"The hills are alive with the sound of music,” sang Julie Andrews many years ago, and indeed they still are.
Music plus other wonderful arts experiences, including hands-on classes, group-friendly museums and annual festivals, fill the West’s mountain towns from Vail, Colo., to Jackson Hole, Wyo., to Sun Valley, Idaho.
Read on for an impressive lineup of cultural ideas to consider when bringing a group to one of the following popular mountain retreats.
Aspen
This gorgeous mountain town showcases the arts in various genres throughout the year, including via festivals such as the popular Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Laff Festival (now the “Laugh” festival).
Melissa Wisenbaker, public relations representative for the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, also suggested Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ JAS Cafe series, during which visiting groups can attend intimate performances by a range of artists from Brazilian guitarists to New Orleans ensembles.
“The JAS Cafe shows allow groups to enjoy award-winning artists in various locations throughout Aspen, where one would not normally go for a concert,” she said, and cited the Cooking School of Aspen and the Aspen Art Museum’s rooftop.
The Aspen Art Museum, a non-collecting institution where the exhibits change every four months, is another terrific setting for a reception.
“From the rooftop guests, will marvel at the views and [they] can enjoy a delicious lunch or coffee, then head down and explore the exhibits on the three floors below,” Wisenbaker said.
Vail
The picturesque Vail Mountain and Vail Village boast amazing views that spark creativity and a deeper level of connection among group attendees, according to Pam Dixon, resort director of group sales at Vail Mountain.
“Our team has incorporated cultural happenings in Vail, such as the Vail Jazz Festival, to complement mountain meetings,” she said, and cited a global technology company that recently bought out The Arrabelle at Vail Square during the festival. “We were able to set up a private tented dinner for the group on the picturesque mountain lawn at the base of Vail Mountain and piped live music into the tent from the festival performance taking place simultaneously within Vail Square.”
And at the Edwards-based Alpine Arts Center, located near Vail, instructors facilitate teambuilding events specializing in different mediums, including painting and clay sculpture.
“Studies have shown that coordinating creative retreats for your employees not only produces a more enjoyable work environment but also increases corporate productivity,” said Lauren Merrill, owner, director and teacher at Alpine Arts Center.
Merrill added that Alpine Arts Center programs can also incorporate surrounding mountain scenery during an off-site session with groups at unique venues throughout the Vail Valley.
Colorado Springs
Groups convening in Colorado Springs are frequently encouraged to go on a tour, hold an event or take a class at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.
“From the spectacular Smith Gallery Glass Corridor and outdoor courtyard to historical spaces like the cafe and theater, this venue creates a unique artistic ambience perfect for receptions and corporate meetings for up to 400 people,” said Chelsy Offutt, director of communications for the Colorado Springs CVB.
At Cottonwood Center for Arts, which also offers meeting space, groups can arrange a private class in hand-molding clay sculptures, mixed media and more.
And at The Broadmoor, which has an art collection valued at roughly $350 million, groups can take a free one-hour guided tour at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings or arrange a private tour for a fee, according to Shauna Sartori, the property’s director of concierge.
“Many of The Broadmoor’s meeting rooms are named after famous Western artists, with those spaces displaying works by those particular artists,” Sartori said. “Thus, the Maxfield Parrish room in Broadmoor West and the Frederic Remington room in Broadmoor South, for example, offer those treasures.”
Billings
In downtown Billings, groups can mix local art and refreshments for standout off-session activities, including a brewery/art walk and a cocktail/painting experience.
The former option, according to Stefan Cattarin, sales manager at Visit Billings, begins with a fresh beer on the patios of two neighboring craft breweries, Thirsty Street Brewing and Angry Hank’s Microbrewery.
“The walk will then take you down ‘art alley,’ which boasts colorful, expressive graffiti art,” he said. “You’ll also pass by local art galleries with open doors.”
The tour ends at the Western Heritage Center, which houses exhibits that showcase Montana’s rich Western culture.
“With soaring ceilings and original oak floors, this turn-of-the-century architectural structure is the perfect venue for a wrap-up reception featuring more tantalizing culinary treats and local drinks,” Cattarin said.
Another memorable outing begins with handcrafted cocktails at Trailhead Spirits before attendees head next door to the century-old Billings Depot, where blank canvases and coaches from Canvas Creek Team Building await them with a collaborative painting activity.
“[Groups can ] sip wine, eat delicious, locally catered hors d’oeuvres from Raven’s Cafe d’Art, and paint,” Cattarin said.
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Jackson Hole
Home to, among other festivals, the Fall Arts Festival and Grand Teton Music Festival, as well as rodeos, county fairs and other cultural experiences, Jackson Hole always has something fun on the calendar for groups to check out.
The premier wildlife art museum in the U.S, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, is also in Jackson Hole.
“From the time our groups are greeted in the lobby by our staff until they depart, they will have a world-class experience surrounded by beautiful art, gorgeous views of the mountains and the National Elk Refuge, Sleeping Indian and more,” said Maggie Davis, the museum’s supervisor of group tours and visitor services.
