Are you ever looking for a quick snack on the mountain? Want something to hold you over before you swing by the lodge for lunch? Forget to snag a granola bar on your way out of the house? It’s okay, grab a Nature Valley bar from the ticket office!

 

All Vail Resorts mountains have complementary Nature Valley bars on the mountain or at ticket offices/windows. So next time you visit a Vail Resort be sure to grab some Nature Valley bars for a quick and easy snack on the chair lift!

Beaver Creek

At Beaver Creek, employees can often be spotted at the base of the mountain handing out Nature Valley bars. If you don’t see anyone handing them out, visit the nearest ticket office/window. *At 3 PM everyday at the Centennial Chair #6 fresh, hot cookies are handed out—a great way to end the day!

Breckenridge

Breckenridge has Nature Valley bars at the Peak 7 and Peak 8 ticket offices, and sometimes they are offered by chair lifts on the mountain.

Keystone

Keystone will give you a few Nature Valley bars for the day at its ticket windows and in the Mountain Service Center

Heavenly

You can grab Nature Valley bars for the mountain at the Stagecoach Lodge at Heavenly.

Northstar at Tahoe

Visit any ticket office/window or the Season Pass office at Northstar at Tahoe for a few Nature Valley bars.

Vail

Head over to the Lionshead ticket office in Vail to get your supply of Nature Valley bars for the day. Also, be on the lookout for Vail employees at the base of the mountain handing out Nature Valley bars.

Next time you visit any Vail Resort, be sure to grab a few Nature Valley bars for a great snack on the mountain. Enjoy the slopes!

 

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. Call today! (855) 210-2469

Well, it has been a tough week for Colorado–the Rockies have hardly gotten any snow as of late, and there were serious snow storms on the eastern plains halting travel plans and creating danger for travelers. However, it is snowing up here in Vail now, and more snow is expected to be on the way!

Aspen: 24 hr: 0in 72 hr: 5in

Aspen is one of the only mountains in the Colorado Rockies that got snow this week, giving some much needed powder to anxious skiers. The snow helped open up the 560 ft long superpipe, which is one of the many features that will be used in the 2012 Winter X Games.

 

Breckenridge: 24 hr: 0in 72 hr: 0in

The Dew Tour got of to a great start this past weekend in Breckenridge. Riders killed it in the superpipe and in the Freeway Park. Breckenridge has now opened the park to the public, giving park enthusiasts a chance to ride a truly spectacular course. Also, tomorrow Breckenridge will open Peak 10. With new snow on the way, this is sure to be a great opening day for Peak 10

 

Copper: 24 hr: 0in 72 hr: 0in

Copper opened up its Rendezvous Lift yesterday, providing access to 15 lifts and 593 acres.

 

Keystone: 24 hr: 0in 72 hr: 0in

Keystone will be reopening NASTAR today after a brief hiatus due to snow conditions. Check out what Keystone has open on the mountain.

 

Vail: 24 hr: 0in 72 hr: 0in

While no new runs or lifts have opened at Vail since the last update, they have moved up their opening time from 9 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

 

So get out there this weekend and enjoy all the new terrain!

Find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized winter ski vacation to all of our destinations.

It has been snowing up in the Colorado Rockies the past few days, providing skiers with fresh snow and new terrain. Vail, Copper, Keystone and Telluride have are all opening new terrain as we speak, opening up more and more of the mountain for adventure. So here’s a quick update on whats going on:

 

Vail: 24 hr: 4in.  72 hr: 6in.

With 6 inches in the last few days, Vail has now opened up Chair 10 (Highline Express Lift), Chair 26 (Pride Express Lift) and Chair 14 (Sourdough Express Lift). These lifts have opened up runs from the far west side all the way to the far east side of the mountain.

 

Copper: 24 hr: 2in. 72 hr: 2in.

The new Union Creek High Speed Quad chairlift opened today in Copper, giving riders access to new terrain on the western side of the front of the mountain.

 

Keystone: 24 hr: 2in. 72 hr: 2in.

This Friday, December 16, 2011, Keystone will open up night skiing every night until January 1st. This is a great opportunity to extend your day and have runs all to yourself (but dress warm, because when the sun goes down it gets chilly). Night skiing is great because your ticket to Breckenridge or Keystone is valid for night skiing! Spend your day skiing in Breckenridge, then swing over to Keystone around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and ski for a few more hours.

