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 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.

Reserve Your Spot by May 28

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

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.