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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Last week, myself, John, and our accountant Deanna traveled up to Aspen to check in on our Aspen office and get in some spring skiing. I had never been to Aspen during to ski before, and was excited to embark on this journey.

 

We started from Vail after work, which is about 100 miles away from Aspen. We made a pit stop at Phat Thai in Carbondale for a delicious Thai dinner before continuing on to Aspen (I recommend the Sweet Potato Fried Rice). The drive was beautiful, as we drove through a mountainous landscape with bits of snow here and there. Finally we arrived in Aspen and went over to meet up with Tyler, our Aspen Destination Specialist. After sharing a few laughs, we decided to go experience the night-life in Aspen, which it has grown quite famous for.

 

We started off at Eric’s Bar, right in the heart of Aspen. The bar had 3 separate areas: a dance lounge, a cigar bar and a billiards room. After shooting a few games of pool and decided to continue on to the next spot. After wandering around looking for an appealing bar, we decided to head down to Escobar.

This place was truly unique, and the entire bar seemed to be modeled after the inside cabin of an airplane.We stayed here for a bit, until we decided to turn in for the night – we had big plans for the next day!

 

We wanted to fully experience the Aspen/Snowmass area, so we decided that we should ski at a couple of mountains in the area. The Aspen/Snowmass region has 4 mountains – Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. When you buy a lift ticket at 1 of these mountains, you have access to all 4 of them! And since the mountains are only 8 miles apart at the furthest point, we figured we would ride Aspen Mountain in the morning and then move over to Snowmass after lunch.

This plan couldn’t have worked out better, as we got a half day of skiing in at each mountain. Aspen Mountain has 675 acres while Snowmass has 3,132. You could spend a full week exploring Snowmass and not get sick of it. On the other hand, in the half day we were at Aspen Mountain, we rode every lift and did almost every run on the mountain. While Aspen Mountain is much smaller, it is just off the heart of the town and has some steep and thrilling runs. But again, a pass to 1 of these mountains gives you access to all 4 of them! And since they are so close together, you can never get tired of the Aspen/Snowmass region.

It was also quite nice to experience a variety of terrain and get a few different views of the surrounding mountains. The mountains up in this region are very beautiful, and have a deep red color that really stands out (partially covered by snow right now). You get some great views from the peaks of both mountains:

Since I have moved up to the mountains, one of the things I have come to respect the most is the night sky. Having lived in a city most of my life, I was never truly able to see the night sky. The sky really does light up, and it seems that there are endless amounts of stars. You can see all the major constellations, but then there are tons of stars filling in the gaps – I could lay on the ground staring up for ages.

 

However, on some nights you can’t see the stars. No, I am not referring to when it is cloudy at night, but rather to when there is a full moon. While I miss the stars on these nights, I love looking up at the full moon, a complete circle, as it lights up the night.

While initially I was satisfied with just staring at it, eventually a few seasoned mountain locals let me know about a few activities you can do at night in Colorado – and these activities are especially recommended on full moon nights (for safety and sight-seeing reasons). Here are a few activities that can be done best at night under a full moon:

• Fishing
• River Rafting/Boating
• Hiking (winter and summer)
• Skiing/Snowboarding
• Biking

 

A few of these activities can be done right around your home (hiking, biking, maybe even fishing), but the others require a bit of effort. While I have hiked and fished a bit at night, 2 things I had never done before moving here were Full Moon Rafting and Full Moon Skiing.

 

If you are interested in heading up to the Colorado Mountains for stargazing, moongazing, or any other reason, check out my blogs on Full Moon Rafting and Full Moon Skiing. And don’t hesitate to contact one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® to help answer any questions you have about the Colorado Mountain sky in all of our destinations. Call today! (855) 210-2469

Skier Slang  – Ski Terminology – Ski definitions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Moving to Vail, Colorado has been an amazing experience–and with the ski season starting in Vail this Friday, November 18^th, I am sure to have the time of my life.

In January 2011, I left Denmark and moved to Florida to attend Daytona State College as an exchange student. After finishing the semester I needed to find an internship to complete my bachelor degree requirements. The only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to live in a different part of America, and to learn more about this vast and diverse country. I began to search for the perfect internship, and finally found it in Vail, Colorado.

