Summer Soirée | Swaner EcoCenter

Swaner Summer Soirée: Birds of a Feather

Friday, June 12 from 6:00–9:00 PM
Lookout Cabin at Canyons Village

Join us for a mountaintop gathering celebrating the impact of our conservation and education work. Guests will ride the Orange Bubble Express chairlift to the scenic Lookout Cabin, where a delicious dinner, seasonal drinks, and sweeping alpine views await.

Tickets to this intimate event are limited to just 70 guests with all proceeds supporting Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter. We invite you to dress in your best bird-inspired cocktail attire—take a cue from Denver Audubon’s “Steal Their Look” and channel your favorite feathered friend. Proudly sponsored by the Vail Epic Promise Foundation, this special night is both a celebration of Swaner’s work and a meaningful way to give back.

Join the Waitlist

This event is 21+.

What to Expect & Important Details

Food Choice: Select entrée with your RSVP. Choices include:

Le Filet Grilled Filet Mignon, Caramelized Shallot Demi Glacé, Grilled Asparagus & Buttermilk-Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Pistachio Crusted Utah Steelhead Trout Brown Butter-Caper Emulsion, Broccolini & Wild Rice Pilaf
Utah Goat Cheese Dumpling Garden Vegetable Napoleon, Grilled Portobello, Roasted Tomato, Red Pepper and Fennel, Baby Arugula, Tomato, Lemon Vinaigrette & Golden Tomato Coulis

Accommodations: This site is only accessible by chairlift. Please let us know if this is a barrier or if any accommodations are needed to enjoy the evening with us (dietary restrictions, mobility challenges, etc.). All guests must sign a waiver before boarding the lift.

Weather: This event will take place rain or shine.

Evening Agenda

5:30–6:00 PM | Arrival & Check-In

Parking at Canyons Village surface lot 4.
Check in at lift ticket office.
Sign waiver and receive lift ticket.

6:00 PM | Chairlift Ride to Lookout Cabin

Board the Orange Bubble Express.
~12-minute scenic ride to mid-mountain.

6:15–7:00 PM | Cocktails on the Deck

3 drink tickets included to enjoy throughout the evening.
Mingle, sip, and meet other "feathered" friends.

7:00–8:30 PM | Remarks & Dinner Service

Seated dinner inside the lodge.

8:30–9:00 PM | Fireside S’mores & Social Time

Gather around the fire pits for dessert.

9:00 PM | Return to Base

Reload the chairlift for a ~30-minute ride down.

What to Wear

Birds of a Feather Cocktail Attire: Take inspiration from your favorite birds and bring the theme to life. Think textures, colors, and patterns—subtle or bold. Check out the Swaner's staff's recent execution of bird-themed outfits on Instagram.

Earth tones, feathers, shimmer, or wing-inspired silhouettes
Statement colors (crimson, gold, deep blue, iridescent hues)
Playful accessories or elegant interpretations
No costume required—just a nod to the theme is perfect.

Steal Their Look: Style Inspiration

Red-winged Blackbird: Sleek black base + a bold pop of red or gold at the shoulder. Minimalist, striking, and confident.
Great Blue Heron: Soft grays and blues, long lines, and effortless elegance. Think flowy fabrics and understated drama.
Sandhill Crane: Neutrals with a flash of crimson. Clean, refined, and a subtle nod to Swaner’s namesake.
Mountain Bluebird: Head-to-toe blue or a bright statement piece. Vibrant, joyful, and impossible to miss.
American Kestrel: Warm rust, slate blue, and playful pattern mixing. A little bold, a little unexpected.
Wild Card: Go full creative—feathered textures, metallics, or your favorite bird-inspired flair.

A minimalist collage titled “Steal Their Look: Sandhill Crane” showing a gray-and-red sandhill crane beside a coordinated outfit: a gray sweater, black pants, black sneakers, a white crossbody bag, a red baseball cap, amber sunglasses, and a simple necklace, all arranged on a white background.

A minimalist collage titled “Steal Their Look: Common Goldeneye” featuring a brown-and-gray duck with a bright yellow eye next to a coordinated outfit: a patterned black-and-white cardigan, gray T-shirt, white pants, orange sneakers, yellow-tinted sunglasses, and a brown beanie, arranged on a white background.

A minimalist collage titled “Steal Their Look: Broad-tailed Hummingbird” featuring a green hummingbird with a magenta-colored chest next to a coordinated outfit: a green scarf, black oval sunglasses, red flower earrings, a green jacket, a sequined red tube top, a white skirt, and chunky black sandals, all arranged on a white background.

A minimalist collage titled “Steal Their Look: Burrowing Owl” featuring a brown and white speckled owl with yellow eyes next to a coordinated outfit: yellow-rimmed sunglasses, a brown wide brim hat, a tube of white eye liner, a brown jacket with beige polka dots, a white tube top, brown gingham shorts, and a white boot, all arranged on a white background.

A minimalist collage titled “Steal Their Look: Yellow Warbler” featuring a little yellow songbird with brown accents next to a coordinated outfit: black circular sunglasses, a tube of black lipstick, gold chain necklace, a brown and yellow cardigan that’s both striped and checkered, a yellow dress, and beige sneakers, all arranged on a white background.

A minimalist collage titled “Steal Their Look: Bullock’s Oriole” featuring an orange-breasted bird with black and white feathers next to a coordinated outfit: black rectangular sunglasses, a black choker necklace, a yellow dress, black combat boots, a tube of black eyeliner, and a black and white checkered cardigan, all arranged on a white background.