Are you dying to get out on the slopes? You’re not alone. It’s every single one of us right now, in October, even though A-Basin is open, but maybe by now its December or later, and you’re looking forward to getting out there at spring break or during your time off. It doesn’t matter where you are, or where you will be shredding- you’re dreaming of it already, and sitting in your office isn’t helping. Well fret no more- here are some great games designed to help you get the most of your pre-slopes fixation.

Ski Stunt Simulator– Despite leaving something to be desired in the animation sphere, this game is surprisingly realistic. You control a ski jumper by your mouse position, providing initial parameters for your jump- terrain, speed, etc. It was created by two masters of science, so you know it has to be right on! The game works in both Safari and Firefox browsers.

Snowboarding! – Don’t be fooled! This game might be on a kids website but it is one of the most sophisticated games on this page! Steer the snowboarder with the arrow keys to make gates and avoid obstacles. Beautiful illustration and animation. Firefox and Safari both test out.

Downhill Challenge -Choose your character and difficulty, and get ready to ride by steering with your mouse to avoid obstacles and hit bumps for great jumps. This game has multiple levels, so beware of getting sucked in! Works in Safari, not so much in Firefox.

Ski Game – Crude animation with a high entertainment value. Use your arrow keys and space-bar to control the skier through an endless field of obstacles. Be sure to crash into something- the animation is funny. Checks out in both Firefox and Safari.

Chevron Cars Snowboarding – Hilarious dog snowboards by mouse control. Extra entertainment value: Try hitting every obstacle at least once. Firefox and Safari compatible.

Aggressive Alpine Skiing – Colorful graphics and custom surfer music are the hallmarks of this fast-paced profile-view game. Collect stars and avoid obstacles. Are you able to get past the man in the gondola? Let us know! We haven’t been able to. Firefox and Safari safe.

CR Snowboarding – Choose your character and terrain and you’re off! Take jumps and try tricks for extra points. Game is clearly a blanket attraction for the website where it is hosted, but if you enjoy the game then it should not be too difficult to look past. Firefox and Safari tested.

Free Skiing Game – A java game using the arrow keys with no apparent penalty for running into anything or missing gates. Game has little point, but it can be entertaining to see if you can make all the arrows. Firefox and Safari ready.

Here is a list of games I could not test, due to lack of shockwave plugin development for Intel-based Mac’s*:

• Miniclip Ski Run
• Snowboarder XS
• Snowboarding Madness
• Snowboard Mt. Fuji
• Snow Grind Snowboarding

*You might be wondering why I have not tested any of these games in Internet Explorer. Truth be told, 70% of the market share uses Internet Explorer to browse websites, so if these applications don’t work in Explorer, they don’t exist, period. I only use Internet Explorer to test my designs for rendering. Otherwise, I prefer to browse happy. Visit Browsehappy.com for more information.

When booking a property in the Vail Valley, especially through Vail / Beaver Creek and the Vail Valley Partnership Central Reservations, you may have heard or read that a property is rated after a precious metal: platinum, gold, silver, bronze. Some properties are quick to advertise an overall rating whereas some others will only share individual room ratings. You may be wondering, based on price differences, if an upgrade from one to the other is worth the difference in rate or not. The rating system itself, established by the Vail Valley Partnership, is an initiative to standardize at-a-glance property information and has had the effect of encouraging upgrades by qualifying substandard properties and removing those from the rental pool.

The following descriptions of property ratings are taken directly from Lodging Quality Assurance documentation authored by the Vail Valley Parnership:

Platinum (P): Units with a Platinum rating represent one of the finest accommodations in the area. Unit furnishings and appointments are of the highest quality, unique, and coordinated as are all other aspects of the interior. First impressions are “WOW.” Interior style and design are unsurpassed. Custom details and accents enhance overall unit décor. Units contained within these properties are not lacking in any area.

Gold (G): Units with a Gold rating reflect recent interior design motifs and coordinated decorating efforts. Inventory contained within each room of the unit is excellent in quality and condition. A Gold unit is comfortable and stylish with the feeling of home.

Silver (S): Units with a Silver rating offer basic accommodations with furniture of standard quality and design. A consistent style is apparent throughout, although the unit is typically older and may be lacking in thoroughness and finishing touches.

