As a small business, Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is always asking how we can provide our guests with an experience that not only satisfies them, but goes beyond satisfaction to creating a truly unique vacationing experience. We work to make customers who want to tell their friends about our company – and use our services time and time again. This ski season Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals has initiated a guest services program that goes beyond what’s expected and shows you that you don’t need to be a guest at the Ritz Carlton to be treated like one.

Check out the details of our revamped guest service initiative below:

 

Thank you!
Every customer that books lodging with us receives a hand written thank you card in the mail a week after booking.  In the cards is also your destination specialist’s business card , because you never know when you’ll want to use them again or pass the card on to a friend!

Guest Arrival
Our guests check into hundreds of properties across our different locations, and we’re ready for them.  At time of check-in, each guest receives a personalized welcome note which includes the following:

1)      Lift Tickets -If the guest purchased lift tickets through us, they will be waiting in the envelope for them at time of check-in–you shouldn’t have to deal with long lift ticket lines if you pre-purchased tickets.

2)      Real Estate Letter of Introduction – Andie Odie, of Rocky Mountain Luxury Properties has enclosed a personalized note to introduce herself and offer up her time to educate those who are interested, about the local real estate market.  Learn more at RockyMountainLuxuryProperties.com

3)      Preferred Client Card – RMVR’s Preferred Client Card gives our guests exclusive discounts made available just to them at participating restaurants, spas, rental shops, adventure companies and more.  These businesses were hand-picked by our staff to be featured on the Preferred Client Card because we personally stand behind them and the services they provide. Preferred Client discounts include 30% off at the boutique at Aria Club and Spa,  a free order of hot sake with your meal at Foxnut Sushi, 15% off everything at the Marketplace on Meadow Drive, buy 3 Get 1 Free on any activity at Nova Guides, and many other smoking deals. (The preferred client card is currently only available for Vail and Beaver Creek guests). Learn more about all of the exciting offers at RMVRCard.com

4)      Trail Map – For obvious reasons, we will provide you with a trail map so you can plan your next day on the mountain, a get a feel for the mountain before you go skiing.

5)      Concierge Business Card – RMVR wants to let our guests know that we are here for them from the time they step off the plane to the time they step back on, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our concierge at any time.

Gift Baskets
Qualifying guests are welcomed into their private home or condo with a handmade gift basket!  The welcoming gift basket contain a bottle of red wine, Vail Mountain Coffee, Mountain Man Fruit and Nuts snacks, Cliff Bars, a survival kit, our Elevated Living property magazine, maps and other area information.  We all know that traveling can take its toll, which is why we love to surprise our guests with these baskets upon arrival!

 

What really makes the difference in our service here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is our local, passionate staff.  At any given time we are just minutes away from our guests, which means we can join them for a lap on the mountain, or if something unexpected happens, we can be there to make it right.  Call one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals. today to experience the difference for yourself!

 

 

 

Breckenridge, Colorado – a mountain where I grew up learning to ski and snowboard.  A resort community that to me represents the epitome of what a “ski town” should be.  Ask any local where the staple spots are for tasty, quick eats in Breckenridge, and they will tell you about Crêpes À La Cart.

Crêpes À La Cart is a popular, hard to miss Crêpe stand on Main Street in the heart of downtown Breckenridge.  The menu is very comprehensive, full of sweet and savory Crêpes  and can be overwhelming for a first timer.  Fear not;  you’ll have plenty of time to decide which one to try while waiting in line.   Just know that regardless of which way you go, you’ll be pleased with your choice.  I personally recommend the Monte Christo Crêpe, which consists of chicken, ham, substitute brie cheese, raspberry sauce, and honey Dijon mustard; a taste sensation, to say the least.

Crêpes À La Cart requires patience.  On average, I wait anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour for one  Crêpe.  One of their Crêpe artists recently told me that during peak times in the winter, people will wait as long as 3 hours for a Crêpe!  That popular; that good.  Unfortunately, Crêpes À La Cart only has three locations (Denver, Breckenridge and New Orleans) at this time, although franchise opportunities are available.

