Well everyone, the ski season is winding down here in the Colorado Rockies. There hasn’t been much snow in the last few weeks, mountains are showing their dirty and rocky base, and spring skiing is in full effect. While I would love some more snow in the forecast, springtime is here and this means it’s time to Spring Back to Vail!

Spring Back to Vail always brings in big crowds, as people gather for great spring skiing, free concerts and the famous World Pond Skimming Championships! The activities last from Thursday, April 12 thru Sunday, April 15. And while there is a free concert Sunday afternoon at the Solaris in Vail, pond skimming is typically the event that brings skiers closure to the season. Pond skimming takes place at the Golden Peak Lake at the base of Vail Mountain, and is open to the first 75 participants who dare to register.

• The event begins at 1:30 pm and costs $75 dollars to participate -the event is free for spectators.

While pond skimming is on the last day of the event, there will be free concerts held all weekend long! Here are details on the concerts:

 

• Thursday, April 12 – Grace Potter and the Nocturnals – At Ford Park Amphitheater
  

- Venue opens at 7 pm  and music starts at 8 pm

• Friday, April 13 – Thievery Corportation – At Ford Pork Amphitheater

- Venue opens at 6 pm and music starts at 6:30 pm

• Saturday, April 14 – JJ Grey & Mofro – At the Solaris

- Venue opens at 6 pm and music starts at 6:30 pm

• Sunday, April 15 – Iration – At the Solaris

- Venue opens and music starts at 4 pm

Come out this year to Vail to check out Spring Back to Vail! It takes place over closing weekend (April 12-15) and will be fun for everyone. We are also putting together a special promotion specifically for this weekend. So keep your eyes open and don’t hesitate to contact a Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® today! (855) 210-2469

Head on over to Beaver Creek and rent some snowshoes this winter to participate in their annual Snowshoe Adventure Race! Experts and first-timers of all ages are encouraged to participate. The event includes a 5K, 10K and a children’s 1K for those 12 and under.

 

The Snowshoe Adventure Race in Beaver Creek happens in three rounds over the course of three months. On January 8th, February 12th and March 11th there will be free snowshoe demos and basic instruction before the races begin. Also expect food, a prize raffle and an awards ceremony after each event. The competition really heats up, so start training now!

 

If you’re excited about snowshoeing, but not about racing, Beaver Creek has over 32 kilometers of groomed and rustic Cross Country and Snowshoe trails. Hop on the Strawberry Park Express Lift and pay a visit to McCoy Park for breath-taking views of three glorious mountain ranges. McCoy Park’s varying degrees of terrain, means plenty of trails for all skill levels.

 

Don’t want to hit the trails alone? Take a full or half-day snowshoe tour and discover local plants and animals as you learn about local history. Free hour-and-a-half long family tours are available on Tuesdays! And check out Beaver Creek’s new Moonlight tour between 6:30 and 8:30 for a special nighttime treat under the stars.

 

Whether you are planning a leisurely vacation or looking for some competition this winter, take a trip over to Beaver Creek where you’ll find exactly what you’re in the mood for. Call one of our Friendly.Knowledgeable.Locals.®  today to get your plans in motion.

 

The Town of Vail will be exhibiting wooden sleds decorated by local artists and will be on view in various locations throughout Vail Village. The first ever Invitational Art Sled Exhibition will promote sustainability, creativity, recreation and community. Want to buy one of the sleds on exhibit? Well you’re in luck! At the end of the exhibit the sleds will be sold in a silent auction and a portion of the proceeds will help fund art programs in Vail.


Exhibit opens this President’s Day weekend. They will be on exhibit in: Claggett Rey Gallery, Cogswell Gallery, Masters Gallery, Pismo Gallery, Vail Fine Art Gallery, Vail International Gallery, Vail Village Arts, Worth Interiors, The Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum and the Vail Public Library. For details on the visit Art in Vail.