 

Breckenridge: 24 hr: 3in. 72 hr: 3in.

Even with the Dew Tour and official celebration of Breckenridge’s 50th birthday, they are still continuing to open more parts of the mountain. Tomorrow (Friday, Dec 16) Breckenridge will open its C Chair, providing access to Gold King, Sundown, and Lower Peerless runs. The lift is in between Peak 8 and Peak 9, so be sure to get over there early and get some fresh snow.

 

Telluride: 24 hr: 2in. 72 hr: 8in.

Telluride has been getting some good snow over the last week, resulting in the opening of Chair 6 (Apex Lift), Chair 12 (Prospect Bowl Express), Chair 14 (Gold Hill Express) and lastly Chair 15 (Revelation Lift) providing access to Revelation Bowl. This opens up more advanced slopes further up the mountain, giving skiers some great new terrain.

 

It looks as if things are starting to pick up for the season, and more snow is on the way. So  get up to the Colorado Rockies and find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized winter ski vacation in any of our fun-filled destinations.

 

Mountains’ terrain is constantly changing, especially at the beginning of the season. So here’s a quick look at whats going on in the Colorado Rockies this weekend.

Aspen/Snowmass

This weekend, Aspen Highlands will open parts of Highland Bowl, Steeplechase and Temerity. Buttermilk will start its season by opening its Tiehack Express lift on Saturday. This now means that top-to-bottom skiing will be available at the 4 Aspen/Snowmass mountains. This is great news for the area, as the year has gotten off to a slow start. Also, the remodeled Merry-Go-Round on-mountain restaurant will open today at Aspen Highlands **show up from 1-3 for an opening day party!

Breckenridge

Peak 7 opened today at Breckenridge, expanding their terrain to 420 acres out of the available 2,358. While there is still much to be opened at Breckenridge, the opening of Peak 7 is great improvement to the mountain.

Vail

Parts of Game Creek Bowl are set to open today, giving skiers even more access to Vail. While the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin are still some time away from opening, expanding access to Game Creek Bowl with the Game Creek Express Lift marks the start of a great winter.

Keystone

Keystone’s Main Street Jump Line is set to open this weekend, which often deemed as some of the best jumps in the nation. Pro ski and snowboard teams come to Keystone every year to film and train on these jumps.

Beaver Creek

There are big things going on in Beaver Creek this weekend with the opening of 4 new lifts. Rose Bowl is opening up with a new high speed quad, Upper and Lower Beaver Creek Express will be running. and finally the Riverfront Gondola will be opening. These changes will all take place on Saturday, just in time for a great weekend in the mountains.

 

So come visit the Colorado Rockies this winter and be sure to find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized ski vacation in any of our fun-filled destinations.

Have you been waking up each morning with excitement? Immediately going to the window to see if snow has fallen overnight? Or religiously checking your computer for the snow report, hoping you somehow slept for a month and all the resorts have suddenly opened? Well if you have, you are not alone. I have been impatiently waiting for the beginning of ski season, even though it was only three months ago that I was taking runs at Arapahoe Basin on the 4^th of July.

It was a great day to end a wonderful season, complete with friends and a grill in the parking lot. But as I look out my office window at Vail, I look forward to the coming season, and pray that this year will be as fulfilling as the last.

While Vail is not open yet, the ski season in Colorado has already begun! On October 7^th, 2011, Wolf Creek opened, recording the earliest opening day in Colorado’s history. Arapahoe Basin followed soon after on October 11^th, this past weekend Copper and Keystone Opened! So get out your calendars, put a big red “X” on the following dates, and start the countdown to what is predicted to be another La Nina winter!

 

• ·        Keystone: November 4^th
  
• ·        Copper Mountain: November 4^th
  
• ·        Breckenridge: November 11^th
• ·        Vail: November 18^th
• ·        ***Snowmass: Now December 10^th
•          Beaver Creek: November 23^rd
• ·        Crested Butte: November 23^rd
  
• ·        Aspen Mountain: November 24^th
• ·        Telluride: November 24^th
• ·        Buttermilk: December 10^th
• ·        Aspen Highlands: December 10^th
  

 

Whether you‘re coming to ski on opening day or sometime mid-season  be sure to 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.

 

 

Keystone Resort in Colorado is one of the best family friendly ski towns in the Rockies.  It is filled with a surplus of activities for all ages, terrain to match anyone’s skill level and tons of great places to stay.

