If you are familiar with mountain towns, you are aware that most suffer with some seasonality issues. The winters are awesome and often fly by way to fast, and as the quote goes “We come for the winter and stay for the summer“. Thus, summer is equally as awesome as winter and we just have to find something to do for those dreaded months of May and October. Luckily, May is typically very nice weather and the leaves start to change in October and it is quite beautiful. But back to the point…

 

Summer is equally as awesome as winter. May is half way over, and summer will officially begin in the mountains on Memorial Day Weekend. Be sure to come out early for the best rafting conditions, or wait until August to escape the heat around the country. Whenever you decide to come this summer, be sure to take notice of these Local’s Tips about mountain living:

 

1)      Wear sunscreen – It doesn’t matter what time of year, always wear sunscreen. In high altitude you get an additional 8 to 10 percent increase in sun exposure for every thousand feet at elevation you climb.  This is because there is less atmospheres to absorb the sun’s damaging rays the higher in elevation you go.

 

2)      Planning on rafting this summer?  98% of Colorado is currently in a drought.  That means rafting season is going to be short and sweet!  Unlike winters with heavy snowfall, last year was a doozie, which means less snow run off and a short window to get some good turns out in the river.  We recommend The Adventure Company’s full moon rafting trip they offer!

3)      Hiking?  I hope so! Typically in the summer you can expect afternoon thunderstorms, so start your hike early so that you are finished by 3:00pm before the storms roll in.

 

4)      Rent a bicycle.  With so much to see amidst beautiful weather, renting a bicycle is the best way to make the most of your stay in the mountains.  Local outfitters offer bicycle tours, rentals mountain biking adventures and all sorts of other ideas to explore via bicycle.  Talk to a local Destination Specialist today so we can recommend a reputable company to rent from or take a tour with.

 

5)      Take a ride on the Gondola!  Take a ride up the Gondola during the summer to see your favorite destinations from a bird’s eye view.  Depending on the resort you can play Frisbee golf, hike, mountain bike, go on a picnic and whatever else your heart desires.  It’s always fun to see how your favorite ski runs transform during the summer months.

 

5.5) Many mountain towns have a frisbee golf, or disc golf course at the top of the mountain. While taking a scenic trip on the Gondola has the same views, taking part in a game of disc golf seals the deal.

 

Be sure to contact one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® if you plan on visiting this summer to any of our destinations, and we can’t wait to hear from you!

 

Summer is our favorite time to be in the Colorado Rockies.  Call a local Destination Specialist at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals today to find out the scope on lodging and activities during your stay!

Skier Slang  – Ski Terminology – Ski definitions

When you’re from out of town and up on the mountain, you may hear some terms get thrown around that sound a bit foreign. This ski term dictionary will help you get familiar with the terms before you visit. Keep in mind that these definitions were crafted based on the opinion of one, slightly biased person and are meant to be taken with a grain of sarcasm. Enjoy!

• Gaper day— A group ski day noted by skiers sporting unique, tightly fitted neon styles from head to toe.  The most popular style is a onesie, brought together by fanny packs and boom boxes bumping hits from the 80′s, which is often times very distracting to others on the mountain.

• Ducking the rope— Frowned upon at ski resorts, ducking the rope is often referred to a risk skiers take to find untracked terrain and powder stashes when going outside of ski resort area boundaries.  Ducking the rope can cause one to lose their skiing privileges by getting their pass clipped, getting lost, or even gettin caught in an avalanche. My advice is to stay inside the ropes, because once you’ve crossed over, you are no longer in the safe zone…
• Getting Your Pass “Clipped”— This refers to getting your pass removed by ski patrol and possibly resulting in fines and penalties. This happens when you duck the ropes or hesitate to follow all rules laid out by the ski resort.

• Après ski— Meaning “after ski” in French, après ski is typically a time between 3-6 pm when skiers enjoy drinks, food and live music at local bars and restaurants. Après ski is like a little reward for your body’s hard work on the mountain that day (or at least that’s what I like to tell myself).

•  The Beav’ — Also known as Beaver Creek, locals call it The Beav’ because it mainly just sounds cooler.

• Breckenfridge— The term Breckenfridge or “The Fridge” refers to Breckenridge, which is often cold and windy, so be sure to dress warm!

• Ski-in/ski-out—A property advertised as ski-in/ski-out means that somewhere on your property you can ski into the ski run, down to the chair-lift, and ski back into your property at the end of the day without having to hassle with taking a shuttle or walking to the runs. Ski-in/ski-out gives one “baller status”.

• Ski-in/Ski-out Access— Often confused with ski-in/ski-out, ski-in/ski-out access means that you have to WALK to the run, strap in and then you can ski.  It is likely that you’ll have to ski to the same place where you strapped in at the beginning of the day, unstrap, and then walk back to your rental property.  Ski-in/ski-out access means you will be WALKING, however it is typically a 100 yards or less; which most people can handle.