Yes, it may be weird that I’m blogging about Crêpes, but  had you have  been with me the six weeks I spent backpacking Europe, you would understand that my obsession runs deep.   Crêpes originated in France and the name comes from the Latin word meaning crisp.  A different batter is used depending on whether you’re going for savory or sweet, once again adding to the many variations available.

Breckenridge might only be 5.3 square miles in total area, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in activities, culture, and, of course, scenery.  Nestled between the Ten Mile Range and the Continental Divide, Breckenridge is home to the highest lift in North America, so be sure to take it to the top in any season.  When you do experience the magic of Breckenridge, I can only hope that your experience is complimented by a Crêpe from Crêpes À La Cart.

Happy eating!

Cali

Just as the summer winds down, children start going back to school, and the Aspen trees show a golden leaf or two, one of my favorite events in Vail comes to town: Vail’s Gourmet on the Gore.  Hosted in classic Vail Village, with Gore Creek  meandering through, Gourmet on the Gore is an open-air tasting of food, wine, beer and spirits.  This year they’re also pairing food, wine, beer and spirits with live Jazz music.

This year Gourmet on the Gore will be Labor Day weekend, with events happening on Saturday, September 4th and Sunday September 5th.  Vail Valley restaurants will offer specialty dishes in portions that allow you to taste and sample as you stroll through the Village.  Tents offering pairings of wine, beer and spirits will also be mixed in with the food tents.

Both Saturday, September 4th  and Sunday, September 5th, the tastings are open to the public from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.  Admission is free and includes the live Jazz music.

Grab a friend and come join me in celebrating the winding down of another wonderful summer in Vail at Vail’s Gourmet on the Gore.

Brought to you by Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.  To make plan your next trip to the Vail Valley, please contact us at 1-888-866-2305.

The Vail International Dance Festival continues tonight with a performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company.  This will be the company’s second appearance in Vail showcasing the unmatched talent of famed choreographer Paul Taylor. For the past 60 years, Taylor has been revolutionizing the world of modern dance with his genius and bold choreography. His company has performed in more than 520 cities in 62 countries and earned numerous prestigious awards in the United States and France. Paul Taylor is undoubtedly one of the best modern dance choreographers in the country and his company’s performances are breathtaking.

Tonight’s performance at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater will be “Promethean Fire,” “Company B” and “Piazzolla Caldera.” “Promethean Fire” includes dramatic choreography and vivid imagery. The piece, set to the music of Bach, is about people recovering from a disaster. Taylor’s inspiration for “Company B” comes from WWII. The piece is about men going off to fight in the war. “Piazzolla Caldera” is an explosion of Argentine tango and Taylor’s signature style. With the  music of Argentinean tango master Astor Piazzolla playing in the background, this dance is sure to be seductive and sultry.

If you are a lover of modern dance and appreciate raw talent, tonight’s show will be an inspiration. Don’t miss your chance to witness the legendary skills of Paul Taylor and his dancers. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

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.

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.

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?

Christmas comes early this year. The Beaver Creek Golf Club is giving guests discounts, demos, snacks and a chance to experience one of Golf Digest’s “Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America.”  Discounts include 75 percent off of apparel from the Beaver Creek Golf Shop, among GolfWorld’s “100 Best Golf Shops for 2010,” and 30 percent off of green fees. There will also be free range demo instruction from noon to 4 p.m., and free demos of new golf clubs will be held all day.

The 6,784-yard par-70 golf course has been offering visitors beautiful scenery and great golfing since 1984. This is your chance to come experience the sport the Rocky Mountain way. Merry Christmas in July!

