World Pond Skimming Championships at “Lake Golden Peak” April 14

April 3rd, 2013
World Championship Pond Skimming in Vail, Colorado

An athlete competes in the World Pond Skimming Championships. He takes to the air in the hopes of making it across a freezing pond before sinking. Photo Credit: Tom Green, Courtesy Vail Resorts

I’m the new marketing gal at the Antlers and am excited to have a platform here at the Antlers to share some of my favorite things about this unique community that I’ve chosen to call home.

Vail’s winter season boasts some pretty spectacular events from amazing concerts and fireworks to fabulously fun New Year’s parties. But ski season isn’t over yet and one of my most favorite events will be here next weekend: the legendary World Pond Skimming Championships, which returns to “Lake Golden Peak” on April 14.

The annual competition entails floatable (and sometimes sinkable) athletes launching themselves off an on-snow jump onto an icy pond in attempt to successfully exit the pond on both feet. There is no best costume trophy, but there should be. All of these very talented athletes also know how to have fun by dressing up in some pretty funny costumes.

Pond Skimming is a part of Spring Back to Vail, the biggest end of season bash in the Rocky Mountains. Most people probably come to Spring Back to Vail for the jam-packed schedule of headliner concerts, but I’d make the trip just for the Pond Skimming.

Also, another favorite is the Taste of Vail. New to this year’s extravaganza was the Nordic Wine Sampler (happening as I post this) where participants cross country ski or snowshoe around the Vail Nordic Center while stopping at various stations for wine and cheese. It is followed Thursday, by the 9th Annual Colorado Lamb Cook-off and Après Ski Tasting in the heart of Vail Village, which can be fun for the whole family. Taste of Vail continues with the Mountaintop Picnic Friday and concludes with the Grand Tasting Saturday and lots of specialty seminars in between.

Posted by: Liana, the Antlers New Marketing Gal

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An All-Day Planning Session on Sustainability… Fun? Really?

March 28th, 2013

Last week I got an invitation to volunteer an entire day to do an “alignment workshop” with the Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability.  On the surface, that offer was slightly less than compelling.  Given my somewhat stressed schedule (so what else is new?), I was really tempted to just say, “Sorry”.

Because it was my friend Kim Langmaid (the new President of EVAS) asking, and because the Antlers has been the Official Hotel of EVAS and largely because Bob Vanourek was facilitating (who’s at the very top of my all-time business heroes list), I said yes.  It turned out to be the best decision I’ve made in awhile.

Fifteen of the brightest people I know, led by a genius, in an incredibly valuable planning session.  What’s more, it was actually fun.  Bob’s alignment process addresses everything from Purpose, Vision, Values and Goals, to Strategy, Structure, Action Steps and Communication.  Much of that is covered in his book Triple Crown Leadership, plus a whole lot more.  

We spent the entire day on the initial “high-level” pieces.  As a sidebar, when we were talking about the Purpose of the organization (what many call a “Mission Statement”) I was particularly struck by one of Bob’s slides.  It reflected the stated purpose of the United States Humane Society … Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty.  Wow … how’s that for powerful?  It made me think that every Mission Statement ought to be limited to four or five words.

At the end of the day, I admitted to feeling somewhat guilty that I had only spent half the time thinking about the future of EVAS, and the other half applying it all to the Antlers. I can’t wait to put it into practice.  Happily, EVAS has already started to.

Rob

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5 Reasons to Visit Vail in April

March 8th, 2013
Vail skiing 50th anniversary

Early Vail ski instructors line up for photo op (credit: Vail Resorts)

Celebrating  Vail’s 50th remains the name of the game for the 2013 Vail ski season, right through its April spring skiing finale, with plenty of special late-season festivities – many of them free. The fun ranges from a new Nordic twist on the venerable Taste of Vail’s 22nd year through a tricky closing day event featuring “floatable athletes” launching from snow to icy pond. To keep all those good times company, the Antlers at Vail hotel is offering a 30-percent discount on its lodging rates for the month of April, bringing the rate for a studio suite below $200. The insider Vail travel experts at the Antlers also recommend these five reasons to enjoy their home resort this April:

1)    Taste of Vail – the iconic spring food and wine festival turns 22 this year, showcasing the area’s finest chefs and nation’s top vintners. A new Nordic Wine Tour kicks off the Taste with cross-country ski/snowshoe wine and cheese stations on the Vail Golf Course. April 3 – 6. Event tickets start from $50.