• Shredding the Gnar— Although loosely used, shredding the gnar simply means- own it.  The word “gnar” is used to make something gnarly or cool.  It could be the terrain, the powder, the surf; but whatever, “Just shred the gnar, dude!”

• Pow Day – The BEST mornings are Pow Mornings. This is when you wake up to tons of fresh snow (8+ inches) and get out of bed super fast so that you can get first chair up the mountain! On a Pow Day, everyone is getting fresh tracks, surfing through the snow, and loving every minute of it. There’s nothing like an epic Pow Day. Nothing.

• First Chair— Getting first chair is a highly held honor on the mountain. This means you are the first one in line at the lift, the first one up the mountain, and the first one down. Everyone will look in envy as you cruise down the mountain below them for the first run of the day. This typically takes getting to the lift 30-45 minutes before the lift opens, and is highly valued on Pow Days.

• Dust on crust – This is a day when people get overly excited about a few fresh inches of snow (less than 5 inches).  They rush to get to the mountain, but are quickly disappointed when they realize that the new snow only provides a dusty cover to the ice crunching beneath them. Dust on crust is not a favorable condition, and often gets tracked out fast.

• Liftie – The friendly person making sure you get on and off the chair lift, and the one who stops the lift when you are less than successful…  Liftie’s often have the reputation of being uneducated ski bums, but in reality they just LOVE to ski and make that a priority in their life.

If I were going through a check list of everything that I think it important when choosing lodging for a ski vacation, the Capitol Peak Lodge in Snowmass would fill the list with check marks.  Located in the new Base Village of Snowmass, Capitol Peak Lodge is a ski-in/ski-out condominium property, providing  immediate access to Snowmass Resort’s 3,132 acres of skiable terrain.  With that large of a mountain to cover in a day, it’s important for me to be right there on the slopes.  I’d rather pay a little bit more for a ski-in/ski-out location, because on my annual ski vacation things like figuring out bus schedules and lugging my skis around is not something that interests me.  Who wants to carry their skis to the slopes when you could be skiing on them right out the door? …Ski-in/ski-out is the way to go.

At the Capitol Peak Lodge everything in the studio, one, two, and three bedroom condos is state-of-the-art.  Each rental features an HD flat screen TV and DVD player, Ipod docking station, gas fireplace and full kitchen, featuring the latest modern appliances.   While at Capitol Peak Lodge I can ski a few runs until I’m tired, and then ski back to my condo to cook a hearty meal for lunch before I head back on the mountain. I actually start to feel sorry for those stuck in the lodge spending $12+ on a burger, drinking $6 PBRs, when I’m chilling on the couch in my room, sitting by the fireplace on my lunch break.  At the end of the day I’ll typically take advantage of Capitol Peak Guests’ complimentary access to the Snowmass Club, a 19,000 square foot state of the art athletic club.  Swimming laps or soaking in the hot tub does a sore body some good after a day on the mountain, and when I really feel like pulling out all the stops I’ll relax with one of their many services offered at the spa.

Other amenities I enjoy while staying at Capitol Peak Lodge are the valet, daily housekeeping service, underground parking and complimentary Aspen Airport transportation–they really take care of you here.  Next time you’re looking for lodging in Snowmass, Colorado, I highly recommend checking out the Capitol Peak Lodge.

Find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized summer or winter vacation to Snowmass or any of our fun-filled destinations.

I have lived in Vail, Colorado for 3 months now, but the time is coming for me to leave and go back home to Denmark. I came to Colorado to work for Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals as an Intern in September 2011, not knowing what to expect regarding the company or the community. But I have no doubt that I made the right decision moving here.

 

During my internship at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, I did not only learn about the American working culture, but also about the Mountain town working culture. I have come to enjoy the culture very much—it makes work something to look forward to every morning. The fun coworkers, challenging work tasks and heartwarming office dogs welcome me each day when I arrive to work, always giving me a great start to the day. At Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals everyone works hard but plays harder. During lunch breaks employees are hitting the slopes, going to yoga or hiking in the surrounding mountains. I am going to miss my coworkers and new friends at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, so to all of them “be well, do good work and keep in touch”.

 

For my last weekend in Vail I wanted to do something fun, so I participated in a classic ski resort tradition (just a few months early). Dressing up in a costume on the mountain for closing day is an old tradition, but I did it here for my last weekend and it was hilarious. My costume was a blight yellow chicken costume with a head piece on top of my ski helmet and orange feet taped to my ski boots.