I landed a marketing internship with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, and soon I was packing my bags for Colorado. The internship has provided me with challenging work, a lively work environment and fun colleagues. My co-workers are all in their twenties and thirties, and always bring energy to the office and to outdoor activities. When I first moved here I did not know anyone, but thanks to the friendly locals and my friends at work I now have many friends in Vail.

One of the first things I noticed about Vail and living in the mountains was the abundance of beauty. The natural surroundings are amazing, and I will never get tired of looking at the mountains and exploring the area. However, beauty lies not only in the mountainous landscape, but also in the people who live in it. Locals’ of the area are constantly active, playing in the outdoors all year round. The winter season especially holds a place in locals’ hearts. Everyone here is getting anxious for Vail to open for skiing (4 more days!), and I am no exception.

Another thing I have noticed that is unique about Vail and the state of Colorado is that this is a dog loving place. We have three charming dogs in the office, always creating lots of laughter and smiles when they welcome you in the morning, or when they chase each other around the office.

Coming from Denmark to Florida with limited luggage I had only packed summer clothing. So when I arrived in Vail, I did not have any winter clothing or ski gear. Going to different ski sales I was able to collect all the needed ski gear, which is now on display in my living room. It gets me excited for the ski season every time I look at it. My personal goal is to go skiing every day from November 18^th when the slopes open in Vail until December 17^th when I will return to Denmark.

The last time I went skiing I was fifteen years old, so I will most likely start with the bunny slopes and hopefully I will quickly work my way to the more advanced slopes. A fun skiing tradition, which I am sad to miss, is dressing up in a costume on the Mountain’s closing day. This year closing day isn’t until April 15^th, 2012, long after I leave. However, I am hoping that I can get some friends to join me in dressing up for my last day on the mountain. Another thing I am looking forward to during the ski season is the after skiing bars and parties.

My two favorite places to go out to in Vail are The Red Lion and the Tap Room. I was first introduced to the Red Lion by one of my co-workers who sometimes works there at night. They have different bar games during the week, live music on the weekends and a lively and welcoming atmosphere. The bartenders there are always in a good mood and talking it up with customers. The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists, so if you are looking for a party this is the place to be. The Tap Room is a bit more relaxed and is a great place to watch sporting events. The walls are made from lodge wood and have pictures carved into them of various mountain animals. They also have a fun table which is made from a PAC-MAN game. The Tap Room is a great place for dinner that has mouthwatering burgers, great sandwiches and an extensive drink menu.

Vail has been a great place to live, and would also be a great place to visit for your winter ski vacation. So find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^®can help you plan your customized summer or winter vacation to Vail or any of our fun-filled destinations.

It’s officially closing weekend in Vail, and I am packing up all the loose files and items that have scattered my desk space for nearly a year. I remember my first week with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals pretty well – it was the end of summer, gorgeous, and somewhat quiet in the Valley. I was itching for the sensation of feeling small, and my immersion into mountains seemed to be an accurate solution to fill this fix.

On Monday, this small mountain village will again crawl into a time of low-key hibernation, just as our neighboring bears are being drawn to the sweet smell of our trash. It’s a time for towns like Vail to rest, evaluate progress, transition, welcome our shared land to the wildlife, and melt into warm beginnings.

It does feel appropriate that today is my last with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. It has been quite the trip throughout this past Fall, Winter, and Spring, in which I have seen a lot of changes in the weather, industry trends, clothing ensembles, outdoor activities, and people.

When you become a local to the Valley, sometimes it seems like faces pass like the clouds that bring snow, rain, and clarity. The mountains certainly do attract individuals with unique stories – whether they are on vacation from another part of the globe,

whether they came with a 2 year plan that turned into 20 (which really never surprises me), or whether Vail had to at least be one place to stop at for a while along the road… All of these scenarios share a common ground – a thirst for adventure.

Throughout my time working with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, I have made many new friends, been enlightened by every individual’s unique story, gained knowledge of media relations for a private company, and had the pleasure of highlighting our successes. I must say, however, one of my favorite assignments was managing content for the company bios, interviewing new hires, and simply getting to know everyone. Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is comprised of people that are driven, a little bit quirky, and absolutely sincere. Each story is different.

