It’s time to ski! As opening day approaches at all our favorite Colorado Mountains each town is buzzing with anticipation. Everyone is eagerly awaiting La Nina’s return with high hopes of having another season like last year.
Last year Breckenridge broke its multi-year record with over 500 inches of snowfall. This year the snow is already falling and it’s safe to say that winter has arrived. So, come join us for some great snow and lodging deals throughout the season.
Skiing in Breckenridge
If the promise of another epic season isn’t enough to motivate you to come then Breckenridge’s 50th anniversary party will be. Breck’s actual 50th birthday will be on December 16th but there will be weeks of celebration in advance. So, come join us for this amazing event.
There will be fifty days of giveaways serving as a countdown to the start to the season. Prizes include anything and everything. One awesome prize is to have a drink named after you at the T-Bar at the base of Peak 8. It’s easy to win too! All you have to do is follow Breckenridge Ski Resort on Facebook.
They are also doing a “50 Wishes” campaign where all guests can submit any wish to the resort and Breckenridge will pick fifty throughout the season and fulfill them. This means if you have always wished for a new rail in the park or a new hot chocolate stand on the mountain you can ask for it!
Between all the expected snow and the birthday festivities this season is shaping up to be one of the best in history and we are excited to celebrate it with you. So book now with one of our Friendly.Knowledgeable.Locals. and get ready to enjoy of the best seasons yet!
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
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!
Come to Breckenridge to watch and see how snow sculptures are created! 2011 will mark the 21st annual Budweiser Snow Sculpture Championship in Breckenridge. Sculpting begins at 11:00 am on Tuesday January 25th, 2011 with a gunshot to start and sculpting ends on Saturday January 29th, 2011 at 10:00 am. Artists begin their sculpting around the River Walk Center grounds at 150 West Adams Avenue, Breckenridge, CO.
Friday January 28th is supposed to be the best day to attend this free event. Artists are preparing to stay up all night to detail their work. This year there are 15 teams from eight countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States.
The snow for the sculptures is made by the Breckenridge Ski Resort and dumped into trucks to be taken down to the site. Once the snow is on site it is blown into blocks and volunteers called “snow stompers” climb on the piles and stomp the snow and then more snow is blown on top. The snow sculptures are approximately 20 tons and each team’s sculpture is 10 feet wide, 10 feet long, by 12 feet high. To create these amazing sculptures the artists are only allowed to use hand tools and power tools are not allowed.
Judging beings at 10:00 am on Saturday January 29th, 2011 and the award ceremony is at 3:30 pm on Sunday January 30th, at this time there will be an award for People’s Choice, Kid’s Choice, and the judges will pick their top three choices.
Why not spend the entire weekend witnessing how the sculptures evolve? Come check out this awesome free event in Breckenridge. For your lodging conveniences contact your Friendly, Knowledgeable, Locals atRocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.
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!
Details: 700 volleyball teams, considered the best in the nation, congregate here in the mountains to participate in this intense sporting event appropriately entitled “The Motherlode Volleyball Tournament.” This is the nation’s largest beach doubles tournament featuring 18 divisions of play at 7 locations throughout the Aspen area. The main championship courts are located at Koch Lumber Park (sand) and Wagner Park (grass). Admission is FREE – with food and beverages available at concessions stands that are set up on the premises. For more information about this event and how to register, please visit www.motherlodevolleyball.com
Details: Have you ever heard of the NY city festival called the barbecue extravaganza?? Maybe you have, and if so, your mouth is most likely already salivating. If not, imagine an extraordinary array of BBQ delights from all of the best BBQ joints in the area, showing off their various sauces, secret recipes, and slow cooked recipes. Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events and Blue Smoke have teamed up to provide you with the most mouth-watering spread of BBQ delights here in Aspen Colorado. The festival will feature some of the best BBQ masters from across the country in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Locals and visitors alike come to participate in the fantastic festival that includes samples of BBQ delights, free music, seminars, demonstrations, and more!
Admission is free to this saucy event, so make sure to bring the whole family! You can indulge in the best BBQ around for only $8 per plate. Come out and enjoy the mountain sunshine and fantastic food at this extraordinary event!
Details: Spend time with friends and family while enjoying a free concert every Thursday night in the Snowmass village. The concerts start at 6:15pm and last until 8:30pm. Attendees are not allowed to bring in any alcoholic beverages from outside, however beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks will be available for purchase inside the concert gates. Make sure to bring a blanket or fold out chair, as seating is only available on the lawn. It is a great way to spend time with the family while enjoying fresh mountain air and fantastic live performances.
About The United States: This is a 90′s alternative group that is an early example of experimental rock and psychedelic band. The band came together in 1967 but has re joined to promote thier newest album and classic sound.
Details: Spend time with friends and family while enjoying a free concert every Thursday night in the Snowmass village. The concerts start at 6:15pm and last until 8:30pm. Attendees are not allowed to bring in any alcoholic beverages from outside, however beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks will be available for purchase inside the concert gates. Make sure to bring a blanket or fold out chair, as seating is only available on the lawn. It is a great way to spend time with the family while enjoying fresh mountain air and fantastic live performances.