Much of Colorado was built around boom towns. People came in search of fortune, they found gold and next thing you knew the once solitary site turned into a bustling town. Though some towns are now a distant memory, others have survived the test of time. Gold panning shaped Colorado’s history, and it is still practiced and celebrated to this day.

In 1859, a base camp was set up after gold was discovered along the Blue River. This base camp later evolved into the town of Breckenridge. The base camp is long gone, but the more than 350 historic structures still standing make Breckenridge the largest historic district in the state of Colorado. One of these structures is the Gold Pan Saloon, the oldest continuously operated bar west of the Mississippi dating back to 1859.

Breckenridge’s rich history makes it the ideal place for the Colorado Gold Panning Championship, coming July 30. Presented by the Gold Prospectors of Colorado, a 36-year-old organization for Colorado’s recreational gold prospectors, the state gold panning championships and the world dry-panning championships will take place during the two-day event. There will also be experts doing public demonstrations and giving pointers to those interested in learning about gold panning.

Although gold panning seems like a thing of the past for the now modern ski town, the championship will bring out those passionate about gold panning and those simply curious and fascinated by the activity that shaped so many towns. This will surely be an event like no other!

For more information or to book your stay in Breckenridge, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

It was a tough day at the office for the Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals crew as we stepped out of the Venture Sports van at the top of Vail Pass and prepared to bike 14 milesthrough the Aspen and Evergreen glades.  We sat down at the edge of a cliff to eat our sandwiches which had been graciously prepared for us by Columbine Bakery.  The only thing more delicious than our food was the sight that awaited us just past the cliff:  a palette of the most exuberant greens and blues stretched out in front of us as vibrant as a painter’s wet canvas.  Feathery white clouds streaked the sky, all rolling towards the immense, snow-capped mountains (yes, in July!) in the distance as if magnetized by their grand significance.  We finished our sandwiches and soon found ourselves following the clouds.

We mounted our comfort cruisers and full suspension mountain bikes which had been tweaked for each of us personally according to our gender and height, general protocol for all Venture Sports guided tours, in order to ensure the safest, most enjoyable ride.  After a quick (but detailed!) speech on safety and how to control the bike gears, we headed off with our guide Tracy and her two-year old son Hayden leading the way.  Bringing up the rear was another Venture Sports guide, Drew, who dazzled us more than once with bike tricks, even performing a wheelie while going uphill.

The trail, which is considered “95% downhill and 5% uphill,” wound in and out of lush forests, with the hum of Gore Creek always in our ears.  At some points the trail was mere feet away from I-70, and cars rushing past reminded each of us to obtain the utmost control of our bikes, especially yours truly, as my face was still in the process of healing from a previous bike spill (Not with Venture Sports!).  We sped along the trail with the wind rushing through our hair (and in my case, Band-Aids), stopping every so often to ensure that the entire group was still intact and for bathroom breaks.

Just before we entered Vail Village, we realized we were short a few people, and it turned out that one of our posse had a flat tire.  The situation was quickly and efficiently fixed as every bike is equipped with a repair kit and pump as a precaution and because Drew was there to help.  We remounted and wove through one of Vail’s most prestigious neighborhoods, gawking at the size of the houses, before entering the Village.  Luckily it was a Tuesday, so The Village wasn’t as packed with pedestrians and other bikers as usual.  We rounded the roundabout and before we knew it, we were back at the office way sooner than we could have predicted.  We are all so thankful for such a wonderful day with Venture Sports and I personally can’t imagine remounting a bike for the first time (and so soon) with anybody else!

For more information regarding Venture Sports, the Vail Valley or on finding lodging in Colorado, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

Special 1: Stay 3 nights get the 4^th night free

From hotel rooms to 3 bedroom condos, this amenity-rich property is just steps from the lifts.  You will also receive a $75 F&B credit.  Valid on stays Nov 20-Dec 17. Based on availability.

Special 2: 30% off lodging in Beaver Creek.