The seasonal nature of this town is a bittersweet reminder of transition. As I embark on new beginnings with the start of summer trickling into the mountains, I will not lose sight of the many lessons that someone like Tommy Z. Hoffman himself has taught me. Never cut yourself too short when it comes to compromise, and never cut yourself too short in taking a chance.

In the first blog I published in August for the company, I concluded my thoughts with “We are a team of friendly, knowledgeable, locals, and are eager to assist those of you with that itch to venture out here too.” Take a chance in the Colorado Rockies, and please support my good friends when you book with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!

March 1st is quickly approaching and my mind is slowly filling with thoughts of spring.  Melting snow, blooming flowers, less clothing, and warmer weather.  Overall, I’m going to have to start thinking about how I’m going to loose this holiday weight.  What better way than to start training for the Aspen Cycling Festival?  Taking place this year on May 20-22, the festival is a combination of two popular events, Ride for the Pass and the Aspen Cycling Criterium.  With exciting new additions this year such as special lodging rates, Sundog Athletics Criterium skills clinic, kids races/activities and over $7000.00 in cash prizes, the weekend is perfect for any cycling enthusiasts and their family.

If you’re looking for an endurance challenge, Ride for the Pass will definitely be that.  The course spans over 10 miles and gains approximately 2,500 feet of elevation from 8,500 feet to 11,100 feet.  Not only will this event help me shed those unwanted pounds, but it also allows me to fulfill my new years resolution to be more charitable.  Ride for the Pass is a charity bike race to benefit the Independence Pass Foundation.  Day two of the festival is the Aspen Cycling Criterium.  Sure to get your heart pumping, athletes race around the heart of downtown Aspen at average speeds of 28mph and higher.  The track spans .9 miles and is full of sharp curves to keep you on your toes.

So, if you’re new years goals are anything like mine, or if you’re just looking for a challenge this spring, head to Aspen for the Aspen Cycling Festival.  Registration for the event doesn’t begin for another couple weeks, but it’s never too early to start training.  Be sure to contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for your lodging needs.

It’s 8:30 am, temperature outside is 15 degrees and yes I’m still smiling.  This is 7th day living in Vail and everything has been amazing, I have done so much in so little time.  Moving from Maryland to Colorado is a big change not only weather wise but also the people.  The vibe here is great and everyone I’ve met or bumped into is super cool, friendly…I never have felt more welcome from all the places I’ve lived in around the U.S.  The town is lively and there is always something going on, there’s now way you can get bored here. I was checking the Vail Daily and just on Saturday there are over 40 different things to do!

Check out all that’s happening around town for yourself in Vail Daily February Events and  while you’re at it, why don’t you just stay a few more days, or a week perhaps…there’s plenty to do and I totally recommend it. Definitely worth the trip. Need help or want more info about lodging in Vail? Why don’t you go for it and contact your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

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

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

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

As I sit down to write a blog this week, I find myself feeling… proud, to be a local resident of Vail, anticipating one of the most exciting winters that I should experience. In some ways, my karma brings pretty good things – every time I made it to Vail from Boulder last year, it just happened to be a powder day. And powder days were somewhat rare last year.


The season so far has been great for snow, and it’s only January. I know; it’s probably because I moved here.


Any karma related to my car, on the other hand, is a completely different story. Don’t live here without snow tires. Period. If you’re renting a car – consider four wheel drive, an SUV, and snow tires. Snow tires would have saved me from that fender bender. Snow tires would have prevented the turmoil of getting stuck in my parking spot, numerous times. Did I mention to consider snow tires?


In the grander scheme of things, however, I can put these car damage payments behind me, and feel completely exhilarated by the overwhelming amount of powder on Vail Mountain as we speak. In fact, I jumped off of my apartment balcony today, knowing it would be like landing on subliminal white pillows of softness. I was feeling like a pretty ecstatic 25-year old child. Never underestimate the excitement of playing in the snow – especially when there’s SO MUCH OF IT.


