Photograph by WinterWonderGrass

March Mountain Town Must-Do Events

Words by John Caldwell 

This year’s spring season is already upon us and the month of March offers a plethora of excellent happenings taking place in towns across the Mountain West. Below is a list of what’s going on that is truly must-do, must-see, and must-hear.

Photograph by WinterWonderGrass

WinterWonderGrass Tahoe – Squaw Valley, CA

March 27-29

Enjoy three whole days of world-class Bluegrass and Acoustic Roots music on four different stages at this recurring Squaw Valley staple. In addition to all of the excellent live music, attendees can enjoy the best beers from California and Nevada craft breweries, sample local foods, and imbibe local wines and spirits. This year’s lineup features The Devil Makes Three, The Infamous Stringdusters, Billy Strings x2, Peter Rowan, Keller & The Keels, and a whole lot more. winterwondergrass.com

Pink Vail – Vail, CO

March 28

The biggest party on the slopes to conquer all forms of cancer. Pink Vail happens at the base of Vail Mountain at Golden Peak and features family-friendly themed deck parties, all-day live music, a kids’ tent, costume contest, prizes, and more. All of the donations and registration fees for Pink Vail benefit the patients of Shaw Cancer Center. pinkvail.com

Treefort Music Fest – Boise, ID

March 25-29

Buzzing downtown Boise will once again host this one-of-a-kind annual much-more-than-just-a-music-festival this spring. Treefort always showcases the best and most cutting-edge indie music artists with hundreds of bands playing at over 12 different venues. The 2020 lineup includes Chromatics, Calexico, Japanese Breakfast, Omar Apollo, Larkin Poe, Tennis, and many more. And Treefort is so much more than just live music. With Yogafort, Hackfort, Alefort, Comedyfort, and Skatefort, you simply can’t go wrong. treefortmusicfest.com

43rd International Wildlife Film Festival – Missoula, MT

April 18-25

Missoula’s Grand Roxy Theatre hosts this film and animal lover’s must-attend event that started way back in 1977. Promoting awareness, knowledge, and an understanding of science, wildlife, and the humans that impact our world every day, this is the longest-running film festival of its kind. This year’s theme is “Adaptation.” wildlifefilms.org

RendezVan Mt. Bachelor – Bend, OR

April 22-26

Back for another year, RendezVan is one-of-a-kind event that is quickly becoming one of the most popular happenings in the Bend area. It’s all about celebrating the van life with an amazing community of RVers, campers, and van-lifers who make an annual pilgrimage to Mt. Bachelor every April for some soft spring laps and sunshine. This is a 5-day campout with great live music, tasty eats, craft brews, and good company. rendezvan.com

Photograph by John Gibson Pictures

Moab Rocks MTB Race/Ride – Moab, UT

March 28-30

Calling all fat tire enthusiasts. The iconic mountain biking destination of Moab will once again host one of the premier MTB stage races on the North American calendar. Moab Rocks is an epic, 3-day XC racing masterpiece that takes in some of the region’s best classic and newer routes such as Klondike, Porcupine Rim, and Mag 7. Everything is fully supported and the vibe is simultaneously competitive and friendly. transrockies.com

Jackson Hole Rendezvous 2020 – Jackson, WY

March 26-28

Revel in the arrival of spring in glorious Jackson Hole at this 3-day lifestyle and music festival happening at historic downtown Jackson Square and the base of Rendezvous Mountain in Teton Village. Featured artists for this year’s edition include rock legend Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, The Record Company, Maggie Rose, Lonesome Gold, and The Deadlocks. After a sweet day of shredding on the hill, festival goers can take part in the Bud Light Seltzer Bags Tournament, Nature Valley VIP Tickets Giveaway, Smartwool Perfect Pair Giveaway, and a special showing of Teton Gravity Research’s new film Fire on the Mountain. And by the way, admission is free! jacksonhole.com