Guess what!? This Sunday Ozomatli will be in Breckenridge playing for FREE! It’s spring time here in the valley and that means a lot of free concerts. We just finished a series of Bud Light concerts in Vail but wait it’s not completely over. Now the Bud Light concert series has moved on to Breck and they have a great line up: Wailers, Devotchka, and Ozomatli to name a few.
Being a huge Ozo fan I’m super excited about them performing here in Colorado and for FREE. This band is high energy all the time, I don’t remember ever going to one of their concerts (yes I’ve been to several) and not danced the whole time they’re on stage. People that get to see them for the first time get hooked and become Ozo fans instantly. At least that’s been my experience with the people I’ve taken to the concert with me.
A little about the band (some info from their website): Ozomatli is an LA-based group with a great live presence, brewing a vital concoction of Latin salsa, urban hip-hop, and jazz-funk. Notorious urban-Latino-and-beyond collision of hip hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA and New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga and Indian raga— has long followed a key mantra: it will take you around the world by taking you around L.A. They were invited by the U.S. State Department to serve as official Cultural Ambassadors on a series of government-sponsored international tours to Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East, tours that linked Ozomatli to a tradition of cultural diplomacy that also includes the esteemed likes of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong.
Ozomatli has spent 15 years working diligently to spread its message of peace, communication and understanding through music, with a long standing tradition of performing for children all over the world, from the schools of North St. Louis to the orphanages of Southeast Asia. 2011 has the band focused on “oZoKidZ”, a special family friendly set geared towards performing for children and adults alike. The band are currently in the studio with acclaimed producer Tony Berg, recording a children’s album for release in 2011, followed by a book, DVD and tour
Concert Info: Sunday, April 10 from 3 – 5pm
Where: Get to the base area at Peak
For more info on the concerts in the area click here: Concerts
Don’t worry just yet there is still plenty of time to get in your last minute ski vacation to the Rockies and ski some of the best snow we have had in years! There are still eight weeks left of the season! Plenty of time for you to grab some friends or pick up your family and come see for yourself the awesome skiing we have been enjoying this year.
Closing Dates:
Aspen Mountain: April 10th
Snowmass Mountain: April 10th
Aspen Highlands: April 24th
Buttermilk Mountain: April 3rd
Breckenridge: April 24th
Keystone: April 10th
Vail: April 24th
Beaver Creek: April 17th
Arapahoe Basin: not yet released but usually in June
Spring Ski Vacation Specials are everywhere this season. Get an unlimited lift ticket for $199 valid April 10th till closing day at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and A-Basin. Check out our promotions page at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for great last minute deals in your destination of choice!
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!
This weekend was my first day on the mountain of the season! It could not have been a better weekend to get my legs warmed up and ready for the long season ahead. Ready to get back into skiing I could not have been more excited to start in the Rockies. Used to the east coast slopes that are full of ice and short runs it was quit a treat to start skiing out west.
Saturday I started out in Breckenridge anxious because I have skied Breck before and absolutely loved the great views, awesome slope bars, and mountain of course. It could not have been a more perfect day to start. Semi long lines starting at Peak 8, we moved our way over to Peak 9 where we skied most of the day. Less crowded we got in a lot of runs, and although it hadn’t snowed in a few days it was a great to day be on mountain. Sunny with blue skies my first day out this season could not have been any better!
With the snow starting to fall in the valley late Saturday night I knew that Sunday was going to be a great powder day. Although tired after my first day out on the mountain my roommate graciously woke me up early to get a head start on the slopes. Still snowing in the morning, it was a cold yet awesome day! We decided to hit up Beaver Creek, excited to check it out because I have never skied there before and I have only heard great things.
Beaver Creek did not disappoint. With fresh powder and the snow still coming down the conditions were great and the lines were short. With my lack of experience skiing powder it was definitely a learning day for me. I decided that I unquestionably need a new pair of goggles for the snowy conditions out in the Rockies. Skiing fresh powder was so enjoyable and it felt like a completely different sport. With great guides we navigated most of the mountain, which was awesome experiencing all the different runs that Beaver Creek had to offer. I am definitely excited to get more powder days in this season and improve!
