20th Annual Taste of Vail

From Thursday April 8, 2010 until Saturday April 10, 2010

Vail is gone have its 20th food and wine festival. The annual three-day event is held at several venues throughout Vail Village. Participants at the Taste of Vail will enjoy the best wines from over 50 of the country’s most noted vintners. In addition, visitors will dine at Vail Valley’s world-class restaurants, fine wine poured by winemakers and winery owners from top wineries around the globe, participate in interactive seminars, auctions and dance. As well as going to the Colorado Lamb Cook Off, après ski tasting and the popular mountaintop picnic sensory extravaganza at the top of Vail Mountain. The event will start of on Thursday morning with Celebrities on Snow, the Belgian Beer Lunch and the 5^th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook- Off and après ski tasting. Then on Friday there will be again Celebrities on Snow, a seminar, mountain top picnic, and live auction chef showcase and at night a cigar seminar. Saturday will start off with the aphrodisiac foods army reiley, and the Josh Wesson Seminar. In the afternoon, the Taste of Vail Festival will finish   off with a Pinot Noir Speed Dating Style Seminar and the Great Tasting and Dinner Dance.
In the past years, Vail could welcome more than 5,000 people for the Taste of Vail Festival.

So mark the date- be part of the event and enjoy amazing days in Vail during the Taste of  Vail.

Click here, here and here to see some fun videos from the past Taste of Vail Events !!!

Girls love wearing fancy masks!

February 14-19 is Carnivail! I’ve noticed signs around town and can’t be more excited! After their Super Bowl win- I think all of America is pumped for Mardi Gras, and this is Vail’s own version! If you can’t make it to New Orleans, then what better way to spend it than in the mountains? Our stars alone are better than the fireworks, and the people know here know how to celebrate!

After finishing our own great event- Vail Gay Ski Week- we are rested and ready to participate in this once a year event in Vail! Come see our friends, the Frogs Gone Fishin’, at the Fat Tuesday Parade (free!)! We love these guys, and they are local favorites!

Missing that dirty south great cookin? Not a problem- join us in becoming fat kids again with the “World’s Highest Low Country Crawfish Boil” at Eagle’s Nest. Go skiing or riding afterward to burn those calories! Here’s the menu Vail has planned:

1 lb. Crawfish, Andouille Sausage, Corn, New Potatoes, Garlic Bread – $14.95

Bowl of Gumbo – $7.95

Crawfish Etouffee- $8.95

King Cake – $3.50

I will also be hitting up my favorite places in Vail- Sweet Basil, Samana, the Tap Room, and more. Email me if you want to plan meeting up!

janyce.brandon@vailgayskiweek.com

One big event after the other………..it never gets boring in Vail !!!!!!!

Last weekend Vail hosted the first Vail Gay Ski Week which turned out to be a huge success. People attending had a blast.  Many people from all over the country, especially the East Coast, California and the Denver area traveled to Vail and enjoyed awesome snow, parties and events the Vail Gay Ski Week team came up with. Most people showed up Thursday for the first event- the Women Wrestling in Samanas. Nobody ever imagined that women wrestling could be such fun. The 10 woman wrestler gave their best and even more… People watching were pushing each other to get the best spot in order to see the girls rolling on the floor.  Then Friday morning most went out skiing and then getting ready for the Beer Bust. The Beer Bust Friday night was the first big party. Hosted in the Donovan Pavillion in Vail, the cowboy themed party was a great party. People enjoyed drinks and dancing to DJ Sammy Jo till midnight. Saturday morning seemed kind of slow. Registration was open at 8am but most people showed up later which was related to the Beer Bust and dancing the night before ….But once up, groups of skiers and boarders went out together and enjoyed the amazing Colorado weather and snow on the slopes. After skiing most went back to the Vail Plaza to relax in the Plaza Hot Tub and enjoy some drinks to prepare for the final party Saturday night – the POPular Party.  During the Popular Party with dj guillaume the silent auction was taking place approaching final bits for its closing at midnight. The Vail Gay Ski Week team managed to get amazing prices from resorts, art galleries, sport shops, hotels…on which participants were biting on. Most people at the party took advantage of the fact that they were staying right at the party place, the Vail Plaza, so that they could party really hard and then just roll in their room once the party was done at 2am. Sunday morning was even slower than Saturday…most participants decided to relax and then simply check out and travel home with amazing memories and looking forward to Vail Gay Summer and the next Vail Gay Ski Week.