Want to go sledding now huh? Well check out Ellefson Park in Vail. It’s Vail’s most popular sledding hill (from what I’ve heard). The park is not crowded at all, there are table settings for you to eat or take a break. Here are some easy directions: Take the West Vail exit from I-70. (If traveling on I-70 E, cross under the I-70 on Chamonix Road). In the round-about, take the Chamonix Road. Left on Chamonix Lane. Left on Arosa Drive. Right on Garmisch Drive.


Want to do even MORE stuff around Vail? Ask one of our friendly, knowledgeable, locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for suggestions on even more things to do and all your lodging needs while you’re out here.

As a broke grad school graduate with Sallie Mae constantly pounding on my door, FREE is a word I like to hear.  When I found myself in Vail for the winter, I figured I’d probably be scraping by on teeth and nails.  With awesome events like the Snow Ball Music Festival and the X Games coming to the area, I’ve been pinching pennies wherever I can to afford going to them.  As a supporter of Bud Light for many years now, I was elated when I learned of the Bud Light Street Beat FREE concert series!  It’s just what I need to hold me over until the Snow Ball Music Festival in March.

There’s just something about live music that makes me feel more alive.  The Vail Valley Foundation presents free music in the streets of Vail on a Thursday once a month.  Last night, I got to see Lyrics Born at Checkpoint Charlie in the Vail Village.  After a long day of work, his energy was explosive and contagious.  I could hear the bass before I even saw the stage, and it immediately got my heart pumping.  As soon as I reached the crowd, it was impossible to not start dancing to the beat.  I had never really heard of him before, but was definitely impressed with the originality of his sound.  With a unique ensemble for support, I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage not wanting to miss a second of their set.  Ending his performance with an encore, featuring an amazing freestyle portion, I was left wanting more.

The next concert in the series will feature Earl Wear & Haywire on February 24, again at Checkpoint Charlie in Vail Village.  Be sure not to miss these special intimate events where the crowd is small enough to really feel a connection with the artists who are performing.  Make sure you contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals to help plan a great little getaway and experience everything Vail has to offer.

One of the great things about Vail is a consistent presence of music.  Last night, a handful of my co-workers and I got down on the dance floor, jamming out to the local Colorado band, Frogs Gone Fishin. Due to losing about $3,000 worth of equipment after their van was broken into in Denver, the band put on a show at Samana Lounge, costing no more than a suggested $5 to help them get back on their feet.

I haven’t danced like that in a while. Frogs Gone Fishin plays music that I personally would call “jammy-funky.” The guys – Trevor, Andrew, Mark, and Steve – originally started to play music in middle school and high school together outside of Denver, and since graduating from different colleges in 2008, they have continued to kill it in venues around Colorado and beyond. Vail is one place that they continue to come back to.

One of the Vail free concert series that Frogs Gone Fishin performed at was Hot Summer Nights in 2009. That same summer, the band organized an event “Mardi Gras on the Rocks,” which was a day festival at Red Rocks, featuring jazz and brass musicians like Dr. John, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band to name a few. I went to Tulane like Trevor (hence the New Orleans inspiration), and I was at Mardi Gras on the Rocks. It was a pretty impressive event. I didn’t make it to their Hot Summer Nights show in Vail last year, but according to this article posted in the Vail Daily last October, the band’s free show in Vail was a close rival to the fully-lined up New Orleans music festival that they hosted.

In addition to the Underground Sound Concert Series going on now at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek, more concert series are to come in Vail – and more of them will be free.  With Street Beat Concert Series, Snowdaze, and CarniVail coming up this winter, there will be plenty of awesome live music to go around.

Start making your ski vacation plans, and take part in the free shows that are always going on in Vail. Book your lodging with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, and get all the scoop you need from our live agents that know this scene from the inside out! Call 1-888-866-2305.

If the promise of winter slowly approaching isn’t enough inspiration for outdoor adventure, The North Face Never Stop Exploring Series certainly should be.  The series will be making a stop in Breckenridge, October 9^th at 7:00pm. Breckenridge residents and visitors are welcomed to come through, with tickets being offered from no charge to $20.

