Enjoy this pristine 3 bedroom condo in Vail Village for your summer vacation! Enjoy this condo in an amenity-rich property and save big! Rates through October are up to $130 off the regular summer rates!

3 night minimum stay

Stay anytime July through October.

*Restrictions may apply

Special 2 : Week-long ski vacation up to 30% off + $100 ski rental credit!

Book your 6 night or more winter stay before August 1^st and receive 30% off your lodging AND get a credit for $100 worth of ski rentals.

3 night minimum stay

Discounts exclude Holidays.

*Restrictions may apply

Package 1 : Adults raft for the price of a child

Book 2 adult ½ day or full day rafting trips and the 3^rd adult rafts for the child’s discounted price. Savings of up to $20 per person!

Must also book your lodging accommodations through Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals.

No holiday blackouts

July-October

Package 2 : Buy 1 get 1 free Vail Pass Bike Tour

With the purchase of 1 Vail Pass Bike tour get a second free.  Bike tour includes: bike, helmet, transportation to the top of Vail Pass and bike pick up at the end of your day.  One free bike tour per reservation. Valid through October.

2 night minimum stay.

Must purchase lodging with Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals to get deal. Over 3,700 lodging properties to choose from!

Special 3 : Last minute deals for July

Stay in Vail for 2 nights and receive 25% off your last minute lodging.  Condos located in the heart of Lionshead Village, 1 – 4bedroom condos available. Also ask your sales representative about other great deals in Aspen, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone.

Call Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals to book your trip today! 1-888-866-2305

Courtesy of TravelInParadise.com

1. Travel during mid-week days. By avoiding busy travel times such as the weekends, you will save not only on flights but lodging rates, adventure tour discounts, and save time by avoiding long, and stressful lines. Many summer events, such as the Teva Mountain Games, South of the Border Fiesta, Vail Arts Festival, and Vail America Days are not restricted to the weekend only.
2. Research staying in a vacation rental, where you will have extra sleeping space, a fully stocked kitchen (save by cooking a few meals), and plenty of other amenities. Have a very large family? Rather than reserving several rooms, look into a large family home. In resort areas, such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Breckenridge, and Keystone are lush with others’ large vacation homes that can sleep up to 20 people in some cases!
3. Find a family of travel buddies! By traveling as a larger group, you can split up during the day so that everyone can enjoy their vacation! Perhaps one day one adult takes the children boating, rafting, biking or fishing while the other adults have spa treatment, and then switch off on the next day. All kinds of large groups receive discounts on dining, outdoors activities, and more. Plan you trip in advance and you will more than likely experience less fees.
   

   Photo by Savvy Cafe.com

4. Split up mom and dad bonding time. Take shorter trips, and take turns between parent and child. Mom can take the girls to the spa one weekend, and a few weeks later Dad can take the boys to learn golf or on a Jeep Adventure! Keep switching off until the family can find time and money for a longer ski trip next winter.
   

   Large family homes such as this one are available for summer vacationing

5. Join the locals! Ask about local events, farmers’ markets, and what locals do in general. They will know the best place for 50% of your meal, kid friendly parks, and easy day hikes that will take you off the tourist-beaten path. Don’t forget to ask how you need to be prepared for wildlife, safety, and weather. Attend a local church gathering, social club, visit the local library, or enroll in a onetime cooking lesson for a change of pace.
6. Make a travel itinerary but be flexible! Running around trying to stick to a schedule can be a true buzz kill! If you travel to a destination, research your options that way when you arrive for your raft trip and the ever changing Colorado weather brings too much lightening, you will know where the nearest science or ski museum is located!
7. Keep snacks in your travel bag. By keeping food readily available, you can intercept hunger (and tantrums) with them if you end up waiting longer than expected for your next meal. Apples, oranges, bananas, cheese and crackers, pretzels, granola bars, trail mix, and similar snacks will keep your family happy and healthy.
   

   Life vests are a quick and easy safety precaution.

Flying in Colorado

For some people traveling is something that happens year round, while others wait all year for that one special vacation. My personal philosophy is that the key to happiness is always having something to look forward to; for me that being a vacation. I thought I’d share of my personal travel tips- they are easy and will help you plan the perfect escape!

