Photo by Laura S

Get ready for the 43^rd Annual Aspen Ruggerfest in September! The Ruggerfest, sometimes claimed to be the Super Bowl of Rugby, is a popular four day rugby tournament in Aspen, Colorado. The Aspen Rugby Club, popularly known as the Gentlemen of Aspen, became official in 1977. They were first formed by England native Steve Sherlock who wanted to put a team together in the mountain town of Aspen. Of the few that had formed the first rugby team in Aspen, there were only 3 who actually had experience in playing rugby. After the first year, the team began to get serious and practiced on a regular basis. Since that first year, Aspen has seen over 1,000 players from all over the world to compete in this strenuous sports competition. People love to come to this competition not only because of the Gentlemen, but also because of the awe-inspiring mountain views that Aspen provides to its locals and visitors alike. The Gentlemen were the National 7s champions in 2008 and U.S. Division 1 champions in 2009.

The Aspen Ruggerfest goes through September 16-19. To register a team visit here. For more information on the Ruggerfest and the Aspen Rugby Club, visit their website here.

If you are still searching for lodging for the weekend of the Ruggerfest, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals by visiting their website or by calling 1-888-866-2305.

Tonight marks the second night of the Festival, with a free performance by Artist-in-Residence Larry Keigwin performing “Dancing In The Streets” taking place at The Arabelle at Vail Square.  This is one performance you won’t want to miss, as Keigwin will allow anybody and everybody who would like to participate join in on the action.  Keigwin is the featured choreographer for the Festival and is putting together a brand new number featuring world-class dancers Tiler Peck, Robbie Fairchild, Joaquin de Luz, and Sokvannar Sar.  This performance will premiere August 6 & 7 during the International Evenings of Dance of the Vail International Dance Festival.  So bring the whole family and don’t miss out on your chance to work with the festival’s master dancer and choreographer, who knows, this could be your big break!

For more information on the Vail International Dance Festival or to schedule your stay in the Vail Valley, please contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

He has starred on the big screen as well as on Broadway, alongside legends such as Gregory Hines and Sammy Davis Jr.  In fact, Gregory Hines coined Savion Glover to be “the greatest tap dancer that ever lived.”  Many may know his work in the Oscar award-winning animated film “Happy Feet”, where he was co-choreographer for the character Mumble.  Last year he managed to sell out both shows; and certainly it will happen again.

Tickets are $17 for lawn seating, $55-$75 for reserved seats, and $10 for children.  This is a great substitute for the usual Tuesday Hot Summer Nights Series.  For more information about upcoming events and lodging in the Vail Valley, please visit our website at rockymountainvacationrentals.com, or by phone at (970)477-1777.

Photo by Jay Lopez

Are you ready to spend your Labor Day Weekend watching movies made by some of the best directors in the world? You are? Okay good, because the 37^th Annual Telluride Film Festival is back again for the September 3- 6 weekend to provide Telluride locals and guests from all over the world a one of a kind film experience. Though this film festival doesn’t announce the program until you land in the mountain town, it still brings in an astounding amount of dedicated fans who attend every year.

This highly celebrated festival highlights films of the past, present, and future from nations all across the world. Not only do they have films showing the entire weekend, but they also have seminars, conversations with film directors and producers, a Labor Day picnic, book & film signing and much more. More than 30 programs will be featured in nine different venues during the festival.

There are five main passes to choose from which offers various admissions to the films. To learn more about the different passes, visit their website here. If you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer for the festival visit their volunteer page.

To learn more about the Telluride Film Festival as a whole, visit their website at http://www.telluridefilmfestival.org.

See you at the movies!

If you are still looking for lodging information, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals by visiting their website here or calling at 1-888-866-2305.

Movie Schedule
• 7/23: “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale”
• 7/30: “Nine” **
• 8/6: “More Than a Game”
• 8/13: “Invictus” **
• 8/20: “Dear John”

**Date night movies. Free childcare will be provided by the Avon Recreation Center. Children must be registered, childcare lasts from 8:00-10:30 p.m.

