Free is key
Deals abound in Eagle County — you just have to know where to look

By L.S. Burns

Don’t be bashful — most everyone is looking to score a deal these days, be it dining discounts or free entertainment. The Parent’s Handbook

has done the leg work for you. Read on to find out about some of the best ongoing deals in the valley.
Nottingham Lake, located in Avon, offers free ice skating for those with their own equipment. The lake is suitable for skating Dec. 20 through

Feb. 18 and the log cabin rents skates from noon to 8 p.m. daily. Call 970-748-4086 for info. The Black Family Ice Rink in Beaver Creek offers

disco skate night, with complimentary ice time from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday nights from Dec. 21 through March 29. Skates are available for rent or

bring your own. The Alderhof Ice Rink, located at the new Arrabelle at Vail Square resort in Lionshead is open daily throughout the winter. Ice

skates are available to rent.
If you’re stationed in Vail, consider checking out Nature at Night. Naturalists from the Gore Range Natural Science School will lead free nature

talks (30 to 45 minutes) about astronomy, nocturnal animals and more on Thursday and Saturday at 6 p.m., no reservations  required. Call

970-754-4675. The Gore Range Discovery Center also offers free scenic snowshoes on Vail Mountain. Expert naturalists talk about everything

from animal tracks to the mountain pine bark beetle on the tours, which take place daily at 3 p.m. Call 970-754-4675.
Ski with a ranger every Monday at 1:30 p.m. at Beaver Creek from Dec. 14 through April 5.The free 45-minute tour of beginner and intermediate

trails meets at Ski Patrol Headquarters at the top of Cinch Lift #8. Complimentary snowshoe tours of the mountain, followed by cookies and

WECMRD maintains and operates a variety of state-of-the art recreational facilities throughout the Valley. The Gypsum Recreation Center, with its advanced climbing wall and Indoor Water Park, The Eagle Pool, Eagle Ice Rink, the Fairgrounds Complex in Eagle, Freedom Park and the Brand New Field House in Miller Ranch, Edwards. All are open to the public and provide entertainment for the whole family!
www.wecmrd.org
0052 Lundgren Blvd., Gypsum
see ad p52    (970) 777-8888

Opening Dec. 11th in Edwards. You will be able to enjoy: Soccer, Lacrosse, Flag Football, Arena Softball, Climbing and Bouldering, Gymnastics, Volleyball, Basketball, Laser Tag, Mini-Golf and more.   The WECMRD Field House is also home to the new semi-pro indoor soccer team – the WECMRD Freedom FC.
www.wecmrd.org
Miller Ranch Road, Edwards
see ad p52,53    (970) 777-8888

Located in the heart of Beaver Creek, is a year-round venue offering a diverse lineup of family performances, music, dance, theater, comedy and more. Visit www.vilarpac.org for a full performance schedule, show descriptions, facility information, directions and more. Tickets are available online, by phone or in person at the box office in Beaver Creek.
www.vilarpac.org
Beaver Creek
see ad p11,13    (888) 920-ARTS    

Safe, Fun and Affordable!
Vail Swim School is a learn to swim program. We offer flexible class schedules for ages 6 months to adults. Our programs  include: Baby and Me classes, Private and Semi private lessons, Swim Team Prep classes, Swim Team and Adult classes. Winter/Spring classes take place at the convenient Avon Recreation Center. All ages and swim levels are welcome.
www.vailswimschool.com
Eagle County
see ad p50    (970) 390 3068

We offer great kids and family programs every week.  Call us or visit our website for an up-to-date calendar of events.  The Town of Vail Public Library offers many informational resources to serve Vail’s guests, residents, businesses and schools.  We are located on the town’s bus route across from Dobson Ice arena at the east end of Lionshead.
www.vaillibrary.com
292 W Meadow Drive, Vail
see ad p55    (970) 479-2184         

