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:

What draws people to Aspen? This has been an age old question that only visitors of Aspen know the answer to. Is it the variety of terrain? The fabulous lodging options? The special events? Well, all of the above.

Aspen – Founded during the silver boom in 1879, this Colorado Ski town has solidified its’ place on the map as one of the most renowned ski destinations in the world. When I used to hear someone talk about “Aspen”, Hollywood, high-society, and world-class skiing often came to mind. While, yes, Aspen does encompass all of these things, behind the glitz and glam Aspen is a true locals’ town. Its down to earth vibe and unique mountain culture make it a place that is hard to resist for locals and visitors alike.

 

The Power of Four: A weekend trip simply isn’t going to do it here. At Aspen/Snowmass there are four mountains to ski! Right out of the center of town there is the Silver Queen Gondola that takes you up to Aspen Mountain, best known for its steep, black-diamond terrain. Just outside of town you have Aspen Highlands, a locals’ favorite for over 50 years. At Highlands you can hike to the summit of Highland Bowl at 12,392 feet and reap the benefits by skiing fresh powder. At Buttermilk Mountain, home to the Winter X Games, you can take it easy or challenge yourself at the park which was voted by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine Reader’s as the Best Park. Buttermilk not only hosts some of the best riders and skiers in the world, but also serves as a great mountain for beginners and families to ski due to its smooth and easy rolling trails. Fifteen minutes away is Snowmass, the mountain you can’t discover in just one day of skiing. Boasting a massive 3,132 acres of terrain, Snowmass also providers skiiers with the most vertical feet in the country (4,406 ft).

World Class Lodging: Aspen’s lodging collection promises to inspire even the most discerning traveler. At the luxury end of the spectrum, the Dancing Bear Private Residence Club is one of a kind. The Dancing Bear blends Aspen’s sophistication into a luxurious downtown retreat, offering guests nothing but the finest resort amenities and personal service. Another favorite is the Little Nell and Residences at the Little Nell. Located slope-side on Aspen Mountain, the Little Nell collection features private condos and hotel style residences, all boasting state-of-the-art amenities in a location that can’t be beat. Aspen ski in ski out lodging and Snowmass ski in ski out lodging options are quiet impressive, spanning to offer private homes, condos and hotels to fit most budgets and all lodging desires.

Special Events: With such an incredible landscape and set-up, it’s no surprise that Aspen is host to a multitude of special events throughout the year that draw in spectators and participants from around the globe. Some of Aspen’s featured events are the Winter X Games, FOOD & WINE Classic of Aspen, and 12 Days of Aspen. However, Aspen also hosts smaller, unique events throughout that year that make for a truly special experience for visitors to Aspen. Learn more about events throughout the year in Aspen at www.AspenChamber.org.

Aspen is truly a gem in the mountains of Colorado – A place that seems to get better every time I visit and always leaves me wanting more. Learn more about Aspen lodging, skiing and special events by calling our local, Aspen Destination Specialist at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals today.

Ski in ski out properties in Snowmass are plentiful thanks to how the mountain is set up. The base of the mountain opens to a variety of properties as well as Snowmass Base Village, putting everything in Snowmass fairly close together. This allows for a convenient and wonderful vacation, whether you end up staying down near the village or in a ski in ski out property.

We went ahead and selected 3 of the best ski in ski out properties in Snowmass, so check them out and let us know what you think! If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, check out our full list of Snowmass ski in ski outs, or call a Friendly, Knowledgable Local today (888) 818-9815.

 

1. Woodrun Place

The Woodrun Place condos and residences have ski in ski out access to Fanny Hill in Snowmass. These luxurious condos and residences do a great job combining luxury, comfort and convenience all into one fabulous vacation. The 1 to 4 bedroom units have access to the sauna, heated pool and fitness center. There is also a ski and snowboard repair shop on site, so if your equipment malfunctions you don’t have to go far! The units have spacious living areas warmed by a fireplace and full kitchens, great for singles, couples and families alike.

 

2. Shadowbrook Condos

Enjoy maximum relaxation and comfort at the ski in ski out Shadowbrook Condos. Right next to the slope, this property has a pool and hot tub that you can ski right up to! The property also has a ski locker room, covered parking and gas grills. The 2 to 4 bedroom units have private decks, fireplaces, free internet and daily housekeeping. These stylish and comfortable condos are great for families, and are in close proximity to Snowmass Base Village, keeping endless dining, shopping and activities minutes away.

 

3. Chamonix

These ski in ski out Chamonix Condos are just off Assay Hill in Snowmass and provide great access to the mountain and the Snowmass Village. Guests are invited to take a dip in the pool or hot tub, or relax on the private balconies overlooking Snowmass. These spacious 2 to 3 bedroom condos are warmed by a fireplace and have full kitchens, internet access and covered parking. Come check out the Chamonix condos for a great vacation in a great location!