When you bring the whole family along you are sure to want some extra space to lounge after an epic day of skiing.  So, select from one of the many beautiful luxury condos in Keystone and enjoy the comforts of home with all the beauty of Colorado.

 

The Red Hawk Townhomes offer the best of mountain living combined with plush comfort.  While staying here you are only a short walk from the River Run Village which puts everything at your fingertips.  In the morning strap on your boots and head over to the lifts so you can enjoy a powder filled day.  At the end of the day come home to your spacious condo where the plush furnishings invite you to unwind in style as you watch the snow fall through the expansive windows.  The gourmet kitchen makes it easy to whip up family favorites, but if no one feels like cooking you are centrally located close to many delicious restaurants.  After dinner soak your tired legs in the outdoor hot tubs underneath the Colorado stars.

 

Another great lodging option is The Springs centrally located near River Run Village.  While staying here you are only a two minute walk from the gondola so it is easy to return home for lunch or a quick warm up break.  And once off the mountain the entertainment is endless.  The luxury condo features a steaming outdoor hot tub that serves as the ideal place for rejuvenating your exhausted legs.  There is also a grill available for use so you can enjoy burgers and brats on a warm afternoon.   After dinner you can enjoy a game of pool or your favorite movie in the media room.  When its time for bed head back to your condo where an oversized bed topped with soft sheets and fluffy pillows await you.

 

Colorado Family Ski Vacations: No matter where you stay in Keystone, whether it is a luxury condo, hotel or private home you are sure to enjoy the best of everything when you let one of our Friendly.Knowledgeable.Locals. help you plan your next trip.

The last week there has been a lot going on in this amazing state of Colorado and much planned for the winter.  In Denver this weekend, there were several great concerts and the Annual Zombie Crawl.  In the High Rockies, two ski resorts opened and snow has finally greeted us!

I attended two concerts this weekend, each of which were incredible; the BassNectar show at First Bank Center and the first Gorillaz World Tour at the Wells Fargo Theatre.  The Gorillaz have only performed in the U.S. a very few times before their world tour, and as a huge fan, I could not miss Damon Albarn (mastermind of the Gorillaz) in Colorado.  My year was made when I was able to tell Damon of my appreciation of his music and my favorite album Mali Music.  BassNectar was incredible, playing a two and a half hour set, blowing the walls of the First Bank Center.

If you found yourself on the 16^th Street Mall on Saturday October 23^rd you might have been petrified by the walking dead.  The Annual Zombie Crawl happens in the Streets of  Denver every year before Halloween to celebrate this great time.  This year, the Denver Zombie Crawl broke a World Record of most registered zombies in the streets at 7,300, shattering the previous record held by Seattle.  Now that’s a lot of Zombies!

Leaving Vail early Saturday morning, I was greeted with dead stopped traffic.  Usually, I would be stressed, but this time, there was a wonderful reason: tons of snowfall.  Thankfully, I have a Jeep and made it safely to Denver.  It continued to snow all weekend to help allow Loveland and Arapahoe Basin ski resorts open.  Opening weekends for other resorts are coming soon; Copper: November 5^th, Keystone: November 5^th, Breckenridge: November 12^th, Vail: November 19^th, Beaver Creek: November 24^th, Ajax: November 25^th, and Telluride: November 25^th.

If you are planning to visit Denver or the High Rockies, plan your trip through Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, your Friendly Knowledgeable Locals.

I love living in this state, especially when Ski Magazine’s Annual Top 50 Ski Resorts issue comes out.  Colorado is looking good with many of our local resorts in the top thirty of the list.

Starting with the bottom, Crested Butte was ranked #25.  I have never been to Crusted Butte, as it is tucked away behind Aspen and Snowmass near the Gunnison National Forest.  Crested Butte is known for their intense double black diamonds, but also contains nice easy greens and blues on the front side of the mountain–for something for everyone.

Numbers 22, 23, and 24 are also all Colorado resorts; Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Keystone.  I have enjoyed myself on the slopes of all these resorts, and Copper Mountain is actually my favorite mountain to ski because of their immense backcountry options, beautiful powder packed tree runs, small lift lines (for the most part), and their easy free parking.  Winter Park is located near Berthoud Pass, which is great for some backcountry if you’re up for it.  Mary Jane at Winter Park is one of the top snowboarding mountains in the state with tons of powder, out of control tree runs, very few boundaries, and a great atmosphere.  Keystone is the only ski resort in Colorado that offers night skiing, while all other resorts shut down their lifts around 5 pm.

