Denver, CO – This year, Denver will once again be the center of the snow sports universe when the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show, the world’s largest ski and snowboard 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, Colorado Ski Country USA and the City of Denver are organizing the third annual Mile High SnowFest – a four-day celebration of all things snow, Jan. 25-28.

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 events and deals at many of downtown Denver’s restaurants, bars and clubs.

“Denver is the number one 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 city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau.

One event that won’t return to Mile High SnowFest this year, however, is last year’s World Cup Big Air snowboard competition at Civic Center Park. Scheduling conflicts and funding issues forced organizers to scrap the Big Air event this year. Even though the event drew 14,000 people in 2011 and charged between $45 and $200 for tickets, sponsors including LG and Sprint lost money.

Winter On The Rocks, Jan. 27, will be the first ever winter concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. 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.

Snowdown 2012 is the 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.

All events and bar and restaurant specials are listed on the www.MileHighSnowFest.com website, with happenings and deals added throughout January.