Who doesn’t like free?  Tell me something is free and I’m all for it! I think that’s why I like living in the mountains so much; there is always something fun going on in the local communities. Vail sometimes has that reputation of being only for the rich.  Well I’m here to tell you some just aren’t doing it right. I’m here to give you the inside scoop to having a blast this summer in Vail, while keeping the bank account in check.

Check out the Friday Afternoon Club on top of Vail Mountain. Kick off your weekend right with drinks, food, free live music and activities all on the top of Vail Mountain. Getting to the top of the mountain is just a short FREE ride up the Eagle Bahn Gondola.

Aspiring chefs, or hungry patrons can spend their Saturday afternoon at Beaver Creek Plaza and watch as local chefs give free culinary demonstrations as part of the Culinary Demonstration Series. The thought of this makes me hungry…

Get your funk on every Tuesday night at Bud Light’s Hot Summer NightsConcert Series at Ford Amphitheater. The Vail Valley Foundation brings in bands to delight all kinds of music lovers. Summer nights in Colorado are gorgeous and should be enjoyed, whether you like the music or not.

Every Sunday from 10:00am until 3:00pm, Vail Village boosts THE largest Farmers Market in the State of Colorado. Wander around the many vendor tents and you’ll discover new local businesses meet talented artists and of course snap some free samples while you’re at it!

Load up on SWAG at the Teva Mountain Games June 3-6. Gear Town, competitions, back to Gear Town – that’s about right. Down Meadow Drive and International Bridge vendors will be lined up giving away goodies, demos and of course selling beer and food. Not free-but when it beer ever free?

This list is just scratching the surface!  Come enjoy the festivities for yourself!

Beano’s Cabin, Beaver Creek
Beano’s cabin is hidden away on Grouse Mountain in Beaver Creek, surrounded by aspen groves with spectacular views. In the winter Beano’s is only accessible via snowmobile and in the summer most prefer to access it via their horse drawn buggy. I prefer Beano’s because it’s a little harder to get to, but once you’re there it’s all worth it.

The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Edwards
Sitting on a mountain with views of Vail Valley makes the Cordillera a perfect retreat for those looking for a serene escape in the mountains. The Cordillera is it’s own community, so guests feel part of something special.  The Cordillera boasts over 5,000 square feet of meeting space, four golf courses, a world class spa, 56 rooms and two unique restaurants on-site.

Elk Creek Lodge, Breckenridge
Surrounded by nation forest, this 50-acre mountain-top retreat boosts some of the best views Breckenridge have to offer. The 6,000 square ft. log lodge style home can accommodate 20 people for a private resort experience.  It’s what you imagine when you think of mountain serenity.

Keyah Grand Resort, Pagosa Springs
Guests can travel the world without leaving the Keyah Grand Resort, nestled in the San Juan Mountains of Pagosa Spring. Each guest suite allows one to escape to their choice of China, Spain, Santa Fe, England, America, the South Pacific, or Japan. Over 3,000 bottles of wine on the 4,200-acre resort leaves endless options for a inspiring getaway.

Limelight Lodge, Aspen
Groups looking for gracious hospitality with charming character, find the Limelight Lodge in Aspen the perfect choice. The Limelight’s location in downtown Aspen puts guests in the center of fine dining, shopping, and the aura that makes Aspen famous.

The Teva Mountain Games are the nation’s largest mountain sport event. Celebrating mountain lifestyle, outdoor competitions and events and music concerts- the 2010 Teva Mountain Games hosted form June 3 to June 6 in the Vail Valley are gone be an incredible event you should not miss.

Top professional and also amateur athletes from all around the world will compete in eight different sports in overall 24 different disciplines for over $ 100,000 in prize money. The eight sports are biking, climbing, dogs competing, running, fishing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddling.

As of today, the 2010 Teva Mountain Games will start off on Thursday June 3 at 10am with the Bud Light Lime Steep Creek Championship which will be presented by Thule at the Homestake Creek, Red Cliff. Homestake Creek is dropping 480 feet per mile which makes this competition one of the most popular and interesting not only to race but also to watch. If you want to compete in the quarter mile creek race register fast- there is only a limited number of starter places for the first round- so make sure you get in there! The ten fastest female and the ten fastest male will then compete in a second round and the fastest time will determine the winners.

Registration for the race on race day opens at 8am at the Homestake Creek – Red Cliff. At 8.30am there will be the possibility to practice in the Steep Creek. At 9.30am the time trail will start. So if you are only there to watch the challenging race- try to make it there by 9.30am to see all competitors. And then at 10am the Steep Creek Championship will kick off. Check regularly the Teva Mountain Games website to see if there were any changes in the schedule!