Come to Beaver Creek and stay in an amenity-rich property. 1 to 3 bedroom condos are available and they are perfectly located on the slopes of Beaver Creek, just a short walk from the Beaver Creek Village. Valid on stays July- December 16^th. Minimum night stay requirements. Based on availability.

Package 1: Golf for less, save $15 per person per round

Golf like the locals with local savings.  Each round of golf will be discounted to match the locals’ rates when your lodging is booked with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. Rounds are at the Eagle Vail Golf course.  2 night minimum stay. Valid with all reservations through Sept 15^th. Golf must be booked with lodging reservations.

Package 2: Romantic Getaway Weekend save $100

Escape to Vail for a romantic getaway weekend.  Stay in a new 1bed/1bath condo featuring great views of Vail Mountain and receive 2 massages. Save $100 when you book your lodging and massage package together! Massage includes two 60-minute couples massages. 2 night minimum stay required, weekday rates available also, based on availability.

Last Minute Deal: $109/night for the rest of July

One bedroom suites in the Beaver Creek/Avon area for $109/night during the rest of July. This is the weekend rate. Weekday rates are even lower!  Relax poolside and enjoy the great views of Beaver Creek Mountain.  Free on site parking and a $20 gift card to Westside Café. Based on availability. 2 night minimum stay. Rates do not include taxes or fees.

For more information or to book your Colorado vacation, call Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305

Next Tuesday, the Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals staff is partnering with Venture Sports to do a scenic bike ride down Vail Pass. The guys at Venture Sports will drive us to the top of Vail Pass, and from there it’s about an hour-and-a-half trip downhill, passing through Vail Village and Lionshead.  Like it does for all its tours, Venture Sports will provide us with bikes, helmets and a repair kit and pump as a precaution. Everyone at the office is stoked to escape the office and spend the afternoon in the Colorado sunshine.

Venture Sports is a full-service ski and snowboard shop located in Avon, Colorado. It provides the entire Vail Valley with everything needed for a fun winter vacation on the slopes, and during summer, Venture Sports switches gears and focuses on bike rentals and bike tours. Rentals include comfort cruisers, full/front suspension mountain bikes, road bikes, kids’ bikes, tandem’s, child trailers and much more. For tours, Venture Sports offers three options: unguided Vail Pass, guided Vail Pass and guided Glenwood Canyon. The cost for the tours is $45, $75 and $110, respectively. Below is Venture Sports’ description of its tours, as posted on avonventuresports.com.

Vail Pass

This trips departs at 10 am & 12 pm Daily, and includes transportation to the top of Vail Pass, bike rental, repair kit and pump, and helmet. This trip can be as long or short as you would like, the paved path takes you from the top of Vail Pass through Vail and Lionshead Villages all the way back to our shop. All along the way riding through Aspen and Evergreen glades while listening to Gore Creek water rush by you.

Guided Vail Pass

We will pick you and your family or friends up at your hotel or home and take you to the top of Vail Pass. While providing everything you get with our Vail Pass Scenic Ride you will also get a Guide who has vast knowledge of the surrounding area. A souvenir water bottle and gourmet snack will be provided for everyone as well. This tour departs at 10 am and is a half day tour.

Guided Glenwood Canyon

We will provide transportation to and from Glenwood Canyon for this breath taking full day ride. As with all of our tours you will have a comfort cruiser with a repair kit and pump and helmet. A gourmet lunch will be provided as well as a souvenir water bottle. You will also have the company of a CPR and First Aid certified guide with the history and knowledge of the canyon. Be sure to bring your camera on this ride, you will enjoy riding next to the Colorado River and the sky scrapers of rock the climb to the sky.
This trip departs at 9 am with a prior reservation.

For more information regarding Venture Sports, the Vail Valley or on finding lodging in Colorado, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305. And stay tuned for details on how our bike trip was!

Your Vail vacation doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. There are plenty of fun, free things to do in the area that will keep you and the kids entertained for days.