Seven athletes from the North Face Global Athlete Team will tell their epic tales across the nation in 29 cities throughout the series. The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of technically advanced and authentic outdoor apparel, will present “Journey Through the Arctic Refuge,” featuring Kit DesLauriers and her remarkable story about exploring the 19.6 million acre Arctic Refuge. The story will highlight Kit and her team’s challenges facing the greatest wilderness in North America, sledding across tundra, and skiing off the highest peaks in the region. At the same time, the explorers took note of their unique surroundings: a fragile region that may never be the same if vulnerable to oil drilling.

Kit DesLauriers, mother of two and first to climb “the Seven Summits,” the highest peaks in every continent, is a ski mountaineer with the two time recognition as World Freeskiing Champion (2004 and 2005), as well as having several first descents to her name. Before Kit became a skier of the world’s tallest mountains, she lived around Telluride, CO,  where she volunteered for San Miguel County Search and Rescue Team, worked as a professional ski patroller for Telluride Ski Resort, and became highly trained in technical and helicopter rescue. I feel honored just being close to where Kit’s adventurous endeavors started to take shape!

The event will take place at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge, at 150 W. Adams, beginning at 7:00pm. Before the presentation, a VIP Reception will be held at the North Face Breckenridge on Main St., where food, beer, and wine will be provided by Briar Rose, and attendants will have the opportunity to personally speak with Kit. The VIP reception will benefit Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC), and tickets are available to anyone for $20. Guaranteed seating for the presentation is $8, and first come first serve may receive free tickets at the door.

To book your lodging for the weekend in Breckenridge and receive the live version of Kit’s story, call Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305. Experience the serenity of Breckenridge in the Fall, and get inspired from a monumental journey across the vast Arctic Refuge!

This post was brought to you by Nika, a member of the Business Development Team, focusing on Public Relations. Her work mainly entails writing the press releases, establishing media contacts, reaching out to the community, and devising a PR plan for the upcoming year. Nika enjoys traveling anywhere, but can’t get enough of the open space that Colorado has to offer. A New England native and Tulane grad, Nika ended up in Boulder, CO for a change of pace and has since fallen for the free spirit, natural beauty, and clean air. In her free time, she enjoys getting lost outdoors, making quirky earrings out of broken jewelry, cooking vegetarian meals, and looks forward to another ski season. Nika is passionate about discovering new places and culture, and would use the word “mischevious” to describe herself, because she is curious, eager, and sometimes sneaky. Nika graduated from Tulane University, with a degree in French and Communication.

One of the best things about living in the Rocky Mountains is also one of the most overlooked. We all know about the majestic snow capped peaks just waiting to be skied and the gorgeous back country scenery perfect for a relaxing hike. Go ahead and take in the crisp mountain air, but don’t let the fall season in Colorado pass you by. The picturesque views and the crunching of dead leaves beneath your feet, not to mention that distinct Autumn smell, bring you a sense of calm and clarity that seems to come only with life above 8,000 feet.

The changing of the leaves is one of the most beautiful sites to see in a land that is known for its unbelievable views. I have been to New England in the fall and the entire feeling is just amazing, but when it’s that time of year in the Rockies, the mountains are on fire, figuratively speaking, of course.

So, grab yourself a mug of hot cocoa or, better yet, apple cider, and breathe in: The smell, the green and golden laden views, the gentle sounds of leaves falling and rustling, the sunny warming days, and the cool nights – it all comes together in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Life was meant to be enjoyed – what better place is there to do just that?

While the changing of the leaves and just the overall feeling of being in the Rockies during this special time of year should be enough to lure you to the mountains for at least a weekend getaway, the pot is sweetened when you take into account the fact that you can view all of this in breathtaking fashion by visiting Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Aspen, and many of the other destinations that Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals offers. It’s no secret that Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals provides unrivaled service in premier destinations throughout Colorado and the rest of the Rocky Mountains, and the fall is no exception. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to enjoy peacoat weather in the Rockies for affordable off-season rates. Visit Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals or call 1-888-866-2305 now to enjoy the fall foliage.

