Last week was a busy one at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. As the season quickly approaches us, there is plenty for all of us to do to stay busy around here, as many of you probably are throughout the country. The word on snow today is that we’ll see some around 1 p.m. Signs of white have been visible in the mountains, restaurants and resorts are hiring for seasonal staff, and packages have been arriving for my co-workers with new snow gear. It’s like the start of the holidays before the start of the holidays in the mountains. I guess that’s just the way we roll!

With all that said, upcoming events and the anticipation for a busy next several months have been keeping everyone at RMVR on their toes. After some professional sales training with Doug Kennedy, expert in hospitality and founder of the Kennedy Training Network, our sales agents have been diving right into training for operating the online booking tool, Inntopia. A user-friendly tool to book lodging and services from our website, travel planning will be further accessible, convenient, and diverse for our valued customers. Requests and planning for Vail Gay Ski Week this March has been keeping us busy with web design, marketing plans, and reaching out to media. Additionally, RMVR has been making hires and expanding office space.

And the kick off to another week begins today! Thankfully, living in a place like Vail automatically throws you into continuous vacation living in between work. With a little bit of yoga by the lake in Frisco, and a little bit of fall hiking to overlook the Vail Valley that will soon be bustling with skiers and snowfall, I was quickly able to regain all the good energy needed for more work to be done.  Here’s to a good week, good coffee, and great vacations! Book with us at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, stay posted with updated RMVR news, and throw yourself into the excitement of Rocky Mountain living. Cheers!

Happy Autumn, to all our readers. The month of October is traditionally the “off season” for several ski town destinations, but that usually means that a few special events and killer deals start sprouting up across the mountains to attract money and attention from travelers continuing to roll through. Upon my search for upcoming events around Park City, I became interested in the “Mountain Living Sports and Travel Show” in Sandy, UT. Taking place mid October – from the 15^th to the 17^th, this event will feature exhibitors, attractions, seminars, and clinics appealing to the active outdoor enthusiast’s lifestyle.

The show will be at the South Towne Expo Center – kids are free and adults pay $10 for admission on Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday.  The event will be produced by Coliseum Productions, and the featured categories of the show include winter sports, hunting and fishing, log cabins and mountain living, biking, hiking, camping, fitness, RV and motorsports, and vacation travel.

Some of the attractions that have been announced are:

-          The Archery Extravaganza on Hunting Simulation Organization’s 3D Motion Target Range \

-          Fly-Fishing Lessons, contests, and demos, sponsored by Cabela’s with demonstrations by top-ranked masters. Participants will get to compete for valuable prizes!

-          Rock Climbing Wall

-          Log and Timber Frame Structures

-          Prizes throughout the show, including rustic furniture and décor items, vacations, and gear

-          Dutch Oven Cooking Demos with master camp cook Roger B.

-          Seminars by speakers from outdoor-related businesses

-          Travel agents on the show floor

If you are into outdoor culture, or plan on vacationing to a mountain life getaway, don’t miss this unique event in the picturesque surroundings of Sandy, UT, just about 50 miles away from Park City and right by Salt Lake. Once you’ve mastered mountain living, book your lodging with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, by calling 1-888-866-2305.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass’ (JAS) mission is to “present and preserve jazz, American and popular music through world-class festivals, performances and education programs.” And that’s exactly what they’ve been doing since 1991. The organization’s modest beginnings were marked by their first festival in June 1991, which was inspired by one of the world’s finest jazz festivals in the medieval town of Marciac, France. Since then, JAS’s festivals have gained national recognition for their world-class music set in a unique, natural location in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, attracting crowds from all over Colorado and America.

JAS’ 20th season kicks off with the 10-day June Festival on June 25. There will be four days of concerts by world-renowned performers, including Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole and Pink Martini. During the rest of the days, band from the JAS Academy will be performing, and some of the events will be free. September 3 to 5 belongs to the Labor Day Festival. So far the only artists to be announced have been Wilco and The Black Crowes. But keep checking the Web site for new updates. In celebration of JAS’ 20th anniversary, three day tickets are on special for $145. But hurry because this deal ends May 31. The most beloved JAS event is Snowmass Villages’ Summer of Free Music series. Every Thursday night, crowds gather at Fanny Hill to watch artists perform all kinds of music, from Latin to blues to reggae. And it’s all free!

Besides its exceptional festivals, JAS also dedicates itself to educating the public about jazz, spreading jazz throughout the community and helping out young talent. They have a multitude of local programs set up that accomplish their mission of preserving the music. The JAS in Schools program places professional jazz musicians and educators in local schools to introduce middle and high school bands and ensembles to jazz. JAS also has set up a private lesson fund called Pays to Play that provides three free private lessons to Roaring Fork Valley youth in any instrumental discipline. Through Stuff for Students, JAS donates instruments to schools that wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise. Their most prestigious program is the JAS Academy, the nation’s only all-scholarship jazz residency program. Now in its 15th year, JAS collaborated with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Washington D.C. to make the Academy a dream come true. JAS has another half-a-dozen programs that spread education and love of jazz to young generations.

JAS’ pioneering efforts to the preservation of music in the community have been beyond influential. To come see first-hand what one organization can do to a community, contact Rocky Mountain Group Travel to find lodging in the area that meets your budget and convenience 1-866-348-5129

Visitors of Vail, you don’t have to choose between an expensive cab ride and getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Thanks to Andy Zenor and Shane Ward, the geniuses behind the better option: the Turtle Bus Bar. This retired school bus painted green and turned party bus has been transporting locals to and from the hottest bars, apres ski locations, and rivers of Colorado in a safe and unique way. To put it into perspective, the bus is outfitted with neon lights, a disco ball, a stripper pole and a bar in the back. It’s definitely a party on wheels.