That same day I had a friend visiting from Denver who had never skied before, so we stayed on the beginner slopes while I was teaching her how to stop and how to turn. The beginner slope we rode was up by Adventure Ridge in Lionshead at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. At adventure ridge there was a ski school filled with kids, so half of the day I was doing the Chicken Dance with a bunch of laughing kids. I did not know the Chicken Dance before that day, but every time people saw me, they started singing and doing the Chicken Dance.

 

The chicken outfit brought more laughs later on when I was riding up the lift. I was riding over a beginner slope when a young skier began the run with his ski instructor. The boy tripped and fell down into the snow on his back, gazing up into the sky. Just as he fell, my chair was going over him and he shouted “there is a chicken!” The concerned instructor replied “are you okay, did you hurt your head?” The boy then responded “no, there really is a chicken!” as he pointed up at me. Then we shared a quick laugh as I continued up the mountain.

 

After a long day of practicing with my friend, we skied down the whole mountain. It was a long trip for her but she was very proud when she got to the end, and I was a proud and tired teacher. The next day I called my father in Denmark to thank him for all his help and patience teaching me how to ski when I was a kid. Being a teacher for a day helped me realize how technical skiing is and that it is a much harder job than I thought.

 

Another really fun activity I did in during my last week was tubing at Adventure Ridge by the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. Tubing is where you sit or lay on top of a big rubber ring filled with air and then ride down a snow track as fast as possible. The ride makes your whole body tickle and it is a thrill that I want to experience over and over again.

My stay in Vail has been a wonderful experience and I can’t wait to come back and visit sometime!

 

Find out how Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals and their team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^®  can help you plan your customized summer or winter vacation in any of their fun-filled destinations.

You could say I’m addicted to traveling. I’ve traveled to many places around the world, and can say that my most memorable travel experiences have been those either spent with a local or created due to a locals’ advice. Most will agree that planning a vacation to a new place can be overwhelming, especially when making decisions on where to stay, what activities to do and what companies to use. These important decisions are typically driven by guide books and the internet, leaving travelers wondering whether they made the right decisions or not.
That is why Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals fits so well into a unique niche in vacation planning. Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.® is not only our tagline, it’s exactly what people get when they call any of our offices in the Colorado Rockies. Whether you call Telluride, Aspen, Vail or Breckenridge, the person who answers the phone is local to the area they love to call home and takes pride in helping you plan your perfect mountain vacation.

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals’ staff is a group of mountain enthusiasts who (in the winter) arrive to work early and stay late in order to catch fresh powder lines during the day. We can suggest a lodging property because we’ve seen it, recommend epic ski runs because we’ve skied them, and we will be here during your vacation to answer any questions you may have. No one else in the industry possesses the passion and product knowledge that we do and it clearly shows in our guests’ experiences.  We want people to leave with such an amazing feeling about their vacation that they are already thinking about coming back again.
It’s easy to find out what’s “touristy” in town.  However, it often takes time to search around for the best runs on the mountain or the best après ski cocktail in town. These things require local advice. Lucky for you, our destination specialists enjoy helping vacationers find out what to do and where to stay to better suit their vacation experience. We love where we live and take pride in the service we provide our guests. So plan your next ski vacation with one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.® and you’ll never want to do it any other way.

 

Ski-in/ski-out properties in Breckenridge, Colorado are some of the most desired ski vacation properties in the nation. Breckenridge is a unique town where a property can have great ski-in/ski-out access and still be walking distance or a short gondola ride away from the center of the town.

The town of Breckenridge is fabulous. It has a plenty of restaurants and shops to keep everyone happy while maintaining that unique small mountain town feel. So check out these ski-in/ski-out properties, and don’t hesitate to call us today to check availability and plan your winter ski vacation!