For more information on Lakeside Cinema summer movies or to plan your next Avon/Vail/Beaver Creek vacation, please contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

So this past Saturday when one of my coworkers had friends in town and the idea of a lazy day of tubing was brought up, there wasn’t a moment’s hesitation. After quickly searching the internet for inner tubes, we arrived at a nearby Sports Authority and each purchased a $20 raft. Who says fun has to be expensive? We drove out to Edwards to the Colorado River Center, where the entire Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals staff had recently been on rafting and duckying excursions. This time there were only three members of staff, myself included, and four of our friends. We dropped one of our cars off at State Bridge where we would be exiting the river and drove the other car three miles upstream. After inflating our tubes, we eased ourselves into the water and soon found ourselves floating in wet, leisurely bliss.

The sun peaked out at us from behind the clouds as we passed beavers busily working on their dams. Every now and then, a train would roar past us on our right and blast its greeting as we waved from our floats. It wasn’t complete languor, however, as every now and then one of us would get stuck in a quagmire, but they were easy enough to maneuver around, and those who couldn’t provided the rest of us with a laugh. Then came the rapids. Now, we’re not talking about class five rapids here. Maybe class two. But any kind of rapid on an inner tube is security for a fun, wild and bumpy ride. As we traveled down the river, the rapids came larger and faster. Pretty soon we would just be recovering from one set when we would find ourselves immersed in another. The only thing louder than the rush of the rapids was the roar of our laughter. The water was pretty low so we constantly had to be on the lookout for protruding rocks, but this only attributed to the size of the rapids. About three hours later we found ourselves at our destination and reluctantly pulled ourselves and our tubes to shore. It was another great day on the Colorado River and I’m sure we’ll be back soon.

For more information about tubing the Colorado River or vacationing in Vail, please contact  Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305.

I have had the pleasure of attending all but one of the Hot Summer Nights Free Concert Series on Tuesdays at the Ford Amphitheatre.  This has to be the best deal going in the High Rockies.  The Vail Valley Foundation, with the help of their sponsor Bud Light, has done a fantastic job recruiting bands that is appeasing to the eardrums of all listeners in attendance.

It is enthralling to see little tykes with their parents and extended families parked on a checkered picnic blanket, enjoying tasty beats from the lush green lawn seating.  It certainly takes the edge off of the work hangover from Mondays.  In my opinion, there is not a bad seat in the house.  The acoustics are astonishing, and the seating offers a 180° view of the stage.

Each set is broken up into two parts, lasting about an hour and a half per side, dependant on the bands desired participation level.  So far each band that I have seen was a certain crowd pleaser, showing their appreciation of Vailites by playing until dusk.  By the end of the first set each week, the sun has stumbled just beyond the rolling mountains in Avon, and likely Edwards.  It leaves a most incredible canvas painted with fluffy, luminescent clouds and an impalpable array of lush orange, blues, purples, and yellows.

True to form, the second set typically hits the ground running and is capable of luring most eyes away from natural wonder, directing back towards the man-made stage ahead.  I couldn’t imagine leaving the amphitheatre on Tuesday nights with a feeling of melancholy.

So far we have seen Soulive, The Aggrolites, The Killdares, and Jonathon Tyler and the Northern Lights.  A bit of advice to those who plan on attending: make sure you are parked in the parking garage by 6:10 or so.  Not only is parking a royal pain after this time, but you will also miss the start of the show.

To those interested, there is another performance tonight by a group called Hoots & Hellmouth, who define their style as a blend of alt-country, rock, and gospel, filled with endless amounts of “attitude and energy”.  If you have no plans, and are within driving distance of Vail Valley, you have no excuses.

For more information about local events and activities please visit our website at www.rockymountainvacationrentals.com.

We are: Friendly.  Knowledgeable.  Locals.

…It’s kind of our thing.

With chronic knee problems taking a toll on his life, Darius Rucker was referred to Dr. Richard Steadman by a friend who resides on the research board. Steadman successfully cured all of Rucker’s problems, using methods resultant of the research of the Steadman-Philippon Research Institute.

