Updates from the Village
Shedding It All
Yet again, prominent Vail Valley locals bare all (well, nearly all) for a good cause in the ninth annual Vail Undressed calendar.
The 2010 edition, with Eagle County landmarks as its theme, features 20 soon-to-be-infamous models and the work of ten photographers.
Proceeds from the sales of the $14.95 calendar, sure to be a holiday gift favorite, go the Vail Valley Charitable Foundation, which supports Eagle County families in financial trouble due to medical problems.
During the November 4th “unveiling” party at Beaver Creek’s Vilar Center, Foundation Executive Director Karen Simon announced next year’s 10th edition will be a “best of the best” of the first nine years, adding that a $1 donation per vote will be requested.
To order online the calendar’s 2010 edition or for a list of retail outlets, visit www.vvcf.net or call 866-850-9937.
Taking Charge
Like a lot of Vail Valley locals, Katrina Ammer always dreamed of making it to the Winter Olympics as an athlete.
Her path to the Games, though, took a different direction when she accepted the logistical challenge of managing the chaotic but wildly successful local mountain bike race series for the Vail Recreation District.
That led to a 14-year stint with the Vail Valley Foundation managing up to five international sporting events a year, including annual World Cup ski races at Beaver Creek.
And now her Olympic dream has been fully realized in a sense, with Ammer spending nearly the last three years in Vancouver and Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia, gearing up for the challenge of a lifetime at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
“I never thought the mountain bike races would lead to this,”
Ammer says of her new gig as Venue General Manager for the Whistler alpine venue.
As such, she’s in charge of the massive logistical tangle of actually pulling of an Olympic-level ski race.
“When I was young I always dreamed of being an Olympian.
I feel like this is the next best thing – organizing them. Cheesy, eh?”
On Mountain Deals
This winter the slopes of Vail and Beaver Creek are going to be brimming with some great deals as Vail Resorts initiates a number of programs designed for the price conscious visitor.
For example, the ski school will be offering guided tours with an instructor from 9:15am until 3pm at Vail and Beaver Creek.
Recommended for adults intermediate (Level 6) and above, these Adventure Sessions are focused on giving groups of about five like-skilled and likeminded skiers or riders insider knowledge about the best mountain’s terrain and conditions while picking up tips and technical information along the way.
Adventure Sessions, which begin December 18, costs $129 person and include lift line cutting privileges.
Elsewhere on the mountains, all restaurants will be offering a new value meal for $9.95 called “Lunch for Less.”
Including an entree, side dish and beverage, the meal varies from day-to-day with combinations such as a wrap and soup or a pasta dish and salad.
For more information about these and other ski school and dining values call, 754-8245 or visit www.vail.com or www.beavercreek.com.
Beer Fest "Unvails" 19 New Releases
Attention beer lovers!
This winter’s Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival has announced the tapping of 19 special brews at its Tenth Anniversary Welcome Reception on Friday, January 8, 2010. Inspired by Brendan McGivney of Odell Brewing Co., who offered to create a 10th Anniversary commemorative beer for the event, other breweries quickly jumped on board and embraced the idea.
“We are absolutely overwhelmed and gratified by the generosity and support of these brewers,” comments Laura Lodge, event coordinator. “It has been a real endorsement of our efforts over the past decade.”
Known for its unique format and educational components, this international specialty beer festival has drawn more than 5,000 attendees in its time and most recently included “big”, Belgian and experimental beers from 84 breweries at its 2009 Commercial Tasting.
The 2010 festival weekend will be hosted by the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa January 7-9, and includes brewmasters’ dinners, educational seminars, and a specialty homebrew competition judging among other things.
For more information on the beer festival, which benefits the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, visit www.bigbeersfestival.com.
Holidays at the Vilar
The holidays at Beaver Creek Village’s Vilar Performing Arts Center give arts and entertainment lovers a reason to celebrate.
The season begins December 11-13 with vibrant performances of The Nutcracker ballet by Vail Valley’s own Friends of the Dance.
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Then the E.B. White’s children’s favorite Charlotte’s Web, performed by Theatreworks USA, takes stage December 16, followed on the 19th with banjo geniuses Bela Fleck & the Flecktones taking on the season’s favorites during the Vail Valley stop of their “Holiday Tour.”
And what would be the holidays without Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, lovingly performed December 23rd by the Nebraska Theatre Caravan?
On Christmas Day marvel at “Magic that Rocks” with extreme magician Curtis Adams and his “new era of magic.”
Several international musical icons are represented between Christmas and New Year’s, including a tribute to the Legendary Neil Diamond on the 27th and, in person, the “King of the Blues” B.B. King on the 29th.
Fittingly, the von Trapp Children of the famed Sound of Music’s Von Trapp family round out the season with a December 30th concert.
For a complete Winter 2009-10 schedule, see our “Calendar” on page P-26, visit the Center’s website at www.vilarpac.org, or call 888-920-2787.
Snowshoe Adventures
Beaver Creek’s Snowshoe Adventure Series, the largest annual snowshoe series in North America, celebrates its 13th season this winter.
Don’t miss the fun! Each event includes a 5K Quest, a competitive 10K and a Kids’ 1K as well as features slopeslide sponsor expos and post-event plaza parties.
“The Adventure Series attracts a wide variety of winter sport enthusiasts,” says Jeff Brausch of Highline Sports & Enterta
inment, which produces the series. “We see everyone from world-class snowshoers to non-competitive families and singles.”
The 2009 series attracted more than 1,500 participants, the largest attendance in the event’s history. Even more are predicted for this season.
This season’s dates are January 10, February 7 and March 7, the latter of which is the Jeremy Wright North American Snowshoe Championships.
Following the regular season is the Snowshoe Shuffle, which benefits the Shaw Regional Cancer Center. This year’s edition will be held April 5 at Beaver Creek’s McCoy Park.
The registration fee for the entire series is $80; individual race entry is $30 in advance; and day-of registration is $35.
For more information or to register, visit www.bcsnowshoe.com.
