On Saturday night the Vail International Dance Festival will continue with a performance by the Pacific Northwest Ballet.  This will mark the Ballet’s third tour to Vail in the past four years.  They are scheduled for three different performances, the first of which will be on Saturday, July 31^st at 7:30 pm.  The program is titled Ballet Masterworks and includes three separate performances; Square Dance (George Balanchine), Red Angels (Ulysses Dove), and Serenade (George Balanchine). Pacific Northwest Ballet will be performing a total of nine ballets at the Festival, and in case you miss Saturday’s performance, they will be performing an encore of Red Angels on Tuesday during Dance for $20.10, the third annual showcase of this type featuring Festival favorites.

The Pacific Northwest Ballet is based in Seattle and was founded in 1947 and is recognized as one of the top three ballet schools in the United States.  The school offers training to more than 900 students, though only 38 will be performing at the Festival, under the direction of Artistic Director Peter Boal.

The performance will take place at the Gerald R Ford Amphitheater, with ticket prices at $17 for lawn seating and $55/$75 for reserved seating, depending on section.

For more information about the Vail International Dance Festival or to plan your stay in the Vail Valley, please contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

When tennis junkies come to the Vail Valley, they flock to the Bill Wright Tennis Center, and for good reason. With eight Har-Tru clay courts and four hard courts in the heart of the Rockies, playing tennis never looked so good. Stunning views of the Gore Range surround the courts and the beautiful Vail weather can usually be counted on to create memorable moments on the court. The Center’s full-service pro shop provides guests with rentals, private lessons and clinics for all ages and levels.

Below is a schedule of the Leagues offered, as posted on vailrec.com:

• Doubles 4.0 or Better, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays for those with a 4.0 or above ($8)
• Men’s 60 and Over, 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays for all skill levels ($8)
• Ladies Day, 9 to noon on Wednesdays for all skill levels ($8)
• Men’s Night, 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays for all skill levels ($8)
• Men’s Single Ladder, 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays for all skill levels ($8)
• Ladies Double Play, 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays
• Men’s Doubles, 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays for all skill levels ($8)
• Sunday AM Play, 9 a.m. to noon on Sundays for all skill levels ($8)
• Mixed Doubles, 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays for all skill levels ($8)
• Cardio Tennis, times and dates to be determined

The rates are $15 for one hour or $20 for 90 minutes. Season passes are $140 for outside guests, $115 for Vail Recreation District residents and $75 for youth ages 17 and under.

The Tennis Center closes for the season on September 30, so if you’re itching for some time out on the courts, better get moving. Summer will be over before you know it. Contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for more information or to book your stay in the Rocky Mountains, 1-888-866-2305.

Get ready for the 43^rd Annual Aspen Ruggerfest in September! The Ruggerfest, sometimes claimed to be the Super Bowl of Rugby, is a popular four day rugby tournament in Aspen, Colorado. The Aspen Rugby Club, popularly known as the Gentlemen of Aspen, became official in 1977. They were first formed by England native Steve Sherlock who wanted to put a team together in the mountain town of Aspen. Of the few that had formed the first rugby team in Aspen, there were only 3 who actually had experience in playing rugby. After the first year, the team began to get serious and practiced on a regular basis. Since that first year, Aspen has seen over 1,000 players from all over the world to compete in this strenuous sports competition. People love to come to this competition not only because of the Gentlemen, but also because of the awe-inspiring mountain views that Aspen provides to its locals and visitors alike. The Gentlemen were the National 7s champions in 2008 and U.S. Division 1 champions in 2009.

The Aspen Ruggerfest goes through September 16-19. To register a team visit here. For more information on the Ruggerfest and the Aspen Rugby Club, visit their website here.

If you are still searching for lodging for the weekend of the Ruggerfest, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals by visiting their website or by calling 1-888-866-2305.

If you have a love for food, wine, or art then you are in luck because the inaugural Snowmass Culinary & Arts Festival is on August 13-15. This festival features exquisite wines, well known chefs, an art exhibit and more all while being in the middle of the beautiful Snowmass Village. Some of the celebrity chefs that will be attending include Chef Albert Portale, Ryan Hardy, Laurent Tourondel, Frank Bonanno, and Christy Rost. Not only does the festival feature well recognized chefs, but also local talent as well. A few featured artists include Joel Alpers, Fernando Benally, Gretchen Cox, Kelvin Schartz and many more.

Tickets are $65 and include workshops, celebrity chef cooking workshops, panel discussions, and a Palette of Pairings with Colorado wines. The art exhibits are free of charge and open to the public. You must be 21 or older to attend this event. For more information on the festival and for a schedule of events, visit their website here or call at 970-922-2285.