1. Blue Sky Breckenridge (Between Peak 8 and Peak 9)
   Blue Sky Breckenridge is a luxurious property that is a great place to stay for families and couples alike. They have 1-4 bedroom units available, each of which have a private balcony with great views of the Rockies. The property has 3 hot tubs and an outdoor pool, and if you don’t feel like taking the short walk to town, there is a complimentary shuttle that will take you around Breckenridge. The property also has a Charter Sports Shop in it, making it easy to rent and buy equipment for the mountain.
2. Grand Timber Lodge (Between Peak 8 and Peak 9)
   The Grand Timber Lodge has a perfect ski-in/ski-out location sure to make your vacation as convenient as possible. Access to both Peaks 8 and 9 are right outside the door, so you can explore a variety of terrain right from the start. There is an on-site restaurant in the lodge, perfect for stops during the day or for a nice dinner. The lodge has 2 pools and 6 hot-tubs. What more can you ask for?
3. Saddlewood Townhomes (Between Peak 8 and Peak 9)
   The Saddlewood Townhomes are located on the Snowflake run, privately tucked into the pines just off of the run. The secluded townhomes have a garage and private hot tub, along with a full kitchen and fireplace. These townhomes are a great alternative to condos or hotels, giving guests privacy while keeping great ski-in/ski-out access.
4. Crystal Peak Lodge (Peak 7)
   This luxurious property is located at the base of Peak 7, offering a little different ski-in/ski-out terrain than the first 3 properties. Peak 7 can be accessed by the gondola, but there is also a shuttle available to take you down to Main St. Sevens restaurant is located at the base of the lodge, and has great apres. 1 to 4 bedroom units are available, so dont hesitate to travel with a group or bring the whole family.
5. One Ski Hill Place (Peak 8 )
   And of course, I saved my favorite for last. One Ski Hill Place is a new lodge located at the base of Peak 8, 50 feet from Breckenridge’s main lifts. The property has rooms that look straight out onto the mountain, so you can relax on the deck and watch people skiing down or brainstorm about where your next run will be. The spa on the lower level is fantastic, with hot tubs, pools and saunas sure to ease you muscles and mind at the end of the day. It really doesn’t get more convenient than this, as the gondola to town is located on the main deck outside the lodge. There is also a bar and restaurant downstairs, great for apres or a break during the day.

If you are unfamiliar with which peak is which, look no further.

As this year is Breckenridge’s 50th anniversary, there is not a better time to visit. And if you didn’t see a property that appeals to you, search our entire lodging inventory to find the place that is right for you.

Find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized summer or winter vacation in any of our fun-filled destinations.

Timing
Learn to love the “unpopular” months to ski!  You can save mucho dinero by traveling the weeks after New Years and before President’s Day Weekend while getting the same great snow. It’s known that with holidays come crowded runs, lengthy lift lines and tracked out snow conditions. Think ahead, or just follow the powder report and I promise you’ll be happy.

Plan Your Shred Scope
Colorado is ski resort heaven! It hardly makes sense to fly all the way out here and be limited to skiing at just one resort. Each resort offers completely unique features and terrain and the same goes for the towns that surround them. If you are an experienced, confident driver in the snow, then what’s stopping you from renting a car for a day or two? Only 4-wheel or all-wheel drives will do—don’t forget you’re going to need room to stash all your gear. Before you rent a car, check with your lodging property to see what kind of parking they offer. Otherwise you’re going to end up paying $25 a day for parking. If this is the case, it might be smarter to hire a shuttle or take Public Transit to get you from point A to point B.

Purchase Travel Insurance
I cannot recommend travel insurance enough if you’re planning on taking a ski vacation this winter. Flying into Denver or other regional airports in Colorado during the winter is never a guarantee. We’ve had guests end up missing their whole trip due to inclement weather. That’s thousands of dollars lost in booked lodging, life tickets, and transportation. Talk to our Destination Specialist about adding CSA Travel Insurance to protect your vacation and your pocketbook. If anything does go wrong, CSA acts as your personal travel agent to get you back on track.

HYDRATE!!
The most important tip for any traveler is HYDARATION. Altitude sickness is a quick way to ruin a vacation and an all too common occurrence for travelers in the high Rockies. Avoid it—drink more water than you think you should before you arrive and during your trip.  Camelbacks are a lifesaver on the ski hill! I should also mention that alcohol hits your blood stream much quicker and harder at high altitudes. You’ll likely feel tipsy after just one beer, hinting that you need to drink more water and possibly slow down your drinking; hangovers are a sure bet to keep you from getting first chair the next morning!

Find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^®can help you plan your customized summer or winter vacation in any of our fun-filled destinations.

Still amped up on the Winter X Games? Want a chance to compete on the famed X Games slopestyle and superpipe courses? Or maybe you just want another chance to see hundreds of athletes battle it out for Slopestyle and Superpipe victory. If so, get ready for the Aspen/Snowmass Ski & Snowboard Open at Buttermilk, February 10-13, 2011!

The Aspen/Snowmass Open Presented by Skullcandy has become one of the hottest open competitions around. Held at Buttermilk, this competition offers the unique and exciting opportunity for riders to throw down on the famous Winter X Games course and compete for over $50,000 in prize money. Now in its 6th year, the Open is expected to draw a total of 350 men and women skiers and snowboarders to compete in both Slopestyle and Superpipe for a chance at prize money and glory on the famed Buttermilk venues.