Bronze (B): Units with a Bronze rating offer a more sterile environment. Personality and decorating motifs are present, albeit not fully coordinated; there may be a “pieced together” feel. First impressions are “OK.” Inventory contained in each room of the unit is mostly utilitarian and meets minimum expectations. A Bronze unit offers a no frills, but an acceptable lodging experience.

Sub-standard (O): A unit with this rating does not meet minimal rating standards. First impressions are generally, “I won’t stay here!” Inventory contained in each room of the unit is sparse, mismatched, and/or severely worn or broken. A Sub-standard unit does not reflect first class resort lodging to destination vacationers. The Vail Valley Partnership will not rent substandard properties in the Vail Valley, and an agency that does rent sub-standard properties is likely not to advertise such information.

The above overall ratings are associated with a numerical score from a detailed point system rating everything from floor to ceiling, including artwork, mattresses, appliances, fixtures, and floor treatments. Each item is rated as many as twelve points for Platinum or perhaps as few as four for platinum, determined by the importance of the category in the overall look and feel of the home. For instance, floor coverings are rated on a ten point scale but doors are rated with only four points. Any fewer than the top score may result in a lower rating in that category. Art and accessories are rated on a ten point scale in the living area though only on an eight point scale in the study/ den/ loft area.

LQA standards are reviewed annually and changed to suit the evolving standards of décor and guest expectations. For example, tube-style televisions with arched screens, or anything less than a flat-screen, is rated bronze or below regardless of size, and all bedrooms are required to have a TV. Additionally, laminate countertops are now being rated silver, not gold, headboards are being required on all beds, and stairs and hallways will be rated for the first time, all beginning in 2008.

So should you upgrade? After reading the unofficial rules of ski-condo-ing, here’s what you might need to know to decide:

A platinum unit is going to be spectacular. Its going to be perfectly decorated and coordinated, with flawless and beautiful finishes. Décor in platinum units is also often one-of-a-kind, even custom made for the home. You will more than likely find granite countertops, large flat screen TV’s, professional lighting, premium rugs and flooring, and well-coordinated décor and a large custom fireplace. Many finishes will be natural: fine wool, stone, and slate for example. This unit will suit the most discerning guest.

Gold units are very home-like, not completely up-to-date, but completely comfortable and well put together. Its essentially a platinum that may have missed a couple of beats, or at least is working its way there. For the price drop though, it may be the best value out there. With gold, you won’t be lacking any TV’s or have carpet in your bathroom or kitchen. Décor and accents may not be one-of-a-kind but will be in excellent condition and of superior quality. Enjoy a gold unit with your family and friends or among any other group where something nice is in order.

A silver rating is used for homes that feel a little more sterile and less plush than a gold-rated home. The home probably comes with furnishings that are standard and in good shape, though out of date, or uncoordinated. Laminate countertops and popcorn-texture ceilings fall under this category. Flooring may include linoleum in the kitchen and bathrooms but not in the living room. Nothing in the unit should be broken or in disrepair, and any evidence of this should be reported to maintenance or the front desk.

Bronze-rated units are best for budget travelers like college students. These properties have not been updated to keep up with most LQA standards and may also appear worn down in several areas. They may also have newer, “cheap” fixtures. Carpet in the bathroom and kitchen, worn fixtures and finishes, poor lighting, and older TV’s are common. A great property for the “ski-bum,” though travelers who expect more out of a property should upgrade.

Half-Star – properties that rate half-star or any level below bronze are considered sub-standard and are not rented through central reservations. Because of their limitations on reservations, they are difficult to come by and usually disappointing.

For more information, visit the Vail Valley Partnership website.

The autumn leaves are well on their way off the trees, and snow falls. Its Autumn here in Avon, and it seems there is no better time for new beginnings. New workers are arriving in hordes with or without jobs and housing, and the excitement is contagious when the first soppy flakes fall out of the sky. On the upswing of the new season is where this blog will join the masses of blogs on the internet with the idea of serving just this community- tourists, locals, and transients all alike. We would like to tell you about activities, events, and news that is relevant to this town and its dynamic that stays the same but is always changing beneath the surface. We also welcome your comments and suggestions for coverage.