The Summer Teva Mountain Games held in Vail, Colorado is pretty much one of the coolest events held all summer.  The Games combine athletes, art, and music, all in the beautiful mountain setting of Vail, Colorado.  This year’s event will kick off May 31 and conclude June 3, 2012.  So I’d like to let you know why the Teva Mountain Games are at the top of my summer hit list.

1) Swag!  Who doesn’t love free stuff?  At the Teva Mountain Games, free is pretty easy to come by.   Being a respected and well established event has its perks when it comes to attracting Sponsors. Whether is free stickers, socks, or Chipotle burritos, – there is swag to be had!  At Teva, the vendors’ line up tents throughout Vail Village, which is better known as “Gear Town”.  Gear Town attracts really cool companies who are there to educate and introduce their products to like-minded consumers.  In fact, I’ve discovered some really cool companies through Gear Town over the years!

2)  Free Music!
The Vail Valley Foundation never disappoints when it comes to booking amazing artists to perform for free during the event.  Last year at the Teva Mountain Games The Dirty Heads and Xavier Rudd both put on amazing shows!  Organizers haven’t released the line-up for this year’s event yet, but I’m confident that when they do, it will be something to look forward to.

3)   Amazing athletes
No matter what event you find yourself at during the Games, you’re going to have a good time.  Athletes come from around the globe to compete in kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting, and much more during the Games.  There are even competitions for our little furry friends in Golden Peak.  Last year our office dog Aussie got a taste of the action in the Duck Dogs Competition.

4)      Participate!
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to engage in some friendly competition at the Teva Mountain Games.  There is a 10k, Vail Pass Marathon and Mud Run among other events that anyone can register for.  Last year me and a few girls I work with did the Mud Run and has a blast and half!

Lodging in Vail comes in a great price during the summer months.  I recommend calling one of our Destination Specialists today to learn more about the Teva Mountain Games and secure a place to stay!

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Sunday, April 15 – Iration – At the Solaris

- Venue opens and music starts at 4 pm

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

March 29^th – April 1^st marks the 9^th annual Vail Film Festival taking place in beautiful Vail, Colorado.  Presented by Cadillac, this year’s festival promises to deliver a screening platform that showcases filmmakers’ work and inspires viewers. Festival activities include film screenings, panel discussions, parties, live music, and a filmmaker’s reception.

 

On March 1^st the Vail Film Festival will announce what films will be screened during this year’s event.  This event will be the world premier for many films, while some will have debuted at other film festivals around the globe. There will be a variety of films showing ranging from documentaries to short films to student and adventure films.  While the majority of the screenings will be shown at the host hotel The Sebastian, producers will also utilize Cine Bistro and Vail Mountain School fir screenings.  The Sebastian is a great host hotel for the Vail Film Festival due to its premier location in Vail Village and the luxurious amenities that are inherent of the property.  At the property there is Block 16 restaurant, Frost bar and lounge, Bloom Spa, a business center and a market where you can grab a snack to go.  The Sebastian Vail offers both hotel and condominium style residences to accommodate different a variety of guests.

 

Attendees have the option of purchasing a variety of festival passes, depending on what they want to get out of the festival.  While some might be interested in just the screenings, other attendees will take advantage of the unique opportunity to participate in panel discussions with film makers and lead actors, or mix and mingle with others in the industry at the parties and in the hospitality lounge.

 

Last year I had the pleasure of attending various screenings and event parties and I loved every minute of it.  I saw some incredibly memorable films and was thoroughly impressed with the Vail Film Festival.   I look forward to another great event in 2012!

 

If you’re coming out for the Vail Film Festival and have yet to secure your lodging, give one of our local Destination Specialists a  call at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals so they can help find you the best lodging in Vail for your Film Festival experience.

Welcome to Avon, Colorado, the host of the 2012 Snowball Music Festival. Last year was the first year for the Snowball Music Festival and it went so well that the event will be happening again this year!