EVENT SCHEDULE (Subject to Change)
Tuesday and Wednesday, February 8 – 9, 2011
Training (SS and SP course open to credentialed competitors only)

Thursday, February 10, 2011
Snowboard Superpipe (men) – Qualifying
Ski Slopestyle (men) – Qualifying

Friday, February 11, 2011
Snowboard Superpipe (women) – Qualifying
Snowboard Superpipe (men and women) – Finals
Ski Slopestyle (women) – Qualifying
Ski Slopestyle (men and women) – Finals
Snowboard Slopestyle (men and women) – Practice after Finals
Ski Superpipe (men and women) – Practice after Finals

Saturday, February 12, 2011
Snowboard Slopestyle (men) – Qualifying
Ski Superpipe (men) – Qualifying

Sunday, February 13, 2011
Snowboard Slopestyle (women) – Qualifying
Snowboard Slopestyle (men and women) – Finals
Ski Superpipe (women) – Qualifying
Ski Superpipe (men and women) – Finals

So whether you are looking to compete or spectate at this exciting event, let your friendly, knowledgeable, locals at Rocky Moutain Vacation Rentals take care of all your lodging needs.

Being someone who has spent numerous years in the service/retail industry, I’ve developed a great appreciation for service with a smile. As a new snowboarder, I knew I was going to be doing some serious shopping for new snow gear. Not totally familiar with the area, I was directed to a sporting goods store called Venture Sports. At Venture Sports in Avon, they truly embody what it means to value excellent customer service.

As soon as I entered, I was warmly welcomed and asked if I needed assistance with anything. I was in the market for some new gloves and a helmet, but I decided to take some time to myself just to browse and see what else they had to offer. I quickly realized that I had no idea what I was looking at so I asked for some assistance. Though there were other guests in the store, they were never too busy to answer a quick question about recommended gloves or share their specials and sales with me.

Overall, I walked out of the store with a new pair of quality gloves and a solid new helmet. I was ready to get out on the mountain. Before leaving, I took some extra time to browse and I noticed some sick looking bikes mounted to their ceiling. During the summer they become a full service bike shop, tune shop, and tour operator. Covering cycling from very high-end road and mountain bikes to base model serious bikes. If you aren’t sure about your purchase, they feature try before you buy. What more can you ask? Venture Sports is truly a one stop shop where you develop a trusting and lasting relationship as well as superior customer service.

Elevation – It’s always been a love/hate relationship with me.  While it provides us with beautiful mountains and snowfall, it also causes us to feel out of shape, ill, and at times discouraged.  The most amazing mountains in Colorado are perched 8,000 feet above sea level, which means that the air is “thinner” and your body can’t get as much oxygen as it would at lower elevations.  This decrease in air pressure also means that water vapor from your lungs is lost at a much faster rate.  These factors combined can easily lead to altitude sickness; a nasty combination of nausea, headaches, insomnia and shortness of breath with the potential to ruin your Ski Vacation.

Take action to prevent high-altitude illness.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The best thing you can do for your body is drink three times as much water as you normally would.
• Acclimate. Your body adjusts gradually to changes in elevation over several days.  We suggest spending a night in Denver (5280 ft) to allow your body to start adjusting.  Folks that live at sea-level might need more time to make the transition.
• Eat carbohydrate-rich foods. Carbohydrates help your body transport oxygen through your bloodstream, so limiting your fat and salt intake only helps this process!

What to do if you get altitude sickness?

The best way to treat altitude sickness is to simply go down to a lower altitude.  If symptoms are severe enough, descend as much as 1,500 to 2,000 feet lower.  Ask your doctor about acetazolamide, which will help transport oxygen more efficiently through your body.  Or opt for the more natural route and use lemon soda and ginger, and ginkgo biloba, to help ease the symptoms.

Types of High-altitude sickness:

1)      Acute Mountain Sickness

2)      High-altitude pulmonary edema (also called HAPE), affects the lungs.

3)      High-altitude cerebral edema (also called HACE), affects the brain.

Do yourself a favor, prepare your body for your next ski vacation and avoid falling victim to altitude sickness.  To your health!

I have been living in Colorado over twenty years now and there is a certain system of rules I like to live by in the winter.  My rules are in the list provided below:

1. Layers- Dress in layers, especially on the slopes.  I like to use at least three and undress if I am hot.  It is better to be too hot than too cold.  Two words: Long Underwear.
2. Vitamins- Take your daily vitamins because people tend to get sick in the winter.  Keep your immune system strong.  I prefer the Flintstones chewables.
3. Car Pooling- When driving some distance to embark on powdered-filled mountains, it is safer to have at least one more person on the trip with you, just in case.  It is better to be stranded somewhere with a friend rather than by your lonesome.
4. Beware of Ice- This pertains to the ground obviously and ice crystals above the front door.  For the ground, make sure to shovel and apply ice melting salt to your walkway.  For the ice above us, it is very simple: just slam the door before you exit and the loose ones will fall.  It’s never fun to get hit by heavy ice on your way out of the house!
5. Keep your feet dry- Make sure you have warm socks and plenty of them.  Boots provide peace of mind during the harsh winter weather when you know you are safe and warm. It is very important to have dry feet to allow the rest of your body to keep warm, especially when on the slopes.
6. Music- Music and skiing are two peas in a pod.  I like to have a playlist made for my days on the slopes so I am ready to go and am not selecting music while trying to ride.
7. Food- I always bring food with me when I am on the slopes to keep energy in me and to satisfy hunger pains.  I like to bring spicy peanuts, 2 for $1 at any gas station.  Sandwiches are always great as well; I find tuna is the easiest to travel with. It is hard to eat a square meal on the slopes and meals can get expensive at the resort, so wait until you get home.  Soups and chili are always a good idea in the winter.
8. Liquid- Water, Water, Water!  Staying hydrated is very important when on the slopes.  I tried to bring my camalbak with me a few times, but the water usually freezes, so I use it for other liquids now.  If you don’t want to carry a water bottle in those big pockets, make sure to hit the water fountains!
9. Getting Warm- It is always nice to know how you’re going to warm yourself, so have a plan in mind to keep yourself at ease.  Some ways are having a fire ready to go, dry clothes ready, a hot shower, hot tub if lucky enough, or anything else you can think of.  A roaring fire with a peppermint patty in my hands is my favorite way of warming up.
10. Après-Ski- This is a must after a hard day on the slopes to enjoy a delicious drink, mingle, unwind, and relax.

So when planning on visiting the Rockies, or if it’s your backyard, you may want to follow a rule or two and have a great winter.  Remember to book your trip through Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

If there are any rules you like to live by during the winter, please add them in the comments.

The snow is here in Vail and that can help me (as well as everyone else in the office) get excited about riding at all the resorts we are so lucky to live amidst. However, one thing I am so excited about this year which I have always wanted to do but have never done is a ski hut trip in the Rockies. The 10^th Mountain Division Hut Association in Colorado has over 29 backcountry huts all throughout the Rockies which are connected by 350 miles of suggested routes for backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking. I personally will be using them for backcountry skiing and trying to access places in the mountains not many people get to see. Lucky for you, you can do this too, and the best part is that even if we are out there in these huts at the same time, chances are we won’t see each other or track out each other’s lines because there is so much terrain to ride that there is more than enough for everyone. Huts range from 3 beds to 20 beds and come equipped with wood burning stoves for heating and cooking, photovoltaic lighting, cooking and eating utensils, toilet paper, mattresses, pillows, and decks for those warm spring days.

Hut trips are a great break from the luxury living style here in Vail, but I know we all love Vail for its amenities and services that you can’t get anywhere else. So when planning around your hut trip for your next vacation here to the Vail Valley, be sure to call us at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305 so we can help you get the most out of what Vail has to offer.

The season is in effect! We have decided to not only provide you with one playlist for riding, but a top ten every week! So, gear up and load your iPod with the best tunes to jam out to on the slopes! Feel free to reach out to us with YOUR favorites as well! ENJOY!

1. “19 2000” – Gorillaz
2. “Daylight” – Matt & Kim
3. “In the Waiting Line” – Zero 7
4. “Lisztomania” – Phoenix
5. “The Instrumental” – Lupe Fiasco
6. “Midnight Voyage” — Ghostland Observatory
7. “I Own America, Part 2” – Slick Rick
8. “Epic Holiday” – Angels & Airwaves
9. “Cinderella Man” – Eminem
10. “Hey Ma” – Cam’Ron

Most ski destinations experience an “off-season” twice a year in the months of May and October.  This is the time when locals choose to escape for an extended vacation, while lodging properties sit close to empty awaiting the season ahead.

As much as I love traveling, the off-season is an awesome time to live in the Rocky Mountains.  There are plenty of times in life when it’s hard to find an “escape.”  Vacations are thought to be that much needed escape, but rather often turn into a stressful experience that leaves you exhausted and your bank account hurting.  Take a vacation to your favorite ski destination in the off-season and you will find it easier to relax and much cheaper!

In the past month I’ve been fortunate to journey to the destinations of Aspen, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek.  Walk down Main Street or explore the villages of these towns right now and you’re pretty much the only person around.  It’s refreshing  to look around and notice that you have a place to yourself that is at other times of the year so busy with tourists you feel the need to get out.   I almost question why these months are considered to be the “off season” when the weather is just as lovely and sunny as ever and you have the freedom to do just about whatever you like without fighting the crowds.

Not to mention the off season specials the restaurants and shops offer.  In the off season the best restaurants around offer killer specials to get people in the door spending money.  In Vail, for example, Montauk and Billy’s Island Grill, two of Vail’s finest seafood restaurants are offering 50% off all entrees. Up the road in Beaver Creek, Toscanini is offering 30% off the entire check, while the Beaver Creek Chophouse is offering  a 3 course dinner special for just $33.00.  Step inside the ski shops and you’ll find last season’s gear at unbeatable prices.  Shopping and fine dining at half the cost – Thank you “off-season”.