About the Holmes Brothers: Famous for thier sound that is best described as a fusion of soul, gospel, blues, and country. This group has been praised by the NY Times as “Timeless, deeply soulful and uplifting gospel drenched blues, street corner doo-wop, ballads, R&B, country and funk.”
Details: Spend time with friends and family while enjoying a free concert every Thursday night in the Snowmass village. The concerts start at 6:15pm and last until 8:30pm. Attendees are not allowed to bring in any alcoholic beverages from outside, however beer, wine, spirits, and soft drinks will be available for purchase inside the concert gates. Make sure to bring a blanket or fold out chair, as seating is only available on the lawn. It is a great way to spend time with the family while enjoying fresh mountain air and fantastic live performances.
About Hot Summer Nights: Every summer beginning in June and lasting until August, the Vail Valley Foundation hosts a fantastic free concert series at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. The concerts take place every Tuesday night, begin at 6:30pm, and end at 8:00pm. The music that you will hear ranges from reggae, to country, to rock, and everything in between. Bud light is the sponsor of the event and so beer, wine and food are available for purchase within the gates. Locals and visitors alike have come to eagerly anticipate this concert series not only for the great performances, but for chance to let the kids play, relax, and enjoy the fresh mountain evenings.
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is located adjacent to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, which are the highest botanical gardens in the United States. With cascading waterfalls, hidden pathways, shady benches, and a breathtaking variety and arrangement of flowers, it is a must-have before or after-concert experience.
About this year’s performers: This year’s performers will make it an unforgettable Hot Summer Nights series. Bands will flock to Vail from across the United States to rock out in the Rockies. Check out a little more about the 2010 lineup.
About Message in a Bottle: The Police Tribute. Tuesday, August 24: The police will be eternally recognized as one of the greatest bands of all time with a list of hits that includes “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” “Message in a Bottle “and” Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.” This tribute band, appropriately called Message in a Bottle recreates the magic by maintaining the unique flavor of Sting and producing an energetic live show. The trio plays all of the greatest hits and will help to create an unforgettable evening. To learn more about Message in a Bottle, please visit their website at www.thepolicetribute.com.
It is recommended that you park in the Vail Village parking structure. There will be free shuttle rides available from the parking structure to the Ford Park Amphitheater. The gates open at 5:30. Shows start at 6:30. The venue provides all open seating either in the covered seats or on the open lawn. Children are welcome to attend.
About Hot Summer Nights: Every summer beginning in June and lasting until August, the Vail Valley Foundation hosts a fantastic free concert series at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. The concerts take place every Tuesday night, begin at 6:30pm, and end at 8:00pm. The music that you will hear ranges from reggae, to country, to rock, and everything in between. Bud light is the sponsor of the event and so beer, wine and food are available for purchase within the gates. Locals and visitors alike have come to eagerly anticipate this concert series not only for the great performances, but for chance to let the kids play, relax, and enjoy the fresh mountain evenings.
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is located adjacent to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, which are the highest botanical gardens in the United States. With cascading waterfalls, hidden pathways, shady benches, and a breathtaking variety and arrangement of flowers, it is a must-have before or after-concert experience.
About this year’s performers: This year’s performers will make it an unforgettable Hot Summer Nights series. Bands will flock to Vail from across the United States to rock out in the Rockies. Check out a little more about the 2010 lineup.
About Toad and Wet Sprocket. Tuesday, August 17: This band is known as one of the most successful alternative groups of the early 90′s. Their array of hit songs includes “Fall Down,” “Walk on the Ocean.” and “All I Want.” Toad and Wet Sprocket has a unique and memorable sound that helped them attain two platinum albums. You can learn more about Toad and Wet Sprocket as well as listen to some of their music at www.toadthewetsprocket.com.
About Hot Summer Nights: Every summer beginning in June and lasting until August, the Vail Valley Foundation hosts a fantastic free concert series at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. The concerts take place every Tuesday night, begin at 6:30pm, and end at 8:00pm. The music that you will hear ranges from reggae, to country, to rock, and everything in between. Bud light is the sponsor of the event and so beer, wine and food are available for purchase within the gates. Locals and visitors alike have come to eagerly anticipate this concert series not only for the great performances, but for chance to let the kids play, relax, and enjoy the fresh mountain evenings.
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is located adjacent to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, which are the highest botanical gardens in the United States. With cascading waterfalls, hidden pathways, shady benches, and a breathtaking variety and arrangement of flowers, it is a must-have before or after-concert experience.
Break EFX. Tuesday, August 10: Colorado-based group that presents an evening of urban-inspired dance. They are acclaimed by audiences as “captivating” and “amazingly skilled”. The group came together in 2006 under the direction of Eppie Deleon as an ethnically diverse group of energetic and talented dancers ranging in age from late teens to late thirties. They will also be presenting at the 2010 Vail International Dance Festival. These dancers are rock stars in their own right and promise to present a fabulous show. For more information about this group, please visit the Break EFX website.