As a recent Colorado transplant from Minnesota, I am counting down the days until I get to bust out my snowboard. However, there is another sport that I also happen to be slightly obsessed with…RUGBY! After a quick Google search I was delighted to find that the 43rd Annual Aspen Ruggerfest is coming up in Aspen, CO – September 16 – 19, 2010! One of the many great things about rugby is that you don’t have to be on a team to enjoy it; you can either be a spectator or a whore!  I personally plan on being both at Ruggerfest! Now for those of you who don’t know much about rugby, I highly suggest heading out to Aspen to watch some games, and I should also probably explain what a whore is. A rugby whore is a player that plays for the love of the sport and shows up to tournaments with their boots (cleats), shorts, mouth guard and a desire to play. They’ll play in any position that is available with any team looking for players.

Now that that’s all cleared up, I can safely say I’m pretty excited to whore myself onto the famed rugby fields in the world renowned resort of Aspen, Colorado. Aside from being a world class rugby tournament that attracts nearly 50 teams from all over the continental United States, Hawaii, the southern Hemisphere and Europe, Ruggerfest is also a weekend long party! I am especially looking forward to “The Elvis Aaron Presley Club” party on Friday night at the Hunter Bar, in honor of the Memphis RFC’s 10th Anniversary return to Ruggerfest. Top Prizes for the best themed 60’s, 70’s and 80’s costumes and drinks specials all night! Wherever they may be, Ruggers know how to have a good time, so it’s safe to say that all the Ruggerfest events will be a blast!

If you’re interested in attending Aspen Ruggerfest (I don’t know why you wouldn’t be!), contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305 to book your lodging!

What does skiing for free mean to you? What would you do if you could ski for free?

Whether your response is invite all your friends to ski with you in the Rockies, shred through as many runs as possible, quit your job, kiss a stranger, or have an epic winter, it probably falls under the category of being something INCREDIBLE.

For the month of September only, Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is offering the killer deal of a free lift ticket for every $2,500 spent on lodging.  Book now for your vacation later, and spend an entire day ripping through any of the fine ski resort destinations that we book for free! Destinations with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals include Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Aspen/Snowmass and Park City.  For every $15,000 spent on lodging, you can have your Epic Pass for free this season, or the equivalent for single tickets, a $600 value.

What would I do if told I could ski for free? First, call my Dad. Second, plan on trying out some sweet demos and killing it on the mountain. Third, I would probably splurge on live music in a ski resort destination, because there isn’t much that could beat free skiing and live music.  In conclusion, I think I would have an incredible winter.

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals will also be sure to customize your ultimate ski vacation with the support from Friendly.Knowledgeable.Locals., where live sales agents are available to answer questions concerning any and all of your needs. Again, this offer will only be available for the month of September, so book in advance to get your FREE lift tickets! Please visit our website or call 1.877.843.6215, and start planning your best winter yet.

Episode VII

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

Recently, I decided it was time to venture to other areas of the Rocky Mountains to expand my knowledge of the beautiful state of Colorado.  The destination I had in mind I had passed through a few times, but had never had the opportunity to do proper exploring during the summer months.  This destination is the beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where I decided to do some mountain biking in Strawberry Park Hot Springs.  Strawberry Park Hot Springs has to be one of the most surreal natural landscapes I have ever seen.  Though the Hot Springs are known as a lodging destination, I found great trails in Strawberry Park leading into Routt National Forest.

To get to Strawberry Park Hot Springs from Denver, hop onto I-70 West to Exit 205 merging onto CO-9 N towards Silverthorne.  Take CO-9 N towards Kremmling then take a left at US-40/Park Ave.  Continue on US-40 until reaching Elk River Road.  There will be a few trails on this road, any of which are good for a daily hike or bike ride, but the Hot Springs particularly are located on USFS Trail 1100.  Personally, I had to take in the beauty first before I exerted any energy.  This trail is very popular for locals and you will other mountain bikers as well as casual runners with their dogs; be sure to be courteous of everyone on the trail.