Here is a playlist of our favorite tunes to jam out to while shredding the pow! We took a vote around the office and chose the best from there. So here you have it, Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals’ very own soundtrack to the perfect day out on the slopes!

1. “Half-Mast” – Empire of the Sun
2. “First Snow” – Emancipator
3. “Ooh La La” – Goldfrap
4. “Round the Wheel” – String Cheese Incident
5. “Time to Pretend” MGMT
6. “Instantly” – Sound Tribe Sector 9
7. “Colorado” – Railroad Earth
8. “Magic Spells” –Crystal Castles
9. “Rhinestone Eyes” – Gorillaz
10. Anything Miike Snow

Thanks for checking it out!

A Message to the American People: Don’t Stress

My fellow vacationers: you work hard year round. You provide for your family or work enough hours to make sure you are living the life you want. I know the economy is tough right now and the country seems like it’s bad and getting worse. But if we are all going to make it through the next few years, we need to make sure that we are pacing ourselves and not getting burnt out. We need to make this work ethic last. What we need to do now is get excited. We have a unique opportunity to work together as a country and pull ourselves back to the standards that we know Americans can achieve.

If it makes it any easier, healthcare reform has begun to kick-in to save you money (Just so we’re clear, healthcare reform will not cost the American public a dime until 2014 when more advanced regulation takes effect, and will actually save our economy money over the next decade).  We’re stressed, but equity markets are trending upwards. Jobs are being created by public programs and private sector companies alike. Those jobs are going to create a better, more technologically advanced infrastructure than we have ever seen if we do things right. So take comfort in that and don’t get too stressed out. And I know our political environment is as “interesting” as it has ever been, but remember that people elect politicians. Don’t ever forget that you, the people, are in control of this country.

Moreover, you are in control of your own life. You have the power to mitigate stress and to make yourself happy. Don’t get burnt out heading into the holiday season. Your country needs you now more than ever. I encourage each and every one of you to take some time to relax, take some time to feel again, take some time to enjoy your lives that you work so hard for. Take some time off, and come to the mountains and enjoy the fall and winter seasons that are upon us. These are the most beautiful times of the year for the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Telluride is in full swing with events from film festivals to concerts to outdoor markets. Breckenridge and Keystone are proudly displaying their eclectic spirit with that home town feel. Aspen and Snowmass are as interesting as they ever were, with the potential to spot Hollywood’s A-List at any moment and experience some of the most high end luxuries of mountain life. And, of course, Vail and Beaver Creek are constantly recognized for their world renowned beauty and splendor as some of the globe’s top resorts.

The leaves are falling, the sun shining, the air is crisp, and the people are friendly. No matter what happens today, that will still be true tomorrow. There is no reason to not treat yourselves to a little happiness, a little fun every now and then. It is your duty to your country to be happy and not stress about what you can’t control. So call up Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals today at 1-888-866-2305 and start planning your escape today. They’ll even take some of the excess stress away by setting you up with complimentary ski rentals and a concierge to care of all your needs.

This Saturday, a humble crew of my co-workers and I at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals drove up to Piney River Ranch, where we put on some work gloves and got our hands dirty!

The project was an effort to follow up with some work for a stream restoration project that Fish Biologist, Matt Grove, had initiated a year ago with White River National Forest. The site was along Piney River, right by the popular area Piney Lake, just north of Vail.

Last year, this particular part of the river was losing its pool depth for fish habitat and continued flow down the stream. Grove pointed out some of the work he had previously done – like moving some dead trees from the surrounding area into the stream to impact the water flow. He had devised a layout along this section of the river so that depth could be restored and provide fish with a habitat to survive. The follow-up work in willow planting along the riverbed is where RMVR came into play!

In order to build a sturdy wall to protect the river from flooding outward, our crew clipped branches from surrounding willow plants, created deep enough holes in the ground by hammering metal rods into the soil, and replaced the rods with stems of willow plants. (This is the best I can do at explaining it all.) By doing so, the willows can root themselves into the soil, continue to grow, and provide vegetation along the riverbed to protect the fragile pools that Grove previously worked to restore.

The site used to be a popular spot for campers – where the habitat was disturbed by erosion along the riverbed, trash was left behind, and dirt bike trails attracted foreign and abrasive sounds to pass through the area. Unfortunately, it’s too often that campers/bikers discover a beautiful place in the isolated wilderness, and fail to leave no trace behind. For tips on treading lightly through the woods, this website offers some useful advice.