Once Vail Gay Ski Week is over Vail Village is already getting ready for the next big event, the CarniVail. In less than two weeks, February 14^th to the 21^st the next event will be hosted in the party mountain town. Bridge Street will become Bourbon Street! CarniVail starts of on Sunday 14^th up on Eagle’s Nest, located at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola, with true Cajun dishes including Crawfish, Gumbo, Jambalaya, music and more! The Bud Light Fat Tuesday Parade and Street Party with Frogs Gone Fishin’ and a Float Competition is going on February 16th, and on Friday, February 19 the event will be finished up with a free concert of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe presented by Southern Comfort.

Well, skiers and riders its official, Colorado now has 2 ski resorts open for the season and with the snow in the forecast things are looking good. Arapahoe Basin Ski Area opened this morning for the earliest day ever in A-Basin’s history. The previous record for opening day was in 2007, and this year beat the record by only one day.

At 9 am the chairs started running, people were lined up and the party was definitely happening at “the beach”. With an 18” base, one run open and certain features of the terrain park set Arapahoe Basin made it official.

I’m keeping it short and sweet today because just like the rest of you I’m off to start what is shaping up to be an amazing Colorado winter!

Have no fear, ski season is here. Loveland Ski Area opened today as the first ski resort to open in North America for the 2009-2010 season. It is the earliest day that Loveland has opened in over 40 years and I think that means this year is going to be an epic one.

“We took advantage of the cold temperatures and got an early start making snow this year. Those extra days paid off and we are opening a week earlier than last season,” said Eric Johnstone, snowmaking and trail maintenance manager. “Now we can move some equipment to other trails and try to open more terrain as quickly as possible.”

Chair 1 is running and Catwalk, Mambo, and Homerun trails are open.

We will open with an 18-inch base and tree-to-tree coverage on our opening day run.”

For the first turns of the season, skiers and snowboarders will have access to a top-to-bottom run consisting of 1,000 vertical feet via Chair 1. The trails Catwalk, Mambo and Homerun make a run which is over a mile in length.

Loveland beat A- Basin this year by a close margin, A- Basin plans to start running their lifts on Friday.

“Hopefully this is a sign of things to come,” said Loveland spokesman John Sellers. “With forecasters calling for el Nino, we hope it’s indicative of lots of snow.”

There is no doubt that it has felt like winter these past few weeks and we all know once that snow starts to fall opening day isn’t far behind. Snowmaking is also underway at Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mountain. Vail announced Tuesday it has started making snow on Golden Peak.

Everywhere I go in Vail the eyes are up on that peak and it’s easy to see the progress they are making.

“I can’t remember seeing snowmaking this early, but it’s been chilly,” said Matt of Double Diamond Ski Shop.

It is here friends, it is here.

Loveland: Oct. 7
A-Basin: Oct. 9
Keystone: Nov. 6
Copper Mountain: Nov. 6
Breckenridge: Nov. 12
Vail: Nov. 20
Beaver Creek: Nov. 25

It is no secret that the Pine Beetle has officially declared war on the pines of the Colorado Rockies and all bets are on the tiny beetle for the win. The pine beetle has killed 1.5 million acres of lodge pole pine in Colorado since 1996, and in 2007 we lost about 3.9 million acres in just the Rocky Mountain region.

While beetle outbreaks are relatively common in lodge pole, they are rare in the higher elevation pine forests due to the cold temperatures. And, unlike lodge pole forests which have adapted to the beetles, the slow-growing white pines only have the cold temperatures at high elevations to help them fend off the beetles. However, warming temperatures in the West have taken away even that defense.

Warmer temperatures are allowing the adult beetles to reproduce over the summer and survive through the winter which is greatly increasing their population size. There is no answer for how long the pine beetle will continue to run its course but it is clear that it depends on the climate if the warming continues it is likely the outbreak will continue until their food source is gone.

The question no longer seems to be how we can stop the spread of the outbreak but how will the local communities will deal with the devastation and keep our mountainsides safe. At Vail Resorts areas including Summit County the main concern is hazardous trees near trails and lifts that pose numerous threats to equipment and people on the mountain.

Vail Resorts has announced that it will partner with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation to begin a restoration project for the safety of ensure the safety of the mountains.

Vail resorts focused on cutting down hazardous dead trees that could fall on ski trails or lifts this summer. It is a routine part of summer operations at the resort, but increasing numbers of dead trees require more focus and time.

The goal is not only to determine what to do with beetle-killed trees, but how to plan for reforestation and encourage regrowth. That includes trying to figure out how to manage north-facing slopes, where stands of mature spruce trees are threatened by a new insect invasion, Campbell said.

Recently, Keystone completed a management plan that will break down the ski area terrain and illuminate the status of the timber and younger trees and study them carefully and track their health. The improvements listed are for a projected 10-year span. Resort officials said implementation would depend on market conditions and other factors.