I would have to say two of my favorite features of Beaver Creek were definitely the escalators at the lodge (best idea ever) and of course the complementary chocolate chip cookies (which were awesome) given out ever day around 3:00. Perfect ending to a great day on the mountain!
Come check out the great skiing in the Rockies! For lodging information contact your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals!
I love living in this state, especially when Ski Magazine’s Annual Top 50 Ski Resorts issue comes out. Colorado is looking good with many of our local resorts in the top thirty of the list.
Starting with the bottom, Crested Butte was ranked #25. I have never been to Crusted Butte, as it is tucked away behind Aspen and Snowmass near the Gunnison National Forest. Crested Butte is known for their intense double black diamonds, but also contains nice easy greens and blues on the front side of the mountain–for something for everyone.
Numbers 22, 23, and 24 are also all Colorado resorts; Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Keystone. I have enjoyed myself on the slopes of all these resorts, and Copper Mountain is actually my favorite mountain to ski because of their immense backcountry options, beautiful powder packed tree runs, small lift lines (for the most part), and their easy free parking. Winter Park is located near Berthoud Pass, which is great for some backcountry if you’re up for it. Mary Jane at Winter Park is one of the top snowboarding mountains in the state with tons of powder, out of control tree runs, very few boundaries, and a great atmosphere. Keystone is the only ski resort in Colorado that offers night skiing, while all other resorts shut down their lifts around 5 pm.
Breaking the top twenty, Steamboat Springs is ranked #14. Steamboat reminds me of my childhood and meeting family and friends for weekly outings. The town of Steamboat is absolutely gorgeous before you even step onto the slopes and offers a great place for family functions.
At #11 sits the magical Telluride. Find yourself lost in this remote snow filled playground. There is never a line on the lifts, the snow is always fresh and the town is spectacular. Telluride is definitely worth the six and a half hour journey from Denver.
Aspen Highlands is ranked #10 on the list mostly because of the Highlands Bowl and their constant epic conditions. Aspen recently started offering sunset skiing every Friday at one of its four resorts. Don’t miss the closing day party where things can get a little bit crazy with more than 14,000 beers sold at the base.
Breckenridge, at #8, is a great mountain, but I find crowded at most times. The town of Breckenridge is very quaint with and great for Après-ski, with Main Street packed full of great bars and shops. This resort is popular for a reason: lots of terrain to tackle and great terrain parks. Breckenridge is actually ranked number two for terrain parks. This mountain has a great family atmosphere and it’s no surprise it’s a top ten ski resort.
Snowmass and Aspen sit at #6 and #7. Both of these resorts use the same pass, so you can ski two of the top ten resorts in one day, for they are only ten minutes away from each other. There is a bus service that travels between the four mountains, Snowmass, Aspen, Buttermilk, and Highlands. There are so many reasons to visit the luxurious Aspen Resorts that one will need to visit to understand how great these resorts are.
At #4 you have Beaver Creek Resort, a great local spot with so much to offer. Beaver Creek is ten minutes away from #2 Vail. Being so close together is like a dream, especially with both being a part of Vail Ski Resorts, meaning you can ski both on the same pass! I have yet to ski either of these mountains, but now that I am surrounded by Vail’s beautiful mountains, I’ll be on the slopes of one of these top ski resorts everyday!
Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals offers properties in all these destinations, so come visit some of the top ski resorts in North America. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Friendly Knowledgeable Locals at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.
What does skiing for free mean to you? What would you do if you could ski for free?
Whether your response is invite all your friends to ski with you in the Rockies, shred through as many runs as possible, quit your job, kiss a stranger, or have an epic winter, it probably falls under the category of being something INCREDIBLE.
For the month of September only, Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is offering the killer deal of a free lift ticket for every $2,500 spent on lodging. Book now for your vacation later, and spend an entire day ripping through any of the fine ski resort destinations that we book for free! Destinations with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals include Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Aspen/Snowmass and Park City. For every $15,000 spent on lodging, you can have your Epic Pass for free this season, or the equivalent for single tickets, a $600 value.
What would I do if told I could ski for free? First, call my Dad. Second, plan on trying out some sweet demos and killing it on the mountain. Third, I would probably splurge on live music in a ski resort destination, because there isn’t much that could beat free skiing and live music. In conclusion, I think I would have an incredible winter.
Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals will also be sure to customize your ultimate ski vacation with the support from Friendly.Knowledgeable.Locals., where live sales agents are available to answer questions concerning any and all of your needs. Again, this offer will only be available for the month of September, so book in advance to get your FREE lift tickets! Please visit our website or call 1.877.843.6215, and start planning your best winter yet.
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that sometimes, nature calls to you. When nature calls to me, it’s not really a matter of deciding whether or not to act on it; I have to get out. I have to feel the sun on my face. I have to immerse myself into open space and solitude; otherwise, the rest of my day just might not feel complete.
Yesterday, my roommates and I were heading back to our house in Avon from the office here in Vail, and it was that time of day – about 5:30 p.m. – when the sun is a little bit more gold in color, igniting the sloping mountain sides I-70 curves through. When there’s a blue sky allowing warm sunlight to boldly cut through the air, the force I feel to be a part of it becomes even stronger. I decided to embark on a self-induced adventure to Beaver Creek.
Sunsets in the Rockies are unlike anything else on earth.
After touching base at home, I set off and drove in the direction that seemed right. I was told at the entrance of the mountain to have fun, was given two maps, and directions to park in Ford Hall. I was well-equipped in jeans, sneakers, and a flannel, with my ipod and notebook in the passenger’s seat. I parked my car, and walked towards elevation.
I’ve done my fair share of hiking and everything, but man, the first stretch I took went straight up from the bottom of the mountain, and I began to feel incredibly out of shape. Once I got to a leveled out area, it was a good time to sit down, take a swig of hydration from my Sigg bottle, and admire the view of rolling mountains right before me. I had a sudden urge to pump up the volume of my music and listen to The Band’s classic, “The Weight.” Maybe it’s the influence of Easy Rider, but the song reminds me of all the ground I’ve covered over the last few years. As I stared out ahead, the comfort of recognizing my newest surroundings became apparent. I’m not exactly roughing it – at least not when it comes to the overall satisfaction a beautiful setting provides. In fact, that’s exactly what the trail map that I was given says on the front: “Beaver Creek. Not exactly roughing it.”
Having this moment to chill and recollect my energy, I stood up and ventured on. Now listening to my favorite fall-back, Radiohead (especially when the sun starts to go down), I continued to climb upward to gain more air and a greater view. Although strange to be on a bare mountain with runs marked for skiing, I was nostalgic for last year’s season, and my adrenaline started pumping thinking about the ski season to come.
This Labor Day weekend, many events are lined up in the Vail/Beaver Creek areas. Kicking off with the final Friday Afternoon Club at the top of Eagle Bahn Gondola, and continuing on with Oktoberfest in Beaver Creek and the 16th annual Vail Jazz Party this weekend, it’s a good time to celebrate being up here. For details on events this weekend, or to purchase an Epic Pass to get pumped for the upcoming season, visit Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals’ website, or call 1-888-866-2305.
This morning, the Vail Valley Partnership put on a breakfast scrambler at the Vail Chophouse for local businesses to meet and greet. Being a Connecticut native and a new intern onboard with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, I enjoyed having the unique opportunity to interact with fellow business people in the Vail Valley so soon.
A common thread of the conversations I had has stuck with me throughout the day: a lot of the people that migrate to Vail have a past story, a hometown that is probably not close by, and a common interest for adventure and natural beauty. It’s easy for those of us who are new to the area to quickly feel at home; many of us are making new friends, new business contacts, and establishing a comfort level with the unparalleled setting of Vail.
Although I’m new to the Valley, I have been living in Boulder for over a year. No, I wasn’t a CU student like most 20-something-year-old people living in Boulder. I was one of the drifters that packed up my car after college, and… drove. Having a fellow Tulane friend that relocated to Boulder allowed the move to be a smoother transition, but I really had no idea what would come my way. To be honest, I had imagined that I would be moving back to where I thought my heart remained, in New Orleans. However, since the epic road trip out here, I haven’t been able to consider the thought of parting with Colorado. Not yet. It’s difficult to pinpoint why, but I think it has a lot to do with the humility that comes along with the awe-inspiring Rockies.