I headed up the somewhat steep beginning of the trail and ventured far into the wilderness.  On the journey, I stumbled upon many places to utilize as a pit stop to enjoy the beauty and catch my breath.  These pit stops included a great river with plenty of boulders to walk along the river, an old historical barn you can go inside of and imagine the life of an old pioneer, and an area with  cows we saw hanging out on the trail.  Cows are great animals to stumble upon in the wilderness as they are very calm and will cause you no harm and will eventually get out of your way; or you can just go around them.  Coming back was an intense experience, as the majority of the trail was downhill; screaming, brakes clutched, hoping my bike didn’t fall apart underneath me, I made my final decent back to my vehicle.  Good news: I made it and my bike is still in decent condition.

This adventure was so much fun and the natural scenery was incredible.  I recommend this trail to all, as it has something for everyone: different levels of trails, plenty of great scenery, the option of taking a dip in the hot springs, or simply enjoying the town—it’s a full experience, no matter which option you take.  Steamboat Springs has an all-around friendly atmosphere with great dining and shopping opportunities for a great vacation or just an enjoyable daytrip.  If you are planning on visiting the Rocky Mountain area make sure to book your trip through Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, your friendly, knowledgeable locals.  Call us at 1-888-866-2305 to reserve your lodging today!

This Labor Day Weekend in Park City, Utah, several exciting activities and events will be taking place that you won’t want to miss out on. With live music going on all weekend, the Friends of the Park City Library Book Sale, the Park City Point 2 Point Fundraiser for Mountain Trails, and several other options to stay entertained, September kicks off with an eventful beginning in Park City!

The first night of the Free Friday Night Concert Series for the month of September will be one of several events hosting live music this weekend. The shows will take place every Friday night, free of charge, throughout the month of September at the Newpark Amphitheater, where local Park City musicians are featured. This weekend, the reggae band Patwa will be playing. In addition to free music at the Newpark Amphitheater, Rick Gerber and Jon Davis will be playing at Zoom Restaurant for the Zoom Patio Series, from 6-8 p.m. as well.

The Friends of the Park City Library Book Sale will be taking place throughout the weekend, starting Friday night with a Members Preview Night, where memberships may be purchased. On Saturday, the Library will host a General Book Sale to the Public, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sunday the General Book Sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The used book sale will have current best-sellers, children’s books, games, history books, science books, foreign language books, travel books, coffee table books, and cookbooks available. The proceeds of the event will go toward funding the library’s literacy programs for adults and children, library services and the collection of books. As the weekend wraps up on Monday, it will turn into a Blow Out Bargain Sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with large book bags available for $5.

If you like winning free stuff, the Park City Point 2 Point fundraiser for Mountain Trails will be going on from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday. Taking place at The Canyons Resort Village, the event will be raising money for local trails in the Park City area before the 78 mile mountain bike race this Monday.  The raffle will be held at the finish line in the forum at The Canyons Resort, and tickets can be purchased at 3 p.m. Raffle tickets are $5 for one ticket, or $20 for five. At 6:30, the drawing will begin for some sweet prizes, like a Cannondale Bad Boy Café (town) bike, Rossignol skis, a 5-day Cherry Picker Pass from the Canyons, a Crazy Creek Chair set, and more!

For a quaint, family-oriented activity in Park City, check out the Park Silly Sunday Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m on Main Street. The open-air market is an eco-friendly street festival where people in the community can come together to purchase local organic produce and experience live music, as well as visual and performance art.

To set up comfortable lodging for the weekend in Park City, make sure to call Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, at 1-888-866-2305, and check out more information on dining and services in Park City from our website, as well as other ski town destinations for this Labor Day Weekend.