The Steep Creek Championship is gone be a popular and promising competition since there will be professional athletes from all around the world to win the $ 2000 Price money for the first man and for the first woman. The second man and woman can each win $ 1000 and the third will get $ 500. The 2009 winners of the Steep Creek championship are Mike Dawson from New Zealand and Nikki Kelly.

To round the first day and the first competition of the 2010 Teva mountain games up- there will be a free concert in the heart of Vail Village. Starting at 7pm at Checkpoint Charlie there is gone be the first half of the Bud Light Mountains of Music show where DJs and Band will rock the village.

Try to make it to Vail to the first great day of the 2010 Teva Mountain Games. If you need some great lodging deal to stay for the whole games check this out!

Tubing has always been one of my favorite past times for summer (along with a cold beer, a foot- long brat, and a Rockies’ team win at Coors Field), but a shiny new gem has caught my eye: kayaking. One of the most popular competitions at the Teva Mountain Games (June 3-6 this year), I know it is harder than it looks but I think I can do it. Having never even sat inside of a kayak, I thought it would be a smart move to learn a few things, and I couldn’t have picked a better place than Vail to do it!

After some web browsing, I’ve made a plan of action that I intend to take over the next few weeks, just in time for the Teva Mountain Games! I’ll let you know how it goes!

Step 1: Learn about kayaks. Did you know that there are over 7 types of kayaks?

Some are made for quiet, fishing trips, while others are made to navigate whitewater rivers! I think I will start out easy on a recreational kayak- until I find my sea legs! While researching, I found that there is a serious lack of safety education when it comes to recreational kayaks. This will be my next step because I value my ability to enjoy the great outdoors, especially in the Vail Valley area! With companies such as

Step 2: Attend a kayak safety course. Knowing what safety gear I need could help me avoid sticky situations! There are many procedures that I need to know and be able to execute such as we exiting, t-rescues, and self-rescues that will all be covered through the right training courses. The internet may be useful, but it doesn’t quite match the feeling of getting water up your nose while you are locked into a floating boat! Use this website for teaching children about boat and kayak safety.

Step 3: Take a class. At first, I wanted to jump in, but after plenty of reading and realization that I can’t tackle white water on my first day, I’ve decided that a class with certified professionals is my best option. They provide the equipment, knowledge, and training I need to be on my way. It may not be tomorrow, but I will start out my kayaking adventure right! In most cases, safety is the main focus of beginner classes, followed by skill and then actual water time. As demonstrated in this video, anything can happen while you kayak! Watch this shocking video of what happened to some ocean kayakers! Kayakers are terrifyingly surprised during their trip…

Step 4: Get on the water! After I become confident in my skills, it’s time to play! I can’t wait to explore the area’s natural playground where river meets adventure! Hopefully, if I love it enough, then someday I, too, will be competing in the Teva Mountain Games!

Step 5: Watch and admire the pros! I appreciate every athletic competition more, whether it’s basketball, softball, or even tennis, after not only learning about how difficult it is, but by trying it out! My admiration grew after realizing that navigating a thin, light weight craft through raging waters doesn’t happen overnight. Hopefully, while attending the Teva Mountain Games I will be able to pull aside some pro’s and learn what their experiences were to get here! Good luck to all of the Kayaking athletes who are competing in the 2010 Teva Mountain Games!

For some people traveling is something that happens year round, while others wait all year for that one special vacation. My personal philosophy is that the key to happiness is always having something to look forward to; for me that being a vacation. I thought I’d share of my personal travel tips- they are easy and will help you plan the perfect escape!

1. When booking airfare domestically I always hop to Kayak.com first. It compares the prices airlines have listed, as well as prices being offered on 3rd party travel provider sites such as orbitz, so you know you’re getting the best deal around. Or, save some hassle and let a complimentary concierge take care of your flights for you!
2. If your travel dates are flexible, use Bing when searching so that you can compare historical prices for the flight you’re looking for to help you know when a good time to buy is.
3. Research special events happening in your destination before booking travel. I’ve found that the best way to save money while on vacation is to take advantage of local free events and activities.
4. Plan ahead, but don’t plan too much. An itinerary can help keep the vacation flowing, but can also take away from the travel experience. Sometimes the best memories of a vacation are those experiences that come to you.
5. Make an educated lodging decision. Are you looking to eat all or your meals out, or trying to save money by cooking at home during your stay? Most travelers automatically assume a hotel is the cheapest way to go, without considering the money they could be saving by booking a vacation rental fully equipped with a kitchen.
6. Ask a local. Locals will always be a better informer than a guide book or review you read on the internet. Ask around when trying to find the best pizza, or most happening nightlife. Locals are in the know with events and specials and are usually happy to help lost tourists have a good time.