Relocating to the Vail/Beaver Creek area has already been an exciting last three days (I told you I’m brand new). My first few days on the job couldn’t have been more informative in a comfortable, yet enthusiastic and professional atmosphere. So far with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, it’s become apparent that I will be embarking on a journey with a talented group of young, innovative, and enthusiastic individuals. On my first lunch break, we ventured into the village to enjoy some local, casual dining at the Tap Room. Naturally, I ordered a sandwich called the “hippie wrap” – a fine vegetarian option that other hippies coming up from Boulder might appreciate. The menu also included a wide variety of pub fare for all you meat eaters, and a decent beer selection, hence the name of the establishment. I was also pleased to attend the last Hot Summer Nights concert at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater with co-workers, followed by some quality time on the town in Vail Village.
I look forward to the next few months that await me with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals and being further immersed in the serenity of Colorado. We are a team of friendly, knowledgeable, locals, and are eager to assist those of you with that itch to venture out here too. We provide a variety of lodging and concierge services, such as lift tickets, local advice, and adventure packages. Check out our website for upcoming events and more information, or give us a call at 1-888-866-2305.
Today we will tell you more about the IFSC Bouldering World Cup which is scheduled as of today for Friday June 4th with the women and men qualifiers, and then with the semifinals and finals scheduled for Saturday June 5th. The IFSC Bouldering World Cup will be presented by Pyramide and will take place at the Mtn. Plaza at the Vista Bahn Lawn.
Bouldering is a kind of rock climbing. But in contrast to rock climbing, bouldering is usually without a rope, not very high up, rarely higher than 3-5 meters, more vertically along the rock or boulder. Bouldering is practiced on large natural boulders, rock faces, and artificial boulders, in gyms or even on buildings or public architectures. Unlike traditional climbing that requires a lot of endurance and longer stretches, bouldering focuses on short term power, strength and dynamics. There are three main disciplines in bouldering- lead, boulder and speed.
IFSC stands for “International Federation of Sport Climbing”. The IFSC World Cup Serious 2010 consists of about 16 competitions all around the world. The world cup started off at the last weekend of April in Trento- Italy. The next bouldering world cup competition will be next weekend, May 14th in Greifensee- Switzerland. The third IFSC World Cup will take place in Wien- Austria. After three weekends in Europe, the bouldering competitors will come to the US- to Vail where they will compete during the Teve Mountain Games from June 3rd till June 4th. After that they will go to Moscow, Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Sheffield- Great Britain, Chaarmonix- France, Daone- Italy, Munich- Germany, and then in August in Xining- China, Chuncheon- Korea, in September back to Europe to Imst- Austria, Puurs- Belgian, at the end of October to Huaiji- China and then for the last bouldering competition one more time to Europe to Kranj in Slovenia.
The Teva Mountain Games are the nation’s largest mountain sport event. Celebrating mountain lifestyle, outdoor competitions and events and music concerts- the 2010 Teva Mountain Games hosted form June 3 to June 6 in the Vail Valley are gone be an incredible event you should not miss.
Top professional and also amateur athletes from all around the world will compete in eight different sports in overall 24 different disciplines for over $ 100,000 in prize money. The eight sports are biking, climbing, dogs competing, running, fishing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddling.
As of today, the 2010 Teva Mountain Games will start off on Thursday June 3 at 10am with the Bud Light Lime Steep Creek Championship which will be presented by Thule at the Homestake Creek, Red Cliff. Homestake Creek is dropping 480 feet per mile which makes this competition one of the most popular and interesting not only to race but also to watch. If you want to compete in the quarter mile creek race register fast- there is only a limited number of starter places for the first round- so make sure you get in there! The ten fastest female and the ten fastest male will then compete in a second round and the fastest time will determine the winners.
Registration for the race on race day opens at 8am at the Homestake Creek – Red Cliff. At 8.30am there will be the possibility to practice in the Steep Creek. At 9.30am the time trail will start. So if you are only there to watch the challenging race- try to make it there by 9.30am to see all competitors. And then at 10am the Steep Creek Championship will kick off. Check regularly the Teva Mountain Games website to see if there were any changes in the schedule!
The Steep Creek Championship is gone be a popular and promising competition since there will be professional athletes from all around the world to win the $ 2000 Price money for the first man and for the first woman. The second man and woman can each win $ 1000 and the third will get $ 500. The 2009 winners of the Steep Creek championship are Mike Dawson from New Zealand and Nikki Kelly.