A play-based learning and discovery center for ages 2 to 12, this drop-in children’s museum features hands-on art and science activities that are perfect for families looking for an off-mountain activity. Three-hour drop off programs are available and the venue is a great place for birthday parties.  Hours vary, call for details.
www.vailrec.com
395 E Lionshead Cir, Vail
(upstairs in the VRD Youth Center)
see ad p54    (970) 479-2292

The Vail Gymnastics Center offers unique programs for all ages including regular gymnastic lessons and activities, plus martial arts, fencing and Pilates. In addition, the Gymnastics Center is a perfect venue for birthday parties with access to foam pits, trampolines and more.  Hours vary, call for details.
www.vailrec.com
545 N Frontage Rd, Vail (next to Red Sandstone Elementary School)
see ad p55    (970) 479-2287

There’s something for everyone at the libraries of the Eagle Valley Library District. In addition to the latest releases for all ages, the libraries offer year-round story times, book clubs, teen programs, public computers, wireless Internet access, and much more. Visit the
libraries online for a schedule of
upcoming events.
www.evld.org
Avon Library    (970)-949-6797        
Eagle Library    (970) 328-8800        
Gypsum    (970) 524-5080 
see ad p49

Open for adventure all year round, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, located just 55 minutes west of Vail, offers a day of fun for the whole family. Ride the tram to the top and experience the thrill of Colorado’s only alpine coaster or take one of the country’s top 10 cave tours.  Enjoy Colorado’s first 4D Theater, with special effects that make you feel like you’re actually inside the movie, or round up the gang for an old West shoot-out in our state-of-the-art Laser Tag arena.  Mountain-top restaurant and more. Call for seasonal hours or visit us online.
www.glenwoodcaverns.com
51000 Two Rivers Plaza,
Glenwood Springs
see ad p54    (970) 945-4228 ext 111
Toll Free    (800) 530-1635

see our coupon

Dobson Ice Arena, in the heart of Vail, offers vast and varied ice programs for the skating enthusiast.  Adult and youth hockey leagues, figure skating lessons and public skating open sessions are available year-round. Dobson also hosts some of the Valley’s best special events, including skating programs, corporate functions and concerts.
www.vailrec.com
Vail
see ad p48    (970) 479-2271

“Paint and Create at Dewey’s” A paint your own pottery store, we provide affordable indoor fun for everyone. Groups are always welcome! Come to us or we offer our Pottery To Go packages where we can bring the fun to you! You do not need to be an artist to create your masterpiece. We ship as well. Call Jennifer for more information. See you soon!
see ad p50    (970) 328-7687 (POTS)
see our coupon

Celebrating 5 years in Eagle! The award-winning Back Bowl Family Entertainment Center, in Eagle, is one of a kind with something for everyone!  Kids will love bowling on twenty state-of-the-art lanes, complete with gutter-guards, special lighting effects and luxury seating.  Shoes and balls available for all ages and sizes.  You’ll also enjoy the largest video and game arcade in Eagle County.  Non-smoking.  Open daily, call for hours.
Just off the Eagle Exit on I-70, Eagle
www.thebackbowl.com
see ad p49    (970) 328-BOWL (2695)
see our coupon

The Avon Recreation Center is an exceptional exercise facility as well as a great place to take the kids to relax after an active day on the slopes.  The fitness area is equipped with state-of-the-art Paramount strength equipment, free weights, Precor treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical and climbers as well as brand new Expresso bikes for your cardiovascular program.  All of the cardio equipment features built in television screens.  We offer a wide range of fitness classes to include spin, step-aerobics, body sculpt, kickboxing, yoga, and more.  The 15,000 square foot aquatics area contains a lap pool, diving well, children’s pool with play features, and a 140-foot water slide encircled by a lazy river.  Be sure to finish your visit with a soak in the Jacuzzi, steam room or sauna.  Open seven days a week!
www.avonrec.org
90 Lake Street, Avon
see ad p51,65    (970) 748-4060
see our coupon