Fifty films and four inches of fresh snow–what more reason do you need to play hooky and head up to the sixth annual Vail Film Festival? The event opens this evening with Trucker, starring Michelle Monaghan, about a mother learning to care for her young son.

The following days bring talks and awards ceremonies with Monaghan, who will receive the festival’s excellence in acting award, as well as director Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy). Plus, watch out for the documentaries Garbage Dreams and The Day After Peace. The first features young men in the slums of Cairo; the second, starring Jude Law and Angelina Jolie, is about worldwide peace efforts, and both reflect the festival’s attention to activism in filmmaking this year.

But save some time for skiing and exploring, too. Vail lift tickets are only $55 if you have a festival pass, and the Taste of Vail, a gourmet food and wine event, runs through Saturday.

Thu-Sun, Apr. 2-5.

Times and locations vary, 970-476-1092

Individual screenings $5, passes $45-$500 and up