To round the first day and the first competition of the 2010 Teva mountain games up- there will be a free concert in the heart of Vail Village. Starting at 7pm at Checkpoint Charlie there is gone be the first half of the Bud Light Mountains of Music show where DJs and Band will rock the village.
Try to make it to Vail to the first great day of the 2010 Teva Mountain Games. If you need some great lodging deal to stay for the whole games check this out!
With summer just behind some April clouds, I am excited to be outside as much as possible, including for eating! When I am not backpacking or hiking, I take a work break refuge by eating outside- almost any patio will do, but if you are looking for the best where you can still enjoy the Teva Mountain Games atmosphere, then don’t fret, I did an office poll of where the best places to snag a snack where sunglasses are required, and why. Here’s what we came up with:
Enjoy margaritas, fresh food, and outdoor dining at Los Amigos
Vendetta’s. Not only is this the best place to grab a late night snack, but Vendetta’s back patio catches some great late afternoon sun. Try a “Ray Jay’s Wave” pizza (Canadian bacon, green peppers, and pineapple) for a full summer effect.
Red Lion. Located in the heart of everything that is happening in Vail, get here early because the Red Lion always has a full patio. I recommend trying their dry, smoked ribs with a local Colorado brew… 1554 by New Belgium goes great with a burger, too! La Bottega. Enjoy the northern Italian casual restaurant, and take a look at their lunch menu. Watch out! The sandwiches are very large, and make for a great split meal, and I haven’t found a better Meatball sub in all of Colorado! La Bottega’s patio is in Vail Village, and is one of the best spots for people watching. The Marketplace. Across from La Bottega is the Marketplace that also includes the Tavern. Don’t want to stay for lunch? No problem, the Marketplace has a steady supply of fresh, organic meats, cheeses, and produce for you to create a personalized and healthy meal.
Early Morning Coffee
Big Bear Bistro. Located at the top of Bridge Street, Big Bear Bistro is the place to stop for breakfast! Featuring fresh, and locally roasted Vail Mountain Coffee, they make getting your travel group ready for a day of kayak, raft, climbing, and even canine competition viewing easy. My top recommendation: try their breakfast burrito, complete with Mike’s Finest Green Chile. Stop by in the afternoon, or call in- they do pickup as well as delivery in Vail Village.
Looking for a place to stay? Our office offers condos, private homes, and pet-friendly lodging!
It’s actually not that hard- here’s a list of all the FREE things to do during Spring Back to Vail April 12-18, 2010.
1. Free concerts! The Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars are performing on April 16th at Checkpoint Charlie, from 6-10 pm in Vail Village. They will also be showing their documentary which tells the story of the bands’ long journey from the Sierra Leone and their experiences in various refugee camps.
2. Attend Après and “After Dark Parties” where you can snipe some freebies from Bud Light and Captain Morgan at bars throughout Vail Village and Lionshead. My favorites include the Red Lion, the George, and Samana Lounge.
3. Stop by the Men’s Journal Lounge and Reverb Eco Village with sponsors such as Bear Naked Granola and attendance by Stonyfield Farm and Sustainable Biodiesel Alliance. 8:30-3:30 at the base of the Vista Bahn lift near Vail Village.
Vista Bahn Charlift number 16
4. FREE concert! Don’t miss Wyclef Jean on Saturday, April 17 and guest Robert Earl Keen. This concert, located at Ford Park is THE concert not to miss this Spring in Vail! This will be an unforgettable combination and night to remember! Get there early- this will be one packed show! Robert Earl Keen starts at 5 pm, followed by Wyclef at 7 pm. No floor space left at my place- too many friends are coming, but you can find some great lodging deals and catch some spring runs!
5. Free lunch and entertainment continues on Sunday with the Rockstar World Pond Skimming Championships. Located at Golden Peak on Vail Mountain, watch as crazy skiers glide across a somewhat (sarcasm) chilly pool of water. Many wear costumes, some land smoothly, but most crash epically into the water! They should find a hot chocolate and heater sponsor for this one! Or perhaps an arctic dive suit maker….
Free BBQ will be provided, and then to wrap up Spring Back to Vail 2010….
