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!

Just like that Spring is fast approaching. What are you doing for your Spring Break? …I’m not thinking sun and beach… I’m going more for free concerts, last chance to get some skiing/boarding before the season is over, street parties, pond skimming championships. Doesn’t all that sound so much better than just sun and beach?  How do you get to do all this? Easy just come to Spring Back at Vail 2011!

Starting April 15 there will be tons of activities and concerts to celebrate the end of this great ski season we’ve had at Vail. Come early for an all-mountain film competition open to pros and amateurs. Best of all concerts are FREE and lift ticket deals and great lodging packages will be available and who better to help you get this party started and get your lodging needs in order than your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!

Curious about who will be playing at the concerts? Here are a few of the bands that will be playing:

• • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
  • Train
  • The Greyboy Allstars
  • Shpongle presents the Shpongletron Experience
  • Stephen Marley
  • Chris Velan
  • Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars

Alright I’m stoked about all this …I know if you read this blog you probably are too. What next…book your lodging with one Vail’s own Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals!

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.

Here in Vail we have been blessed by the Snow Gods with one of the best early seasons to date.  Vail has 20 of 34 lifts open already!  As I am writing this, the snow is coming down outside our office window, which looks out on the mountain.  Good thing it is snowing, as Vail’s Blue Sky Basin opening will be as fresh as possible.  That’s right, Blue Sky Basin will be opening this Friday at 10 am.

There will be other openings as well, including the west side’s Bwana Terrain Park.  The conditions are remarkable for how early it is in the season.  A total of 22 chairlifts,if not more, should be open this Friday, so come up to Vail to experience most of the mountain in the beginning of December!  Remember to book your vacation with Friendly, Knowledgeable Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

Snow is being made at Vail as we speak, and while opening day isn’t until November 19th for pass holders, athletes from the Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and U.S. Ski Team have had the VIP access to early season training.

With that in mind, Vail is beginning to make preparations for announcing the 2011 U.S. Alpine Ski Team this Saturday in the Valley. Athletes including Lindsey Vonn, Bode Miller, and Sarah Schleper will be present, and the event is being presented by Vail Resorts. Vail Mountain, Ski and Snowboard Vail, and members of the local community will be setting up camp for festivities in Lionshead, at the Vail Square!

The event will be open to the public at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday. There will be plenty of music, videos, and free hot chocolate and cookies to go around, accompanying the anticipated announcement of the team. Additionally, the public is invited to watch the pros in training from the base of Vail Mountain on Saturday morning, from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

As this weekend in honor of the U.S. Alpine Ski Team approaches, the season for the rest of Vail is coming in quickly as well. Whether or not you will be here to take part in the kick-off festivities this weekend, brace yourself for the upcoming ski season in the Rockies. With that snow blowing gallantly on the mountains, it’s officially feeling like the brink of the season.

Check out what all our services have to offer if you haven’t already, at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!

Everyone likes to go out to eat, right? If you have kids, I bet you really enjoy going out to eat and taking a break from cooking a meal for your entire family at the house. Whether going out to eat is a regular activity for you, or if you only eat out on special occasions, this week is your time to go out and treat yourself and your family to a nice dinner out on the town. Since September 20, Vail Village has been putting on restaurant month, jam-packed full of classes, events, deals, and activities for the lucky few who venture out into the Valley this time of year, and this week is Family Week.  Why there not more people here this time of year still baffles me, because the trees are so beautiful and the temperature is perfect everyday.

Today, check out Tasting Tuesdays at Alpine Wine and Spirits. Tomorrow check out “Little Foodies in the Kitchen” at numerous participating locations and try some young chef’s new concoctions. Among these small events, there are specials everywhere in Vail Village for you to enjoy that won’t break your bank. But hurry, Vail restaurant month is only happening until Sunday. Then you will have to wait another whole year to experience it again.

When heading to Vail, the best place for any lodging deal is Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. Be sure to give us a call at 1.888.866.2305 and maybe we will even see you out on the town and we can enjoy restaurant month together.

You probably woke up on Friday morning and prepared for a tough day at the office. Here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, we woke up and prepared to get down and dirty—and juicy!  We were scheduled for another date with Churchill Wine Cellars, and could not have been more excited!