Scheduling

Snowball Music Festival will be taking place from March 2 – 4 in Avon, Colorado.  Avon is the town just outside of Beaver Creek and Down the road from Vail. The festival will be hosting a variety of shows ranging from Rock to Rap to Electronic: check out the full lineup and schedule. Snowball Music Festival will kick off on Thursday, March 1^st at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek including performances by Trampled by Turtles, Elephant Revival and Bonfire Dub ($30). The festival will continue on the next day and last throughout the weekend of March 2^nd as follows:

• Friday, March 2^nd: 1pm – 10pm

• Saturday, March 3^rd: 12pm – 10pm

• Sunday, March 4^th: 12pm – 8pm

 

Transportation

Avon is located just off I-70, making it a very accessible location. If you are staying up in the mountains for the weekend, Vail, Beaver Creek and Avon are all accessible and convenient. If you need transportation from the Vail Transportation Center, there is a $35 3-day shuttle pass available here. If you are more budget conscious, staying in Edwards or Eagle may be a better option. There is also the Eco Bus, that can transport you to and from the Eagle County Airport, Eagle, Edwards, Avon, Eagle Vail, Minturn, Leadville and Vail. The Eco Bus has various fares, depending on your trip.

 

Tickets

Tickets to the event are sold as 3-day passes. Currently, the pass is going for $159.50 right here. They have let out a few different levels of passes, so who knows if this pass will sell out or if there will be another price increase. There are also VIP tickets available today for $299.50 which includes preferred viewing areas, a tented heat lounge, full bar access and private restrooms.

After Parties

Each night when the festival winds down around 10pm, the party has just begun. There are various bars/restaurants that will host parties after the festival. These parties will have live music and/or DJs performing to keep the party going. These shows often sell out fast, so keep up with these restaurants to find out when tickets are going on sale:

• Samana Lounge (Vail Village)

• Vendetta’s (Vail Village)

• Agave (Avon
  

  Head to Agave on Saturday, March 3rd @ 9pm after the Snowball Music Festival

 

• Loaded Joes (Avon)

 

Local Tips

A music festival in the mountains…in the winter…There are a few things you need to know before trekking out here to see the show.

• Stay hydrated—staying hydrated is always the key to a good time, especially when traveling to high elevation (Avon is 7,340 ft above sea level). The air is thinner up here so your body needs more water, its that simple. And if you’re drinking, it is even more important to mix in some water now and then.

• Stay warm—don’t try and be the cool kid in a t-shirt. You may ne able to get away with this if you are in the DJ tent the entirety of the festival, but it is not recommended. Temperatures will be below freezing for most of the concert, especially after the sun goes down around 5-6. Dress for winter weather and bring a hat and gloves to ensure a good time.

• Don’t sleep in the car—while sleeping in the car has been a music festival pastime, it might not be the best idea for Snowball. With temperatures in the single digits at night, sleeping in your car is neither fun nor safe, and after partying hard getting a good night’s sleep is necessary if your want to continue partying through the weekend.

 

Well, there is a summary of what will be going on Snowball weekend, so be sure to take note of the aforementioned tips and have fun! And if you need lodging for the Snowball Music Festival be sure to contact one of our Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals. today to see what we can do!

The Teva Mountain Games is without a doubt one of my favorite events of the summer. The games ignite an undeniable energy in athletes and spectators, while showcasing the stunning natural terrain that makes Vail a great year-round playground for athletes.

Not to my surprise, when the Vail Valley Foundation announced that they would be introducing the Winter Teva Mountain Games from February 10-12, 2012, I was stoked. Just like the summer games, the Winter Teva Mountain Games will celebrate athletes, art, music, and mountains through three days of athletic competitions, photo competitions, free concerts, demos and expos.

The Winter Teva Mountain Games will attract professional and amateur athletes who will compete for the $60,000 cash purse over the three day of event. Presented by Eddie Bauer, there are various different competitions: mixed climbing, mountain, big air and dual slalom biking, Nordic and telemark skiing, ski mountaineering, snowshoe racing, and a one-day vertical challenge in Vail’s famous back bowls! To compliment the competitions, The Spazmatics and Theophilus London will perform free concerts in Vail Village on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Vail Valley Foundation expects the Teva Winter Games to grow to the size of the Teva Summer Games over the next five years. All I can say is bring it on!

Don’t miss the inaugural 2012 Winter Teva Mountain Games! Call Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^® at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals today to plan your customized 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.

 

 

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.

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.

The Snow Ball Music Festival has the powers of impressing me every day.  It must be some magic wizard.  Announcing artists daily keeps me intrigued, as if Bassnectar and Pretty Lights weren’t enough.  The way the acts are being announced I think its genius and accidental, but all good things happen for a reason.  I keep going to the website and social networks everyday to check on updates waiting for my mind to be blown, and they are doing a great job.  As acts are still being signed, it is exciting to watch this wonderful idea grow daily.

