Vail Resorts Plans to Add Stowe Vermont to 2017-18 Epic Pass Giving Northeastern Skiers New Reason to Buy

 

 

Park City, Utah, which now encompasses The Canyons making it the largest ski resort in the United States, is one of 10 world-class Western resorts that are part of the Vail Resorts collection, all included on the Epic Pass. Now, the pending acquisition of Stowe, Vermont, gives Northeastern skiers added reason to purchase the pass © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Vail Resorts just announced that the Epic Pass plans to offer unlimited, unrestricted access to Stowe Mountain Resort for the 2017-2018 winter season, subject to the closing of the acquisition. Purchasing the 2017-2018 Epic Pass now through Sunday, April 9 ensures that skiers and snowboarders will lock in the lowest price, combined with the most benefits, such as six discounted lift tickets (“Buddy Tickets”) for family and friends.  Stowe will be the newest resort among 45 of the world’s most iconic mountain destinations to be offered with the Epic Pass (subject to the closing of the acquisition) – which includes 10 world-class Western destination resorts, among them Vail, Breckenridge, Park City, and Whistler Blackcomb.

The addition of Stowe, for the first time gives Northeastern skiers an even better incentive to purchase the Epic pass, which pays for itself after just five days of skiing, especially if they take advantage of the early bird discounted rates.

Available for $639, the Epic Local Pass offers unprecedented value to guests who are willing to plan around a few restrictions. Skiers and snowboarders would receive a total of 10 days at Stowe (subject to the acquisition closing), Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb with holiday restrictions; unlimited, unrestricted skiing or riding at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin; and access with limited restrictions at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood.

Available at $859 for adults, the 2017-2018 Epic Pass offers access to 45 of the world’s best mountain resorts – including Stowe Mountain Resort in Vermont, subject to the acquisition closing; Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Perisher in Australia; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. Epic Pass holders will again enjoy limited access to 30 European ski resorts including Verbier and Les 4 Vallées in Switzerland, Les 3 Vallées in France; Arlberg in Austria; and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy. Each resort delivers an iconic experience, unique alpine traditions and impeccable service. Purchasing the 2017-2018 Epic Pass this spring ensures skiers and snowboarders the lowest price, combined with the most benefits, such as six discounted lift tickets (“Buddy Tickets”) for family and friends.

For guests interested in skiing Stowe exclusively, Vail Resorts anticipates offering limited Stowe-specific season pass options.  Details about pricing, access and benefits will be announced after the close of the acquisition.

“We look forward to welcoming Stowe to our family of world-class resorts, to continue providing our guests with exceptional experiences, and to build upon the unprecedented value of the Epic Pass,” said Kirsten Lynch, chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. “With the addition of Stowe, the Epic Pass would provide guests access to the East Coast’s most iconic skiing, as well as unlimited, unrestricted access to the best of the West – including Vail, Breckenridge, Park City and Whistler Blackcomb, among many additional world-renowned destination resorts throughout North America.”

You can purchase season passes and start planning their next winter vacations at EpicPass.com.

2017-2018 Ski and Snowboard Season Pass Options

Epic Pass™: Ski unlimited and unrestricted from opening day to closing day for only $859. The Epic Pass pays for itself in just over four days of skiing or snowboarding. Enjoy unlimited, unrestricted access to Stowe (subject to the closing of the acquisition); Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Perisher in Australia; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan, and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin for the 2017-2018 season. The Epic Pass grants limited access to Arlberg in Austria; Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski and Tignes-Val D’Isere in France; Skirama Dolomiti in Italy and 4 Vallées in Switzerland. No restricted dates. A child pass (ages five to 12) is $449.

Epic Local Pass™: For $639, receive 10 days at Stowe (subject to the closing of the acquisition), Vail, Beaver Creek and Whistler Blackcomb with holiday restrictions; unlimited and unrestricted skiing and snowboarding at Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin; and skiing and snowboarding at Park City, Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood with limited restrictions. The Epic Local Pass pays for itself in just over three days. A child pass (ages five to 12) is $339.

Epic 7-Day™: Perfect for skiers in search of a week of skiing. The pass pays for itself in just over three days and includes a total of seven unrestricted days valid at Stowe (subject to the closing of the acquisition), Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin, plus seven free days at Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton or Wilmot Mountain. The Epic 7-Day Pass is $639 for adults and $339 for children (ages five to 12).