We headed out to Wolcott to the Four Eagle Ranch, about a 35 minute drive from Vail.  Upon our arrival, we were greeted by Patrick Chirichillo, one of the owners, and given a quick wine tasting lesson.  We then ventured outside, and stood amongst the delicious aromas of grapes before we prepared to ‘crush.’  There were many different kinds of grapes, including malbec, syrah, and barbera.  Each kind of wine is a mixture of different types and amounts of grapes, the perfect equation for deliciousness every time.  Using the auger to crush the grapes was a team effort, as two people would pour a crate of grapes into the top, and two or three others would control the traffic as the grapes spun through the axis, making sure to keep the congestion away from the end.  An auger is a machine used in winemaking to de-stem grapes, with the juices flowing into a vat below while the stems and seeds are pushed out to the side into a separate barrel.

‘Crushing’ was fun, but the real excitement began when two large vats of grapes were set up for us to ‘stomp.’  We washed our feet and were split into four teams of two to begin the most epic grape stomping battle since that memorable episode of “I Love Lucy.”  Each team stepped into a vat of grapes and a pitcher was placed below the nozzle; the first team to fill the pitcher was the winner.  It was single elimination, and a trophy was awarded to the winning team, but it’s safe to say everybody had a wonderful time.  When the stomping was over, we each tried a sip of the fresh grape juice, which was absolutely delicious!

We left the wine cellars a sticky mess, but it was well worth it.  Next time you plan on coming to Vail, make sure to visit Churchill Wine Cellars for a stomping good time!  If you’re still on the vine about it, call Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305 to hear a first-hand account from one of our staff members.

It’s official…winter is upon us in Vail!  Today at about 2:25 p.m., the skies opened up and showered down some white flecks for about two minutes.  It didn’t last long, but it was successful in making us even more excited for the upcoming season.  The mountains are already capped with snow, and now we have a little bit on the ground.  So go ahead and start waxing up your skis and snowboards, and make sure you have your bindings ready to rock, because the mountain opens November 19th and you don’t want to be left behind!

Tomorrow, the staff of Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals will be stomping the workweek’s stress away at Churchill Wine Cellars in Wolcott, Colorado.  Okay, we’re not stressed.  We love our jobs.  But that’s not going to stop us from stomping.  This isn’t RMVR’s first stomping excursion; we stomped grapes around this time last year, and earlier this year in June, we spent a day bottling, corking and labeling wine bottles.  You could say we’ve been around the vineyard a time or two.

Churchill Wine Cellars has been making wine with California Grapes in the Vail Valley for 19 years.  Churchill acts solely as a wine club, inviting aspiring winemakers to join and learn to make wine themselves.  Events are held throughout the year for members to stomp, crush, and bottle wine to take home.

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals partakes in events like these throughout the year in order to offer added value to you—our clients.  When you visit us for your next vacation, we want to be able to extend a local’s knowledge of what activities you shouldn’t miss out on, which restaurants you shouldn’t pass up, and where you can find the best shopping, no matter your budget.  How could we possibly recommend an activity to you that we haven’t tried and keep a clear conscience?

So tomorrow, as we roll up our pant legs and step into a vat of soon-to-be-stomped grapes, it’s with you in mind.  Stay tuned to find out how it went, or give us a call at 1-888-866-2305 and ask us yourself!  Cheers!

This morning, the few guests milling about Lionshead Village got a visit from one of Vail’s many locals – a Moose! It turns out the mother and baby moose that had been seen regularly in early summer made an early fall appearance.

The mother and calf were spotted about 11 am this morning running through Lionshead.  A Vail employee managed to snap a photo of the pair running in front of the Lionshead Parking Structure.

Moose are native to the Vail area, but generally prefer areas of water and tall brush.  Generally shy, they are most often seen away from people on back country lakes and rivers.  Stay clear, though, as the average moose is over 6 feet tall and the mothers can be very protective of their young.

Growing up in today’s world (economy and all) is far different than anything any other generation has experienced. Counting myself among that group, I am a child of the internet, social progression, widespread greed, technological innovation, cultural advancement, and a new globalized world. Some things change, but there will always be those things that stay the same.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in Vail, Colorado. And while Vail is primarily known as a resort to the world, for me, this place is just home. I know the streets, I know the restaurants, I know the social scene, but most importantly, I know the people. And it’s because I’m a local. At Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, the tagline is “Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals. ™”. That’s exactly what I am and who we are. I went to high school here, I went to college a short two hours away, and then I moved back when I graduated because the Vail Valley is too much to pass up. This place makes life that much better and it’s not just because of the snow. The beauty and culture in the mountains that can be found throughout Colorado resorts is unrivaled.