Vail’s popular Bud Light Hot Summer Nights free summer concert series is coming to an end tonight at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.  This nine-week series has been going on all summer and has brought numerous genres of music to the mountain stage for vacationers and locals alike to enjoy.  Soul, jazz, funk, reggae, folk, dance, and rock ‘n’ roll have all been a part of the schedule and tonight Hot Summer Nights is ending with a Police tribute band. Named after the famous Police song “Message in a Bottle”, this tribute band has been around since 1992, playing at music festivals, concert series, and private events, collecting a loyal fan base over the years.

Don’t be discouraged that tonight is the last night of the free summer concert series, because come this winter, the Vail Valley Foundation will be entertaining again with its winter concert series Street Beats. Similar to the Hot Summer Nights series Street Beats is designed for the winter enthusiast who is begging for more fun as the lifts come to a close in the afternoon. Here in Vail, there is no time to sit around, so come out and enjoy a great summer night tonight and finish off your summer right!

There is a lot more to Vail than just free concerts, so give us a call at 1-888-866-2305 with any inquiries on anything vacation-related. We at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals do a lot more than just give you a great place to stay in beautiful Colorado: We love it here, we know you will too. Don’t miss out.

As the sun sets in the beautiful Vail Valley on a perfect summer night, the only place you need to be is at the Gerald R. Ford Ampitheater listening to free music, hanging with your friends, and enjoying some great people watching. Tonight Toad the Wet Sprocket is on stage as part of their summer tour for everybody in The Valley to enjoy. Dancing is encouraged, but not necessary. Food can be brought in, blankets are always a good idea,  and with all these combined, your fun-meter is guaranteed to be overflowing.

If you enjoy any of the following: fun, friends, food, sunshine, mountains, the 90’s, dancing, laughing, music, meeting new people, getting out of your house, or enjoying some local mountain culture, then I should see you at the amphitheater tonight in East Vail. I’ll be there tonight with my friends from here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, and you owe it to yourself to come and enjoy some free music as well.   I see only positives coming from an evening of fun at the Hot Summer Nights concert series this evening.

Toad the Wet Sprocket is one of the most popular alternative rock/folk bands of the early 90’s, with two platinum albums and multiple chart topping hits, and you can see them FREE tonight.

For more information regarding the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Vail Valley or on finding lodging in Colorado, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305. See you there. You owe it to yourself.

Last night, my coworkers and I attended a concert by Darius Rucker at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Rucker put the concert on for free, with all proceeds benefiting the Steadman-Philippon Research Institute. As a former patient at Vail’s Steadman Clinic, Rucker was more than happy to give back to the Vail community.

With chronic knee problems taking a toll on his life, Darius Rucker was referred to Dr. Richard Steadman by a friend who resides on the research board. Steadman successfully cured all of Rucker’s problems, using methods resultant of the research of the Steadman-Philippon Research Institute.

As usual, seats on the lawn were free, while seats within the amphitheater were $40 each. Of course, my coworkers and I opted for the free lawn seats, but were presently surprised when a box office member asked us if we would like to move to real seats for free. We immediately consented, and were soon dancing in the aisles to songs like Rucker’s hit country single “Don’t Think About It,” other songs from his first country album “Learn to Live.” Rucker also performed popular country covers, such as Hank William’s “Family Tradition” and Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands To Yourself.” The highlight of the night, however, was when Rucker performed the Prince classic “Purple Rain.”

The sounds of the music and the crowd rocked the mountains, resulting in another fun-filled night in the Vail Valley.

For more information regarding the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Vail Valley or on finding lodging in Colorado, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305. Keep rockin’, we will!

Summer time to me is concerts.  For as long as I can remember I have anxiously awaited the summer concert line up.  Sometimes living in the mountains means driving to Denver or Colorado Springs to catch the next great show; but now the mountain destinations are playing host to a number of concert and art series to appease not just music lovers but those who appreciate the arts.

Steamboat Springs offers “Strings in the Mountains Concert Series”, which brings a variety of arts entertainment to the beauty and seclusion of the Rockies.  This is an annual event starting June 26^th and running for most of the summer.  Strings in the Mountains Concert Series offers a variety of musical and theatrical performances for kids and the whole family- this annual event brings in over 30,000 people per year, events range from free performances to some that do have an associated cost.