Breaking the top twenty, Steamboat Springs is ranked #14.  Steamboat reminds me of my childhood and meeting family and friends for weekly outings.  The town of Steamboat is absolutely gorgeous before you even step onto the slopes and offers a great place for family functions.

At #11 sits the magical Telluride.  Find yourself lost in this remote snow filled playground.  There is never a line on the lifts, the snow is always fresh and the town is spectacular.  Telluride is definitely worth the six and a half hour journey from Denver.

Aspen Highlands is ranked #10 on the list mostly because of the Highlands Bowl and their constant epic conditions.  Aspen recently started offering sunset skiing every Friday at one of its four resorts.  Don’t miss the closing day party where things can get a little bit crazy with more than 14,000 beers sold at the base.

Breckenridge, at #8, is a great mountain, but I find crowded at most times.  The town of Breckenridge is very quaint with and great for Après-ski, with Main Street packed full of great bars and shops.  This resort is popular for a reason: lots of terrain to tackle and great terrain parks.  Breckenridge is actually ranked number two for terrain parks.  This mountain has a great family atmosphere and it’s no surprise it’s a top ten ski resort.

Snowmass and Aspen sit at #6 and #7.  Both of these resorts use the same pass, so you can ski two of the top ten resorts in one day, for they are only ten minutes away from each other.  There is a bus service that travels between the four mountains, Snowmass, Aspen, Buttermilk, and Highlands.  There are so many reasons to visit the luxurious Aspen Resorts that one will need to visit to understand how great these resorts are.

At #4 you have Beaver Creek Resort, a great local spot with so much to offer.  Beaver Creek is ten minutes away from #2 Vail.  Being so close together is like a dream, especially with both being a part of Vail Ski Resorts, meaning you can ski both on the same pass!  I have yet to ski either of these mountains, but now that I am surrounded by Vail’s beautiful mountains, I’ll be on the slopes of one of these top ski resorts everyday!

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals offers properties in all these destinations, so come visit some of the top ski resorts in North America.  If you have any questions, feel free to call the Friendly Knowledgeable Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

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.

1)      Indian Summer
Beginning in September, the weather cools down and the days stay comfortably warm without the risk of heat exhaustion, allowing for the perfect weather for fishing, hiking, biking or getting in any last-minute summer activities before the snow falls.

2)      Crisp, clean air
You can literally smell and feel the season beginning to change.  Go outside at least once every day for the sole purpose of breathing in the air; it’s refreshing, revitalizing, and the perfect hint of winter hiding just around the corner.

3)      Outdoor fire pits
When the sun goes down earlier in the evenings, and the weather is cool, it’s time for fire pits and bonfires.  Snuggle up in your most comfortable jacket and boots, and always bring blankets to share with friends and family.  The smell of fall and burning wood is an unbeatable combination and the perfect atmosphere to relax in at the end of any day.

4)      Hayrides
Hayrides are available almost anywhere in Colorado, the perfect form of entertainment to enjoy with friends, family, or a special somebody.  Hayrides almost always mean hot cocoa, apple cider or pumpkin spiced beer, the most festive of beverages and the warmest form of nostalgia you’ll ever have flow through your veins.

5)      The changing of the leaves
This might be the most obvious reason Fall is unbeatable in Colorado, but there’s a reason for it.  You can literally watch the Aspens change from green to yellow, as the mountains become ablaze with brilliant hues of red, orange, gold and brown.  It’s nature’s one last fling before going into hibernation, and on some days, it looks like the whole mountain is on fire.

Don’t miss out on fall in Colorado—Contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals today at 1-888-866-2305 to reserve lodging in any of our locations, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen/Snowmass, Keystone, Breckenridge, Telluride or Steamboat Springs.

Vail Resorts is taking their mountains high tech, at least in regards to social media. This coming winter, Vail, Beaver Creek, and all of their sister resorts will be debuting their new EpicMix technology, thus connecting skiers, snowboarders, and really all mountain pass holders with a location-based service for smart phones and computers.