A lot of events are just around the corner, also making a trip out here entirely worth it. Aspen X Games, among many competitions and races being featured in Aspen, the Snowball Music Festival coming up in Avon this March, Street Beat Concert Series going down in Vail all season, Heavenly Harrah’s Snow Blast, and, frankly, the promise of copious amounts of powder to shred up here.


Don’t miss out this season. Book your lodging asap, with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!

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.

My New Years Eve resolution in 2008 was to start living my dreams. Now, in 2011, I’m happy to say that I haven’t let myself down. It still amazes me to look back at everything I’ve been able to do in the past two years, and that I’m still blessed with the opportunity to continue my current lifestyle. Last Sunday I was able to check snowmobiling off my list.

When I was a child living at home in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, every winter I would be running around playing in the snow and stop in my tracks when snowmobilers zipped through the fields in my back yard. 20 years later and I’m still fascinated by them. One of my new friends, Cali and I, decided to book ourselves a trip with the Nova Guides. They provided everything we needed for a successful trip. It felt amazing to move so quickly through the snow. They provided us with helmets, boots, a snowsuit, and our own snowmobile! I was a little nervous at first, but once we started moving I felt incredibly comfortable. The handlebars were heated so my hands were nice and toasty for the entire half-day ride.

When we were finished our guide gave us a cup of nice warm hot chocolate we could enjoy in their lodge by a roaring fire. All in all, it was a great, exhilarating day. It allowed me to see the valley in a totally different way. There was nothing to worry about from pick-up to drop-off. Now that I’ve got that checked off my list, next is snowshoeing!

If you’d like to go snowmobiling, please contact our concierge Morgan Russell at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

The first annual SnowBall Music Festival has been filling their line-up quickly throughout the holiday season and continues to do so.  As of now there has been 14 spots filled with great talent, and there are a total of 29 spots according to the festival’s poster that seems to be updated daily.  The poster started with only two acts, Bassnectar and Pretty Lights, which created so much excitement throughout the music community they started to nickname this festival Snowchella comparing it to the number one ranked festival in the world, Coachella. Being associated with Coachella is a huge praise especially when only two acts have been revealed at the time.

Today the poster lists 16 acts which are; Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero’s, Local Natives, Diplo, Big Gigantic, Portugal The Man, Classixx, 12^th Planet, Miami Horror, Mansions on the Moon, Baths, Superhumanoids, Bonfire Dub, Twin Shadow, and Portor Robinson.  I am sure there will be an addition tomorrow.  I enjoy how this is being done; it is a lot of fun to follow and exciting when you see a personal favorite band on the poster.  I have experienced this multiple times already and again this week when I saw Portugal the Man.

Portugal The Man was rumored to play at The SnowBall in the beginning but was not official until January 4th when they were added to the SnowBall poster.  This band consists of four members; John Gourley, Jason Sechrist, Ryan Neighbors, and Zachary Carothers.  Portugal the Man started as a side project for lead vocalist John Gourley with Carothers playing bass using drum machines for their supporting beat.  The band has grown in many directions, one move was signing with Atlantic Records in 2010 after being with multiple labels previous to Atlantic.  I missed Portugal The Man last time they came to Colorado in November, but I sure won’t miss them at the SnowBall Music Festival that can’t come soon enough.

For those planning on coming to The SnowBall in March make sure to purchase your tickets and lodging before it is too late.  Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals have many great lodging options for this epic music festival.  Give your Friendly Knowledgeable Locals a call at 1-877-422-0449.  Hint: Ask to be near Nottingham Lake.

Arriving at Rocky Mountain Ski Vacation Rentals – After driving 20 hours through a snow storm from California, I arrived in the small town of Vail, Colorado on Saturday, December 18.  What an interesting place to find myself right before the holidays.  Typically a popular time of year for many tourists to arrive, I came for different reasons.  Alone in a new town and armed with just a sack full of clothes, hope, and a zeal for adventure I was in search of self discovery.  I’m not going to lie, I couldn’t help but no

tice a tiny knot in the pit of my stomach signaling that this could have been a terrible decision.  But, without a familiar soul to greet me, and not a clue as to how to ski or snowboard, I put my faith in the stereotype that people from Colorado are friendly, helpful, and laid back.  And, as luck would have it, as soon as I got out of my car, I was greeted with a smile and a hug and any fear I had prior to my arrival instantly melted away.