Perhaps one of the most surprising performances this year will take place in the gorgeous Telluride Mountain Valley.  Phish, Vermont’s most famous jam band, is only performing 2 shows this summer and Telluride is one unique venue- don’t forget your camp gear for this 3day event Aug 9-12!  Copper Mountain hosts a number of music events year round mostly catering to the 20-30 something audience but still in a family friendly environment- Sunsatation is their biggest end of season concert series this past year bringing in Pepper!  This summer Copper will host the 5^th annual Guitar Town in August, here you can catch live performances and workshops, best of all Guitar Town is FREE.

Aspen is once again hosting the Aspen Jazz fest- JazzAspen, starting in late June and wrapping up Labor Day Weekend with Wilco and The Black Crowes, with more to come to the lineup.    The infamous New York and Philadelphia Philoharmonics will be in Vail to thrill the classical music followers for the Bravo Music Festival starting in July.

All of these events bring in world class artists, not just musical talents are showed off, you can also catch dance performances, small theater and street theater, as well as the art galleries will be filled with local, regional, national and international art.  Get your friends and family together and head to your favorite performance in the Colorado Rockies unique setting for an unforgettable concert event!  Keep in mind that all of these locations also offer a variety of activities to enjoy outside of the artistic performances all summer long.

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.

Breckenridge is Colorado’s top family ski resort and it is also a great summer vacation with tons of outdoor activities for everyone. This is a great place to get the whole family together for a reunion.  Breck can satisfy everyone- from the adventure junkies to the history buffs.  This is Colorado’s Best!

Breck’s Peak 8 not only offers great ski runs for all levels, but all summer there are activities for everyone.  Catch the chairlift up and take a sunset hike with a loved one, get the family together and battle it out on the putt-putt course, or give yourself a thrill on the Alpine Slide. Main Street also has a little something for the whole family,  Breck has a plethora of great restaurants and shops to choose from and while you’re there stop and say hi to the local dogs that sleep at the front steps of the store fronts.  Feeling the need for some historical education? Take a guided tour of a local gold mine and then pan for gold in the cool waters from the snow melt.  Breckenridge really does have it all.  Rocky Mt Group travel assists families in planning family reunions across all of Colorado but time and time again Breckenridge ranks supreme.

Oh, family reunions. Loved by some, hated by others; either way often times unavoidable. For those who cringe at the sound of being surrounded by 50 of your relatives, I’m here to say consider yourself lucky.

A family reunion is a place you can often find out why you are the way you are, learn family history and form new bonds. Friends come and go, but in the end, your family will always be there.
Hosting a family reunion in the Colorado Rocky Mountains makes for a cost effective, exciting experience for everyone involved. I can’t think of a better place to spend time than in the mountains where you have the fresh air, space and nature at your fingertips.

Once the organizer has created a guest list and surveyed attendees they can start planning an unforgettable trip!  Families have the option to rent out multiple condos in the same complex, reserve a block of hotel rooms, or even rent a couple of private homes next door to one another.  It’s safe to generalize that most families that host their reunion in the mountains are here so they can take advantage of their surroundings by partaking in such activities as a BBQ by the lake, bike rides, group hikes, campfires at night and more.  Colorado’s National Forest lands offer the open space that you need for a family reunion.  Who wants to be crammed awkwardly in a hotel ballroom, when you could be hanging out at the lake all day, barbecuing, fishing, dancing and mingling.
In addition to the outdoorsy things, families can spend time together exploring neighboring historical towns, shopping, dining and just getting a feel for the local scene. I can promise you that spending a week in Vail, Steamboat, Aspen, Breckenridge, Telluride, or whatever destination you choose will make for beautiful memories. Rocky Mountain Group Travel is happy to arrange tours and activities, accommodations and fill you in on your destination!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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