Freeriding A-Basin’s East Wall
Wednesday-April 18. If you’ve ever skied Arapahoe Basin and wondered what kind of daredevil it takes to ski or ride its rugged East Wall, next week is your chance to find out without risking your neck. On Wednesday through Friday, 80 freeride skiers and snowboarders will be competing on it to qualify for next year’s pro Freeride World Tour.
Freeriding is a form of competitive skiing or snowboarding in which athletes test themselves on steep, ungroomed terrain. The famous East Wall is a perfect venue with exposed faces, tight chutes and other gnarly terrain challenges. Competitors are judged on line choice, control, fluidity, technique, air and style.
The East Wall is visible from the Lenawee Express lift. There also will be good viewing spots at the Black Mountain Lodge and an on-mountain vendor village. A lift ticket is required, which costs $104-$120 for a full day (date dependent). freerideworldtour.com or arapahoebasin.com — John Meyer
Go fly a kite!
Sunday. Warm, sunny weather is forecast for the Front Range this weekend, making it the ideal time to revisit the Arvada Kite Festival. This year’s 20th anniversary event is a family friendly gathering with free kids activities such as inflatables, face painting and a “Nurf Terf” Zone; demos from professional kite flyers (yes, they exist); 100-plus vendors including food trucks; and Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Curiosity Cruiser.
Bring your own kite or buy one at the festival. Free parking starts at 10:45 a.m., with a free “bike valet” from Bike Friendly Arvada. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, at Stenger Sports Complex, 58th Avenue and Quail Street in Arvada. arvadaco.gov/1245/2025-arvada-kite-festival — John Wenzel
Blossom and Bloom this spring
Saturday. The immersive theme party Blossom and Bloom, which comes to East Colfax Avenue’s Champagne Tiger on Saturday, April 12, is geared toward a floral theme — which organizer Gary Adrian Randall, from producer Haus of Other, said ranges from “a subtle floral accent or a head-to-toe masterpiece.”
The night includes live sets by Richi Ramos, DJ Buddy Bravo, and Vio the Violinist, and performance artist MotherDaddy, along with the costume showcase, a vendor market (for last-minute outfit additions) and a scavenger hunt with prizes.
A portion of the proceeds will directly support Trans Lifeline, an organization that provides resources to trans people, Randall said. It takes place from 6-11:30 p.m. at 601 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. Tickets: $23.18 via eventbrite.com — John Wenzel
Guitars, toys, radios and more
Sunday. A quartet of collector’s shows are coming to Denver this weekend, with the annual Toy & Doll Supershow, Vintage Voltage & Vinyl Expo, Colorado Guitar Show and Colorado Radio Collectors Club uniting under one roof for the first time. Those first two events are decades-old gatherings, and along with the upstarts, they’re angled toward swapping, buying and selling rare, vintage and collectible items.
They’re all running 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, April 13, at the National Western’s Expo Hall and Hall of Education, 4655 Humboldt St. in Denver, just east of I-25 on I-70. Admission is $10 to get into all shows; kids aged 10 and younger get in free. Parking is also free. For more information visit danacainevents.com. — John Wenzel
