Last year I had the time of my life at the SnowBall Music Festival and expect no less of this year’s event, taking place from March 2-4.  If you’re a first time attendee or visitor to Avon (the town that actually hosts the event), you should probably read on…

Good decisions make for good memories!

See the bottom of the page for the full lineup!

 

1)  After Parties - Trust me, you want to purchase tickets to the late night events (if you’re 21+).  The Town of Avon requires that the music stops sometime around 10pm (can’t recall the exact time) and by the time the festival ends, the party is just getting started..  The official after parties are being held at Samana and Vendetta’s (both in Vail Village) and at Agave and Loaded Joe’s (both in Avon) and they will SELL OUT Fast!  Purchase tickets in advance, and even if you decide not to go, you’ll be able to sell them easily.  I recommend trying to see a show at Agave, because you can walk there from the Festival and in my opinion, it is Vail’s best indoor concert venue.  The best thing about the after parties is they allow you to see and hang out with some of your favorite SnowBall artists in an intimate, warm setting.

2)  Don’t dress to impress; dress to stay warm! – Last year I couldn’t believe that some people thought lack of clothing was a good idea.  The SnowBall not only takes place at 7,400 feet, but it’s also outside in the middle of winter, so dress for it!  I wouldn’t consider going to Snowball without my snow pants, a jacket, beanie, thick socks, warm boots and a good pair of gloves.  There isn’t anywhere you can go to warm up while the show is going on, so come prepared so you can enjoy yourself and dance, dance, dance.

 

3)  Wondering where to sleep? Your car is NOT the answer -  You’ll freeze.  If you’re looking to save money I recommend checking out hotels in Eagle. Eagle is only a 30 minute drive from Avon and offers very affordable lodging.  I recommend the Silverleaf Suites for a great stay at an awesome price.  Better yet the Eco bus runs a regular service from Eagle to Vail and is only $4 each way.  Learn more about the Vail Valley Transit system.

 

4)  Don’t Drive -  If there is a way to get to the Snowball that doesn’t require your car, go for it.  Traffic is a nightmare, as is parking.  Do yourself a favor and hop on the Turtle Bus Bar, or have a friend drop you off at the show.  The less traffic, cars and drunk driving, the better the experience will be for all.

 

5)  Explore!  Check out Beaver Creek and Vail while you’re in town.   From the festival you can hop one of Beaver Creek’s free buses to take you up into BC Village.  Both Beaver Creek and Vail are world class resorts for a reason!  Once you see, or even better, once you ski these resorts you will want to plan a trip to come back for them.

 

6)  Most importantly – Show RESPECT and have fun!  We’re so fortunate to have this event in the Vail Valley and it takes all of us working together to keep it here.  Respect all those around you, the Town of Avon and the people bringing you the music.  Amen.

 

The Snowball Music Festival will be one of the most memorable things you do this winter, so do it right.  Call one of our local Destination Specialists today [(970)477-1777] to learn more about lodging options in Vail, Avon, Beaver Creek and Eagle.

 

The full lineup of bands and DJs that will be at the 2012 Snowball Music Festival in Avon, Colorado (schedule here)

• A. Tom Collins
• Afroman
• At Dawn We Rage
• Bag Raiders
• Bassnectar
• Beats Antique
• Big Boi
• Big Freedia
• Boneless
• Boombox
• boyhollow
• Break Science ft. Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5)
• Cassian
• Cherub
• Crushendo (formerly Slim Thugz)
• Dada Life
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
• DallasK
• Deer Tick
• Digital Connection
• Dillon Francis
• DJ Skywalkerr
• DubSkin
• Elephant Revival
• Eminence Ensemble
• Figure
• Flashlights
• Gardens & Villa
• Gauntlet Hair
• Ghostland Observatory
• Gosteffects
• Gramatik
• GRiZ
• Helicopter Showdown
• Hollagramz
• Kinetix
• Los Amigos Invisibles
• Major Lazer
• ManCub
• MartyParty
• MiMOSA
• My Goodness
• Nathaniel Rateliff
• NiT GriT
• Paul Basic
• Pierce Fulton
• Plastic Plates
• Rusko
• Sauna
• Small Black
• Snoop Dogg
• Soul Clap
• Stephan Jacobs
• Sub.mission Dubstep
• SunSquabi
• SuperVision
• The Acidophiles
• The Drunken Hearts
• The Head and the Heart
• The Kooks
• The Lumineers
• The Magic Beans
• The Motet
• THiCK CHiCK [LiVE]
• Thundercat
• Tommy Michael
• Trampled by Turtles
• Tribes
• TV on the Radio
• Two Fresh
• Unknown Mortal Orchestra
• Wolf + Lamb

So come out and visit the Vail Valley from March 2-4, and enjoy a great weekend in the mountains!

I have lived in Vail, Colorado for 3 months now, but the time is coming for me to leave and go back home to Denmark. I came to Colorado to work for Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals as an Intern in September 2011, not knowing what to expect regarding the company or the community. But I have no doubt that I made the right decision moving here.