2)    Spring Back to Vail Celebration – a week-long end-of-season bash in honor of Vail’s 50th, featuring free live concerts including reggae legend and Grammy-winner Jimmy Cliff, performing April 14 at the Solaris Plaza in Vail Village. April 8 – 14.

3)    50th Anniversary Film Night – a look back at Vail’s 50 years in film from Roger Cotton Brown, who created the first ever promotional film about Vail in the early 60s. April 4 and 11. Show is free with ticket, available at Lionshead Vail Welcome Center from 9 a.m. on the day of the show only. Film starts at 5:30 p.m.

4)    Skiing Heritage Week – a U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame induction ceremony April 13 is a highlight in a week of events that also includes the Ishpeming International Film Festival of classic ski movies. April 8 – 14. $350 for the All-Access Pass.

5)    Vail World Pond Skimming Championships – thousands watch as costumed skiers and snowboarders vie for fame and glory as they attempt to clear a 100-foot, ice cold pond in this wacky annual close-of-season event. April 14. Lake Golden Peak at Vail Mountain’s Golden Peak Base Area. Free to watch; $75 to participate.

Antlers at Vail’s April discount includes 30 percent off regular rates for the month, with a $285/night studio suite available for $199. Check the Antlers at Vail website calendar or chat with Antlers staff for additional events – from family snowshoeing to a Segovian pig roast – to accompany an April Vail visit.

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Antler Vail Luggage … Who Knew?

March 3rd, 2013

I love unsolicited crazy ideas.  I even have a reputation for sending emails with nothing in the subject line but “Crazy Idea #627″ (or 395, or 822 or…).   So I get this call the other day from Maria at VeraLuca Media.  She tells me that she represents Antler Luggage.  My first thought is, “How would you make a suitcase out of old, shed antlers?”

Silly me … she’s not thinking, “How would you make a hotel out of the same?”  It’s just a name, nitwit.

Anyway, Maria explains that Antler Luggage has just expanded their line of products with a series called “Vail”.  How amusing … no wonder she’s calling me … I guess.  She asks if we’d be interested in doing some kind of co-promotion with them.  They’ll provide a couple pieces of luggage (Vail luggage, of course) that we can give away.  No strings attached.   Really?  No strings attached?  You’re going to GIVE me something nice, that I can GIVE AWAY, and now you’re actually waiting for me to respond?  Say, this IS crazy.

For one who likes to say, “The answer is ‘Yes’, now what’s the question”, this is WAY too easy. 

True to form, if someone is willing to do something nice for us, we want to return the favor.  So not only will we come up with some kind of a contest to give away these lovely duffels with wheels, (keep an eye on our FB page), but I told her that we would also offer an immediate $40 one-time discount off anybody’s total room bill, who arrives with a piece of Antler Luggage.  It doesn’t even have to be AntlersVail Luggage …. just any old Antlers Luggage.  The $40 is representative of this, our 40th year in business.  Uh-oh… that promotional  message may be a bit too mixed.  Oh well … tough … $40 it is.  Who’s going to argue?

 

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Off—and On—the Beaten Path in Vail This Summer

February 20th, 2013
Antlers at Vail hotel summer activities

Left, photo © goodluz – Fotolia.com; The Antlers at Vail hotel, center, is close to many of Vail’s walking paths and trails; the hotel’s hard-to-miss bikes, right, are free for guests to borrow.

When someone tells you to “take a hike” you’ll be thankful if you’re in Vail, Colorado, where the area’s abundant trails and paths are suited for people of all ages and athletic abilities. The Antlers at Vail hotel is a conveniently located home base for exploring Vail by foot or with one of the Antlers’ free loaner bikes, and summer rates start at just $168 for a studio suite.

The Antlers at Vail’s friendly staff is happy to recommend nearby trails and provide directions for guests who want to explore the area. These are some of their favorite jaunts close to the hotel:

Creekside Sauntering

The Antlers is located on Gore Creek, which winds through Vail and has a paved walking and biking path that’s perfect for exploring the area. Head east and enjoy a shady, easy walk to Vail Village, or head west to Donovan Park, a fun children’s park and play area.

Art Walking

Vail’s public art collection includes forty works ranging from paintings and sculptures to murals, playground components and site-integrated art. Art in Public Places offers free summertime guided tours including discussions of the history of the Vail Valley and the importance of site-specific art. For dates and times, visit www.artinvail.com.