On January 13, I was impressed again with the announcement of Brother Ali to the concert poster along with a few other announcements and the growth of free spaces on the poster!  I saw Brother Ali opening for Bassnectar earlier this year, so it’s great to see them together again at the same festival.  Brother Ali must enjoy the dance music.  More spaces mean more acts and I thought 29 was a large amount, but now there are 44 spots on the line-up.  With the addition of Brother Ali to the Snow Ball, I expect to see another act added to the line-up – Mimosa. He opened for Pretty Lights at Red Rocks this summer, and I recently saw him play a great show at Agave in Avon.  I would love to see him again especially in a festival atmosphere.

I only have one problem with this: the third headliner.  Who will it be? I have been waiting eagerly and I don’t want to wait anymore.  I have heard rumors that DeadMau5 might be playing at the Snow Ball, but would he be the third headliner?  I for one wouldn’t want that, but seems to be a good fit.  I think the third headliner shouldn’t be electronic – a lot of genres are coming to the Snow Ball, and it would be healthy to have some diversity.  I’d like to see a hip-hop act, like Atmosphere  or maybe something old school.  Whoever it may be, I’m sure everyone will be stoked regardless of who it is.  I can’t wait to see.

If you are planning on attending the Snow Ball Music Festival contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for your lodging needs.

My other Snow Ball Blogs:

The Snow Ball Music Festival Continues to Excite!

The Snow Ball Is Coming

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.

The SnowBall Music Festival debuting in Avon, Colorado March 4-6, 2010 is going to be EPIC. Event producers are really building up the anticipation by releasing a new artist set to preform every day. I catch myself checking the SnowBall facebook fan page way too often for updates.  I have my fingers crossed that soon we’ll see some of the bands added that are being requested over and over again by fans such as Boombox, Ghostland, Emancipator, Disco Biscuits, the New Deal and the list goes on.  So far the SnowBall Music Festival has announced the following artists set to rock the stage at Nottingham Park in Avon this March.

Pretty Lights
Bassnectar
Classixx
Big Gigantic
Local Natives
Baths
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Miami Horror
Mansions on the Moon
DIPLO
Superhumanoids
Bonfire Dub
12th Planet
Portugal. The Man

If you plan on attending this sick festival, you best pick up your tickets now before the price jumps up. Early Bird Passes are on sale now, so get them while they’re hot!  See you at the show.  For your festival lodging needs contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals today!

Recently I have been hearing a rumor of a music festival coming to the Vail Valley with such acts as Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic  Zeros, and Bonfire Dub.  I have been checking their website daily to see updates to confirm my excitement.  As I walk into the office today and grab a newspaper I see a Front Page headline “Music Festival Coming to Avon.”

Bassnectar and Pretty Lights have been confirmed among with a few other bands to play at The SnowBall Music Festival in Avon, CO.  Organizers are planning to have three headliners and about 25 to 30 acts total over the three day festival.  The full line up should be announced within the month.  This is going to be a huge event for Vail Valley because there is going to be thousands of people in attendance and an estimated $4 million dollars  stimulated into the local economy.  The town of Avon is excited to be able to host such an event without investing a dime, as The Snow Ball LLC will be privately funding the festival.

For those who do not know Bassnectar or Pretty Lights, they both are engineers in different genres of electronic music.  Pretty Lights is Derek Smith from Fort Collins, CO who has been creating great music, electronically sampling many types of genres putting them in a nice hip-hop beat, with his percussionist who usually plays live with him on the drums.  All of  Pretty Lights’ music can be downloaded for free on their website.  Bassnectar, Lorin Ashton, is from California and plays more of a dubstep style (heavy bass) with remixes and mash-ups.  He is a lot of fun to watch as I saw him twice this year.  The last time I saw Bassnectar he laid down a two hour set!

I can’t wait to see the rest of the line up.  This is going to be an epic event and will be following it daily to see updates and news on the SnowBall Festival so stay tuned.  If you would like to book your stay before its too late contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals.

Vail Snow Daze. Never heard of it? Well you better listen up and continue reading, or you will be missing out. The party kicks off today with après ski deals all over Vail Village. The best way to find out about these deals is to just head out to Bridge Street and see for yourself all that Vail has to offer. Come Thursday, the party kicks it up a notch with more après deals, the Dummy Demolition Derby, and free chili. The night will finish with Mix Master Mike performing for free in Vail Village. Friday’s festivities continue with, of course, more après deals and Dwight Yoakam playing for your benefit at Ford Park.

