Honor the snow god, watch Afghan skiers, taste winter wine

By Steve Graham

Get Out of Town is our weekly roundup of recommended events across Colorado, mostly focusing outside of Denver, to help everyone enjoy the entire state. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

Ullr Fest in Breckenridge

Breckenridge hosts its 61st celebration of the Norse god of snow from Thursday through Saturday. The town comes together to praise Ullr in hopes of a powder-filled ski season.

At 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Breckenridge Distillery hopes to gather at least 1,400 drinkers to knock back drinks from the world’s longest shotski (a long ski covered with shot glasses). The current record is 1,385, held by Park City, Utah.

Thursday also brings a Main Street parade, Ullr bonfire, crowning of the Ullr King and Queen and a helmet decorating party.

On Friday, the Riverwalk Center hosts a comedy night. Saturday brings an ice skating party and performance, and holiday music from Summit Concert Band, Summit Choral Society, high school choirs and more.

Afghan ski documentary in Aspen

Aspen Film will screen “Champions of the Golden Valley,” an award-winning documentary about a community ski race in rural Afghanistan, at 7 p.m. Friday.

Colorado-based producer Katie Stjernholm and director Ben Sturgulewski will host a discussion after the film. Tickets cost $20 ($15 for Aspen Film members), and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Bamyan Alpine Ski Club, which makes wooden skis for Afghan children, and organizes training and races.

Holiday cabaret in Colorado Springs

Millibo’s Holiday Cabaret brings Babette and an all-star cast to sing, dance, perform circus acts, joke, and generally poke fun at the silly season. Leave the kids at home. It’s definitely a show for grown-ups. The show opens on Thursday at Millibo Art Theatre in Colorado Springs, and runs through Saturday, Dec. 21.

Winter wine festival in Palisade

The Ordinary Fellow winery in Palisade hosts a craft market and mini wine festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with tastings from six local wineries, and at least 20 local artisans setting up shop. The free event also includes a food truck, art stations and more.

In addition to Ordinary Fellow, wines will be sampled from Carlson Vineyards, Carboy Winery, Buckel Family Wine, Storm Cellar Wine and Sutcliffe Vineyards.

Jingle through the Vines in Grand Junction

Three wineries in Grand Junction and Palisade host a series of guided tastings and pairings on Saturday. Start at Mafia Princess winery in Grand Junction for a cocktail and appetizer in their Christmas market. Then point your sleigh (or car) toward Whitewater Hill Vineyards for more food and wine, then finish at Peachfork Orchards & Vineyards in Palisade for dessert and more wine.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and costs $60 per person.

As always, please send us your events and announcements. We’re happy to share them. If they don’t fit in the Get Out of Town column, we will add them to our events calendar.