About Hot Summer Nights: Every summer beginning in June and lasting until August, the Vail Valley Foundation hosts a fantastic free concert series at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. The concerts take place every Tuesday night, begin at 6:30pm, and end at 8:00pm. The music that you will hear ranges from reggae, to country, to rock, and everything in between. Bud light is the sponsor of the event and so beer, wine and food are available for purchase within the gates. Locals and visitors alike have come to eagerly anticipate this concert series not only for the great performances, but for chance to let the kids play, relax, and enjoy the fresh mountain evenings.
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is located adjacent to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, which are the highest botanical gardens in the United States. With cascading waterfalls, hidden pathways, shady benches, and a breathtaking variety and arrangement of flowers, it is a must-have before or after-concert experience.
About Laura Reed and Deep Pocket. Tuesday, July 20: Tuesday, July 20 6:30pm—Laura Reed & Deep Pocket fill the stage with a captivating and soul shaking sound that stems from Reed’s roots – born in South Africa and raised in the American South. The band switches up their style between funk, progressive R&B and pure soul behind the petit siren whose vocal abilities belie her size. Laura Reed & Deep Pocket have shared the stage with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, George Clinton, The Lee Boys and Sam Bush, to name a few. www.laurareed.com
Details: Beaver Creek hosts a series of culinary demonstrations throughout the summer. Chefs from local restaurants teach onlookers how to prepare fantastic meals on Saturday afternoons at 5:00pm. These demonstrations not only provide fantastic culinary tips and recipes, the featured Chefs also focus on health and nutrition. Enjoy the summer sunshine and all of the other fantastic events going on in the mountains this year, but don’t forget to drop by at least one culinary demonstration.
Details: Beaver Creek hosts a series of culinary demonstrations throughout the summer. Chefs from local restaurants teach onlookers how to prepare fantastic meals on Saturday afternoons at 5:00pm. These demonstrations not only provide fantastic culinary tips and recipes, the featured Chefs also focus on health and nutrition. Enjoy the summer sunshine and all of the other fantastic events going on in the mountains this year, but don’t forget to drop by at least one culinary demonstration.
Details: Beaver Creek hosts a series of culinary demonstrations throughout the summer. Chefs from local restaurants teach onlookers how to prepare fantastic meals on Saturday afternoons at 5:00pm. These demonstrations not only provide fantastic culinary tips and recipes, the featured Chefs also focus on health and nutrition. Enjoy the summer sunshine and all of the other fantastic events going on in the mountains this year, but don’t forget to drop by at least one culinary demonstration.
Details: Beaver Creek hosts a series of culinary demonstrations throughout the summer. Chefs from local restaurants teach onlookers how to prepare fantastic meals on Saturday afternoons at 5:00pm. These demonstrations not only provide fantastic culinary tips and recipes, the featured Chefs also focus on health and nutrition. Enjoy the summer sunshine and all of the other fantastic events going on in the mountains this year, but don’t forget to drop by at least one culinary demonstration.
Soccer is coming to the Valley. On July 30 and August 1, the Kick It 3v3 Soccer Tournament’s Rocky Mountain regionals will take place at Ford Fields and the Vail Valley Athletic Field. One of five major U.S. 3v3 tournaments, Kick It starts at the local level with 50 competitions throughout the country. The teams that qualify proceed onto one of 10 regional competitions. The winners of the regionals make it to the championship held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, FL.
There are 50 different divisions in the tournament and all age groups are included. Teams from all over the country and even teams from Mexico, Canada and Russia will be competing.
3v3 soccer is a variety of soccer in which two teams of three players each compete against each other. The objectives and rules are the same as traditional soccer: score the most goals using only legs. The minor differences in the sport make it stand out from normal soccer and attract a different kind of athlete. In 3v3, every player is involved; there are no permanently assigned positions as in traditional soccer. This means every player has the opportunity to play defense and offense. The field is much smaller (usually 30 yards by 40 yards) and so is the net. There is also no goalie in 3v3, a huge turn away from traditional soccer. These differences make 3v3 faster paced and high scoring, incorporating elements of hockey and basketball.
The Rocky Mountain regionals promise to bring fun, excitement and great athletes to the Vail Valley. Deadline for teams to register is July 26 at 11 p.m. Don’t miss this great family event! Contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for more information or to book your stay, 1-888-866-2305.
Details: Beaver Creek hosts a series of culinary demonstrations throughout the summer. Chefs from local restaurants teach onlookers how to prepare fantastic meals on Saturday afternoons at 5:00pm. These demonstrations not only provide fantastic culinary tips and recipes, the featured Chefs also focus on health and nutrition. Enjoy the summer sunshine and all of the other fantastic events going on in the mountains this year, but don’t forget to drop by at least one culinary demonstration.
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