Mountain Ambling

Just 200 yards from the Antlers at Vail hotel, the Vail Gondola is ideal for those who prefer downhill striding to uphill climbing. Ride to the top and enjoy a scenic walk down the mountain trail, enjoying the Rocky Mountain vistas and wildflowers along the way.

Nature Rambling

Just east of Vail Village, the Vail Nature Center offers a variety of summertime nature walks, guided hikes and back country treks. For more information visit http://www.vailrec.com/hikingprogram.cfm.

Rover Romping

The Antlers at Vail is a dog-friendly hotel, and Bighorn Park just east of the Vail Racquet Club offers over seven acres of leash-free terrain for canines and their owners. The northern half of Stephens Park in West Vail is also an off-the-leash zone.

Since 1972, the Antlers at Vail hotel has offered a unique Vail lodging experience in a relaxed mountain setting. The Antlers is the proud recipient of the Platinum Service Award Winner from the Vail Valley Partnership and was named the Vail Valley Green Business of the Year in 2009. With condominiums ranging from studio suites up to four bedrooms and plenty of space to spread out, each room at the Antlers offers all the comforts of home including fully-equipped kitchens, fireplaces, outdoor balconies, free Internet access and free parking. The Antlers Vail is conveniently located in Vail’s Lionshead area with numerous restaurants, galleries and shops within walking distance, and the free Vail town shuttle stops just footsteps away. For more information, call 1-800-843-8245 or visit the Antlers web site at www.antlersvail.com.

Media Contacts: Rob LeVine, General Manager, The Antlers at Vail, (970) 476-2471, RLeVine@antlersvail.com or Darla Worden, WordenGroup Strategic Public Relations, (307) 734-5335, darla@wordenpr.com.

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Adventures in Vail

February 2nd, 2013

Last week The Antlers had the pleasure of accommodating David and Kirsty Thoreson for a few days.  As the Official Hotel of the Vail Symposium, we’ve had the honor of hosting a myriad of incredible speakers, but none more fascinating than David.  In addition to being a great photographer and sailor, David puts the “A” in Adventure.  He also happens to be one of the best story tellers I’ve ever heard.  Whether it’s for sheer excitement, or an insightful firsthand analysis of climate change, I recommend spending some time on his blog, and if you have a chance to see him in person, do NOT miss it!

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Antlers at Vail Hotel Celebrates 40th Anniversary

January 28th, 2013

Antlers at Vail hotel in 1972  

 The Antlers at Vail hotel, then (1972) and now.

For forty years the Antlers at Vail Hotel has welcomed guests of all kinds:  celebs like Venus Williams and Robert Kennedy, Jr., babies and octogenarians, bunny slope skiers and black diamond pros, rock stars and business executives, families and singles, brides and grooms, yuppies and hipsters, boomers and empty-nesters—and canines galore.

The hotel’s anniversary coincides with Vail’s 50th birthday festivities, celebrating the opening of the new resort for the 1962-’63 ski season. Ten years later, the Antlers was one of the first hotels to open in the Lionshead area of Vail. The condominium hotel has evolved and grown over its four decades—and general manager Rob LeVine has led the property through many of its significant transitions.

“I’ve been here since 1984, and I can remember many of the Antlers’ milestones: our first website back in 1996, our $22 million renovation from 2000 to 2002, and our new swimming pool in 2004,” he says. “I’ve also been here long enough to remember when it snowed on the fourth of July, the time our roof leaked like a sieve and the year we booked a truck drivers’ convention and a ballerina group during the same week.”

As part of the Antlers’ 40th birthday festivities, now through June 30, 2013 travelers can ‘like’ the Antlers at Vail’s Facebook page and submit their own memories, photos, anecdotes and videos about their past stays at the hotel. A panel of judges will review the submissions and award one lucky winner a two-night, two-bedroom suite stay for up to four people, including free parking, Internet, and health club access. The Antlers will be running other specials and promotions throughout the year.

The Antlers Vail offers condominiums ranging from studio suites up to four bedrooms with fully-equipped kitchens, fireplaces, outdoor balconies, free Internet access and free heated indoor parking – plus free equipment storage for skiers and boarders. Every room provides plenty of space to spread out and all the comforts of home, and the Antlers’ Vail-insider staff is on call to answer questions big or small.