If you can’t make it to Vail during the work week because you unfortunately have to work, then make sure to be there Saturday and Sunday. Saturday night after you have hit the mountain hard all day, be sure to head to Ford Park to enjoy the sounds of O.A.R., and did I mention that this concert is free as well? If you are lucky enough to be around Sunday night, then I am sure you will be able to enjoy one more free concert. How about Weezer for free at Ford Park? That sounds nice doesn’t it? Well lucky for you, I am not lying.

So if you are still reading this blog, clear up your weekend, head up to Vail, and enjoy one incredible weekend full of free concerts, après ski parties, and lots of great early season snow.

For any lodging needs this weekend, make sure to call us at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals and we can get you the best deal in town. Maybe we will even see you out in the town. If you’re lucky.

Today is opening day at Vail and that means there is a lot going on.  There is so much happening I am upset that it is physically impossible for me to enjoy everything the Valley has to offer this weekend.  No matter what your entertainment preferences are there is something for everyone.

If you find yourself on the slopes of snow you will notice how many lifts are open for opening day; that is right a lot compared to a normal opening day.  Last year Vail only had the Born Free run open, and this year 1,150 acres are open to shred.  When the mountain closes today don’t go home quite yet there is plenty of fun to still be had.

Garfinkel’s, a bar and restaurant in Lionshead Village, is hosting the opening day bash that is free to join.  The party will begin at 1pm and will go till 4pm.  Plenty will be going on with DJ P-Rock spinning, raffle giveaways, and drink specials this is a good place to start off the long day of events.

If you decide to stay on the slopes till they kick you off, what I will be doing, make sure to check out the free concert performed by Big Gigantic outside of Lionshead Village.  Big Gigantic is a Front Range electronica duo that has been on the rise in the music scene.  If you are in Vail this is a must see show in my opinion.  Big Gigantic will be performing from 3:30 to 5:30 so make sure to check them out.

If any of you remember The Samples, ex-drummer Jeep MacNichol will be performing at Samana tonight as his solo stage name Mr. Anonymous.  Jeep went solo in 2005 with his debut album Mr. Anonymous in Jamaica.  With different music styling compared to the Samples, Mr. Anonymous has a dub-reggae style with a little dance feeling.  Doors open at 8pm the first DJ will start at 9.  There is no cover if you get there before 11pm, and only $5 afterwards.

Is music not your thing? Rather share a laugh with some friends and family? Well you’re in luck thanks to the sand bar located in West Vail; a lineup of hilarious local comedians will be cracking you up tonight.  Headliner is Denver local, Elliot Woolsey.  If you haven’t heard of Elliot’s stand up do yourself a favor and go see him tonight at the Sand Bar.  The show starts at 8pm with no cover.

For the more local scene Paddy’s Restaurant, located in Eagle-Vail, will be putting on a night of DubStep with a free keg to boot.  Dubstep is a rising genre, especially in Colorado, that has a lot of people talking and is changing the music scene as we know it.  If you never got a taste of Dubstep come by paddy’s enjoy a free beer and dance the night away.

Tyler Boyd Posing at the Top of Chair 3 for the Opening Day in Vail 2010

Mid Vail Scenic View From Opening Day in Vail 2010

Today’s Vail Mountain Cams!

Two Elk	Terrain Park	Clock Tower
Vail, CO	Vail, CO	Vail, CO
View Cam	View Cam	View Cam

Wildwood	Vail village
Vail, CO	Vail, CO
View Cam	View Cam

There will be many more events in Vail this ski season, so when skiing the powder packed mountain don’t forget about the great events happening all around town.  To book your stay, contact a Friendly Knowledgeable Local at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

Get ready for Opening Day, mountain enthusiasts: it’s…  TOMORROW.

The community of Vail has been taking all the right steps to be prepared for the season’s big day. With giveaways, free music, concerts at night, film showings, and 1,150 ACRES OF SKIABLE TERRAIN TO BE OPEN, tomorrow in Vail will for sure be awesome.

Nine lifts are announced to be open, including Avanti Express Lift (2), Wildwood Express Lift (3), Moutaintop Express Lift (4), Game Creek Express Lift (7), Born Free Express Lift (8), Northwoods Express Lift (11), Little Eagle Lift (15), Vista Bahn Express Lift (16, at the base in Vail Village), and of course, the Eagle Bahn Gondola (19, located in Lionshead).

The mountain will be open at 9 in the morning, and both Lionshead and Vail Village will be offering $1 breakfast burritos, complimentary hot cocoa, Muscle Milk samples, and plenty of giveaways.  Garfinkle’s in Lionshead is hosting an “Opening Day Bash” where a DJ will be spinning along with plenty of food and drink specials, going on from 1 to 3 p.m.  I, on the other hand, will be slinging y’all beers at the Red Lion in Vail Village, and the party over there should be pretty animated as well!