Epic 4-Day™: A convenient option for a short ski trip. The pass pays for itself in just over two days and includes a total of four unrestricted days valid at Stowe (subject to the closing of the acquisition), Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood and Arapahoe Basin, plus four free days at Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton or Wilmot Mountain. The Epic 4-Day Pass is $419 for adults and $229 for children (ages five to 12).

Those who purchase the Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass prior to April 9 will receive six Buddy Tickets that are automatically loaded onto your Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass – the best discounted rate for lift tickets that pass holders can give to friends or family to use.

Season Pass Insurance: Vail Resorts encourages guests to purchase pass insurance. All of the Company’s season pass products are non-refundable and non-transferable; however, pass insurance covers pass holders in the event of unexpected circumstances including sickness, injury and job loss. Find out more at EpicPass.com.

For those who want to ski Stowe exclusively, Vail Resorts anticipates offering limited Stowe-specific season pass options.  Details about pricing, access and benefits will be announced after the official close of acquisition.

Vail Resorts, Inc subsidiaries operate 10 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Perisher in Australia; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; Afton Alps in Minnesota, Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. The Company owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc.

Visit www.snow.com for more information.
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Vail Resorts’ Colorado Resorts Start Season With More than a Foot of Snow, More on the Way

Keystone Resort is already able to offer top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding, thanks to early snows © 2016 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

VAIL, Colo. – Dec. 7, 2016 –  Vail Resorts’ four Colorado resorts – Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek Resort, Breckenridge Ski Resort and Keystone Resort – already have received a good base of snow, and are preparing for 10 days of additional snowstorms. Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Resort received 7 inches of new snow in the last 24 hours and 13 inches in the last 48 hours, bringing the seven-day snowfall total for the two resorts to 18 and 19 inches, respectively. Keystone and Breckenridge both received 11 inches of new snow in the last 48 hours. The current extended forecast is calling for consistent snowfall in Colorado until Sunday, Dec. 18.

“The flow of moisture from the Pacific will continue for most of next week and next weekend, through about Sunday, December 18,” said OpenSnow Meteorologist Joel Gratz. “It might not snow every second of every day between now and the 18th, but it might. It’s going to be a great storm cycle for base building and opening more terrain.””

In Eagle County, Vail Mountain opened its legendary Back Bowls last weekend and debuted the new Sun Up Express (#9), which marks the ninth new chairlift in the last 10 years. Vail is currently offering 1,285 skiable acres accessed via 11 chairlifts.

Beaver Creek Resort will begin operating Rose Bowl Express Lift (#4) on Thursday, accessing additional intermediate and advanced terrain in that area and bringing the total skiable acres to 513. On Saturday, Beaver Creek will open four additional chairlifts, including Strawberry Park Express Lift (#12), Riverfront Express Gondola (#7), Upper Beaver Creek Mountain Express Lift (#18), and Lower Beaver Creek Mountain Express Lift (#15). Downloading will be required on Lower Beaver Creek Mountain Express Lift (#15) to access The Landing, shuttle system, and parking lots. The additional terrain opening associated with these lifts will provide skiing access between Beaver Creek Village and Bachelor Gulch and will provide guests with more than 600 skiable acres of terrain.

In Summit County, Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort woke up to 5 and 6 inches of new snow, respectively. Both resorts anticipate opening additional terrain during the next week and are currently offering top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding.

Watch as the snowfall continues throughout Colorado by searching and using the hashtag, #giftofsnow. Resorts, skiers and snowboarders will continuously post images directly from the mountains to offer a minute-by-minute look at the Gift of Snow.

All guests are reminded that they must observe all posted signs and closures, especially during the early-season. Closed trails may contain hazards due to early snow coverage. Accessing closed terrain is a violation of the Colorado Ski Safety Act and will result in the loss of skiing privileges and could involve prosecution and a fine.

Dew Tour – Dec. 8-11, 2016

At Breckenridge, the much-anticipated kick-off event to winter, Dew Tour, returns to the resort for its ninth year this Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 8-11, 2016. Experience the new Dew Tour experience on the mountain and in town with concerts, the Powder Awards, TransWorld SNOWboarding Riders’ Poll Awards, slopestyle and new Adaptive competition on Peak 8, night streetstyle event in downtown Breck and more. See the full schedule on www.DewTour.com.