Happy travels!

Its almost that time of year again, we all know it, some of us dread it, but most of us cant wait for the parties…wedding season is fast approaching and the invitations have been sent.  As I check my mail box I look for the next invitation I cant help but think about my ever dwindling pocket book.   While I love weddings I also know they start to get pricey, especially when you have more than a couple of weddings to attend and be a part of.  And its not just the weddings, I have to think about the bachelorette party and bridal shower with each of these momentous events. So I have to wonder how can I keep this affordable, fun, and special for groups large and small.

I love living in the mountains for a number of reasons, and yes I still like it in the off season just after the ski season is over and right before summer gets into full swing.  The off season is the perfect time to host a bachelorette party or even a bridal shower.  It is exciting and sometime stressful planning these events for my friends and family but since I am in the travel industry with Rocky Mt Vacation Rentals and Rocky Mt Group Travel I am happy to take on the task of planning for the group.  So here are some helpful tips.  Ask for a group rate- you have more than 10 people traveling with you, then it is a group and discounts are available.  Take time to research when the peak and low season travel seasons are.  Traveling in the off season discounted lodging rates are often available.  Find out what local events are going when you are traveling.  Work with locally operated companies, they will have a better insight as to what to do, where to go, what the most recent specials are, and more.

As we prepare to attend the Rocky Mountain Bridal Show this weekend I came to the realization that five years ago I would have never willingly attended such an event. Now that I’ve been planning events for a few years, I can say that this bridal show is something that I would not miss. Weird how things evolve over time…
The Rocky Mountain Bridal Show will take place at the Colorado Convention Center this Sunday afternoon. Rocky Mountain Group Travel’s services have been very well received by wedding & event planners that we’ve talked to thus far. It’s exciting for us to have the chance to meet key suppliers face to face and introduce Rocky Mountain Group Travel Wedding planning services to them. I’m anticipating that many brides attending the show are taking the reins on planning their own wedding and I think that’s awesome. However, it’s often the wedding party and guest accommodations that end up taking the most time away from more important details. Finding lodging in a preferred location that can also accommodate large groups is usually a task to hand off to people who really know the destination. That way the bride or wedding planner doesn’t have to mess with the hassle of collecting deposits, changes to the rooming list and all related stress. Everybody wins!
I love the mountains and therefore support anyone who chooses such a beautiful landscape to host their wedding. My big day will come one of these days, but until then I will attend the Bridal Show on  Sunday, meet some good people and hope for delicious cake samples to keep me smiling the whole day!

Summer in Vail at the Teva Mountain Games:

The count-down is on! There are officially 40 days until the 2010 Teva Mountain Games. But if you’re not the athletic type, there are plenty of other things that will be going on to keep you entertained. Here are 5 awesome events and opportunities that will be at this year’s Teva Mountain Games!

1. Free Concerts! It may sound too good to be true, but I tell no lies! There will be two nights of free concerts at Checkpoint Charlie’s located in the Vail Village. The first concert is scheduled for Thursday, June 3 and the second concert is that Saturday, June 5. Both nights will feature various DJ’s and bands. Who exactly will be performing has not yet been determined so keep checking back to find out!

2. Parties! After a long day of watching or participating in these grueling athletic feats, take some time to relax and enjoy the nightlife here in Vail. The Teva Mountain Ball is on June 6 at 10 pm. Everyone is invited to dress up in the finest prom attire and dance the night away! Historically, this is the party that you do not want to miss! Also, the first annual C4 Waterman Sup and Subs party will feature the Outdoor Reels film screening and hold a luau. So, get your grass skirt ready and your tuxedo pressed because these parties will be EPIC!

3. Outdoor Reels! Film makers from across the nation will be showing their newest films on Friday, June 4. There will be a cash bar and a question and answer session after each showing. This will be a rare chance to really hear the inspiration behind these great films and have fun doing it!

4. Volunteer! If you want to get special access to the events but don’t want to pay for it, consider being a volunteer. Volunteers help make any event happen and give people an opportunity to be involved instead of just attend. You can apply to be a volunteer online at no cost!

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals has LODGING DEALS on our website, Teva Mountain Games Lodging

April 11-17, Banff, Canada hosted the 35th annual Mountain Travel Symposium, which for those who don’t know is the premier ski industry conference of the year. Tommy Hoffman and James Bengala were the lucky two who represent Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at the show. MTS was nothing short of a week of power networking, business card exchanges, and cocktail receptions and of course a little skiing in between.