 

During my internship at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, I did not only learn about the American working culture, but also about the Mountain town working culture. I have come to enjoy the culture very much—it makes work something to look forward to every morning. The fun coworkers, challenging work tasks and heartwarming office dogs welcome me each day when I arrive to work, always giving me a great start to the day. At Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals everyone works hard but plays harder. During lunch breaks employees are hitting the slopes, going to yoga or hiking in the surrounding mountains. I am going to miss my coworkers and new friends at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, so to all of them “be well, do good work and keep in touch”.

 

For my last weekend in Vail I wanted to do something fun, so I participated in a classic ski resort tradition (just a few months early). Dressing up in a costume on the mountain for closing day is an old tradition, but I did it here for my last weekend and it was hilarious. My costume was a blight yellow chicken costume with a head piece on top of my ski helmet and orange feet taped to my ski boots.

That same day I had a friend visiting from Denver who had never skied before, so we stayed on the beginner slopes while I was teaching her how to stop and how to turn. The beginner slope we rode was up by Adventure Ridge in Lionshead at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. At adventure ridge there was a ski school filled with kids, so half of the day I was doing the Chicken Dance with a bunch of laughing kids. I did not know the Chicken Dance before that day, but every time people saw me, they started singing and doing the Chicken Dance.

 

The chicken outfit brought more laughs later on when I was riding up the lift. I was riding over a beginner slope when a young skier began the run with his ski instructor. The boy tripped and fell down into the snow on his back, gazing up into the sky. Just as he fell, my chair was going over him and he shouted “there is a chicken!” The concerned instructor replied “are you okay, did you hurt your head?” The boy then responded “no, there really is a chicken!” as he pointed up at me. Then we shared a quick laugh as I continued up the mountain.

 

After a long day of practicing with my friend, we skied down the whole mountain. It was a long trip for her but she was very proud when she got to the end, and I was a proud and tired teacher. The next day I called my father in Denmark to thank him for all his help and patience teaching me how to ski when I was a kid. Being a teacher for a day helped me realize how technical skiing is and that it is a much harder job than I thought.

 

Another really fun activity I did in during my last week was tubing at Adventure Ridge by the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. Tubing is where you sit or lay on top of a big rubber ring filled with air and then ride down a snow track as fast as possible. The ride makes your whole body tickle and it is a thrill that I want to experience over and over again.

My stay in Vail has been a wonderful experience and I can’t wait to come back and visit sometime!

 

Find out how Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals and their team of Friendly. Knowledgeable. Locals.^®  can help you plan your customized summer or winter vacation in any of their fun-filled destinations.

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!

Located just 75 yards from the ski lift to one of the best ski resorts in America lies the Vail 21 condominiums. The property offers a location that can’t be beat along with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. Choose from one, two or two plus loft bedroom condos, able to sleep from two to six people.

Staying at Vail 21, you are able to cook a tasty dinner for your whole group in the comfort of your own full size kitchen. Guests may kick back and relax in front of the fireplace in the spacious living room or recline and gaze out on incredible mountain views through the floor to ceiling windows. Or step outside and take a breath of fresh mountain air from your private balcony. If you feel like leaving the condo, there is plenty to do in the town of Vail.

You can ski or snowboard in the breathtaking mountains, go ski biking (which is always a blast), build a giant snowman, go ice skating or just take in the beautiful scenery. In the Village you can find everything from world-class shopping to souvenir t-shits, or from interior decor to outdoor sporting gear. Also during the winter there are a variety of wonderful events such as live music, sports competitions, baking competitions and Christmas celebrations. Getting around town is made easy by the Vail free bus, so don’t hesitate to make a full list of activities to do while you are visiting. When you are feeling hungry and don’t feel like cooking at home, be sure to visit one of the many delicious restaurants in Vail for a variety of dining options.

When you return to Vail 21 condos, unwind in the outdoor rooftop and sauna. Keep your family and friends updated about your wonderful experiences throughout your vacation through complimentary internet, or watch your favorite game or television show on the TV. There is also a laundry facility at Vail 21, making laundry while on your vacation a breeze. Finally, there is daily housekeeping at the condos, giving guests the comfort of a hotel.

And remember, when you book by December 15^th you can save 15% OFF your lodging!

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.

Christmas in Vail, Colorado is an enormous annual celebration with nonstop activities and events for the whole family from Thanksgiving weekend to New Year’s day.

Start your day in the comfort of your vacation home, where you can prepare a home cooked Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, or visit one of the delicious restaurantsin the Village.

During the evening on November 25^th, head over to Beaver Creek to attend the 31^st annual Christmas Tree Lightning and 7^th annual Gingerbread Competition.

During Christmas season many towns slow down and close businesses. Not Vail. The town is decorated with colorful glowing lights and evergreens, while nature provides stunning mountains covered in sparkling snow by day and glittering stars in the sky by night. One picture perfect way to experience the natural beauty of the area is with a horse-drawn carriage ride. During the scenic ride you can crawl under a warm blanket or enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

 

During the winter there are plenty of events and activities to keep guests busy. Guests can visit the spa for a relaxing day, hit the slopes for great skiing, build a snowman, go on a scenic snowshoe hike, go ice skating or go ski biking. If you visit from December 5th-11th, be sure to attend Snow Daze and if you visit from December 18th-25th, you can take part in Vail Holidaze.

 

There are no other holidays that gather the family together like Thanksgiving and Christmas, so why not visit Vail for a holiday to be remembered? Start or continue your family tradition today by booking your holiday vacation.

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.