1. When booking airfare domestically I always hop to Kayak.com first. It compares the prices airlines have listed, as well as prices being offered on 3rd party travel provider sites such as orbitz, so you know you’re getting the best deal around. Or, save some hassle and let a complimentary concierge take care of your flights for you!
2. If your travel dates are flexible, use Bing when searching so that you can compare historical prices for the flight you’re looking for to help you know when a good time to buy is.
3. Research special events happening in your destination before booking travel. I’ve found that the best way to save money while on vacation is to take advantage of local free events and activities.
4. Plan ahead, but don’t plan too much. An itinerary can help keep the vacation flowing, but can also take away from the travel experience. Sometimes the best memories of a vacation are those experiences that come to you.
5. Make an educated lodging decision. Are you looking to eat all or your meals out, or trying to save money by cooking at home during your stay? Most travelers automatically assume a hotel is the cheapest way to go, without considering the money they could be saving by booking a vacation rental fully equipped with a kitchen.
6. Ask a local. Locals will always be a better informer than a guide book or review you read on the internet. Ask around when trying to find the best pizza, or most happening nightlife. Locals are in the know with events and specials and are usually happy to help lost tourists have a good time.

Happy travels!

The count-down is on! There are officially 40 days until the 2010 Teva Mountain Games. But if you’re not the athletic type, there are plenty of other things that will be going on to keep you entertained. Here are 5 awesome events and opportunities that will be at this year’s Teva Mountain Games!

1. Free Concerts! It may sound too good to be true, but I tell no lies! There will be two nights of free concerts at Checkpoint Charlie’s located in the Vail Village. The first concert is scheduled for Thursday, June 3 and the second concert is that Saturday, June 5. Both nights will feature various DJ’s and bands. Who exactly will be performing has not yet been determined so keep checking back to find out!

2. Parties! After a long day of watching or participating in these grueling athletic feats, take some time to relax and enjoy the nightlife here in Vail. The Teva Mountain Ball is on June 6 at 10 pm. Everyone is invited to dress up in the finest prom attire and dance the night away! Historically, this is the party that you do not want to miss! Also, the first annual C4 Waterman Sup and Subs party will feature the Outdoor Reels film screening and hold a luau. So, get your grass skirt ready and your tuxedo pressed because these parties will be EPIC!

3. Outdoor Reels! Film makers from across the nation will be showing their newest films on Friday, June 4. There will be a cash bar and a question and answer session after each showing. This will be a rare chance to really hear the inspiration behind these great films and have fun doing it!

4. Volunteer! If you want to get special access to the events but don’t want to pay for it, consider being a volunteer. Volunteers help make any event happen and give people an opportunity to be involved instead of just attend. You can apply to be a volunteer online at no cost!

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals has LODGING DEALS on our website, Teva Mountain Games Lodging

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!

1. Slopestyle: (When: Sunday, June 6. Qualifiers: 11am, Finals: 2pm) This freestyle competition at Golden Peak is one that I am most looking forward to. Freeriders will fly through the air performing stunning twists and flips over rugged terrain. Basically anything goes, and for these bikers, Vail is the ultimate playground! If you get fired up watching BMXers in the summer X games, don’t miss this! Plan on getting there a little early because lots of people turn out to watch this one!

2. Freestyle Kayaking: (When: Qualifiers: Friday, June 4 @ 1pm. Finals: Saturday June 5 @ 4:15 pm) The world’s best playboaters will throw down everything they’ve got to impress the judges and try to accumulate the most points in a one-minute timed run through Vail’s whitewater park. These competitors are hard core, and will stop at nothing to showboat their way to the top. If you plan on attending this or any other water event, consider staying in the Village so that you are in the heart of the action!

3. World cup bouldering: (When: Qualifiers Friday, June 4 @ 9am. Finals: Saturday, June 5 @ 3:45pm) This is a climbing event where some of the world’s best will scale an intense climbing wall set up in the heart of Vail Village.  This is a captivating test of strength and agility that measures athletic endurance and desire. Make sure to wear your hiking boots to this event because you will be inspired to go out and do some climbing after watching this fully charged event.