 

I hope this Top 3 list was helpful for those looking to “ski in ski out” in Snowmass. If ski in ski out is lower on the priority list, view our complete selection of homes, condos and hotels in Snowmass. Find out more about how our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals can help you book your dream ski vacation today!

 

If I were going through a check list of everything that I think it important when choosing lodging for a ski vacation, the Capitol Peak Lodge in Snowmass would fill the list with check marks.  Located in the new Base Village of Snowmass, Capitol Peak Lodge is a ski-in/ski-out condominium property, providing  immediate access to Snowmass Resort’s 3,132 acres of skiable terrain.  With that large of a mountain to cover in a day, it’s important for me to be right there on the slopes.  I’d rather pay a little bit more for a ski-in/ski-out location, because on my annual ski vacation things like figuring out bus schedules and lugging my skis around is not something that interests me.  Who wants to carry their skis to the slopes when you could be skiing on them right out the door? …Ski-in/ski-out is the way to go.

At the Capitol Peak Lodge everything in the studio, one, two, and three bedroom condos is state-of-the-art.  Each rental features an HD flat screen TV and DVD player, Ipod docking station, gas fireplace and full kitchen, featuring the latest modern appliances.   While at Capitol Peak Lodge I can ski a few runs until I’m tired, and then ski back to my condo to cook a hearty meal for lunch before I head back on the mountain. I actually start to feel sorry for those stuck in the lodge spending $12+ on a burger, drinking $6 PBRs, when I’m chilling on the couch in my room, sitting by the fireplace on my lunch break.  At the end of the day I’ll typically take advantage of Capitol Peak Guests’ complimentary access to the Snowmass Club, a 19,000 square foot state of the art athletic club.  Swimming laps or soaking in the hot tub does a sore body some good after a day on the mountain, and when I really feel like pulling out all the stops I’ll relax with one of their many services offered at the spa.

Other amenities I enjoy while staying at Capitol Peak Lodge are the valet, daily housekeeping service, underground parking and complimentary Aspen Airport transportation–they really take care of you here.  Next time you’re looking for lodging in Snowmass, Colorado, I highly recommend checking out the Capitol Peak Lodge.

Find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized summer or winter vacation to Snowmass or 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.

Snowmass is a beautiful village located in the Brush Creek Valley in the Colorado Rockies. It is a small village, and while it lacks the vastness of other resorts it is consistently rated as one of the top family ski resorts in the United States. Upon your arrival to Snowmass you will immediately get a feeling of comfort and peace. Snowmass will meet your every need; they have casual and fine dining that will make your taste buds dance, excellent shopping and wonderful family entertainment. Also, Snowmass ski area is the largest of the four Aspen/Snowmass Mountains (the others are Ajax, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk). In fact, it is larger than the other three mountains combined, so you will always be able to find a variety of terrain creating challenges for all skill levels.  You will never get bored here, as the event and activity schedule for Snowmass is packed. Further, if you ever wanted to experience something else you are just minutes away from Aspen village, Aspen Mountain (Ajax), Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk Mountain.

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals has a large inventory in Snowmass, all you need to do is browse our site or pick up the phone and give us a call. We will find the property that fulfills all your vacation needs while providing superb concierge services for all your favorite activities. Your dream property could, for instance, be one of the beautiful condominiums at the Hayden Lodge in heart of the new Base Village in Snowmass.

The Hayden Lodge is located slope-side with ski-in/ski-out access, providing quick and easy access to the Mountain throughout the day. They offer Studio, 1, 2 and 3 Bedroom condos, along with hotel rooms, giving you plenty of options for your lodging. All properties have a fully-equipped kitchen with Energy Star rated appliances, allowing you to cook for your whole party. If you are traveling with a loved one, you might even be lucky enough to get breakfast in bed!

In all of the rooms you will find soft Egyptian cotton sheets, washer/dryer units and a gas fireplace. You can also use the complimentary high-speed internet to upload all your magnificent vacation pictures and make everyone else jealous, wishing they were vacationing with you. On-site you will also find a recreational Jacuzzi, which is perfect for unwinding after a long day exploring Snowmass. Another amazing amenity at the Hayden Lodge is the daily housekeeping service. After all, it’s always great to return to a cleaned room after a day of skiing on your well deserved vacation. The Lodge also has a heated parking garage, so feel free to bring a car with you. However, there is a free shuttle to the Aspen Airport and a free shuttle within Snowmass Village.

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.

Every year since 2001, Aspen has been hosting the Winter X Games. And every year, they up the ante and get more creative and intense with their jumps, terrain features and race tracks. This year will be no exception.