Garfinkle’s bash will lead to the free concert featuring the band Big Gigantic at 3:30 at Vail Square in Lionshead. Also, there will be plenty of music in town throughout the weekend, starting tonight with trance fusion band Yamn at Samana Lounge. A few movie premiers will be shown tonight – “In-Color” by Transworld and “Cheers” by People will be shown at the Burton store in Lionshead, as well as “Light the Wick” by Teton Gravity Research at Sandbar. The Burton event starts at 7, with free food offered by Moe’s BBQ and raffle prizes that include a snowboard and heli trip. At Sandbar, a keg of Colorado Native will be tapped at 9, and another raffle will be giving away a Never Summer snowboard, Liberty skis, and a Loki jacket. Win cool stuff to set the weekend off right!

If you haven’t booked for the weekend already, check out Vail packages with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals – and get up here!

This weekend, there are a few festive happenings taking place in celebration of ghosts, alter egos, and sugary treats. Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, and this will be my first time celebrating in the mountains. There is something that’s awesome about letting yourself become something else, exploring your creativity in getting there, and seeing what other people come up with too. I haven’t reached a definite conclusion for my costume yet, and I wouldn’t tell you if I did – check me out in Vail this weekend!

A few things are going on tonight:

In Avon, get your dance on for the dead, at Saltwater Cowboy where the Grateful Dead cover jam band Shakedown Street will be playing.  The music starts at 10, and there is a $10 cover charge. Loaded Joe’s will be hosting a costume contest in addition to Karaoke tonight. The party kicks off at 9:30, there is no cover charge, and you can tap the Rockies with Coors Light pitchers, for $8!

Further up the road in Beaver Creek, the Charter Academy is hosting its annual Halloween fundraiser, “Spirit’s Haunted Night Club – Ghosts from Colorado’s Past.” Taking place at Saddle Ridge tonight, this upscale masquerade will have dinner tastings, black martinis, and plenty of rounds of pool and cards games played. Individual tickets are $75, and a reserved table for 10 is $1200.

Also tonight, the Boulder band Salem will be playing in Edwards at the Main St. Grill, at 10 p.m.

Saturday is the night I plan to go all out. At the Sandbar, Denver funk/rock band Bop Skizzum will be playing music to emulate the founding fathers of funk. With beats any persona can get down to, like the styles of James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Michael Jackson, it should be a decent Halloween bash. There will be a costume contest with cash prizes and awards, highlighting the Best Costume, Sexiest Costume, and Best Couple Costume. Cover is $5.

Semana Lounge will be also reward best costume, with a focus on the theme “Villains and Vixens,” where DJ Lito will be spinning. Also, a party at Bol will be taking place at the Solaris. The bowling alley will offer drink specials, costume contest will be based on sexiest, scariest, and best costume overall.

For a more upscale gathering in Vail, The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch will be inaugurating their “Haunted Hallows Eve” party. Tickets are $35 per person, or $60 per costume-coordinated duo, and the festivities go on from 8 to 11 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres, beer, Halloween-themed drinks and entertainment will all be available for this classy monster ball. A panel of resort judges will determine who will win prizes, based on various categories.

Don’t have a place to stay this weekend to take part in a Rocky Mountain Halloween? Call 1-888-364-7596, and book your weekend stay with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!

This Saturday, Battle Mountain High School in Edwards, CO will be hosting the Expeditionary Learning Mountain Filmfest. The screening of four segments from Moutainfilms of Telluride will feature films including “Alone on the Wall,” “Facing the Waves,” and three other films to raise money for Expeditionary Learning Schools.

Expeditionary Learning Schools partners with schools, districts, and charter boards to enhance existing curriculums and open new schools. In the Rocky Mountain Region, Expeditionary Learning Schools partners with Red Canyon High School, Minturn Middle School, and Meadow Mountain Elementary School. Using the idea of expedition to create common themes, the organization aims to raise questions about history, society, and the environment.

This weekend, the selected films highlight the outdoors and extreme sports. Peter Mortimer and Nick Rosen’s film “Alone on the Wall” tells the story of Alex Honnald, 23-year-old free solo climber who takes on the challenge of Yosemite’s 600 meter Half Dome. I saw this film last year at the climbing gym Movement in Boulder, and it’s pretty mind-blowing. Check out a preview here.