4. Extreme kayaking: (When: Thursday, June 3. 9:30am Championship, 10am time trials) Homestake Creek became nationally known as the ultimate kayaking challenge in 2002. Since then, some of the world’s greatest Kayakers have traveled down this intense creek that drops 480 feet per mile. The rules are simple; whoever makes it through this quarter mile creek with the fastest time wins.

5. Free Ride Dual: (When: Saturday, June 5. Finals at 3 pm) This is an intense bike race taking place in the Vail Village that incorporates doable jumps, ramps and other obstacles. Bikers can reach over 8 feet in the air in this event!! This is a must see event and has been a crowd favorite for the past 2 years.

6. 8-ball: (When: Saturday, June 6. Qualifiers: 11:30am, Finals: 2:30pm) Kayakers will gather at the covered bridge for a 200 meter sprint through Vail’s narrow Gore Creek. Civil this event is not! On the contrary, these kayakers are water gladiators, clad in full body armor and pushing, shoving, and fighting their way through the course.

7. Raft paddlecross: (When: Sunday June 6. Qualifiers: 10am, Finals: 1:30pm) A two-person raft-race down Gore Creek that showcases speed, agility, and aggression. Teams will be placed into racing groups of three and go head to head in this 1/10 mile trek through Vail’s whitewater park. Teams will have to navigate through no less than two upstream gates. The best part? Ramming is allowed! Things are going to get intense!

8. X Country Bike Race: (When: Saturday, June 5. Pro’s and Experts ride at 11:45am) It is an uphill bike race that starts at the base of Golden Peak and winds up to the top of Vail Mountain along a brand new course. The race will be broken into three heats, the second of which will be for advanced and professional riders. If you are a biking enthusiast, don’t miss this chance to watch these athletes challenge themselves and each other in this Tour de France style race!

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals has LODGING DEALS on our website, Teva Mountain Games Lodging

]]> http://blog.rockymountainvacationrentals.com/teva-mountain-games/8-must-see-events-2010-teva-mountain-games/feed/ 2 http://blog.rockymountainvacationrentals.com/colorado/free-entertainment-fun-and-more-during-spring-back-to-vail-2010/ http://blog.rockymountainvacationrentals.com/colorado/free-entertainment-fun-and-more-during-spring-back-to-vail-2010/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:08:31 +0000 janyceb http://hoffman.kineticblogs.com/?p=1140 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!

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!

Henry Bulter: Performer at Vail Jazz Festival

To kick it all off, The Vail Farmer’s market will present 10 free concerts, scheduled every Sunday from noon until 3:30pm. Local and regionally-based talent will provide natural musical accompaniments to the fantastic shopping and amazing food that The Farmer’s Market is already famous for. This is summertime hot spot for locals and visitors alike with activities and entertainment that the whole family can enjoy!

The Vail Jazz Foundation has also planned a series of evening performances, Thursdays at the Vail Square in Lionshead starting August 5^th and lasting until September 2^nd. The sounds of Jazz will permeate the cool evening air at this venue which offers over 250 covered seats for attendees to sit and enjoy the fantastic music.

The icing on this jazzy cake is the 15^th annual Labor Day Weekend Jazz Party from Thursday, September 2^nd until Monday September 6^th. This internationally acclaimed event will feature five days and nights of the world’s greatest jazz musicians. The event is hosted by the Vail Marriot Resort in Lionshead and will provide an intimate cabaret-style venue for these spectacular musicians to perform. Musicians are given creative license to engage in awesome jam sessions with other featured artists. You can’t miss this spectacular event! Tickets can be purchased through the Vail Jazz Foundation Office for $45/afternoon, $55/evening, and $350/event. For more information, you can call the Jazz Foundation at 970-479-6146 or you may order your tickets online, beginning in June at www.vailjazz.org.

Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals is extreemely excited about all of the upcomming summer events, including the Vail Jazz Festival. If you have any interest in music, I encourage you to look into planning a visit to Vail so that you may partake in this acclaimed event. The summer months are so fantastic here and the Vail Jazz Foundation really does a fantastic job at making this a top notch event!