Having planned meetings, I’m a firm believer that nothing can compare to meeting with someone face to face. Living in the business environment that we do; where days are spent in front a computer blasting off emails, leaving voice mails and waiting for someone to get back to you, it is key to have that personal interaction.

The Mountain Travel Symposium allowed RMVR to educate industry suppliers and ski clubs on the uniqueness of our business model and how it has evolved in a way that has raised the bar in the vacation rental industry. It’s always rewarding to learn that your competition has had their eye on your company for quite some time; it says something.  The fact that our company is operated by locals in all the destinations we serve, so we  honestly can provide a different experience for our clients. It boggles my mind that someone would allow a tour operator living in Illinois to plan their ski vacation to Colorado. Wise travelers know that the best way to truly experience a destination is from that of the perspective of a local, not a guide book. It’s a testimony to why I backpacked through Europe staying with locals in every city I could along the way. It’s true that those who live there, offer an unmatched experience and so does Rocky Mountain Group Travel. I’m excited to see all the good to unfold  in the coming months here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Rocky Mountain Group Travel. Not to mention an epic summer is right around the corner from this current snowstorm I stare at through my office window….  Got to love Colorado!

With summer just behind some April clouds, I am excited to be outside as much as possible, including for eating! When I am not backpacking or hiking, I take a work break refuge by eating outside- almost any patio will do, but if you are looking for the best where you can still enjoy the Teva Mountain Games atmosphere, then don’t fret, I did an office poll of where the best places to snag a snack where sunglasses are required, and why. Here’s what we came up with:

Vendetta’s. Not only is this the best place to grab a late night snack, but Vendetta’s back patio catches some great late afternoon sun. Try a “Ray Jay’s Wave” pizza (Canadian bacon, green peppers, and pineapple) for a full summer effect.

Red Lion. Located in the heart of everything that is happening in Vail, get here early because the Red Lion always has a full patio. I recommend trying their dry, smoked ribs with a local Colorado brew… 1554 by New Belgium goes great with a burger, too!
La Bottega. Enjoy the northern Italian casual restaurant, and take a look at their lunch menu. Watch out!  The sandwiches are very large, and make for a great split meal, and I haven’t found a better Meatball sub in all of Colorado! La Bottega’s patio is in Vail Village, and is one of the best spots for people watching.
The Marketplace. Across from La Bottega is the Marketplace that also includes the Tavern. Don’t want to stay for lunch? No problem, the Marketplace has a steady supply of fresh, organic meats, cheeses, and produce for you to create a personalized and healthy meal.

Big Bear Bistro. Located at the top of Bridge Street, Big Bear Bistro is the place to stop for breakfast! Featuring fresh, and locally roasted Vail Mountain Coffee, they make getting your travel group ready for a day of kayak, raft, climbing, and even canine competition viewing easy. My top recommendation: try their breakfast burrito, complete with Mike’s Finest Green Chile. Stop by in the afternoon, or call in- they do pickup as well as delivery in Vail Village.

Looking for a place to stay? Our office offers condos, private homes, and pet-friendly lodging!

As I sit here, leg in cast, looking forward to an almost 6 month recovery from a running injury, I have shifted my interest in the Teva Mountain Games from participating to watching. Yes, although I am ultimately bummed at not being able to run, bike, and raft with some of the world’s greatest athletes, I am still stoked to be a spectator at this outrageous event. If you are more interested in watching that participating in the Teva Mountain Games, than you should know which events are must-sees. Here are the Top 8 Spectator Events at the Teva Mountain Games!

As I sit here, leg in cast, looking forward to an almost 6 month recovery from a running injury, I have shifted my interest in the Teva Mountain Games from participating to watching. Yes, although I am ultimately bummed at not being able to run, bike, and raft with some of the world’s greatest athletes, I am still stoked to be a spectator at this outrageous event. If you are more interested in watching that participating in the Teva Mountain Games, than you should know which events are must-sees. Here are the Top 8 spectator events at the Teva Mountain Games!

1. Slopestyle: (When: Sunday, June 6. Qualifiers: 11am, Finals: 2pm) This freestyle competition at Golden Peak is one that I am most looking forward to. Freeriders will fly through the air performing stunning twists and flips over rugged terrain. Basically anything goes, and for these bikers, Vail is the ultimate playground! If you get fired up watching BMXers in the summer X games, don’t miss this! Plan on getting there a little early because lots of people turn out to watch this one!