The 15-minute film “Facing the Waves” sounds interesting too.  Produced by Lee Quinby, the film tells the story of Bobby Vaughn’s surfing adventures. Quinby takes Vaughn’s story of transforming from gang member to CEO of the surf clothing company, FTW (Facing the Waves). Quinby is also an intellectual historian with an emphasis on understanding alternative belief systems in American culture, and the story embraces Vaughn’s story and the waves to represent a metaphor for life.

Three other films will be part of the extreme sports segment, including stories of Hawaii wave skiing, climbing up the North Face of the Eiger, and extreme fishing in Russia. Tickets are $10 for general audience films, extreme sports films, and a technical video class. Attendees interested in the documentary/discussion segment can purchase tickets for $30, a VIP Pass for $100 includes access to all venues, all movies, and tonight’s VIP reception.

Check out the filmfest this weekend at Battle Mountain High School in Edwards, and let the adrenaline start pumping!

Can’t wait for Valentine’s Day to come again? Well, there is no need to! Next week starts ‘Love Fest Week’ as part of Vail’s Restaurant Month. Vail’s Restaurant Month spans from September 20th – October 17th and includes a different theme each week. With ‘Market to Table’ Week behind us, and Health, Wellness & Outdoors Week in full swing, we locals are looking forward to next week’s Love Fest! These great restaurant deals start Monday, October 4th and end Sunday, October 10th and include everything from champagne and wine tastings, to spa specials and activities for couples and friends alike. Here are two of the many events that I’m looking forward to that week:

“Taste the Forbidden Love” – a romantic dinner that celebrates wine and spirits of the past, including the greatest classic romances in history! Want to dine like Romeo and Juliet? Feast as Cleopatra and Caesar would have? Then this is the event for you! Available only at Restaurant Kelly Liken. www.kellyliken.com

“Chocolate Decadence” – nothing says romance like chocolate! Masters Gallery presents this one day event on Saturday, October 9th at the Lord Gore Restaurant at the Manor Vail Lodge. Chef Richard A. Bailey and gallerista extraordinaire Rayla Kundolf will co-host this afternoon reception. Call in advance to RSVP 970-477-0600.

So whether you out celebrating your marriage, relationships or friendships, venture out into Vail Village to experience this once a year LoveFest Restaurant week!

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

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

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

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

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

Are you sad that the Vail Recreation District Trail Running Series has come to a close? Never fear, trailing running in the Vail Valley continues to be accessible and beautiful throughout the fall. Trail running can be a challenging way to enjoy the outdoors while getting a great work out, but it doesn’t have to be strenuous.  The Vail area brings runners from around the state and around the country for races, training and just the chance to enjoy the natural beauty.

Fall is my favorite time of year for trail running because the days are cooler, the crowds have left, and the Aspen trees turn golden.  Hitting the backcountry trails is the best way to watch the leaves change colors and the local wildlife get ready for winter.  Here are a few of my favorite trails to hit this September and October:

1)      Allie’s Way: Located on Beaver Creek Mountain, this is a great beginner’s trail. It cuts across the front side of Beaver Creek and has minimal elevation changes.  This single track is also open to mountain bikers, so make sure you’re paying attention as well.

2)      Berry Picker: Located on Vail Mountain, this trail is easily accessible from either Vail Village or Lionshead Village. It winds along the base of the ski mountain, around Gore Creek, and provides a great opportunity to watch the local brush change colors!

3)      The North Trail: This single track is on the North side of I-70, across the Valley from Vail Mountain. This trail cuts in and out of various Aspen groves, and when it opens up, you get wonderful views of the valley and Vail Mountain

4)      Squaw Creek: A more challenging run, this trail starts off going up a steep hill.  You will be handsomely rewarded, however, once you reach the top, because it opens up into a huge flat top of the mountain with amazing views in all directions!

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced runner, you will find a great trail in the Vail Valley to get your running fix.  And just because the days are cooling off doesn’t mean you have to hang up your running shoes just yet!

This blog was brought to you by Alana, the Social Media Marketing Manager, and a Sales Agent at the Vail/Beaver Creek location. Alana is always planning for her next trip to the outdoors to either go biking, hiking, rock climbing, fly fishing, skiing or whatever new adventure she finds. Alana would describe herself as “a thinker”, and she demonstrates this in her work and home life. In her free time she loves to cook, spend time with her sisters & family, and experience anything outdoors related. Alana graduated from Dartmouth College with a Social Psychology degree, and she is passionate about ice cream. Afterall, ice cream is addicting…