The Piney River site where we were located no longer permits camping, which is great news for the rehabilitation of the river. In addition to willow planting, we planted seeds for grass in areas that were lacking vegetation, and covered these areas with straw to protect its growth. On our way out, we moved dead tree branches to a dirt bike trail in order to block access to the area. If you happen enjoy your dirt bike – watch out around Piney River. Fragile land is now being healed.

There are a lot of reasons to be environmentally conscious these days. In a beautiful place like Colorado, the visual aspects of this fragile and powerful environment can easily reinforce our reasons to respect the land. To read more on what Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is up to, stay posted on our website and check in with more RMVR news to come!

Sometimes it’s the spontaneous decisions that make for the best experiences.  Some say, “Fail to plan, plan to fail.”  But can you really plan an adventure?  Is it possible to plan fun?  Fun, adventure, and exploration are all things that seem to just happen, with little planning involved.  Okay, maybe you can plan a little; plan a date, plan a place, plan an activity, but that’s where it ends.  You can’t plan a precise itinerary: Leave at 2pm, fun at 3pm, adventure at 4pm…these are just the things that simply happen in life.  If you’re going to plan at all, plan to have fun, plan to have an adventure, plan to explore…and then do it.  Let it happen.  Make it happen.  Surround yourself with ambitious people and beautiful places, and you’ve created an equation that absolutely must end in fun, adventurous exploration.  No variables here.

This past weekend, two of my friends and I decided to go on a hike.  We didn’t have a destination in mind.  We didn’t have an itinerary planned.  We didn’t have any reason to go except the fact that it was yet another beautiful fall day in Vail, Colorado, and not being outside would be a disservice to not only ourselves, but nature in general.  After hopping in the car, we decided nearby Beaver Creek would be a perfect destination, and set out on an afternoon adventure.  When we went through the gates, we grabbed a trail map and continued up the mountain to the Beaver Creek Village parking garage.  We walked through the village and after a brief perusal of the map, decided to take Dally Trail.

As we walked up the trail, we passed vacant chairlifts at intervals, and each of us grew more and more excited with the thought of impending snow.  It was October 3^rd, 70 degrees out, and we were wearing shorts and t-shirts.  Snow should have been the furthest thing from our minds, but this is Colorado and snow is predicted for October 9^th.  I’ve seen the mountains change from lush green, to vibrant yellow, and now I’m awaiting and imagining a blanket of white, and the weatherman is telling me I won’t have to wait long.  Perfect.

It was a fun afternoon; we picked a semi-easy hike, and it only lasted a few hours, but not everybody everyday gets to loop through mountain trails as the wind blows the last yellow and orange Aspen leaves across your path.  It’s moments like that that make you thankful you’re alive.  It’s moments like that that are impossible to plan.

Are you pumped up for this year’s ski season, waiting for your winter vacation, but bummed out because you need new gear? Well if you book your vacation with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, we will take care of you!  Through October 15^th Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals will give you a gift card to Venture Sports, a Vail ski retailer, when you book your stay at any Rocky Mountain ski destination.   This gift card can be used towards new skis, a new board, or new gear–the perfect setup for your legendary winter vacation.  You can earn up to a $700 gift card; imagine your season with brand new equipment!  Click here for more details.

This coming Friday, October 1st, is looking to be an epic evening in Beaver Creek. Beaver Creek will be hosting a premiere for Matchstick Productions’ new film titled, “The Way I See It”. As always, the athletes over at Matchstick are stretching the limits by finding the deepest powder across the world and pulling off the gnarliest moves on the mountain. The film features phenomenal athletes such as Mark Abma, Sean Pettit, Eric Hjorleifson, Cody Townsend, and many more, including my favorite lady pow-shredder, Ingrid Backstrom.

Per usual for Matchstick Productions, this cinematic powder dream travels the world in order to track down the deepest, freshest snow possible, and shred it before anyone else gets to it. Deep powder, fresh steep lines, and massive parks are featured from British Columbia, Japan, Alaska, Switzerland, Idaho, Washington, and of course beautiful Colorado!

By logging on to skimovie.com, you will be able to view the teaser for “The Way I See It”. Tickets for the premier at Beaver Creek are available by phone or in person at the Vilar Center Box Office, located beneath the ice rink in Beaver Creek.

One of my favorite things about this time of year is seeing all the new ski films emerge and watching my favorite athletes push themselves further than ever every single year. Along with the massive grabs and ridiculous runs these athletes manage to pull off, the cinematography is always taken to the highest extreme as well. Bravo to Matchstick Productions and all the other ski film production companies, keep on creating fabulous films for all to enjoy 365 days a year!

To hear about the latest lodging deals in Beaver Creek, or to get a local’s advice on the best slopes to shred this season, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.