As it stands, all Vail Resorts season passes already have a chip inside them. This will be utilized now to track your location and tell you a number of statistics about your day on the slopes. At the end of the day you can login to your EpicMix account and see everything from your vertical feet skied, to the location of other approved pass holders while they’re on the mountain, to which lifts you rode.

Taking it a step further, Vail Resorts brings a game-like competitive sense to the program with goals to accomplish, such as visiting a chairlift a certain number of times. When you complete a goal, you get a “pin” to add to your collection of Vail Resorts mountain accolades.

[Credit: EPIC Mix]

For those of you not thrilled by this new sense of location tracking, worry not. You can opt-out of this service if you feel uncomfortable. Then again, if that isn’t a big draw, feel free to let the world know. One of EpicMix’s perks is that you can share your stats or any of the information provided with your social media accounts. Just a push of a button is needed. If you have an enabled smartphone, you can do this while sitting on a chairlift or at the top of the run. While Vail Resorts has been gaining strength in their social media for the past few years, this takes things to a whole new level. To read more about this, check out Vail Daily’s article on the subject.

Speaking of passes, Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals can get you all setup with your Epic Pass for the coming winter season, as well as help you to find out about any other information regarding the Epic Pass and EpicMix.  That’s one of the perks of being Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals–Click here to check it out.

“EPIC Mix – Capture. Connect. Share.” What a slogan! Who else to come up with such a slogan, such a campaign, other than Vail Resorts, owners of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly resorts in Colorado and California. True, this EPIC day announces yet another EPIC breakthrough in technology, specifically in the world of social media. The “EPIC Mix” is what Vail Resorts is calling it, and a truly epic mix it is, of all things new in interactive social media. The Epic Mix is the Foursquare and Nike+ of the mountain, and has updates for both Twitter and Facebook.

Vail Resorts kept the EPIC Mix a secret until they debuted the mobile and web-based application today at a press event at the Ace Hotel in Manhattan. But then, out of nowhere, they unleashed the “EPIC Mix” to the world, announcing that the skiing and snowboarding would be so much more social this season, because of their innovative location-based gaming application.

[Credit: EPIC Mix]

So what does the EPIC Mix do? The EPIC Mix is somewhat like Foursquare, but instead of unlocking Foursquare “badges”, you unlock EPIC Mix “pins.” Everything from tracking your vertical drop, to how many runs, or how many days on the mountain. This is a game of multiple location-based programs all rolled into one.

The key to letting the EPIC Mix become a reality is the RFID chip that is inside the card that you get when you purchase your season pass. The cool thing about this is that you don’t have to be on your phone checking in. Your RFID chip gets scanned at the lift, and automatically put into the “EPIC Mix” of things, if you like the pun.

What I would have really enjoyed to see was a summary of what I did last year. Yeah, I know I got 50 days on the mountain, but I would have liked to have relived it somehow. The EPIC Mix will give me what I’ve always wanted, and more. I can log in to the website, check my stats, see my scores, view my friends, and so much more.

What else can the EPIC Mix do? The EPIC Mix links to your Facebook and Twitter accounts, letting you compare your pins with friends, see who’s got the most days on the mountain, or vertical feet passed, or even WHERE your friends are!

Vail Resorts is always open to new ideas, new trends, and new methods of interaction. Their EPIC Mix is the next best thing out there, fellas! I’m definitely downloading the app on my android after I buy the EPIC Pass, and racing all my friends for the most pins, most days, and most vertical feet.

Congrats to Vail Resorts for providing me with an EPIC Mix of social media interaction, and giving me the drive I’ve needed to get back out on the mountain!

The Annual Bluegrass & Beer Festival in Keystone is coming back in its 14^th year and plans to be even better than before. Not only are they having over 20 attending breweries, but also offering delicious down-home cooking, 6 different bluegrass bands, fun activities for the kids, and much more.

Some of the attending breweries are Breckenridge Brewery, Grand Teton Brewing Company, Odell Brewing Company, Palisade Brewery, Silverton Brewing Company, AC Golden Brewing Company, The Grand Lake Brewing Company, Wynkoop Brewery, and many more.

There is no entrance fee for the festival and it is only $30 per person for unlimited beer samples. Parking is free at the River Run Lots, which is located off of Gondola Road. The festival kicks off at noon on Saturday, July 31^st and continues throughout Sunday until 5 p.m. For more information on the festival, visit their website here.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Keystone for the weekend, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals by visiting their website or by calling at 1-888-364-7596.