Keystone plans

As described by resort officials last October, the new master plan could include

• A new lift from the Ski Tip area up the east side of the mountain;
• New lifts in Bergman Bowl and Independence Bowl replacing current cat-skiing operations;
• A replacement of the Wayback chair;
• New trails on the front side, as well as on North Peak and the Outback.

The improvements listed are for a projected 10-year span. Resort officials said implementation would depend on market conditions and other factors.

Of all the resorts Breckenridge has absolved most of the impact due its higher elevation and the fact that the lodge poles are mixed with other pines thorough the forest. Pat Campbell said the resort will begin working with the Forest Service next week on a similar plan for that ski area, updating the 2002 version of plan.

Breckenridge plans

• add lift-served skiing on Peak 6
• add a new lift
• add several hundred acres of terrain to meet what it says is a demand for more intermediate trails.

In areas where there is no skier access the Vail Resorts and the National Forest Services have opted to let nature run its course and they are looking into areas where regeneration is happening steadily with the intent to not interfere with the natural course as much as possible.

In areas where there is no skier access, the resort and the agency could choose to let nature run its course, but other areas could require intensive treatment.

While out on the mountain this year it is important to not underestimate the danger of the dead pines and remain in accessible areas and as always, respect the mountain.

It may be the off-season for ski resorts, but now is the time to plan your trip! Rain is turning to snow and opening days are just around the corner. Whether it is winterizing your car, or getting those skis and snowboards tuned, here is a short reminder list that will ensure you can get to, and enjoy, your first ski or snowboarding trip of the season.

Car preparations:

Having the appropriate ice-scraper and snow removal tools can cut down your travel wait time.

• Check your tires, brakes, and have your car properly maintained. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and can maintain traction on wet and icy roads. Snow tires are best and keeping chains in your car is also a good idea. All-weather or winter oil is also necessary to avoid freezing.
• Always have extra windshield washer fluid. With freezing temperatures and dirty roads, you can quickly find yourself without a clear view, which is necessary for getting to those lifts safely.
• Keep that ice-scraper handy. It’s easy to bury such a small tool, but getting back to an icy car can delay your travel plans. Lifting your wipers and/or covering your windshield will help cut that time down.
• Check to ensure that you have proper tools in case of emergencies. Include a shovel, blankets, and first aid kit. Having a cell phone is also essential, but don’t forget to have it charged. A car-charger is also ideal.
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) recommends keeping your gas tank at least half full.
• Keep extra dry gloves, water-proof footwear, hats, and warm clothes.

Ski and Snowboard preparations:

• Get waxed and tuned. Learn how to do it yourself, or take it to any of the area’s fine professionals.
  

  Waxing your snowboard can enhance your experience.

• Inspect your equipment. Check to ensure there is no erosion, damage, distortion or other safety hazards. When in doubt, consult a professional for advice.
• Check and clean all of your gear. This can include, but isn’t limited to: helmet, goggles, jacket, inner layers, pants, gloves, socks, boots, skis and snowboards, and poles. Also recommended are sunscreens, hand warmers, lip balm, and a water bottle or camel back. Don’t forget your ski pass if you are riding at a resort!

Questions or ideas? Let us know your tips, tricks, and ideas about preparing for ski trips by commenting to this blog.

Consumers cut back where they could and while local resorts pushed special promotions food sales and even ski school numbers still dropped. Hopefully, we are more prepared this year and its clear Colorado ski resorts are adjusting.

Keystone is offering a $225 season- long lesson pass which provides unlimited class sessions and with deals like the epic pass and Aspen’s flex pass it’s clear the nature of the resort industry is changing. Customers are for the first time, since resorts realized you could charge $107 a lift ticket, able to enjoy nature’s gift without sacrificing too much.

While huge projects were not prevalent this year changes and upgrades were still made. The Aspen Skiing Company invested $8 million on mountain upgrades which include a hands-free lift with electronic tickets. The Little Nell is undergoing a complete renovation and the newly LEED- certified Viceroy Snowmass is the latest development at the new billion dollar Snowmass base village.

Copper finished the new Woodward at Copper adventure sports training hall that offers a multitude of skiing and snowboarding programs. Keystone built a new skier bridge that leads back to the base of River Run gondola, and Loveland added a magic carpet lift to Loveland Valley for kids ski school.Winter park is at the end of their major $30 million redevelopment of The Village at Winter park Resorts.

Improvements and adjustments were made to all ski resorts in Colorado but it’s a different world and maybe a sign of permanent changes. In the midst of all the anticipation and in every dripping conversation I have heard about winter, no one has mentioned their disappointment. Let us remind the companies at night of any fancy chairlift, our thoughts are just on snow and oh’ that  mountain.