If you are still searching for lodging for this event, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals by either calling at 1-888-866-2305 or visit their website here.

Episode III

Welcome to the weekly blog that reports my adventures throughout the general area of the Vail Valley.  I am recently new to the Vail Valley and have a passion for exploring all the beautiful nature around me while also informing anyone planning to visit the Valley or current locals on the incredible activities the Valley has to offer.  Every week I plan on going somewhere remote to experience the Rocky Mountains by participating in the acts of hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, tubing, cliff diving, and whatever else I can think of.  During these activities I will be observing the nature around me with my camera to produce breathtaking photos and informative videos if possible.

The adventure I embarked on this week was a rugged hike to Lost Lake.  After work one day a few co-workers and I headed back up Red Sandstone Road. This road leads to Piney Lake (episode I), but if you stop about halfway through the road there is a parking lot on the right for the Lost Lake trail head.  After we parked, we put on our hiking shoes and made sure everything was packed up in my A-frame. Here is a list of things you should bring for a half day hike:

• Water!!!
• Dry food
• Flashlight
• Pocket knife
• Fishing gear
• Rain gear
• First aid
• Compass/map

The Lost Lake trail winds into the trees and through the wilderness, steadily inclining the whole way up. Along the way, you are greeted by breathtaking views of the horizon.  As you continue through, the trail begins to narrow and twists and turns.  After about three miles the trail begins to decline.  Once you hit the decline there is only about a half mile left before you reach Lost Lake.  You may think you are lost, but just continue following the trail and you will eventually see an old wooden post sign pointing to the right that reads “Lost Lake.”  Lost Lake will appear through the woods, a beautiful sight!  My coworkers and I did some fishing up there but not for long because the mosquitoes were really bad.  The abundant bird species in the area make Lost Lake a great place for bird watching. There were two what I believe were finches hanging out with us the entire time. It was very amusing.  We stated to head back before it got dark.  The roundtrip took us three and half hours and was about 7.5 miles long.

The Lost Lake Trail is a great hike for any level of hiking experience. The amazing views and entertaining wildlife make it a great hike for anyone. This trail would be great for mountain biking and also a magnificent place to camp.  Please be properly prepared before venturing into the wilderness for your safety and my piece of mind.  If you are planning on visiting the Vail area make sure to book your trip through Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, your friendly, knowledgeable locals.

Aspen Songwriter Festival

When: Various times throughout the weekend

Where: Hotel Jerome

Details: This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with creative and talented musical composers, songwriters, and singers in an intimate venue. The event was started by the rock legend John Oates and the Wheeler Opera House to promote songwriters and to “create the shortest distance between the artists who write the songs and the fans who want to hear them in their purest, most real form.”  This year, there is expected to be a very large turn out from the Nashville area, which is internationally recognized as the epicenter of country and bluegrass music. Music enthusiasts are invited to come take part in this fantastic opportunity to celebrate, collaborate, and share their passion for music.

All access passes are available for only $160, which includes eleven tickets to all of the scheduled events. Four-punch passes are only $60 each.  You can learn more about this event and reserve your tickets by contacting the Wheeler Opera House.

The Vail International Dance Festival kicked off last night at the Ford Amphitheater with Savion Glover, a well-decorated tap dancer back for his second year of the festival.  Last year he performed back-to-back, delighting the crowds with his Vaudeville tap and hip-hop influences.  Glover was accompanied by Jazz legend Eddie Palmieri.  Palmieri is a trained classical pianist who cites Cuban music as his inspiration.  The duo met for the first time at the Blue Note in Manhattan last year and clicked instantly.  Last night was no different, as audience members were constantly amazed with tap-turned hip hop-turned gymnastics-turned an awe-inspiring performance.

Tonight marks the second night of the Festival, with a free performance by Artist-in-Residence Larry Keigwin performing “Dancing In The Streets” taking place at The Arabelle at Vail Square.  This is one performance you won’t want to miss, as Keigwin will allow anybody and everybody who would like to participate join in on the action.  Keigwin is the featured choreographer for the Festival and is putting together a brand new number featuring world-class dancers Tiler Peck, Robbie Fairchild, Joaquin de Luz, and Sokvannar Sar.  This performance will premiere August 6 & 7 during the International Evenings of Dance of the Vail International Dance Festival.  So bring the whole family and don’t miss out on your chance to work with the festival’s master dancer and choreographer, who knows, this could be your big break!