Winter X Games 16 will return again to beautiful Aspen, Colorado from January 26-29, 2012. Last year, various milestones were set, including the first triple cork in a snowboard competition, the first 1080 by a woman in the superpipe, the first 4-peat gold by Shaun White in the superpipe, and the Moore brothers did a back flip on a snowmobile—together (however they were disqualified from the event since the event was for “individuals”). The event grows bigger each year as athletes and judges continue to raise their performance expectations, along with the growing popularity of snow sports in general. Last year broke their previous attendance record of 85,100 and reset the bar at 114,200. Attendance is expected to increase again, making Winter X Games 16 the biggest Winter X Games yet.

There are also a handful of returning athletes with big expectations: Shaun White, Scotty Lago, Louie Vito, Gretchen Bleier, Kelly Clark, Hannah Teter, Kevin Rolland, Sebastien Toutant,Torstein Horgmo,  Sarah Burke, Lindsey Jacobellis, Daniel Bodin, and a handful of others.

Here is the schedule throughout the weekend:

Thursday, Jan 26:

10:30 am – Men’s Ski Slopestyle Elimination

1:30 pm – Women’s Ski Slopestyle Final

2:30 pm – Snowboard Street Final

7 pm – Snowmobile Freestyle Final

7:45 pm – Men’s Ski Slopestyle Final

 

Friday, Jan 27:

10:30 am – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Elimination

11:30 am – Men’s & Women’s Skier X Qualifying

1:30 pm – Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final

2 pm – Men’s & Women’s Snowboarder X Qualifying

3:30 pm – Adaptive Snowboarder X Exhibition

6:30 pm – Men’s Ski SuperPipe Elimination

8:30 pm – Snowbaord Big Air Final

9 pm – Women’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final

 

Saturday, Jan 28:

9:30 am – Mono Skier X Qualifying

11 am – Women’s Ski SuperPipe Final

12:30 pm – Men’s Ski SuperPipe Final

2 pm – Men’s & Wome’s Snowboarder X Final

6:45 pm – Ski Big Air Final

7:30 pm – Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle Final

 

Sunday, Jan 29:

12 pm – Men’s & Women’s Skier X Final

12:15 pm – Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe Elimination

2:45 pm  – Mono Skier X Final

7 pm – Snowmobile Best Trick Final

7:45 pm – Men’s Snowboard SuperPipe Final

 

Television coverage for this event can be found on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN 3D. Internet coverage can be found on espn.com/action, xgames.com and espn3.com.  And don’t forget to check out all of last year’s footage to get stoked for this year.

When searching for lodging in Aspen or Snowmass for the X Games, be sure to contact us for the best deals. Also, our complimentary full service concierge will take care of all your ski rentals, lift tickets, and transportation to and from the airport.

Find out more about how our team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® can help you plan your customized X Games Vacation today!

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.

 

 

Snowmass, Colorado Ski Vacation

The Viceroy in Snowmass sets the bar for luxury in this beautiful town.  Step into the elegant lobby and be immediately transported to a mountain paradise.  Take a minute to embrace this one-of-a-kind splendor.

The lobby is specially designed to create an allure of comfort and ease.  The tall chairs and plush couches invite you to sit down and warm up by the glass fireplace.  The soft blankets beckon you to wrap up in their splendor while you read your favorite book and sip on a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

After enjoying the glorious lobby, ride the elevator upstairs to your private residence.  You will be greeted by luscious décor creating the perfect mountain ambiance.  The living room is outfitted with an overstuffed couch which stands as the ideal place to kick back and watch your favorite DVD after a day of adventure.  The gourmet kitchen has everything you need to make fresh espresso in the morning or a delicious dinner for the entire family.

Of course the luxurious residences are not why you originally decided to come to Telluride so you will enjoy the ideal location of the Viceroy.  In the winter it offers ski-in/ski-out access to the world-class terrain at Telluride Resort.  Recently Telluride has expanded its skiing terrain to over three hundred more acres so there is always a new part of the mountain to explore.

When you need a break from downhill skiing take part in one of the many other winter activities based in Snowmass.  Choose from ice-skating, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing in the back-country.  No matter which you choose, you are sure to enjoy your winter vacation.

After all the activity you are sure to workup a hefty appetite. Your dining options are infinite whether you choose to cook at home in your private condo, eat on-site at one of the three restaurants, or venture into town for even more options.  Without leaving the resort you can enjoy everything from blackened tuna tacos and Korean beef stir-fry to original herbal tonics and an expansive list of vintage cognacs.

At the end of the day return to your beautiful room and fall asleep in the aesthetically pleasing rooms designed to create a peaceful, welcoming environment.  The beds are covered with overstuffed pillows and soft linen sheets ensuring a restful nights sleep so you will wake rejuvenated and refreshed for your next day of adventure.

Our ski vacation destination specialist in Snowmass, Colorado looks forward to helping you plan your next vacation at The Viceroy.  We are your Friendly.Knowledgeable.Locals. and can’t wait for you to visit.