It would seem that no matter how the world is changing around us, some people are still doing things the right way when it comes to business. You hear that said a lot, but how often can they back it up? If we at this company aren’t staying true to who we intend to be and what we strive to provide, then there isn’t anyone who is doing it. We provide a fulfilling, customer-based experience with our local knowledge that can only come from a local. But we don’t stop there, because we work for you. After getting you set up with the right property at the right price, we add ourselves to the equation. In come those special add-ons that we can provide because we personally know those that provide them. Gift certificates to local restaurants, credits at local ski shops, lift tickets, and the list goes on. We finish by providing a full concierge service. Not because we have to, but because, as locals, we want others to understand these places as well as we do and appreciate them. The concierge service is there to make your life easier, yes, but it also helps you experience these places the way we do. And isn’t that the goal? I mean, when you go on vacation, you’re going with the goals to experience something new, to relax, and to be happy.

That’s simply what we do – we make the experience enjoyable for you. That’s how we stay true to the name of Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals and do exactly what the company has promised. We are friendly, knowledgeable, and local. Our office is not just another corporate entity, but rather a fun environment that emanates the Vail culture. And when we email you or answer the phone, that culture comes through and is passed on. See what our clients have to say.

So, while I may be a child of this new world, it would seem that the business we conduct is done in an old-fashioned way; the right way.

This post was brought to you by Aaron, the Director of Operations for Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals. He is the “go to” man if there are any problems or anything that randomly needs to be fixed. He keeps the office organized, operates protocol, and in his free time, enjoys managing his investment portfolio and watching football, specifically the Dallas cowboys. One word wouldn’t be enough to describe Aaron, but two words that create a good representation would be “unbelievably amazing.” Aaron graduated from the Universtiy of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in both Finance and Real Estate. He is passionate about the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars hockey, and the vacation rental business.

1. We’re used to the quick paced energy of big cities and bright lights. Vail’s night life is known to get crazy…crazy in a good way. You can bar hop all night, and be stumbling distance home without having to worry about waking up to the smell of urine, hobos and roasted nuts.
2. Even though we’re well adapted to the competitive, always-in-a-rush person that will step over you in order to get to where they want to be, Vail is the perfect getaway from the people, attitude, and lifestyle we know so well. From the second you walk off your plane in Denver, you will notice this change in personalities. People are actually friendly! They acknowledge your presence (and even apologize) if they bump into you. They are low-key, mellow, down to earth, and happy to have you visit the place they call home.
3. Vail is bipartisan (even indifferent) to sports teams. Unlike our visits to “The Cape,” we can enjoy a night out on the town, a relaxing dinner, or a day on the slopes, without the nauseating site of heavy-set dudes with Red Sox gear on everywhere you turn. If the Giants are playing, you can stroll into a local sports bar, grab a beer, and root for your home team whole-heartedly, and with ease of mind.
4. We New Yorkers Love. Our. Food.  Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we value the times when we can shut off work, school, or our annoying ex, and simply indulge in good company and good food. Vail can accommodate our semi-outrageous eating habits with countless options for grubbing out and getting down. Whether it’s a New York style pie from Vendetta’s, or an Italian hoagie from La Bottega, we’re never short of meals here.
5. Last but certainly not least: a vacation is a vacation! And let’s face it, every New Yorker needs many more than they inevitably take. There’s a reason why Vail is the number one mountain in the lower 48; it’s the perfect place to curb that everlasting anxiety from our overextended, stress-induced lives. It’s nearly impossible to feel tense after a day on the slopes, après drinks at Garf’s, and an extended hot tub sesh in your own private home.

If you’re a New Yorker in need of a Vail Vacation, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305 to unwind on the slopes this winter!

This post was brought to you by Connie, a Sales Agent at the Vail/Beaver Creek office. She previously worked for Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals with the Business Development Team, and has returned as a CU graduate, now in the department of sales. She loves Colorado for the fact that people here are down-to-earth, like to spend their time doing quality things, and are thankful to be alive. She is passionate about skiing, hiking, running, and being outside, where the views, “are unbeatable, 365 days a year.” Connie loves talking to people, Italian food, and is really good at poker. She recently graduated from CU Boulder with a degree in English-Literature.

If you missed out on Oktoberfest at Beaver Creek last week, fear not:  there are still TWO MORE opportunities to get your oom-pah-pah on in the Vail Valley area.  This weekend, festivities are scheduled to take place in Lionshead Village, and the 17^th-19^th the party moves over to Vail Village.