2. Freestyle Kayaking: (When: Qualifiers: Friday, June 4 @ 1pm. Finals: Saturday June 5 @ 4:15 pm) The world’s best playboaters will throw down everything they’ve got to impress the judges and try to accumulate the most points in a one-minute timed run through Vail’s whitewater park. These competitors are hard core, and will stop at nothing to showboat their way to the top. If you plan on attending this or any other water event, consider staying in the Village so that you are in the heart of the action!

3. World cup bouldering: (When: Qualifiers Friday, June 4 @ 9am. Finals: Saturday, June 5 @ 3:45pm) This is a climbing event where some of the world’s best will scale an intense climbing wall set up in the heart of Vail Village.  This is a captivating test of strength and agility that measures athletic endurance and desire. Make sure to wear your hiking boots to this event because you will be inspired to go out and do some climbing after watching this fully charged event.

4. Extreme kayaking: (When: Thursday, June 3. 9:30am Championship, 10am time trials) Homestake Creek became nationally known as the ultimate kayaking challenge in 2002. Since then, some of the world’s greatest Kayakers have traveled down this intense creek that drops 480 feet per mile. The rules are simple; whoever makes it through this quarter mile creek with the fastest time wins.

5. Free Ride Dual: (When: Saturday, June 5. Finals at 3 pm) This is an intense bike race taking place in the Vail Village that incorporates doable jumps, ramps and other obstacles. Bikers can reach over 8 feet in the air in this event!! This is a must see event and has been a crowd favorite for the past 2 years.

6. 8-ball: (When: Saturday, June 6. Qualifiers: 11:30am, Finals: 2:30pm) Kayakers will gather at the covered bridge for a 200 meter sprint through Vail’s narrow Gore Creek. Civil this event is not! On the contrary, these kayakers are water gladiators, clad in full body armor and pushing, shoving, and fighting their way through the course.

7. Raft paddlecross: (When: Sunday June 6. Qualifiers: 10am, Finals: 1:30pm) A two-person raft-race down Gore Creek that showcases speed, agility, and aggression. Teams will be placed into racing groups of three and go head to head in this 1/10 mile trek through Vail’s whitewater park. Teams will have to navigate through no less than two upstream gates. The best part? Ramming is allowed! Things are going to get intense!

8. X Country Bike Race: (When: Saturday, June 5. Pro’s and Experts ride at 11:45am) It is an uphill bike race that starts at the base of Golden Peak and winds up to the top of Vail Mountain along a brand new course. The race will be broken into three heats, the second of which will be for advanced and professional riders. If you are a biking enthusiast, don’t miss this chance to watch these athletes challenge themselves and each other in this Tour de France style race!

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals has LODGING DEALS on our website, Teva Mountain Games Lodging

All can agree that the business climate today is unlike anything most veterans have experienced in a lifetime. Many companies’ response to the contracting economy has been in short, downsizing, budget adjustments and streamlining of practices in order to focus on what’s going to produce the biggest ROI.However, not everywhere is hurting. In fact trends of the last two years pose a phenomenal growth opportunity to those with a vision and a means to act tactfully towards their vision. So when the economy gets back to the levels seen prior to late 2008 these companies are steps ahead of the competition.

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals has been an anomaly in the lodging industry, boosting noteworthy growth in sales from the previous year. Management has taken on additional talented staff, preformed extensive research and is expanding their business model. Group Travel, RMVR’s most recent addition, was created to meet the growing needs of groups traveling to the Rocky Mountains. More times than not, someone gets stuck being the group organizer for a trip to the mountains, without having any knowledge of the area to which they’re traveling to. Yet they are expected by their peers to create a seamless, enjoyable experience for all. That’s why Rocky Mountain Group Travel team leverages their local knowledge, diverse lodging inventory, and partnerships; thus allowing the group organizer to relax, while RMVR handles all the details.

With 5,500 properties in Vail, Beaver Creek, Steamboat Springs, Keystone, Breckenridge, Copper, Aspen and Snowmass, RMVR can place groups in anything from a studio rental to a large private home. Considering that the needs of a particular group vary based on the nature of travel, size of group and length of stay, RMVR has an advantage that hotels don’t have for groups; options. From transportation, meeting space, tours, and special event coordination, RMVR has the experience and resources to take care of as much or as little that is required for each client. Groups will continually come through the Rockies year-round despite the macro economy. We will be here every expanding and refining our skills so that our clients can rest assured knowing that we are making them look good. Who doesn’t like that?

Saturday, June 05, 2010 through Sunday, June 06, 2010

Friday, June 04, 2010 through Monday, June 07, 2010

Friday, June 04, 2010 through Sunday, June 06, 2010

Thursday, June 03, 2010 through Sunday, June 06, 2010

View Lodging Deals

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Saturday, May 22, 2010 through Tuesday, May 25, 2010