VailSkiVacations.com–soon to be RockyMountainVacationRentals.com–is fully up and running this summer and offering available premiere lodging in the Vail/Beaver Creek areas. Local Coloradans believe the saying, “You move here for the winter, but you stay here for the summer”! If you’ve never enjoyed a Rocky Mountain Summer, then visit our website today at www.vailskivacations.com or call our office @ 970-477-1777 to book a summer lodge with one of our local specialists!

Vail is becoming an increasingly popular summer destination for outdoor adventure gurus from around the world. The small town of about 4,500 people is surrounded by White River National Forest and divided by the Colorado River, where you will often find people relaxing on tubes, fishing, kayaking, and more! Vail is also a great place for camping trips and hiking, with popular wilderness area, Mount of the Holy Cross (at 14,005 feet!), just 14 miles away from Vail Mountain. The town’s population drops dramatically in the summer, so you don’t get the sensation that we’re a “tourist trap” destination when you stay here. Bars and nightclubs are filled with regulars. Art Exhibitions and Music Festivals liven up the Village. From the time you wake up ’til the time you go to sleep, Vail summers offer constant activities that will have you falling in love with our mountaintown before it’s time to go home.

…Who knows? Maybe you’ll come for the summer and just end up moving here, like we did.

Vail summer activities are fun for the whole family! Nova Guides is one of the premiere outdoor recreation companys that has been servicing Vail and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. You can enjoy Whitewater Rafting activities in many locations around Vail, from the lower Eagle River, to Brown’s Canyon of the Arkansas River, to the Shoshone rapids and Gore Canyon of the Colorado River! Whether you’re new to rafting or have class V rapids training, Nova Guides will take care of you and your family and give you a trip to remember! Visit NovaGuides.com to set up your family adventure packages, including Jeep & Hummer Tours, ATV Tours, Guided Fishing, Mountain Biking, Paintballing, Hiking trips, and more!!

The Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival from July 1st-August 4th is an annual summer tradition that helps make our mountains come alive with world-class orchestras, soloists, and venues! Summers in Vail aren’t just about outdoor sports; we are filled with culturally innovative and inspiring events such as this one that continues to generate dynamism and widespread, communal awareness. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to listen to superlative music in an exceptional setting. Visit the Vail Music Festival’s website to purchase your tickets at www.vailmusicfestival.org, and don’t forget to book your lodging TODAY for the festival directly with our local sales agents at vailskivacations.com !!!

What are you waiting for? We know you can hardly wait to enjoy your summer vacation here in the Valley with us. Once you book your luxury lodging rental, we encourage you to take advantage of our premium concierge services that will take care of planning all of your activities, events, dining, and more before you even arrive. Make this summer an exciting one for you and your family! Hop in the car and drive to the Rockies, and experience what it feels like to come alive.

The Teva Mountain Games, held annually in Vail, starts in just 7 days! Come out and enjoy the world’s largest celebration of outdoor adventure athletics, from traditional outdoor sports such as running, cycling, climbing and kayaking to less-conventional competitions like the “Speed Retrieve” and “Extreme Vertical” Dog Events! The Teva Mountain Games is kicking off summer nightlife activities with free concerts in Vail Village starting at 6 pm all three nights of the Games! WE HAVE AVAILABLE LODGING IN VAIL SO YOU CAN BOOK NOW TO ENJOY THE WEEKEND OF THE TEVA MOUNTAIN GAMES!!! Search our website to find the perfect lodging options to accomodate your needs. Anything from one- to five-bedroom condominiums to 10-bedroom luxury homes, come and go at your leisure and make it a trip to remember! Call our office today at (970)-477-1777 to speak with an agent and book your perfect weekend-getaway.

Not only can you watch professional adventure athletes from around the world compete in seven sports and 21 disciplines, you, yourself, can get involved and compete against professional and amateurs, alike, in certain sections of the running, hiking, mountain-biking, road-biking, and kayaking competitions! If you’re interested in getting involved in the Teva games but aren’t much of an athlete, show off your skills in the Photo competition, enjoy the collection of films by the Telluride Mountainfilm: Zero Emission Tour, or help volunteer with a trail clean-up sponsored by Bear Naked and the U.S. Forest Service.

The Teva Mountain Games is a project by the Vail Valley Foundation, a nonprofit organization since 1981 that has been commited to servicing the Vail Valley community by providing leadership in enterprises centered around our local neighborhood. Check out VVF’s blog on the teva games at http://vailvalleyfoundation.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post.html and more information on the Teva Mountain games at http://www.vvf.org/vvf/info/events.athletic.mountaingames.aspx