As usual, seats on the lawn were free, while seats within the amphitheater were $40 each. Of course, my coworkers and I opted for the free lawn seats, but were presently surprised when a box office member asked us if we would like to move to real seats for free. We immediately consented, and were soon dancing in the aisles to songs like Rucker’s hit country single “Don’t Think About It,” other songs from his first country album “Learn to Live.” Rucker also performed popular country covers, such as Hank William’s “Family Tradition” and Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands To Yourself.” The highlight of the night, however, was when Rucker performed the Prince classic “Purple Rain.”

The sounds of the music and the crowd rocked the mountains, resulting in another fun-filled night in the Vail Valley.

For more information regarding the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Vail Valley or on finding lodging in Colorado, contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals at 1-888-866-2305. Keep rockin’, we will!

2 months ago I applied to an internship here at Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals, without practically any knowledge of the Vail scene.  1 month ago I bought a plane ticket with a leftover gift certificate, and a little bit of help from my parents.  1 week ago it all clicked.

What a view of the Rockies from Churchill Wine Cellars located on 4 Eagle Ranch.

19 days ago I packed as much as I could into two suitcases (both under 50 lbs. to avoid the lovely airline service charge), hopped on a plane, and never looked back.  What is that old saying about time flying and having fun?  I can vouch for that…   

It finally makes sense to me that a college education isn’t just about how you did on your senior thesis, or brown nosing during office hours.  Networking is most important, especially in a tight knit society.  I learned a valuable lesson within a week of being here: ask and you shall receive.  Be bold, everyone is here for the same reason; a passionate, enjoyable lifestyle.

Vail, like most resort destinations, is not exactly cheap.  It is, however, very affordable, especially after making many of those initial contacts around town.  Working multiple jobs is NOT a bad thing.  I know it seems like a damper on your summer vacation, but plant one of your many roots in a social environment.   I currently work nights at a local hot spot, and it couldn’t be a better time.  Vailites pay homage to local joints such as the Red Lion, the George, the Tap Room, Samana, Whiskey Jack’s, Vendetta’s and so on.  Wear as many hats as possible.

Free Tuesday concerts at Ford Amphitheatre could not be a better way to get down with friends, co-workers, and complete strangers.  Vail is home to all walks of life.  Foreigners, hippies, business men, college kids, outdoor enthusiasts, musicians, artists, athletes…You name it, they’re here.  Join a social league while you’re here; I currently play kickball on Sundays.  What a perfect way to blow off some steam and enjoy the unbeatable mountain surroundings. 

I learned quickly that the Vail Valley locals are passionate about their surroundings, having fun, and being friendly.  Don’t be surprised if you wake up with a smile on your face every day, no matter how festive the night prior, or physical labor that’s on the daily schedule.  Take the opportunity to take that extra deep breath, trust me, at a mile and a half above sea level you’ll need it! 

I have been lucky enough to work with an amazing group of young, fun-loving individuals; who have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to experience the adventures that the High Rockies have to offer.  There is certainly something to be said about a company that knows how to work hard, and play equally as hard.   Opportunities to meet and greet while interning here have been endless.  I have had the ability to represent the company at multiple concierge events around town involving great people, delicious food, and free microbrews. 

Be sure to check our website for our media updates including action footage, interviews, and photographs showing the best activities this place has to offer.  It would surely be an understatement to call this a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Photo by Nova Guides

I rode an ATV today for the first time ever, and it was absolutely amazing! It’s by far the most fun I’ve had on four wheels, and one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done. You just can’t beat the rush of going 40 mph up elevations of 12,500 feet on an ATV while surrounded by pine trees, mountain peaks and rivers. It was something I’ll never forget.

My co-workers and I went with Nova Guides. The staff was really friendly and knowledgeable and the business headquarters (The Lodge) were beautiful. But what made the tour so great was the unbeatable location. Located at the center of historic Camp Hale, there were views of four different mountain ranges, the continental divide and beautiful valleys. You can do ATVing everywhere, but you can’t get Colorado’s beautiful alpine scenery anywhere else.