I personally attended Beaver Creek’s Oktoberfest, and it will be a perfect September if I can make all three in a row.  You can expect to find food stands galore, with all types of Bavarian entrees from leg of lamb sandwiches, to bratwurst, to German potato salad, and more.   The lines at the beverage stand move quickly, and there’s no better way to celebrate Oktoberfest than by drinking a Beck’s Oktoberfest brew.

The party kicks off tomorrow at 5 pm and lasts through Sunday at 6 pm. Start practicing your yodeling now, and bring your old alpine horn out of hiding, because both are sure to be prevalent throughout the fest.  Possibly the most exciting event of all is sure to be the Beck’s Keg Bowling Contest.  Contestants can sign up Saturday and Sunday of each weekend.  What does the contest entail, you ask?  Two chances to push an empty keg strapped to a dolly into a pyramid of six empty kegs.  Participants with the highest total of fallen kegs will advance to the finals!  Entry is free, and there’s a reward for the winner of the finals, so there’s no excuse not to give it a whirl!

If you’re not up for Keg Bowling, try a lighter fare, the Brat-Eating Contest.  This event is also free, so join eight-ten participants and eat as many brats as you can in three minutes to achieve a full belly and a prize for the winner!  Sign-ups are available on site Saturday and Sunday.

The Oktoberfest Fun Run is the perfect opportunity to stave away your guilt from eating all those brats! The race will take place on Sunday, the 19^th, and includes a free commemorative t-shirt for the first 150 registered runners, a 10k, 5k run/walk/blade and kids race, an after party, and awards for the top three overall male and female finishers.  Registration is $20 online and $25 on site.  Participants under 18 are $10 both online and on race day!

To schedule lodging for either weekend, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.  If your phone doesn’t work, just yodel as loud as you can!

Episode VI

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

Recently, the idea of hiking Red Buffalo Pass was drifting around our office.  This idea was generated by our supervisor, for he hiked it himself only a few weeks ago.  A group of nine people volunteered to attempt this14 mile trail running from Silverthorne to East Vail.  I was both excited and hesitant when I signed myself up for this adventure.  Luckily, I had most of the gear I needed to attempt this hike.  The night before I made sure I was all packed, had enough food for the trip, and got a good night sleep.  Gear crucial for a backpacking trip is:

• A-frame backpack
• Sleeping bag
• Tent
• Plenty of thick socks
• Sharp knife or a Leatherman of some sort.
• Plenty of dry food
• Seasonal clothing
• Sunglasses
• Water!!!! A purifier is clutch
• Matches
• Compass
• Map
• Flashlight
• First Aid, just in case
• Plastic bags to keep the trail clean

The trick is to bring everything you need to survive comfortably while packing as light as you can at the same time.  Food is another item that needs to be closely considered when packing.  Any dry and sealable food items are good to bring backpacking, such as:

• Tuna packages
• Trail mix
• Nuts
• Fruits
• Bread
• Oatmeal
• Energy bars
• Peanut butter
• Chocolate

Really the idea is to bring food that will not go bad in your backpack and has little odor so it won’t attract wildlife.

I woke up to meet my troop in Vail at the same time the sun peaked its head over the mountains. Once I got to our prearranged meeting spot, I discovered that the veteran of the trail was not going to be able to join us, which allowed for us to truly discover the trail for ourselves.  We took two vehicles to the Gore Creek Trail to drop one off to have when we completed the trail, and then we all headed to Silverthorne.  The seven of us (we lost another one of our troops to supposed insomnia) started the journey at the Mesa Cortina Trail.

The first half of the trail had some tough terrain, including wild trees we had to bob and weave through.  The trail became steeper the farther we hiked, but we were met with amazing views, like a 360-degree view of all the surrounding mountains.  The trail also offered some great snacks: wild blueberries and raspberries.  One should be careful when consuming wild produce, as some things are not meant for human consumption.  7.1 miles and 3,262 vertical feet later, we reached the base of the mountain we were planning to summit, a perfect place to camp.  I didn’t notice how surreal the landscape was at first, as I was exhausted, but once I got some rest I explored the little valley we found ourselves in.  There were two pools west of us past a small creek.  The bottom one was a crystal blue that looked like the perfect place to go for a dip if the weather allowed.  The top pool seemed to be a lot smaller and probably a good fishing hole, but I unfortunately did not get to test out my theory.

