This weekend is all about action as a litany of extreme sports invade Vail, sand soccer hits Virginia Beach and a bike festival breaks out in Santa Barbara.
By Nate Storey, Matt Skenazy, and Karin Krisher
Teva Mountain Games, June 4th-7th
Vail, Colorado
If you’re looking for a mix of extreme sports, chilled out music and some wild mountain parties, make the trip to Vail this weekend for the Teva Mountain Games. You can register on-site for athletic events like extreme kayaking and the down river sprint, and revel in the endorphin-charged high at the end of the day with film screenings at Outdoor Reels. If partying appeals more than lying on the grass watching flicks about fly fishing, then kick off Saturday evening with the six o’clock Pub Crawl. You’ll be busy all weekend with events and performances, but make it a point to check out the vendors hanging around in Gear Town. Event registration fees range from free to $150.
Travel and Accommodations
Vail is rich with hotels and condos, so you’ve got some options here. The cheapest? The $79 a night Evergreen Lodge. At least seven campgrounds are also available during the Games. Fly into Denver International or Vail Regional and rent a car or relax and enjoy the scenery on the Colorado Mountain Express.
North American Sand Soccer Championships, June 5th-7th
Virginia Beach, VA
Ready for a day at the beach? Head to Virginia Beach and watch the 16th Annual North American Sand Soccer Championships as teams from all over the country, and as far away as Brazil, Norway and Germany, battle it out in the sand. Beach soccer has a smaller field, and fewer players than traditional soccer, leading to acrobatic goals and scores in the double digits. The tournament spans 18 blocks of prime Virginia Beach real estate, and with the ocean on one side and the boardwalk on the other, there’s always something to do if you have time in between games. Top it off with live music, great food and the always-raucous summer nightlife of Virginia Beach. Admission is free.
Travel and Accommodations
Fly into Norfolk, VA and the beach is a half hour drive from the airport. There are plenty of hotels on the beach, but we like the Sandcastle Resort for their free breakfast buffet, private ocean front balconies, and heated pool. Rooms start at $175.
Santa Barbara Bicycle Festival, June 5-7
Santa Barbara, California
There will be no typical June California gloom this weekend in Santa Barbara when BMX, cross-country and downhill bikers grind their gears under a mild sun at an expansive bike festival. Friday’s Sandpiper Prologue TT ($30, Register here, course map here) gets things off to a strong start on a gorgeous track meandering through the oceanfront Sandpiper Golf Course. The Kickoff BBQ Tri-Tip Dinner at the golf club afterward will replenish your energy. Saturday’s action darts over to nearby Elings Park where riders can charge table tops for big air on the Downhill course (from $40) that drops 400 vertical feet or traverse the tight turns in the Super D ($25). You don’t have to be Mat Hoffman to join the BMX race at night—BMX bikes will be available to borrow and beginners are welcome ($10). Saturday night’s unwind is at Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch for a barbeque. Dual Slalom ($40) and Cross-Country (from $40) will wrap up the races on Sunday (register for races here).
Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Santa Barbara on a Delta Connection or United Express flight or make the drive from LAX. Places to stay are aplenty but do yourself a favor and book a couple nights at the beachfront Harbor View Inn ($260 per night) which boasts reasonable rates and close proximity to vibrant State Street.
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