DENVER, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — This year, Denver will once again be the center of the snow sports universe when the SIA Snow Show, the world’s largest snow sports trade show, is staged in the Mile High City, Jan. 26-29. To welcome the show’s 19,000 attendees in high style, VISIT DENVER is sponsoring the third annual Mile High SnowFest – a four-day celebration of all things snow, Jan. 25-28.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120110/DC33558 )

Mile High SnowFest showcases the many ways that Denver rolls out the “white” carpet to the VIPs of the snow sports industry, including: Winter on the Rocks, the first-ever winter concert at Red Rocks; Art of Winter, a multi-site, snow-inspired exhibition of original ski and snowboard art; free ice skating at downtown’s Southwest Rink at Skyline Park, activities at the Denver Pavilions and, as always, great events and deals at Downtown Denver’s top restaurants, bars and clubs. All events and specials are logged on the www.MileHighSnowFest.com website, with happenings and deals added throughout January.

“Denver is the No. 1 snow sports urban center in America, and for four days, we want to show the 19,000 delegates coming to the Snow Show, that nobody knows the industry like the Mile High City,” states Richard Scharf, president & CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau. VISIT DENVER sponsors Mile High SnowFest with many events, deals and activities for both locals and visitors alike.

Mile High SnowFest is organized by VISIT DENVER, Colorado Ski Country USA and the City of Denver.

Some of the activities taking place during Mile High SnowFest, Jan. 25-28, 2012, include:

WINTER ON THE ROCKS , Jan. 27
The first ever winter concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, one of the top music venues in the world, will feature multiple acts that appeal to the Snow Show attendees. Icelantic Skis and AEG Live Rocky Mountains are teaming up to produce the show, featuring top hip hop band Atmosphere as well as R&B superstar Common.

THE SOUTHWEST RINK AT SKYLINE PARK , through Jan. 28
Skyline Park is the place for family fun during SnowFest. Head to 16th and Arapahoe in Downtown Denver and take advantage of free ice skating seven days a week. Skate rental is $2, or guests can bring their own pair and skate for free.

SNOWDOWN 2012 AT CITY HALL , Jan. 26
Snowdown 2012 is Colorado’s largest kickoff party during the Snow Show, bringing headlining national and local entertainment to Denver’s City Hall on Jan. 26. Snowdown features an all-nighter line up of performances on five stages with headliner Dilated Peoples and special guests.

ACTIVITIES AT THE DENVER PAVILIONS , through Jan. 28

FREE Pedicabs to the Convention Center from Denver Pavilions
Wed. from 4-7 p.m. and Thurs.-Sat. from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Glenarm Place between 15th and 16th Streets, Denver Pavilions
Catch a green ride to-and-from Denver Pavilions on the 16th Street Mall to the Colorado Convention Center via Pedicabs. Pedicabs will run complimentary round trip service during the show from Denver Pavilions where visitors will find more than 30 shops, restaurants and entertainment options including Colorado’s first H&M.

Chalk It Up to Winter on the Rocks!
Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 – 3-D Chalk Drawing in creation North Plaza,
Forever 21 Plaza, Denver Pavilions
Witness the creation of a spectacular 3-D chalk drawing in anticipation Denver’s historic winter concert at Red Rocks. Come see how it’s done as local artist Stephen DeOrio turns Denver Pavilion’s plaza pavers into a picturesque 3-D interactive chalk drawing of the epic concert venue. Pose for photos on the drawing and be entered into a Facebook contest for prizes.

THE ART OF WINTER , through Jan. 28
Multiple locations
This snow-inspired exhibition features Colorado artists and innovators expressing their passion and creativity in their everyday works, including:

Gondola Installation Art
Colorado Convention Center
Colorado artist and designer, Sam Mobley is commissioned to create an installation of hanging cardboard gondolas in the lobby of the Colorado Convention Center. By taking everyday objects – such as cardboard – and re-imagining them, Sam Mobley will inspire the public to think big but start small. This installation will consist of three full-size gondola cars and will be on display during the SIA Snow Show.

The Colorado Filmmakers Project
Denver Theater District and Downtown Denver
Colorado is home to many of the world’s most acclaimed outdoor filmmakers. Through film, they capture the stories of adventurers and risk-takers who inspire others to take action in pursuit of their dreams. Five of these recognized filmmakers will share their most inspirational and awe inspiring footage by weaving a series of short vignettes to be shown throughout the Art of Winter on select LEDs in downtown Denver. The large format, high-definition LED screens are prominent in the Denver Theatre District. (perhaps list some of the corners?)

Ski & Snowboard Art
Larimer Square
With non-traditional canvasses made out of recycled skis and snowboards, select Colorado artists are challenged to create snow sport-inspired masterpieces. The resulting original works from more than 20 artists and designers will be displayed outdoors, against the backdrop of winter on Denver’s Historic Larimer Square.

13th ANNUAL TRANSWORLD SNOWBOARDING RIDERS’ POLL AWARDS , Jan. 27
Filmore Auditorium
Held every year during the Snow Show, the Awards have attained legendary status within the snowboarding community. The awards honor the sport’s best athletes of the year, with the winners determined by polling the world’s most respected riders in snowboarding. Snowboarding’s top professional athletes and the industry’s elite will all be out to honor the best in the sport. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Transworld SNOWboarding, this will be a show not-to-miss.

DINING & NIGHTLIFE DEALS IN DOWNTOWN DENVER , Jan. 25-28
Downtown Denver
Throughout Mile High SnowFest, take advantage of great deals and events at Denver’s best restaurants, bars and clubs, including:

1515 Restaurant: happy hour and drink specials all week long

16Mix: $3 tap beers from 10 p.m. – close

Breckenridge Brewery: $5 shot and beer specials

Cheba Hut Toasted Subs: $5 pint and sandwich combo

Diego’s Mexican Food & Cantina: 2-for-1 frozen margaritas and many other drink specials

Little India: $10 off any order of $30 or more

Naked Pizza: $2 off any pizza

Rock Bottom Brewery Downtown: selected apps, pizzas and beer of the day only $2.50

Broker Restaurant: late night happy hour with $2 domestic drafts, $5 martinis, $4 glasses of house wine and apps for $4-6

Corner Office: $3 drafts, $4 wells, $5 wines, $5 martinis, plus small bites from $3

About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating more than 100 years of promoting the Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. A record 12.7 million visitors stayed overnight in Denver in 2010, generating $3 billion in spending, while supporting nearly 50,000 jobs, making Tourism the second largest industry in Denver. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER, on Twitter @iknowdenver and the VISIT DENVER Facebook page, or by phone at 800 2 DENVER .