Davis added that the museum regularly hosts corporate meetings that conclude with an after-hours reception in the iconic venue’s beautiful lobby.
“When a group buys out our space, they have the museum to themselves the entire evening,” she said. “We are well-known and loved by many meeting planners, and have many repeat customers.”
Lake Tahoe
Inspiration abounds in Lake Tahoe, where a popular arts option is a teambonding painting activity facilitated by The Painted Vine in Truckee, Calif., which offers mobile classes that meet groups at their host hotel.
“You don’t just see art and culture in North Lake Tahoe, you experience it,” said Jason Neary, director of sales for the North Lake Tahoe CVB. “Groups can see local artist talent in galleries then create their own art with a painting class. In addition, year-round festivals like WinterWonderGrass Tahoe, a concert for all ages, are perfect for groups looking to add a cultural edge to their Tahoe stay.” Neary added that the most popular arts-related event is the Lake Tahoe Shakes peare Festival.
“It’s the quintessential arts and cultural experience,” he said. “Guests sit on comfortable chairs on the beach overlooking the majesty of Lake Tahoe while enjoying the show. A myriad of food vendors, performers and musicians add to the pre-show experience.”
In South Tahoe, the Tallac Historic Site provides a glimpse into the elegant life on the shores of Lake Tahoe during the 1930s, according to Carol Chaplin, the president and CEO of Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
“[Groups can] can reserve space for a picnic on the lawn during one of the many outdoor music events here,” she said, adding that groups might also purchase tables at the annual Gatsby Festival and enjoy an authentic Old Tahoe afternoon tea. “And the Valhalla Grand Hall, with a massive stone fireplace and wraparound balcony, provides a spectacular venue for a group banquet.”
Valhalla Tahoe, also held at Tallac Historic Site, is Lake Tahoe’s premier summer-long festival of live music, theater and visual and cultural arts. Planners are encouraged to check out the festival’s lineup of events, as including one will certainly enhance any group itinerary.
Park City
Park City, “the preeminent artist colony of the Rocky Mountains,” according to Dan Howard, director of communications for the Park City Chamber/CVB, is home to dozens of fine art galleries along its historic Main Street and the Kimball Arts Festival each August, and is the proud summer home of the Utah Symphony, which annually performs at the Deer Valley Music Festival from the end of June through mid-August.
“Groups of up to 1,000 people can gather at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater at Deer Valley Resort and enjoy gourmet picnic basket dining—along with a wide selection of fine wines—while taking in headliner music acts from the worlds of opera, Broadway, jazz and more,” he said.
Olympic culture is another Park City staple, and at Utah Olympic Park, which highlights the destination’s role as host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, groups of up to 1,000 can enjoy a wide range of exhibits, including one at the Alf Engen Ski Museum showcasing winter Olympic uniforms through the ages. Groups can also partake in a range of activities, including taking a run down the Comet Bobsled track.
Sun Valley
An abundance of art galleries, the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and various celebrations including the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, which features a Folklife Fair, sheep dog trials and a sheep parade, are among the cultural options awaiting groups that hold a meeting in Sun Valley.
The Sun Valley Film Festival, held each year in March, attracts new filmmakers as well as longstanding visionaries like Oliver Stone, who recently attended the event and gave a free coffee chat.
Meanwhile, the free Sun Valley Summer Symphony is hosted at Sun Valley Resort in its beautiful pavilion, according to Kelli Lusk, public relations and communications manager at Sun Valley Resort.
“The group can best experience it by integrating one of the events during their summer conference,” she said, adding that the pavilion is conveniently located within walking distance of the Sun Valley Lodge and Sun Valley Inn. “It’s a quintessential arts experience and uniquely Sun Valley.”
Taos
“Taos shines year-round as a mecca for arts and culture, but fall is undoubtedly the peak of all of the fun,” said Karina Armijo, director of marketing and tourism for the Town of Taos.
Autumn is such a happening time here in large part because of the Taos Fall Arts Festival, one of the city’s oldest traditions.
The week-long event offers various types of art, a film festival, hands-on workshops and a new addition called The Paseo, which highlights installation, performance and projection art.
“With plenty of fun and interactive pieces, this makes for an excellent group excursion,” Armijo said.
When groups are out and about visiting the Taos Plaza, they should also veer off and explore the historic adobe-lined Ledoux Street.
“Ledoux Street is a must,” Armijo said. “This narrow winding road is sprinkled with local art galleries and shops and makes for an excellent walk for groups that want to experience the true authenticity that Taos has to offer.”
Stops along the way should include 203 Fine Art, an art gallery, the Blumenschein House, a National Historic Landmark, and the Harwood Museum of Art, which offers group tours and programming for adults, including art classes and concerts with the Taos Chamber Music Group.
“A day spent walking through the plaza and down Ledoux Street leaves plenty to talk about over dinner at any of the amazing local restaurants in the area,” Armijo said.