For more information on the Vail International Dance Festival or to schedule your stay in the Vail Valley, please contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

Snowmass Wine Festival

When: 6:30pm

Where: The Artisian Located at the Stonebridge Inn

Details: The Snowmass wine festival is truly a food, wine and music extravaganza. Some of the best wineries from around the world will provide samples of their prized vino’s  and host educational seminars about pairing and preparing wines of every sort.  Attendants are envited to sample the wines and peruse the plethora of fantastic booths that will be set up in and around the Stoneridge Inn in Aspen,CO.   Everyone knows that wine is best when it is paired with the perfect meal, or even better, when its sipped to the sounds of sultry jazz music. Thats why the Snowmass Wine festival envites famous five star chefs and world-class performers to come out and help enhance your wine tasting experience. Wino’s beware, you will love this event so mark it down on your calendar and make sure to bring a tooth brush, because you will have purple teeth!

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by calling 970-379-5356

38th Annual Motherload Classic Volleyball Tournament

When: Labor day weekend (September 2-6)

Where: various locations/parks in Aspen

Details: 700 volleyball teams, considered the best in the nation, congregate here in the mountains to participate in this intense sporting event appropriately entitled “The Motherlode Volleyball Tournament.” This is the nation’s largest beach doubles tournament featuring 18 divisions of play at 7 locations throughout the Aspen area. The main championship courts are located at Koch Lumber Park (sand) and Wagner Park (grass). Admission is FREE – with food and beverages available at concessions stands that are set up on the premises. For more information about this event and how to register, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com

When: 11:00am-6:00pm

Where: Base of the Aspen Mountain

Details:  Have you ever heard of the NY city festival called the barbecue extravaganza?? Maybe you have, and if so, your mouth is most likely already salivating. If not, imagine an extraordinary array of BBQ delights from all of the best BBQ joints in the area, showing off their various sauces, secret recipes, and slow cooked recipes.  Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events and Blue Smoke have teamed up to provide you with the most mouth-watering spread of BBQ delights here in Aspen Colorado. The festival will feature some of the best BBQ masters from across the country in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Locals and visitors alike come to participate in the fantastic festival  that includes samples of BBQ delights, free music, seminars, demonstrations, and more!

Admission is free to this saucy event, so make sure to bring the whole family! You can indulge in the best BBQ around for only $8 per plate. Come out and enjoy the mountain sunshine and fantastic food at this extraordinary event!

Snowmass Balloon Festival

Where: Aspen, CO

When: Dawn until Dusk (see complete schedule below)

Details: When the beautiful illuminated hot air balloons take to the skies, it is truly a breathtaking and unforgettable spectacle. The event is one of the highest altitude balloon launching and races in the nation. The balloon festival provides plenty of fun for everyone including a kid’s zone, free concert, Saturday evening glow event, BBQ, and more.

The balloon event isn’t what you would expect in that everyone is invited to help inflate and then ride the balloons. Balloon riders are treated to a one in a lifetime 360 degree view of the Town of Aspen and the surrounding mountain range. The Snowmass Balloon Festival features several events that occur during different times of the day.

Schedule:

Friday, September 17

• 6:30am Balloons Inflate
  • Sunrise launching
  • 6:50am Rat Race Event
    • The Downtown Distance Race
    • 6:30pm Winemakers Dinner

Saturday, September 18

• 7:00-9:00am Brother’s Grille
  • Light breakfast is available for purchase
  • 7:30-8:00am Balloons Inflate
  • 8:00-9:30am Dawn Quixote Event
    • Kid’s Elevation Station
    • 12:00-12:30pm Champaign Tasting in the Snowmass Village Mall
    • 12:30-4:30pm Snowmass Wine Festival in the Snowmass Village Mall
      • 70 wineries
      • Silent auction
      • Free food and live music
      • 6:00pm Brothers Grille BBQ, Concert, Balloon Night Glows

Sunday, September 19

• 7:00-9:00am Brothers Grille
  • Light Breakfast: available for purchase
  • 7:30-8:00am Balloons Inflate
  • 8:00-9:30 Target Tubing Event
    • Kids elevation stations
    • 10:00am 34^th Awards Ceremony

Tonight is the first performance of the 2010 Vail International Dance Festival, debuting with world-renowned performer Savion Glover along with legendary jazz musician Eddie Palmieri.  This will be Glover’s second consecutive trip to the Vail International Dance Festival, as he performed back-to-back last year.  He is a well decorated tap dancer that can please a crowd regardless of age.  His influences date back to the Vaudeville tap era and range to recent hip-hop.

He has starred on the big screen as well as on Broadway, alongside legends such as Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr.  In fact, Gregory Hines coined Savion Glover to be “the greatest tap dancer that ever lived.”  Many may know his work in the Oscar award-winning animated film “Happy Feet”, where he was co-choreographer for the character Mumble.  Last year he managed to sell out both shows; and certainly it will happen again.