1. Hot Summer Night Concert Series every Tuesday
2. Betty Ford Alpine Botanical Gardens – and select scheduled events
3. Hiking atop Vail Mountain
4. The Nature Discovery Center
5. Farmer’s Markets
6. Outdoor Films
7. No nightclub cover
8. Free shuttle throughout Vail
9. Sports fields
10. Lionshead Skate Park
11. Select events from the Vail International Dance Festival
12. Dog parks
13. Free summer parking at Vail Village and Lionshead garages
14. Adventure Ridge Park activities
15. Lionshead Family Afternoon Club on Saturdays, July 10 -Aug 14
16. Colorado Ski Museum
17. The Vail Nature Center
18. Explore the Vail Recreation Path
19. A multitude of events going on all summer
20. Vail’s Neighborhood BBQs

A couple weeks ago, my coworkers and I paid a visit to Zip Adventures for some fun in the Colorado Rockies. We went zip lining through the Alkali Canyon, soaring 200 feet above the floor at 30 mph. It was a rush, to say the least.

The day started off great. We had perfect weather, perfect temperatures and a perfect crew. We arrived at 4 Eagle Ranch and were outfitted with harnesses, helmets and a few carabiners. Then we hopped on the back of what looked like an old army truck and the guides drove us to the area we would be zip lining at. When we arrived at the top, we saw wires crisscrossing through the canyons walls, outlining what we would soon be whizzing across.

After introductions and a brief history of the canyon, it was time to take the stand. One by one, we walked onto the wooden ramp as the guide hooked our carabiners to the wire. I was one of the last to go, and waiting for my turn was nerve wracking. When it finally was my turn, I ignored my fear, took a deep breath and went for it. As soon as I was in the air whizzing across the canyon, all my nerves disappeared. Everyone else felt the same way. After leaping on that first zip line, we were all completely comfortable doing the rest. Once we knew what zip lining across a canyon held by a harness was like, all doubts and fears were replaced by excitement and rushes of adrenaline. It was amazing!

The cost to do six zip lines is $125 per person, and it includes all safety equipment, water and snacks. Tours can take up to 12 people in each group and usually last between 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

The family favorite Peak 8 Fun Park will open its doors to the summer crowds Friday, June 18. The park, located at the base of Peak 8 in Breckenridge, has everything to turn a day with the family into an adventure. Activities include SuperSlides, Mountain Biking, SuperPutt Mini Golf, SuperBungee Trampoline, Ripperoo’s Bounce House, Gemstone Panning, Scenic Chairlift Rides, the Rockpile Climbing Wall and Colorado’s largest human Maze. Visit the Web site for a list of prices.

The park will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and starting July 1 visitors can hop on the free BreckConnect Gondola to get to the park. To book your trip to Breckenridge, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals 1-888-866-2305

Come watch the world’s greatest dancers, choreographers and musicians work the stage and showcase their amazing talent at the 2010 Vail International Music Festival. From July 27 to August 10, dancers from all kinds of backgrounds and styles will execute expertly crafted performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. With the mountains looming behind the stage and lush greenery thriving around it, Colorado’s natural beauty embraces the dancers, a glorious scene unfolding before the audience.

Dance styles will range from tango to tap, from ballet to break dancing. Performers include Savion Glover, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, BeijingDance, Natalia Hills & Gabriel Missé. Visit the event Web site for a full schedule and a brief biography on the dancers. Prices for the shows range from $10 to $90. There will also be a variety of free performances for audiences to attend. Dancing in the Streets will be a combination of live performances and dancing. In the Arrabelle at Vail Square, audiences will have the opportunity to get instruction from professionals and put their feet to the test. Village Vignettes will offer free sneak peeks of the on-stage performances. The Festival closes with Bud Light Hot Summer Nights of Dance: BreakEFK, a free urban-inspired dance performance. With the wide variety of dance styles and event prices, there is something for everyone.