With a passion for making new friends, a desire to become a part of the community, and an itch toget out on the mountains, I woke up for my first day at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals not really knowing what to expect.  I was pleased to find that the warmth I received from my new roommates extended to every department in the office.  Surrounded by beautiful snow covered mountains and an office ambiance that is similar to meeting up with old friends, it’s impossible to feel anything but comfortable.  Underlying the relaxed atmosphere though, is a team of individuals whose passion for their work is equal to their passion for life. The feeling I get when I enter the office is on par with feelings I used to get when I was in university.  It is a breeding ground for ideas and inspiration.

So, with my first week here coming to a close, and Christmas and New Years just around the corner, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  With the mountains calling, and being away from the hustle of a city I couldn’t imagine a better place to remember what it’s like to be alive.  I’m excited to make lasting friendships, memories, and discover all the secrets this town has to offer.  Not to mention, this year is calling for a record amount of snow and I’m ready to begin my journey of becoming a snow sport connoisseur.  So, if you’re looking for a sweet getaway this winter season, and developing a relationship with a company dedicated to superior client services, be sure to contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for an ski vacation experience you won’t soon forget.

A month ago I decided it was time to uproot from my home on Long Island and move out west. My college roommate had spent the summer working for Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals in Vail, Colorado and had nothing but great things to say not only about the people he worked with, but also about Vail itself. He told me all about his experiences hiking in Breckenridge, going out in Aspen and camping in Beaver Creek. With his help, I was able to secure an internship with the Business Development Team at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. While I’ve only been here a week, I’ve loved every minute of it, from my friendly coworkers to the beautiful surroundings of the Rocky Mountains. This weekend I’m going hiking with friends and I’m counting down the days until I can hit the mountain with my snowboard.

Don’t miss out on all that the Rocky Mountains have to offer. Call Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305 to book your vacation today! Take advantage of the beautiful fall foliage or book your winter getaway early for peace of mind.

This post was brought to you by Andrew, a member of the Business Development Team, primarily concerned with marketing, the website, and Google Analytics. Having grown up in Long Island and then escaping up to Vermont for college, it’s no surprise that Andrew ventured out to Colorado for the purpose of “getting away.” Andrew spends most of his free time with friends, snowboarding, being outside, and going for runs. He is passionate about making the most of each day, and can most effectively be summed up as “hard-working,” as he values the concept of getting the job done. In addition to playing lacrosse for the University of Vermont, he graduated recently with a degree in both History and Marketing Business Administration.

Company Culture.  Something Business School taught me about, but I had never truly experienced for myself, until I accepted an event planning internship at RMVR last November.

I’ve always known that the corporate culture is not designed for me, and likely never will be.  Lucky for me, I found the exact opposite of that working at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals,  a small, growing, and extremely hardworking company headquartered in dreamy Vail, Colorado.  Today, I look around our office and I see a group of passionate individuals working together to constantly improve themselves, their services, and the work environment around them.  Who wouldn’t like working at a company that encourages you to come in a couple hours late during the ski season so you can catch the first runs on a powder day?  RMVR was founded by Tommy Hoffman, a man defining the Entrepreneur classification.  Working for an entrepreneur you quickly learn that no idea is too far out there and if you have valid input, let your voice be heard.  Around here no day is the same; it’s beautiful.

My happiness and reason for working here breaks down to the company culture Hoffman has created. Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals employs some of the brightest, most creative people I have ever worked with.  Everybody brings something different to the table and meshed together it creates an environment where everyone is constantly learning and furthering their professional growth, all while having a good time.  I never dread going to work in the morning at RMVR, andI don’t know that many people can say the same about their job…  I’m happy to have found a place that feels like family and I enjoy being here day after day.    Cheers to RMVR, a  company that knows how to work hard and play hard.