6. Another free concert! Located again at Checkpoint Charlie in the Vail Village, Guster, an “acoustic-pop threesome” that throws humor into their alternative rock show.
Big jumps at Golden Peak
One thing is for certain- this is one heck of a way to finish the winter here in Vail- and I won’t forget to take as many late season runs as I can humanely accomplish while also soaking in some spring weather, great music, friends, food, and fun! Hopefully the family will visit and join too- each of these events would be great for my young cousins, aunts, and more!
I didn’t know what to expect for the annual Lamb Cook-off, a part of the Taste of Vail going on now, but I gave myself a pat on the back after attending with some co-workers and friends- every dish we tried were from Vail’s best chefs and was accompanied by some of the best wine I’ve tried. To top it all off, we had warm spring weather and I actually had to take my coat off!
The Vail Lamb cook-off had some tough competitors, but Restaurant Kelly Liken took the first place position with lamb confit created by sous chef Hunter Smith. Unfortunately I arrived late and didn’t make it to their tent in time, which is why next year I will plan to arrive early, which is my number one tip is to get there early! Here are my recommendations for next year:
1. Get there early if you intend to try many samples! Long lines are guaranteed to form at the Kelly Liken, La Tour, Lodge at Vail, and Ocotillo. (the Lodge at Vail took third place this year with their lamb pastrami sandwich, while Ocotillo took second with unforgettable lamb tamales)
2. Grab an office-mate, friend, mother, sister, brother, father or a ski group, then pair up and you can find and split the tastings. You will both get to experience more and spend less on tickets.
3. Be green by bringing your own fork and cloth napkin. Use the recycle containers that can be found every 40 feet along Gore Creek Drive.
4. Spend the $60 for all access! It is more than worth it, by purchasing an all access pass you may taste every restaurant’s submission, as well as sample every attending winery. If you purchased a ticket for every place, it would add up to over $150.
5. Walk to the event! Trust me, after all of this wonderful food, you will be grateful for the walk back to your hotel, condo, villa, or vehicle!
Like every year, Vail will pull of one of its biggest and most fun events at the very end of the season- SPRING BACK TO VAIL from April 12 to April 18 in Vail and on the mountain at Vail. SPRING BACK TO VAIL is Vail’s huge end-of-the-season bash with free concerts from national headliners, on-snow events and crazy fun street parties. The most famous event is the well known greatest spectacle of all – the World Pond Skimming Championships.
You have never heard of pond skimming- then the best thing is to come up to Vail and check it out- you will have a blast….Here a short explanation: Pond Skimming is a competition anyone can enter, sometimes in a costume or even in a bathing suit. The goal is to get enough speed going down the mountain so you can skim the pond which is set up at the bottom of the mountain and get to the other side without ending up in the pond. The faster you ski, the better chance you’ll have of making it to the other side of the pond
Friday, April 16 Free Movie and Concert
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-stars documentary
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-stars concert Location: Checkpoint Charlie in Vail Village
Time: 6pm-10pm
Saturday, April 17 Free Concert with Wyclef Jean presented by Bud Light Opening: Very Special Guest Robert Earl Keen Location: Ford Park
Time: Robert Earl Keen at 5pm; Wyclef Jean at 7pm
Sunday, April 18 Rockstar World Pond Skimming Championships Location: Golden Peak on Vail Mountain
Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm ****Free BBQ**** Guster
Free Concert Location: Checkpoint Charlie in Vail Village
Time: 4:30pm immediately following Pond Skimming
Most people stay Thursday till late Sunday or even early Monday –
A new addition to the last year program is jazz pianist/vocalist Harry Connick, Jr.
Making his first ever JAS appearance jazz pianist and vocalist Harry Connick, Jr. and his Orchestra have been new to the June Festival lineup being o stage in Aspen Snowmass at the Benedict Music Tent on Friday, June 25.
On Saturday, June 26 at the Benedict Tent JAS will present JAS @ 20!, a special evening of performances in a Grammy-like format of multiple guests artists backed by a crack Big Band. Directed by JAS Distinguished Artist in Residence Christian McBride, the show will also feature jazz legends Dianne Reeves, Patti Austin, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Terence Blanchard, John Clayton and more.
