In the area’s first seasonal rush after the big holiday season, word about the near record-breaking snowfall appears to have reached far and wide, as far and wide has traveled from such to fill vacant rental homes, condos, and hotel rooms to get a taste of the legendary “pow.” Its a sunny Friday today, with a couple inches at best overnight, but this week has been the first to break the impossible visibility of the cloudy, snowy days that have created such a buzz. Not that these folks won’t get their $300 a night worth- Accuweather is predicting snow, snow, snow over today, tomorrow, and Sunday, making that Monday the first clear day, and thank gawd, because the roads will need it. With so many driving up for the weekend today and yesterday, Monday will be the big day to get back to Denver, for regional locals and for those catching a quick flight out of DIA. I-70 is sure to be packed with folks who would rather be skiing or riding a monorail.
The idea of a monorail makes a lot of sense from the bottom-to-top traveler standpoint. No gas expense, no effort, no driving hazards, including weather, wildlife, or fatigued motorists. Many who live between Denver and Vail see the idea of the project as an unsightly attempt at Disney-tizing the pristine mountains. Those who fly in to Eagle County Airport for their vacations also snub their noses at the idea, as the project might cause their little airport to step up the competition.
Its weekends like MLK that encourage possibilities like the monorail- more locals wish there were fewer cars on the road, more front-deskers wish there were fewer crabby new arrivals (after all, its sunny and 2 degrees Farenheight at 11am in Avon- nevermind nighttime arrivals.) If the tourist population could be less dependent on the roads and cars, there might be more room to enjoy our surroundings, even from monorail or town bus windows. Deep down, we are glad to see all the visitors, but we can’t even help but be dissuaded by their frustration with each other. When the big city arrives, this place changes a little bit. Sometimes it seems like the most effective ways to disarm that and make this place more liveable on a consistent basis are the ways that meet the most resistance.
Should well enough be left alone?

The Avon Transit Center is now one more step closer to being the complete transportation hub in its dreams of itself- the Gondola to Beaver Creek Landing is now fully operational, cutting the average transit time of skiers from Avon to Beaver Creek by about five minutes. The gondola also serves end-of-day or lunching skiers downloading back to Avon. Check out the ride in this slideshow:

(more…)

Looking for condominiums in Beaver Creek may be arduous, especially for the first-time visitor or anyone looking to make a change from the “same-old.” The trouble in the past has been that there has been no really solid information about what’s available to visitors, “authorities” on the subject are often salespeople or seasoned tourists who don’t know all there is to know about condominiums in Beaver Creek. Either way, the information is not 100%.

BeaverCreekCondominiums.com is a non-sales driven directory site aiming to carefully and correctly list all the condominium properties in Beaver Creek available for rent, for winter sports enthusiasts and year-round visitors. The site is new, in “alpha” stage, so expect improvements in the near future. BeaverCreekCondominiums.com lists all known condominium properties at no cost to the properties in order to offer a balanced and accurate perspective on the availability of properties in the Beaver Creek area. Featured properties have elected to list more information on the site, such as amenities, photos, and links.
Visit BeaverCreekCondominiums.com to find a condominium that suits your lifestyle and budget, then use that property’s preferred booking method to make that reservation.

BeaverCreekCondominiums.com is a sister site to the Vail Valley Blog.

From a statement released by Vail Resorts yesterday, 11/15, at noon:

VAIL MOUNTAIN TO OPEN WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Vail, Colo. – November 15, 2007 – Vail Mountain resort officials announced today that they are moving the resort’s 2007-08 season opening day from Friday, Nov. 16 to Wednesday, Nov. 21. Snowmaking crews have been making snow on Born Free trail since Nov. 1, but early November snowmaking temperatures have been marginal. Last evening a cold front dropped into the region producing the first significantly cold temperatures that allowed for a great night of snowmaking.

“We are very confident that with the big drop in temperatures, and indications of a strong shift in the weather pattern that we will open with a very good snow surface next week,” said Bill Jensen, chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “It appears that the first major winter storm of the season is headed our way next week as well, which is very good news for our Thanksgiving holiday guests who may even experience a powder day.”

Snowmaking operations continue and will accelerate as colder temperatures prevail. Weather forecasters also indicate that a major change is in store for the Central Rockies in the next several days including a traditional Thanksgiving snowstorm.

The town of Vail will now implement paid parking to coincide with the mountain opening. Paid parking will begin at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21.

So what does this mean for Vail? How many guests are here for the anticipated opening? Is everyone completely bummed out? We went to find out, just hours after the release of this news.

(more…)

Click here for the January 2008 Avon Transit Center Update

Its getting close to opening day at Beaver Creek- only three weeks! Some of us have been wondering about this Gondola and transportation center progress that appeared to be skeleton last year. Wasn’t it supposed to be done right now? Well, actually, yes:

(more…)