Conveniently located 200 yards from the Vail Gondola, numerous restaurants, galleries and shops are within walking distance and the free Vail town shuttle stops just footsteps away.  Named the Vail Valley ‘Green Business of the Year’ in 2009, the Antlers Vail condominiums are also proud to be named a Platinum Service Award Winner by the Vail Valley Partnership.  For more information, call 1-800-843-8245 or visit  www.AntlersVail.com.

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Bowling with the Governor

January 18th, 2013

Not too long ago my friend Jenn Bruno, who along with her husband owns one of the nicest stores in Vail, Due Luca Bruno, told me that she was helping the Red Sandstone Elementary School with a fundraiser to hire a librarian (what an admirable goal).  She proceeded to tell me that the fundraiser was similar to the Mask Project, only it would be bowling pins that would be auctioned off.  Fun!  Then she said that Elaine Kelton told her I knew Governor Hickenlooper and asked if I could get him to sign a bowling pin.

Whoops … who said I knew the Governor?!  I’ve MET the Governor.  It would be a stretch to say that I KNOW him.  I guarantee you that the Governor doesn’t KNOW me.  Oh well, what the heck … I’ll try.

I called my friend Trisha Smith at CACI (who KNOWS people in the Governor’s office) and asked for her help.  True to form, she said that she’d try … bring her the bowling pin.   When I told Jenn that we’d do our best,  she asked if he would decorate the pin as well as sign it.

Uh, no … the Gov may SIGN the pin, he isn’t decorating anything.  He’s kinda busy.  After a little further discussion though, Trish suggested having someone paint the Capitol Building on the pin.  After all, it’s shaped a little like a bowling pin.  I passed that idea on to Jenn, and she loved it.  A week later she dropped off a fabulously decorated bowling pin, complete with the Gold Dome.

 

The fundraiser is February 1, so now we’re running out of time.  Fortunately, yesterday was the annual CACI Business Day at the Capitol and guess who was the keynote speaker?  How convenient.  As he approached the head table I cornered him and said, “Governor, I’ve got a crazy favor to ask … would you sign this bowling pin for an elementary school fundraiser?”  Being the affable guy that he is, the response was predictable … “Sure I will, got a pen?”

Larry Laszlo, one of the best photographers in Denver, was nice enough to send me these pictures.

For what it’s worth, the Governor’s subsequent talk and response to the Q&A cemented my admiration for him.  I can’t tell you how lucky I think we are in Colorado to have Governor Hickenlooper and his team running this state.

And I’d say that even if he hadn’t signed the bowling pin.

 

One Response to “Bowling with the Governor”

  1. bacongirl says:
    January 21, 2013 at 10:39 am

    I can say without reservation – that’s the loveliest bowling pin I’ve ever seen. What a great tale, and it’s nice to hear that the guv is as down-to-earth in person as his public persona. Good job, Rob!

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Dinner and a Show at Sushi Oka in Vail Village

January 11th, 2013

I had friends in town last night so we decided to go out for dinner, with the all the restaurants in Vail it can be overwhelming at times trying to decide where to go. For us though any where would be fantastic since we come from a small town where majority of the restaurant choices involve order by number meal deals, and drive through windows. Even though I have lived here for over 12 years it’s still nice to have a variety of places to choose from.  I thought it would be a nice change of pace for all of us to go to Sushi Oka in Vail Village. It’s a Japanese restaurant with Hibachi tables and also a sushi bar. We chose to sit at one of the hibachi tables which is always fun. Our chef was very entertaining

The onion volcano is always a crowd pleaser!

Overall we had a good time, the food was good and we did get there early so we beat the crowds and didn’t have to have a reservation, which is always a huge plus!

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Annual Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines at Vail Cascade

January 9th, 2013

If you are looking for something a little different to do this weekend and really like beer, the annual Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines festival is starting Thursday January 10th at the Vail Cascade hotel. In it’s 13th year here in Vail this festival is different from most mainly because the 2 main criteria for the beers is they must be Belgian style and must be more than 7% alcohol! It features a homebrewers competition, beer paring dinners, and tasting for the public on Saturday afternoon.  For more information and to purchase tickets to events visit their website here. Want to be even more adventurous check out two of our local breweries Crazy Mountain Brewery located in Edwards Colorado has a tasting room. Bonfire Brewing CO located in Eagle Colorado has a bar and tasting room, they do have live music sometimes on the weekends.

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