To book your Colorado vacation, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. They specialize in Vail and Beaver Creek rentals. 1-888-866-2305

I rode an ATV today for the first time ever, and it was absolutely amazing! It’s by far the most fun I’ve had on four wheels, and one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done. You just can’t beat the rush of going 40 mph up elevations of 12,500 feet on an ATV while surrounded by pine trees, mountain peaks and rivers. It was something I’ll never forget.

My co-workers and I went with Nova Guides. The staff was really friendly and knowledgeable and the business headquarters (The Lodge) were beautiful. But what made the tour so great was the unbeatable location. Located at the center of historic Camp Hale, there were views of four different mountain ranges, the continental divide and beautiful valleys. You can do ATVing everywhere, but you can’t get Colorado’s beautiful alpine scenery anywhere else.

The Beaver Creek Hiking Center opens this Saturday, June 12. Specializing in guided hikes and mountain biking tours, the Hiking Center caters to all levels of experience and all ages. You can choose to take a leisurely hike through the valley to a lake or, for those who dare, tackle a 14er (14,000-foot-tall mountain). The professional guides at the Hiking Center will take you to whatever part of Colorado you want to see. There really is no better way to admire the majesty and beauty of the Rockies than to be in the middle of them.

All the equipemnt you could ever need for an enjoyable hike is provided, including Salomon packs and boots, Leki hiking poles, rain gear, bottled water and granola bars. The Hiking Center is located in the Summer Adventure Center on the Starbucks level of Beaver Creek Plaza (in the adult ski school building). Lift tickets for the Chairlift can also be purchased here. The Chairlift runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We are less than a week away from the start of the Hot Summer Nights free concert series in Vail. A favorite of locals, these Tuesday night concerts are the epitome of summer. Nothing beats rocking out to live music at an outdoor amphitheater with the Rockies in the background. It’s the perfect gathering of good people, great music and an unbeatable venue. Here are the scheduled performers:

Soulive – June 15
The Aggrolites – June 22
The Killdares – June 29
Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights -  July 6
Hoots & Hellmouth – July 13
Laura Reed & Deep Pocket – July 20
BreakEFX – Hot Summer Nights of Dance – August 10
Toad the Wet Sprocket – August 17
Message In A Bottle: The Police Tribute - August 24

Shows start at 6:30 p.m.

Here are the Teva Mountain Games as experienced by my co-worker Kyle:

Top 3 Events: During Saturday I got to see the Biking Free ride Dual which I thought was really cool and we got a really good view by climbing over the parking lot wall and sitting down on the grass hill above. I also caught a bit of the Bouldering competition which was really amazing. I would really recommend this one it was crazy to see how strong these guys are and how they can climb. I also got to see the women’s freestyle kayaking which was really sweet because I had never seen anything like it before. I was amazed by how they were able to keep themselves in the wave while doing flips and things without getting pushed out.

3 Recommendations: Wear sunscreen (if it’s hot like it was for us). Take the bus because there won’t be any parking, and you won’t want to drink and drive. If you want to drink, bring your own beer and just sneak it into one of the cups they hand out. Be sneaky! It’ll save you some money.

Coolest sponsors: I thought it was cool to see Fetzer Wine handing out free samples. They’re from a town near my hometown. Xingtea was giving out free iced tea and as allegro was handing out free coffee, hot or iced. There was also a long boarding company, I think they were called Honey, that had a ton of long boards for people to rent and ride around. We even saw a dog riding one of the boards.

For the best places to catch the events: During the mountain biking or Biking Free ride Dual, you can climb up the hill and sit in the grass and get stadium seating. If you get to the Bouldering competition early you can get a good spot and just sit down and relax in the grass until they start. Once it begins everyone will stand up and you’ll have a good view. The Freestyle Kayaking was definitely hard to get a spot for because there’s not much standing room. I would suggest getting there early if you want to see this one.