As summertime in the valley begins to wind down, some activities like the Tuesday Hot Summer Nights concert series and Friday Afternoon Club will be coming to an end. Although it’s always sad to see the summer wrapping up as the fall rolls in, new seasons welcome change and the start of new activities.

As of last Thursday, Beaver Creek’s Vilar Performing Arts Center is selling passes for the fall season’s “Underground Sound” concert series. The art center’s venue will provide a warm and comfortable atmosphere for concert goers, and the artists lined up for the series will indulge listeners with music holding a story-telling feel. As described on the Vilar Performing Arts Center’s website, it’s “music with a message.” Musicians include Martin Sexton, Elephant Revival, Colin Hay, Dala, Taylor Carson, and Susan Werner. Kicking off the series will be Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers from Western Massachusetts.

The art center’s Love for the Locals Underground Access Pass includes seven concerts and seven drinks for $98 – a pretty sweet deal considering single shows will range from $15-30. Maybe I speak for myself, but I’m generally inclined to packaged deals that include a tasty beverage (not to mention the rich and intimate experience of the series). Passes are transferrable, for those of you with the fear of committing to all seven shows, so if you can’t make it, it’s cool to let a friend borrow the pass. Passes will be on sale from August 26 to September 19.

On the first night of the series, pass holders will be entered in a drawing for an ultimate winter prize pack giveaway. Prizes include two sets of 2011 Atomic TI skis with bindings, two First Light First Tracks invites, and two tickets to the Warren Miller movie “Wintervention.”

Stephen Kellogg and the, more affectionately known as, the SK6ers have been producing their unique sound since coming together at UMass Amherst in 2003. Sounds from keys, bass, tuba, accordion, drums, mandolin and banjo contribute to the band’s authentic personality, which will be a suitable debut for the Underground Sound Series. Special guest Aslyn will be making an appearance, and individual ticket prices are $25.

Stay posted for more shows and upcoming events by checking out the Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals website, or call us at 1-888-866-2305.

Last night at my softball game a guy referred to Vail as a vortex.  He was trying to get to Chicago, but hadn’t yet been able to leave Vail.  It got me thinking… What is it about being a “ski bum”, or not even that, just living in the mountains of  Colorado that draws people in to the point of no return to the “the real world”.  Time and time again I hear, “I came for the winter, but stayed for the summer”.  Naturally, people who decide they want to spend a winter in the mountains shredding every day, find themselves still in the mountains five years down the road.  Vortex indeed.

Getting sucked into this vortex I speak of just…happens.  Looking back, my bucket list once stated, “live in a ski town for a winter”.  As I approached college graduation it evolved into “find a legitimate job in a ski town”.  Those “legitimate,” high paying jobs are not as easy to come by in a small community that thrives on tourism.  It’s sad, because so often vacationers to the area wrongfully assume that their bartender, front desk agent, lift operator, whoever it may be, is just an uneducated ski bum.  They couldn’t be more wrong:  Nearly everyone I meet in the Vail Valley has a college education and could easily be making good money working in a city…if that’s what they wanted.

However, people live here because they put true value on their Quality of Life.  If you don’t have that, you should maybe  reconsider your life decisions, my friend.  Vail is a renowned tourist destination for a reason;  We’re just lucky enough to experience its glory every day of the year.  Why not live some place where every day feels like a vacation?  I’d rather make next to nothing than save my pennies all year just for that one vacation that lasts merely a week.

Living here is easy because both the summers and the winters are amazing, yet locals still look forward to the off-seasons of May and October.  For the wise and able, these off-seasons equate to two months away from work, allowing for the opportunity to travel or spend time with family. The possibility to free yourself like that just isn’t an option with jobs elsewhere.  I once read that stress is related to 99% of all illnesses.  I think waking up in the mountains every day gives people a sense of peace and appreciation that creates balance.    It’s hard to let stress get to you when you’re surrounded by laid-back people taking each day as it comes, in no real hurry to get to the next best thing.  Because for many; this is it. Why keep searching when you’ve already found it?

Trying to put a definition on “mountain mentality” doesn’t make sense.  It’s something you have to experience for yourself and create your own definition.  Mine is as simple as staying true to myself and the rest seems to flow seamlessly.

Cali A.