Experience

Bonfire Stories

Bonfire Stories is a series of interviews from the WinterWonderGrass family shot behind the scenes during festival season. These stories aim to show that when we come together with open hearts and minds, bringing our differences and unique opinions, we begin to dissolve the illusion of separation. We intend to create a platform for artists, attendees, our families, and the natural environment to unite – building a community.

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We create simple and authentic community gatherings for the adventurous spirit, concentrating on the quality of the experience over the quantity of attendees. We partner with resorts, communities, and local businesses to build an event curated by all.

COMMUNITY CENTERED. There is nothing better than the freedom to explore new landscapes, new communities and new friendships. There’s magic that happens when children and adults from around the world gather for the alchemy of music and nature.

FAMILY FRIENDLY. We love our kids, and yours. We value the opportunity to create a festival that teaches the next generation about responsibility, community, humility, love and how to have fun in the outdoors.

LOCALLY FOCUSED. Bringing together the best in bluegrass, jamgrass, americana, and roots music. We pride ourselves on introducing artists, new and old, to our community, regardless of the label. Artists who jam in the coldest conditions, and join other performers on stage, soaking up the entire weekend. Add to that local beer and spirits with complimentary tastings every single day, and we’re ready for music into the night. We also give back, donating to local environmental groups, youth educational programs, and humanitarian causes. Last year we donated over $50k to local non-profits across all events. Learn more about our NPO partners Lift Up Routt County, United Way of the Yampa Valley, Shane McConkey Foundation, Tahoe Food Hub, Chaffee County, and more.

SUSTAINABLY MINDED. We partner with Minimal Impact — an intentional, women-owned company whose purpose is to empower people to alleviate their burden on the environment and to reduce dependence on fossil fuel derived plastic by providing refillable, toxin free products, minimal waste event services, and education to sustain a Minimal Impact lifestyle. We do not use single-use plastic items - last year we diverted over 70% of waste away from the landfill. Learn more.

1993: Grilled Cheese, Pale Ale and The Grateful Dead

WinterWonderGrass founder, Scotty Stoughton, joins the first West Coast tour with the Dead, caravaning up the Pacific Northwest, selling grilled cheese and Pale Ale in the parking lot. Roused by the intangible effects of a 15-minute Scarlet Fire transition and the post-event drum circles, his future is galvanized.
1999: Rap-Grass

On tour as a struggling artist, Scotty is encouraged by Leftover Salmon’s Mark Vann to join his band and just ‘make some shit up’ on stage. Sam Bush invites him to sit in at Telluride and the magic and community of bluegrass enkindles him.
2012: Epiphany In The Dessert

After years as a touring artist and event producer, Scotty Stoughton wanders. On a cold October night heading west, chasing the swirling oranges of a setting sun, Stoughton had an epiphany. It was time to get back to the roots of all things and create the first, and heartiest, acoustic laced mountain gathering - in the winter!
2013: WWG Launches at Crazy Mountain Brewery

Scotty joins forces with Jennifer Brazill and Mike Welle, puts his house up as collateral, and goes all in with Greensky Bluegrass and The Infamous Stringdusters to launch the first ever WinterWonderGrass. The festival closes with the Dusters tearing it up during an exuberant blizzard. The event sells out.
2014: WWG Moves to Vail/Avon

The team takes their second big risk. Following the year one blow out, and needing more space, friend and local councilman Jake Wolf offers the park at Nottingham Lake…and so it begins!
2015: WWG Adds Palisades Tahoe

Stoughton travels to Tahoe, and after spending time in multiple locations, he is astounded by the majesty of Lake Tahoe and The High Sierra. Standing on a worn out parking lot below the world famous Squaw Tram, he declares the new location!
2016: WWG Grows

Adding more side stages, tasting partners and bands, the festival finds its way into the genuine size and footprint it has earned. A new tradition of mountain top and tram jam sets at Palisades Tahoe becomes legendary!
2017: WWG Moves to Steamboat Springs

In an effort to create a true music and mountain experience, Scotty and the team make the decision to bring WinterWonderGrass to Ski Town USA ©. The community welcomes the festival and quickly makes it their own. Steamboat is WinterWonderGrass home for life!! Both Colorado and California sell out.
2018: Bringing the Snow

During a dry Colorado winter, artists are layered in white sheets of fluffy gold. Mother Nature brings so much needed California moisture that the resort closes - but the fans show up anyway for Devil Makes Three! Two stages become four,, the kids' zone and Grass After Dark is added. Both Colorado and California sell out.
2018: WWG Adds Stratton, Vermont

Stoughton and his crew return East to the state that painted the way for their appreciation of the mountains, culture, and true community.
2019: Break Out Performances

Jeff Austin sends it, Trampled by Turtles debuts, and The California Honeydrops and Billy Strings have break-out performances. Lindsay Lou sings her way into everyone’s hearts, and it is clear she would be part of the family for some time.
2020: Settling into the Unknown

Billy Strings makes his main stage festival debut at WinterWonderGrass, the first festival to give Billy a headlining slot. Cup gate! 5000 steel festival mugs get held up in the port of LA due to a little known virus called COVID. Molly Tuttle, Margo Price and Nikki Lane debut. After a cold and snowy weekend, Sunday Fun-Day shines through , and we are graced with a brilliant orange sunset before Billy’s second mainstage performance
2021: RiverWonderGrass is Created

While in forced exile, Stoughton and the team create RiverWonderGrass. These multi day river adventures bring 20 guests and a few artists through remote desert canyons for a reconnection to nature and each other.
2022: We're Coming Back

Our first year back after the pandemic, and two years of silence from the music industry. WinterWonderGrass welcomes The Wood Brothers, Trampled By Turtles, and first-timers Lukas Nelson and Sierra Hull. WinterWonderWomen melt the side tent. The War and Treaty bring the funk, and Kitchen Dwellers have a breakout main stage performance!
2023: 10 Years of WWG

WinterWonderGrass celebrates its 10th Anniversary of Colorado at Steamboat Resort with first-time headliner Paul Cauthen, along with first YEAR headliners, The Infamous Stringdusters and Greenksy Bluegrass. Tahoe sees its snowiest season yet with country music star Marcus King, as well as Neal Francis and The Main Squeeze who really brought the funk. The sky opened up on the last set of the weekend while Trampled By Turtles gave a bone-chilling final set. 2023 is one for the books.
2023: BajaWonderGrass is Added

Bluegrass on the beach! Stoughton and his family settle into the humble community of El Sargento, Baja California Sur, and decide to invite the WinterWonderGrass family and fans south of the border. The inaugural event sells out with 400 fans, two stages, six artists, and many, many tacos.