Tickets are $17 for lawn seating, $55-$75 for reserved seats, and $10 for children.  This is a great substitute for the usual Tuesday Hot Summer Nights Series.  For more information about upcoming events and lodging in the Vail Valley, please visit our website at rockymountainvacationrentals.com, or by phone at (970)477-1777.

Are you ready to spend your Labor Day Weekend watching movies made by some of the best directors in the world? You are? Okay good, because the 37^th Annual Telluride Film Festival is back again for the September 3- 6 weekend to provide Telluride locals and guests from all over the world a one of a kind film experience. Though this film festival doesn’t announce the program until you land in the mountain town, it still brings in an astounding amount of dedicated fans who attend every year.

This highly celebrated festival highlights films of the past, present, and future from nations all across the world. Not only do they have films showing the entire weekend, but they also have seminars, conversations with film directors and producers, a Labor Day picnic, book & film signing and much more. More than 30 programs will be featured in nine different venues during the festival.

There are five main passes to choose from which offers various admissions to the films. To learn more about the different passes, visit their website here. If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer for the festival visit their volunteer page.

To learn more about the Telluride Film Festival as a whole, visit their website at http://www.telluridefilmfestival.org.

See you at the movies!

If you are still looking for lodging information, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals by visiting their website here or calling at 1-888-866-2305.

The time has come to drink and be merry! Steamboat’s annual Martini Fest is weeks away. On August 13, Thunderhead Reds bar, located on top of the Steamboat gondola, will set up 4 martini stations with appetizers, live music and prizes. Guests will be sipping drinks at the top of the mountain with front row seats to a spectacular sunset. The festivities begin at 6 p.m.

Tickets cost $25 and include the gondola ride, tax and gratuity, one full size martini and a wide selection of tapas. The food will be great, the drinks strong and the company fun. So if you’re a fan of martinis, be sure to make it to Steamboat for this once-a-year festival. Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals can take care of your booking and give great advice on other things to do in the area. There’s only one question left to ask yourself: would you like it shaken or stirred?

Summer is halfway through and that means there is only one more month left to take a yoga class in Vail’s beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.  Classes are offered Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and are taught by experienced yoga instructor Maria DeSimone.  All abilities are welcome, but be sure to bring a yoga mat or towel, a bottle of water, and loose fitting yoga attire.  Classes are held at the Alpine Plaza at the base of the waterfall, so participants are able to enjoy magnificent views of the Gore Range, unless they’re in Downward Dog, that is.  The last day of class will be Friday, September 3^rd.

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is located at 8,250 feet above sea level, making it the highest botanical garden in the United States.  Access to the gardens is free and there are many youth and adult educational programs offered throughout the summer.  So come find your inner sensei and do yoga at altitude—you might find your highest higher power yet!

For more information on the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens or to book your vacation in the Vail Valley, please contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305. Yogis and non-yogis welcome!

Snowmass Village Free Summer Concerts

When: 6:15-8:30pm

Where: The end of Snowmass Village Mall

Details: Spend time with friends and family while enjoying a free concert every Thursday night in the Snowmass village. The concerts start at 6:15pm and last until 8:30pm. Attendees are not allowed to bring in any alcoholic beverages from outside, however beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks will be available for purchase inside the concert gates. Make sure to bring a blanket or fold out chair, as seating is only available on the lawn. It is a great way to spend time with the family while enjoying fresh mountain air and fantastic live performances.

About The United States: This is a 90′s alternative group that is an early example of experimental rock and psychedelic band. The band came together in 1967 but has re joined to promote thier newest album and classic sound.

Snowmass Village Free Summer Concerts

When: 6:15-8:30pm

Where: The end of Snowmass Village Mall

Details: Spend time with friends and family while enjoying a free concert every Thursday night in the Snowmass village. The concerts start at 6:15pm and last until 8:30pm. Attendees are not allowed to bring in any alcoholic beverages from outside, however beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks will be available for purchase inside the concert gates. Make sure to bring a blanket or fold out chair, as seating is only available on the lawn. It is a great way to spend time with the family while enjoying fresh mountain air and fantastic live performances.

About the Holmes Brothers: Famous for thier sound that is best described as a fusion of  soul, gospel, blues, and country. This group has been praised by the NY Times as “Timeless, deeply soulful and uplifting gospel drenched blues, street corner doo-wop, ballads, R&B, country and funk.”