On Sunday, June 27, Pink Martini will perform at the Benedict Music Tent. Having twelve musicians, Pink Martini’s repertoire is wildly diverse. Says bandleader and pianist Thomas Lauderdale, “at one moment you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and in the next moment, you’re in a French music hall of the 1930s or palazzo in Napoli. It’s a bit like an urban musical travelogue.”
The closing night of the JAS 20th June Festival on Saturday, July 3, will take place featuring Natalie Cole with Big Band and Musicians from the AMFS. Cole, who had to cancel an appearance with JAS last July due to a kidney transplant last May, is already back on stage feeling “healthy, whole, fit and 100% back again.” Her last release called the Still Unforgettable, earned her two Grammy Awards in 2009, including Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Cole was also the recipient of the NAACP Award for Best Jazz Artist in 2009.
During the whole event starting on June 24 and lasting till July 3, the JAS Academy Summer Sessions withChristian McBride, will be in residence. JAS’ flagship music education program, the Academy is the nation’s only all-scholarship jazz residency program, uniting the finest young jazz artists with the world’s “jazz legends.” JAS has contributed $5 million dollars to music education since 1996.
Additional special concerts and events will take place throughout the June 24-July 3 Festival including free performances at the Cooper Mall Stage, Jazz performances downstairs at the Little Nell, special events featuring students from the JAS Academy and JAS After Dark shows.
The last three years I was part of the NCAA ski team from the University of Denver and the years before I was racing in Europe. This is the first winter for 20 years in which I am not racing in any competitions… But since the NCAA Championship ski races where in Steamboat Springs I wanted to take advantage of the close location and see my old team and cheer for them.
The NCAA championship is the highlight of the ski season. Starting at the very beginning of January College teams have to qualify their racers for the NCAA races at the end of the season. The US is split into several regions so that the College teams do not have too much travel each weekend. Colorado College teams race with teams from Montana, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Alaska and Wyoming. The goal for each team is to qualify three women and three men in Nordic skiing as well as alpine skiing so that the College can move to the NCAA with a full team of six alpine racers and six Nordic ski racers. That is not as easy as it sounds- the NCAA Championship Competition has only a certain amount of starter places which is around 50 racers per competition. That means that each region in the US can qualify only about 15 skiers. In order to qualify for the NCAA an athlete has to be in the top 15 overall in its region as well as in the best 3 of its College team…So after about 6 weekends racing with always two competition for Nordic skiers as well as two races in alpine the list is set and the College teams have their qualified athletes for the NCAA Championship competitions. For a team which does have the full 12 athletes, it is difficult to win since they do not have the full amount of athletes who can score points.
Then on Friday night the Alpine racer had their second competition, a night slalom which was very exciting for people watching the race. Andreas Adde from the University of Anchorage Alaska won the men’s Slalom race and Malin Hemmingsson from the University of New Mexico won the lady’s race which lasted almost until 11PM at night. Then on Saturday morning was the final completion day. The mass start in Nordic skiing which is always very exciting- 50 racer start all at the same time and fight about 40 min until the finish sprint. The men went first for their 20 km race. A big group of about 15 racers stayed together until the very end and at the finish line the German Franz Bernstein who is racing for the University of Vermont won in a very exciting sprint final. The women race was not quite as exciting, the ladies spread up way faster than the men and at the end there were only two women in front fighting for the winning place. One more time Antje Maemple from the University of Denver won the race.
Congratulations to my old ski team and thanks for amazing exciting fun competitions. Enjoy all your spring break and some days off without practicing!!!
Feel safe with your children in Vail, where it is walking-only in the Village
So you want to come out to the Mountains for vacation but are unsure of what to do with the kids? Bring them along of course! There is a great assortment of activities that children can do around here besides just putting them in ski school all day or finding a sitter.
I’m so excited for my younger sister, who is 8, and mom to get here at the end of the month; even living here I’m having a hard time narrowing down exactly what I want us all to do together because there is so much offered for all ages!
To give you some suggestions, I will list a few of the things I am planning to do as well as some other activities you should try:
Dog Sledding ride (because my sister aspires to be a musher someday )
Ice Skating in the middle of either Beaver Creek or Lionshead Village
Snowshoeing or Nordic (cross-country) skiing, which is a bit quicker to pick up for the kids than alpine skiing
When you call www.RockyMountainVacationRentals.com to book your vacation make sure to inquire about a place with a hot tub or heated outdoor pool, which the kids would love!