The next morning, after a long night’s rest, we all arose from our slumber, got some breakfast in, and packed all our belongings making sure to leave nothing behind. After some self collection, we were ready for day two of our adventure.  The only uphill we had to conquer was the first thing in the morning, climbing the pass.  By uphill, I mean we climbed a mountain.  Once we conquered the pass, it was all downhill from there!  I’m glad we decided to come from Silverthorne, because the steepness of the other side was treacherous on our legs, as we had to brace ourselves from sprinting down the mountain.  The trail followed a creek, which allowed for great spots to stop to take a break.  We forced ourselves to continue forward, which wasn’t the easiest task at the time.  Through great fortitude we all made it to the Gore Creek Trailhead.  I don’t think I have ever been happier to see blacktop and highways.

Please be properly prepared before venturing into the wilderness for your safety and my piece of mind.  If you are planning on visiting the Rocky Mountains, make sure to contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305, your friendly, knowledgeable locals. Getting to the end was a great feeling of relief and accomplishment.  The total mileage turned out to be 18 miles and 6,680 vertical feet, as we found ourselves off the trail a few times.  It was difficult and crippled me for a few days afterwards, but was completely worth it and gave me an urge to cover more ground throughout the Rocky Mountains.  I wonder where my next adventure will lead me?

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

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

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

[Credit: EPIC Mix]

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

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

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

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

[Credit: EPIC Mix]

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

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

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

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

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

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

The stressors of work are easily combated when living in the Vail Valley.  Yesterday during lunch, a few of my coworkers and myself walked to a nearby volleyball court and spent our lunch break bumping, digging, and power tipping.  Happy to be out of the office and soaking up rays of summer afternoon sunshine, we didn’t keep a close tab on the actual score, and would only pause once in a while to guesstimate what the score actually was.  My team lost by six, but that is clearly up for debate.  Our lighthearted game of volleyball eventually evolved into gymnastics and then the most basic form of recess.  Though we were sad to return to the office after such an active lunch break, I can personally say that I found myself to be much more productive than I normally would have after 1 pm.

There are a plethora of volleyball courts to choose from in Vail, so there’s probably one closer to you thank you think, no matter where you work.  Volleyball isn’t just for the athletic either…none of us were especially skilled, and some were downright uncoordinated.  And by ‘some,’ I mean myself.

To schedule lodging in Vail, or to challenge us to a game of volleyball, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

Episode V

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

Over the last few weeks, I finally obtained a vehicle after four months without transportation.  Sadly my previous vehicle, a 2004 Ford Focus was totaled by someone I do not know and will never know because they fled the scene.  I thank you stranger, not that I don’t miss my Focus, but now I am a proud owner of a Jeep Cherokee!  The excitement that went through my body when I purchased this beauty was off the charts.  Having a jeep in the Rocky Mountains will be a blessing when the snow finally gets here, but for now it’s just extra fun!

There were a few things that needed to be fixed, such as my rusty shocks, so I brought my new friend to get a check up and get her roadworthy.  The next day when Emmi (yes, I named my Jeep) was feeling healthy, I couldn’t say no to my building temptation to take her on some dirt roads.  My roommate and I took her to Edwards to tackle Berry Creek Road.  This road is located off the Edwards exit; take a right once off the exit then another right at Moon Ridge Road.  Berry Creek Road will be an immediate left onto a dirt road, and you’re there!

This road is ideal for mountain bikes, dirt bikes, or any other motorized toys because there are a lot of smaller trails that become quite precipitous.  Berry Creek starts out as an easy climb with a lot of rocks gradually starting to appear on the ground. I listened to Emmi’s tires rip through the dirt was proud she climbed the rocks with no problem.

“When should we stop?” my roommate asked.

“When we can’t go any further,” I replied, joking at the time.

When we got about six miles into Berry Creek Road, the road rapidly became steeper.  Emmi was doing better than I thought she would, until we got to a part in the road that made all three of us very skeptical.  We pulled the E-brake and stared at the road as if it was a dragon we needed to slay, but unfortunately the dragon won this round.  The road was way too steep and too many gigantic rocks lay in the way and I was afraid of breaking Emmi.

We knew we lost the battle so we had to turn around.  This turned out not to be an easy process, but after about twenty minutes of great driving skills and communication between my roommate and I, we finally got Emmi facing down the mountain.  The entire time down Berry Creek Road, I had my breaks slammed to the floor; not a fun experience for me.  We made it back to the paved road before it got dark, and headed home with no injuries!

This road was tons of fun, but gets intense after the fifth mile, so only certain vehicles will be able to continue forward. If you’re planning to conquer this road in your sedan, as a friendly, knowledgeable local, I highly discourage the idea.  Call 1-888-866-2305 to book your trip through Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals if you are planning on visiting the Vail area .  Who knows, I might even let you borrow my jeep!