts through the summer.

Kings Beach

Lake Tahoe’s Kings Beach is a popular venue for the summer crowds in Tahoe. Think icy blue water surrounded by dark green forested mountains. Add in some free kick ass local bands, food and drink vendors, and call it the start to your weekend. Kings Beach has weekly free concerts on Fridays through Sept. 2. Click here for a full schedule.

Commons Beach

Still in Tahoe and searching for music on Sunday afternoon? Check out Commons Beach through Sept. 4. Free concerts typically run from 4 to 7 p.m. Pack your cooler with a picnic and some adult beverages and ditch your kiddos at the nearby playground and listen to some local favorites ranging from reggae to rock to classical.

Whistler Olympic Plaza

Surround yourself with memories of the 2010 Winter Olympics and hear some awesome local music this summer. Whistler's Olympic Plaza hosts the Outdoor Concert Series with artists lasting into September. Picnic, frolic on the expansive lawn and enjoy epic views of Blackcomb.

Mountain Village Resort

Not many venues can match the backdrop of the Sawtooths. Add two rounds of the Stanley Sawtooth Mountain Music Festival, and that's an atmosphere that's hard to beat. This year's second round of artists is still coming up July 2, featuring Suzy Bogguss. And that's not even all the music happening at Mountain Village this summer.