An Igloo Castle built at the top of Vail Resorts' Mountain in Keystone
As summer approaches, there are these additional activities you can do with your family:
Kids ride the gondola for free!
Go to the top of the mountain in Lionshead to enjoy all kinds of free activities such as volleyball, horseshoes, and bocce ball at Adventure Ridge
While you are at the top of the mountain, visit the Discovery Center for free and opt in for a guided nature hike!
Skateboard at the Vail Skatepark
Activities near water such as whitewater rafting, fishing, and canoeing
Bike trails, hiking, rock climbing, and public parks
Indoor open-ice public Ice Skating
And if you want a quick break, you can drop your child off at Imagination Station in Lionshead for up to three hours where the staff guides your child through activities based on their interests!
If you are looking for more info on a specific activity, visit Vail Recreation District’s website at http://www.vailrec.com/.
Even though it’s nice to have warmer, sunnier days here in the mountains, fingers were crossed and hopes were high for the next big snow to hit. And our prayers were answered, as I’m looking outside the snow is flying in the valley, dumping another 3-4 inches with more expected for the weekend. An insider tip for anyone planning to come in the month of February, it should be our best month for snow (according to the Farmers Almanac), so we have plenty to look forward to! Tomorrow morning will be another great day of riding so come out or miss out!
I can’t believe Vail Gay Ski Week is gone, done, over, finished. I was all the time, “Where is the time going? Why is time flying by so fast!” The parties were memorable, the friends unforgettable. I miss it all, all ready. Next event up for grabs is Vail Gay Summer, and man, do we have everything already planned for it! We’ve been planning both at the same time, and all the snags that came with this event will not be there in the summer. This event is here to stay, for years to come, and the hundreds who came out to be a part of of Vail Gay Ski Week were super psyched about next year, and this summer. So CHEERS to everyone,and we here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals are waiting for you all to come out this summer!
Nothing better on earth …than some fresh powder, sun and mountains!!!
Finally we got some new snow. Not a lot but enough to cover up the icy areas on the mountain. The fresh snow covered Vail Valley with a nice white layer and created the perfect morning on the slopes of Beaver Creek.
I grew up skiing in the Alps- Zuers/ Lech, Ischgl, Davos, Arosa, Garmisch, Engelberg,… Even if most of these areas are just gigantic huge and equipped with the latest technology (chair lift for 10 people with a heated seat and cabin) …nothing on earth is better than Colorado Powder. I have also skied in Canada at Whistler. It is a sweet ski area and a fun mountain, but was missing sunshine and fluffy snow.
The past few years I have been participating in cross-country skiing competitions in Frisco and Winterpark. I did not really enjoy racing in the dry, cold and slow conditions. If you have to run uphill for about 5 miles it is way more fun to be at sea level and have some icy and fast conditions …at least if you are in a race and people are timing you… But downhill skiing, boarding, telemark skiing and nordic skiing for fun is a completely different story…there is nothing better than dry and cold conditions. What can be better than being up on the mountain by 10am, when the sun is just coming out, having some fresh powder, an amazing view to the West of Vail Valley, and a fresh groomed track in front of you? Then you just point your skies down and fly through the snow…
I just came up to Vail a couple weeks ago. And I haven’t been able to ride in fresh dumped powder up to my knees just yet. But I know the snow we got yesterday is just the beginning. We will get more! So keep your fingers crossed that we get some more of this white fluffy snow…
P.S. If you have never been here- Colorado Skiing is a must for anyone who likes any kind of winter wonderland!!!
NCAA Championship Skiing
he mass start in Nordic skiing which is always very exciting- 50 racer start all at the same time and fight about 40 min until the finish sprint. The men went first for their 20 km race. A big group of about 15 racers stayed together until the very end and at the finish line the German Franz Bernstein who is racing for the University of Vermont won in a very exciting sprint final. The women race was not quite as exciting, the ladies spread up way faster than the men and at the end there were only two women in front fighting for the winning place. One more time 
)
Tomorrow morning will be another great day of riding so come out or miss out!
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