Snow Daze – Dec. 9-11, 2016
Vail is continuing its celebration of the start of winter with snow, après, and free concerts at Vail Snow Daze from Dec. 9-11. After a day spent exploring the mountain, visit the sponsor expo village and demo the latest gear, après at parties throughout the village, and wrap up the night with free live concerts by Michael Franti Trio, Turntable Review, Lettuce and Marvel Years. For a complete event lineup, visit www.vail.com/snowdaze.

Keystone Kidtopia Mountaintop Spectacular – Dec. 16-18, 2016

Keystone presents the inaugural Kidtopia Mountaintop Spectacular, a weekend of festive on-mountain fun for the entire family. This free event will showcase a variety of activities and Kidtopia programs that make the resort a top destination for families, including nightly firework displays, a torchlight ski parade led by Keystone’s Ski & Ride School, and a mountaintop celebration where guests can enjoy free snow tubing, snowcat photo opportunities, live music, hot cocoa and fireside stories with Santa. Kidtopia, Keystone’s season-long free family programming, will animate the mountaintop with bigfoot adventure walks and a ski patrol-dog meet and greet, plus a special lighting ceremony of the world’s largest Snow Fort to create an unforgettable weekend.

Ski and Snowboard Lessons

Vail resorts offer world-class ski and snowboard lessons for every beginner, intermediate and advanced skill level. Whether it’s your first time on snow or you are a seasoned skier looking to improve your skills, time with a professional will take your abilities to the next level. Additional information about Ski and Snowboard lessons at Vail Resorts can be found here.

Skip the Line and Buy Online

Hit the slopes at Vail Resorts with advance purchase lift tickets. Buy early for the best rates for your ski vacation. Vail Resorts guarantees the lowest prices when you purchase your lift tickets online at least 7 days in advance of your visit. For additional information on lift tickets and to purchase tickets, visit here.

Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. Vail Resorts’ subsidiaries operate ten world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada; Perisher in Australia; Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. Vail Resorts owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc.

See www.snow.com for more information.

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Snow Conditions Prime at Vail’s 4 Colorado Resorts in Time for Season Opening

Tubing at the Adventure Center at Vail Resorts’ family-friendly Keystone Resort in the Colorado Rockies © 2015 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Summit County / Eagle County, Colo. – The official arrival of winter weather has blanketed Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone Resorts with seven to 12 inches of fresh snow.  Additional snow and cold temperatures are forecast for the approaching week, which offer conditions suitable for snowmaking at Vail Resorts’ four major Colorado resorts.

Slated to open Friday, Nov. 6, Keystone Resort will be the first among Colorado’s ‘ major resorts to open.  Winter has officially arrived at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, and Keystone,” said President of Vail Resorts Mountain Division, Pat Campbell.  Now is the time to plan for an unforgettable winter.  Epic Passes offer unlimited, unrestricted access to the slopes – and thanks to early-season snowfall and snowmaking, the resorts anticipate great conditions for opening day.”

With cold temperatures predicted, Vail Mountain expects to begin making snow as early as today and into the weekend and the resort’s opening day is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20.  Opening day for Breckenridge is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13; Beaver Creek’s opening day is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Epic Pass Offers Unlimited, Unrestricted Skiing for $809
The Epic Pass offers guests access to unrestricted, unlimited skiing for the 2015-16 winter season to the premier ski resorts in the U.S. Available for just $809 for adults and $419 for children (ages five to 12), pass holders gain unlimited, unrestricted access to more than 32,000 acres at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood at Lake Tahoe; Perisher in Australia for the 2016 season there; Afton Alps in Minnesota; Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and up to five free consecutive days when staying at in-resort accommodations at Verbier, Switzerland.

Save Up to 30 Percent on Lodging
Guests who reserve lodging accommodations by opening day receive up to 30 percent savings.  From family-friendly accommodations at Keystone and ski-in, ski-out lodging at the foot of Breck’s famed Peak 8, to award-winning, luxury accommodations in the heart of Vail and Beaver Creek, guests are invited to customize a vacation experience of a lifetime at Colorado’s four major resorts by visiting Snow.com.

Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone collectively offer the winter enthusiasts the best of Colorado’s skiing and riding, accommodations, dining, shopping, entertainment, and activities .  With more than 13,000 acres of combined skiable terrain across more than 650 trails, the four resorts offer unprecedented access to the slopes.  For current snow and weather conditions, additional information or to plan a vacation, visit Vail.com, BeaverCreek.com, Breckenridge.com and KeystoneResort.com.

Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading global mountain resort operator. The Company’s subsidiaries operate nine world-class mountain resorts and two urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Perisher, Australia; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan. The Company owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.

See also:

Keystone, Colorado is Perfect Destination Mountain Resort For Families

Breckenridge Mountain Resort Is Worth The Hike
It is common practice among locals to hike to peaks higher than the chairlifts can travel

BEAVER CREEK: PENULTIMATE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN SKIING
Colorado Mountain Resort Offers all the Best of the West

NIGHT & DAY IN HEAVENLY: Your inner angel & devil both get time to play at mountain resort

A Mancation to Heavenly Mountain, Lake Tahoe

Northstar California scores with new programs: Tost, 4Her, Mountain Table Dinner

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Registration Underway for Women’s Empowerment Workshop in Vail, Colorado, Sept 11-15

Update:

Awaken in Nature, an combination luxury and nature adventure retreat returning to Vail this September has recently received generous support allowing for a limited number of spots in the five day experience at a greatly reduced price of $1,200 if registered by August 17.  

The experiential retreat, created by Women’s Empowerment Workshop, differentiates itself by focusing on long-term positive empowerment for women by continuing to follow up with participants after the actual retreat.  With the spectacular backdrop of Vail September 11–15th, women will find one of the best times to truly reconnect with what is important in life. 

Headquartered at the plush Vail Racquet Club, meals during the all-inclusive event will be provided by Vail’s popular restaurant, Blu’s.  Examples of activities during the Vail Awaken in Nature program include rafting, kayaking, healing via horses, hiking, rock climbing, yoga and more all led by experts in each field.  See more athttp://www.womenempower.us or call 877.595.8622.  This offer is only valid until Sunday, August 17, and has a limited number of spots still left.

 

The deadline for registration for “Awaken in Nature,” presented by Women’s Empowerment Workshop is approaching at the end of August.  The transformational five day program takes place in Vail, Colorado, September 11-15, which also includes months of follow-up coaching.

Women’s Empowerment Workshop, which was offered for the first time in Vail last fall, holds retreats around the globe. With a mind/body/soul/nature connection focus, Vail’s Awaken in Nature retreat in September is specifically geared to meet the needs of women of all ages and abilities, without leaving the U.S.  Led by experts in each field, the retreat includes activities such as rafting, kayaking, healing via horses, hiking, rock climbing, yoga and more.

Headquartered at the plush Vail Racquet Club, meals during the all-inclusive retreat will be provided by Vail’s popular restaurant, Blu’s.

Experts leading Awaken in nature include founder Susie Kincade, a Transformational Wilderness Guide, a Ted Series speaker, former Olympic-level competitor and a person who can relate across a wide spectrum of women’s lives due to her prior experiences in both the corporate and private business marketing sectors.  Joining Kincade are Victoria FittsMilgrim, Founder of True Life Coaching and specializing in The Heroine’s Journey, Equine Therapy innovator Melisa Pearce, founder of Touched by a Horse and practicer of the Gestalt method of learning, and Josie Fenton, a Wilderness Therapist and Life Coach who founded the Lodestone Way Coaching program.

The all-inclusive innovative retreat includes:

**5 days/4 nights lodging at Vail Racquet Club (alternatives available for local residents)

**All meals

**All activities, including rafting, kayaking, healing via horses, hiking, rock climbing, yoga and more

**A seasoned and passionate full team of counselors, leaders and experts in their field, available for both group discovery sessions and one-on-one time

**Price: $1,900, all-inclusive, including lodging meals, activities, coaching and more.

Founder Susie Kincade began the program “after recognizing the growing sense of separation that people are feeling from the natural systems of the Earth.” Sensing the lack of awareness of what human impact is having on the Earth, Kincade connected the separation to what humans do in their own lives and created programming that combines adventure, education and mentorship while experiencing nature. The resulting re-connection to the Earth also enriches everyday life choices.

Go to www.womensempowerment.us for information and registration.