A trend is on the rise, the trend of fractional ownership. People are increasingly buying their second homes through fractional ownership, realizing the high benefits that come at a low cost. Fractional ownership is the share of an expensive asset (yacht, sports car, aircraft, etc), in this case a property. The property is owned and shared by several individuals who are allotted specific time periods for use. This is very popular with expensive vacation properties and resorts. Fractional ownership allows people to enjoy a beautiful, elegant vacation home in a premier location at a fraction of the price of full ownership. By participating in fractional ownership, the individual gives up the exclusive use and freedoms that come with whole ownership, but he is also minimizing costs and risks.

Fractionals present an ideal opportunity for a family or group of friends to join their resources together and afford something they wouldn’t otherwise have been able to. In most cases, a third party or management company takes care of the property’s upkeep, utilities, taxes and insurance. All the owners have to do is pay a monthly fee.  The key to the success of Fractionals is their management.

Fractionals may sound like timeshares, but they are very different. Unlike timeshares, with Fractionals there is a deed involved (it’s just split up into shares), and the individual actually owns a part of the asset. This share can be passed down in a will or it can be sold. The deed of a fractional property is usually divided into fourths, eights or thirteenths.

To find out more about fractional ownership and properties available in the Rocky Mountains, contact Rocky Mountain Luxury Properties.

Episode II

Welcome to the weekly blog that reports my adventures throughout the general area of the Vail Valley.  I am recently new to the Vail Valley and have a passion for exploring all the beautiful nature around me while also informing anyone planning to visit the Valley or current locals on the incredible activities the Valley has to offer.  Every week I plan on going somewhere remote to experience the Rocky Mountains by participating in the acts of hiking, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, tubing, cliff diving, and whatever else I can think of.  During these activities I will be observing the nature around me with my camera to produce breathtaking photos and informative videos if possible.

This week I will portray one of my first adventures I attempted when I arrived to the Valley.  Around my second day moving to Avon, I woke up early and walked out the door, not exactly sure where I was headed but ready for anything.  I had my hydration pack, hiking shoes, a rain jacket, and my Honda Ruckus ready to find me an adventure.  I headed towards HWY 6 east and kept going for awhile until it turned into HWY 24.  This road goes right through a quaint little town named Minturn.  Soon after passing the main area of Minturn, I turned right into what seemed to be a park, a nice dirt road that leads to some baseball fields.  Behind the baseball fields was nature and plenty of it, a nice river running down parallel to a hiking trail that I took for about a mile or so.  There is a dam to the river in this area, which would probably be a delightful place to do some fishing.  This area seemed to be used for lumber purposes since there was a lot of man made construction, so I left, thinking I wasn’t allowed in the area. But there is a trail there and seems to be public land.

I kept following HWY 24 for a while, enjoying the scenic route heading towards Red Cliff.  This road runs parallel to a surreal river for some time before it starts to incline into a few bends.  After the second bend there is a spot to pull over on the left and a yellow stair case on your right.  This stair case intrigued me so climbing I went.  After the staircase there is no trail to follow so I made my own.  After climbing a few of the rocks that I was capable of climbing I decided to turn back because the rocks were very fragile and broke into red dirt, which was not very comfortable as the dirt filled my shoes.  Coming down was a very difficult descent and was not fun at all.  I finally made it down got back on my scooter, headed towards the river, and washed my shoes out as I watch red sand float into the river.

Climbing the random staircase on Hwy 24 was not one of my best ideas. I should have explored more of the park in Minturn.  I would not recommend the staircase to anyone for a few simple reasons; there is no actual trail, very fragile rocks, and overall not worth the hassle.  The park in Minturn is a nice, easy hike that would be ideal for a family or romantic occasion.  Please be properly prepared before venturing into the wilderness for your safety and my peace of mind.  If you are planning on visiting the Vail area make sure to book your trip through Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, your friendly, knowledgeable locals. Call us at 1-888-866-2305.

Snowmass Village Free Summer Concerts

When: 6:15-8:30pm

Where: The end of Snowmass Village Mall

Details: Spend time with friends and family while enjoying a free concert every Thursday night in the Snowmass village. The concerts start at 6:15pm and last until 8:30pm. Attendees are not allowed to bring in any alcoholic beverages from outside, however beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks will be available for purchase inside the concert gates. Make sure to bring a blanket or fold out chair, as seating is only available on the lawn. It is a great way to spend time with the family while enjoying fresh mountain air and fantastic live performances.

About Tab Benoit: He is regarded as the break out roots artist of the decade. His unique sound infultrated radio waves and helped him achieve a great deal of success. He has recorded albums with superstars including The Dave Matthews Band, Spin Doctors, and Blues Travelers.