During the season, the Turtle Bus runs Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights until around 2 a.m. depending on the location. Departure and arrival locations include the Vail Transportation Center, Loaded Joe’s in Avon, Woody’s in Edwards, Covered Bridge in Beaver Creek Village and Sandbar in West Vail. A full schedule of times and locations is available. It costs $5 to ride one way, making it about five times cheaper than a cab. The bus is also available for private parties of large groups, costing $15 per person.

With Summer right around the corner, Turtle Tubing invites guests to “experience nature’s water park” through a float with the Turtle down river.  Don’t forget to bring a extra tube for your cooler full of beer and water!  You’ll be glad you did and we’ll be waiting for mid June when Turtle Tubing gets back in full force!

If you’re in search of a great night out, a day in the sun, hop on the bus and have the time of your life in Colorado!

The Vail Valley has become a popular destination for weddings. Couples come from across the country to say their vows with the stunning Rockies as a backdrop. But Vail weddings are about more than the breathtaking scenery; they’re about the first-class service, unmatched hospitality and unique beauty of a town that prides itself on exclusivity and grandeur. For those seeking a wedding of luxury and splendor, the Vail Valley has plenty of venues to choose from. Here are my top picks.

1. The Sonnenalp Resort of Vail

Voted “Best of Weddings 2010″ by readers of The Knot magazine, The Sonnenalp knows how to make a day memorable. Their attention to detail is immaculate and they have their own personal wedding consultant that will turn your dreams for the big day into reality. You have the option of choosing between over half a dozen venues, ranging from the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens to the Vail Interfaith Chapel to a location atop a mountain. Whatever venue you choose, the professional Sonnenalp staff will be on hand to organize and execute the wedding of your dreams.

2. Beaver Creek Lodge

Located in one of the most exclusive areas of the Vail Valley, the Beaver Creek Lodge has won recognition as one of the top ski resorts in the world. Winner of an AAA Four-Diamond Excellence award, you can be sure that the service and hospitality will be among the best you’ve experienced. There are indoor and outdoor locations for your ceremony and the modern, unique interior design of the resort definitely make it stand out. The 1,344 square-foot Blue Spruce Room can accommodate up to 100 guests and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that will leave your guests with unforgettable views of the Rockies. The resort is also a 3-minute walk from the secluded Beaver Creek Chapel if you’re looking for a more intimate experience.

3. The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera

Imagine standing under the elegant, pristine Cordillera Gazebo with your husband-to-be, the Sawatch Range on one side and your loved ones on another. The crisp white of the gazebo and the row of chairs creates a dramatic contrast to the flourishing greenery surrounding you. The fresh mountain air tickles your face as you exchange vows and are pronounced husband and wife. If this sounds like your dream wedding, then The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, also a winner of the AAA Four-Diamond award, is the perfect place for you. The elegance, sophistication and natural beauty of The Lodge work perfectly to craft the perfect mountain wedding. You can also choose to have your ceremony at the beautifully landscaped Cordillera lawn and outdoor locations are also available for winter weddings. With such a beautiful location and the help of experienced resort event-planners, you will have a wedding to rival the beauty of the Rockies.

4. Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa

Located at the base of Beaver Creek Mountain and on the banks of Eagle River, The Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa provides the perfect backdrop for a wedding in the mountains. Your wedding will be a combination of the majesty of the Rockies and the serenity of the river. Say your vows in the 2,000 square-foot outdoor Wedding Lawn where you’ll be embraced by the natural beauty of the location. Just a few steps away The Riverside Terrace is the perfect place for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before the real party begins. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the 3,800 square –foot Riverside Ballroom will bring the mountains inside  your reception, making it a night to remember.

5. The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

This Avon resort stays true to the luxury and high class Ritz-Carlton is renowned for. You can have a small, intimate wedding or an extravagant reception. The choice is yours and Ritz-Carlton makes it possible with their wide range of venues that can hold up to 35 (Smith Terrace) or 350 (Mountainside Terrace) guests. You can also choose to get married at the nearby Beaver Creek Chapel, with transportation to and from the chapel provided for the entire wedding party. If you’re a ski fanatic, the resort has ski-in/ski-out access available for guests.

Many resorts offer special offers or group discounts. Rocky Mountain Group Travel also has special wedding packages available that include activities and transportation options to take the stress out of planning. They can also customize one for you. Call 1-866-348-5129

Why Colorado in the summer? Why not Colorado in the summer is what I ask?  As spring has finally hit full bloom we all know that summer is just around the corner.  Summer is why the locals stay in the mountain towns.  I have friends and family all over the country and would love to go and see all of them but time, money, and other factors make me choose just a few spots to get away for a long weekend.  As I think about my trips and begin to plan them I have a re-occurring theme, everywhere I have chosen to go this summer is humid, which for the out of towner I can handle about 1.5 days of it before I am ready to go mad with frizzy hair and constant sweat beads rolling down my forehead.  Then I think- wow I cant imagine living here ALL of the time, and I am reminded of why the fresh mountain air of the Colorado Rockies is so great and air conditioners just are not needed.

First, Colorado rarely experiences humidity, that’s right no humidity. Then there are the activities, endless activities.  In one day here you can play a round of golf, go on a half day rafting trip, and still have time to catch the gondola up for another beautiful sunset.  Each of the Colorado mountain towns are unique and fun- all offering something a little different ;  Breckenridge is known for its family fun and great history, Aspen has festivals for the foodie in all of us, Telluride has the best music festivals, and Vail has the farmers market.  But no matter which destintation you pick you will have warm days, cool nights, beautiful scenery, and fresh air.  So as you plan your next summer get away think about all the Colorado Rockies have to offer, leave the humidity behind.