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Vail Resorts Offers Unlimited Professional EpicMix Photos for a One-Time Price of $30 for the Entire Season

EpicMix photographer captures the view and the memory atop Keystone mountain. Vail Resorts is making it even easier for guests to keep those professional-quality photos forever by offering unlimited high-resolution downloadable images all season long for a one-time rate of $30 © 2012 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Last year Vail Resorts revolutionized the vacation photo experience with the launch of EpicMix Photo and skiers and snowboarders at the Company’s world-class resorts were able to share photos with family and friends through their social networks. This year, Vail Resorts is making it even easier for guests to keep those professional-quality photos forever by offering unlimited high-resolution downloadable images all season long for a one-time rate of $30.

EpicMix Photo allows Vail Resorts guests to get their photos taken by professional EpicMix photographers and combine them with vertical feet and digital pins earned through the EpicMix platform and share them socially on Facebook and Twitter. EpicMix professional photographers are strategically placed on-mountain at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly and Northstar to capture the best, most memorable images of a mountain vacation experience.

“A picture is worth a thousand words and last year our guests shared more than two million posts of their mountain vacation experience with their social networks using EpicMix,” said Kirsten Lynch, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Vail Resorts. “We know that our guests also want to keep those photo memories to help them remember their vacation experience of a lifetime so we are offering them unlimited access to download their EpicMix Photos for the entire season for only $30.”

Additionally, Vail Resorts will offer prints for sale at several locations, including children’s ski schools at all of the Company’s resorts except Kirkwood, where the first generation of EpicMix will be available this year. Prints can be purchased in either 5×7 or 8×10 formats for $20 each.

New for 2012-2013 EpicMix Racing: Every Champion Has a Story to Share Also new this year, Vail Resorts announced the third generation of its wildly popular ski and snowboard application EpicMix—EpicMix Racing. Vail Resorts guests can see how they stack up against World Champion ski racer Lindsey Vonn and share their results with family and friends. EpicMix Racing will launch in mid-December and will provide skiers a new way to experience ski racing at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado and Heavenly and Northstar in California and Nevada. When EpicMix first debuted two years ago, it offered guests a way to track their vertical feet skied and awarded digital pins for special on-mountain accomplishments. In its second season, EpicMix Photo was introduced and enabled guests to visually capture and share their experience on the snow. Now with EpicMix Racing, skiers and snowboarders can try their skill running gates on a race course and automatically have their times compared to ski racing great, Lindsey Vonn, with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded based on achievement. Race times, digital medals, overall leaderboards and leaderboards with just family and friends will all be available on both the EpicMix website and mobile application.

For more information visit EpicMix.com.

See:

Keystone, Colorado is Perfect Destination Mountain Resort For Families and slideshow

 

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Tickets on Sale for Vail’s Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival

Tickets for the 13th Annual Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival are available for purchase on the event website at http://www.bigbeersfestival.com. Vail Cascade Resort is once again the host location for the event being held January 10-12th, 2013. Returning favorites and usually sold out/standing-room only programs include the opening Calibration Dinner, a Traditional Brewmaster’s Dinner, the experimental brewing seminar, “Brewers Gone Wild,” and CraftBeer.com’s Beer & Food Pairing Taste-off. Both dinners are five-course white tablecloth beer pairing dinners with commentary from the brewmasters and chefs. Many more programs are listed on the event website; special guests and seminars continue to be added to the already packed line-up.

Designed to welcome the beer connoisseur, the innovative homebrewer, and the novice taster, participants will find events appropriate for all levels of interest. Throughout the course of the entire festival, breweries from around the world participate, offering literally hundreds of choices of elite brews.

2013 Featured Brewmasters

One of the most eagerly awaited announcements is the designation of the two Featured Brewmasters, considered a high honor in a festival of this caliber. This year, the two craft beer celebrities will be Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster for Firestone Walker in Paso Robles, California and Kevin DeLange, Owner/Founder of Dry Dock Brewing in Aurora, Colorado. DeLange’s Dry Dock Brewing was awarded “Small Brewing Company of the Year” in 2009 at one of the industry’s largest events: the Great American Beer Festival. Brynildson’s Firestone Walker has been recognized in the media as “the most award-winning craft brewery in the world,” and most recently won Champion Brewery/Brewmaster for Mid-Size Breweries at the 2012 World Beer Cup.

The role of the Featured Brewmasters is to co-host the Traditional Brewmaster’s Dinner on Friday evening, and each brewmaster will present a seminar on their choice of topic on Saturday. Avery Brewing Co. and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery open the weekend annually with the Cailbration Dinner.

The Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival is a three day event featuring educational seminars including a Cicerone workshop (similar to the Sommelier designation in the world of wine), two Brewmasters dinners, and a wildly popular and uber-competitive homebrew competition. A Commercial Tasting tops off the events with more than sixty breweries and importers showcasing their wares. A majority of the breweries are represented by the actual owner or brewmaster, a unique opportunity compared to other festivals.

Brewmasters, Brewery Owners & Importers

The brewmasters, brewery owners and importers that showcase their wares at the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival come from all over the world. Previous attendees have had the opportunity to sample American craft beer from California, Delaware, Maine, Hawaii and Alaska. The international offerings hail from far and wide with a concentration of beer from European countries, particularly Belgium, and the importers make a point of providing extreme diversity both in style and in origin.

New VIP Pass Option

New for this year are a limited number of VIP passes, available on the event website, which include

A seat at each of the Brewmasters’ Dinners on Thursday and Friday

A Commercial Tasting & Seminars Ticket

Reserved Seat/Media access at each Seminar

Welcome Reception admission

Early admission to the Commercial Tasting

Commemorative 2013 Glassware (two tulip glasses)

Choice of Festival-wear: hat or t-shirt

Choice of Festival-wear: hoodie or jacket

Taxes & gratuity for all of the above are included in the package price.  Pass price is $500

Beneficiary

The Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival actively supports the efforts of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, a local organization that helps individuals who live and work in the Vail Valley that have critical financial need due to medical catastrophes, accidents or long-term illnesses. For more information about the VVCF, visit www.vvcf.org

Lodging Partners

Other Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines partnering properties offering special lodging rates for Big Beers participants & attendees include the Holiday Inn/Apex Vail, Simba Run and the Lionshead Inn. More information about lodging options is listed on the event website, http://www.bigbeersfestival.com.

For more information on the Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines event, email bigbeersfestival@hotmail.com.

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Vail Cascade Resort marks Earth Day with renewed focus on sustainability

Vail, Colorado in summer offers opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Vail Cascade Resort is committed to sustainable travel © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

The Vail Cascade Resort recognizes Earth Day on Friday, April 22 with a renewed focus on protecting the environment, fostering education regarding environmentally friendly actions and recognizing leaders within the resort who support sustainable living practices.  In celebration of Earth Day, associates have the opportunity to participate in “green initiatives” such as flower and herb garden planting on property, highway and river clean-ups, and encouragement to carpool, walk or ride a bike to work.

Additionally, Vail Cascade Resort general manager Brett Schoenfield has issued the following proclamation:

“Over the past three years, the Vail Cascade Resort has adopted the Destination Earth program with the knowledge that the resort’s customers and associates all benefit from a healthy, sustainable environment.   The property has a designated ‘green team’ onsite and has made a commitment to pursuing the following ideals:

• Sourcing environmentally responsible services and products locally, and purchasing organic, Earth-friendly and recycled supplies whenever possible.
• Purchasing fresh and sustainable foods locally grown, whenever possible.
• Creating partnerships with other organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to preserving the environment.
• Encouraging associates to apply eco-friendly practices in their daily operations.

Schoenfield concluded by stating, “At Vail Cascade Resort, we acknowledge that the Earth’s environment needs our genuine protection and care, and on the upcoming celebration of Earth Day this Friday, we proclaim our continued dedication to the Destination Earth program.”

Vail Cascade Resort was also awarded a “5 Green Keys” designation from Green Key Global, an organization that specifically recognizes eco-responsibility in the lodging and hospitality sector.  A statement regarding the award from Green Key Global noted that the Vail Cascade “is a hotel that exemplifies the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility throughout all areas of operations.  The hotel employs cutting-edge technologies, policies and programs which set an international standard for sustainable hotel operations.”

For more information on Destination Earth, visit www.destinationhotels.com/green-hotels-resorts/.  Green Key Global information is located at www.greenkeyglobal.com. Reservations and more information about Vail Cascade can be found at www.vailcascade.com, or by calling 1-800-420-2424.

Resort Specials:

Summer and autumn in Vail?  You have to see it to believe it, especially with these great rate.  Plus, the longer you stay the more you save and play:

• Stay 1-3 nights, receive 15% off
• Stay 4 nights, receive 20% off
• Stay 5 or more nights, receive 25% off

Book now through November 17, 2011 by calling 1-800-420-2424 and refer to promo code vctaymorew1