As summer turns to fall, the mountains are a perfect place to spend a weekend retreat. The fall foliage, the crisp morning air and best of all the beer flows like water. What? Yes! With Oktoberfest events at many mountain towns, fall in the high country is a great way to kiss summer goodbye. One the...

Après in the olden days Remember when après ski used to mean shimmying to a local jam band, Pabst Blue Ribbon in hand, and surrounded by a sea of goggle-tanned faces peaking out from under wool beanies? An oversize plate of bubbling nachos awaited you at the table, and the big question...

How many times have you fantasized about owning a ski house? If you’re like me, the answer is several hundred thousand. You (I) would leave town Friday evening, bring the dog, and stay through early Monday morning. Beat traffic. It’s ideal, right? In theory, sure. But, as my husband...

There are few things in life that match the vibe you find at a live concert -- the energy, enthusiasm and spirit of the rock and roll experience. And while many of us urbanites have to trudge off to a sweaty nightclub and spend big dollars on tickets to see our favorite act in an impersonal mega-arena...

Editor's note: Dan won the Yakima Box giveaway by commenting about how incredible a vacation would be with his soon-to-be fiance. Here, he explains his proposal and his romantic weekend in Vail where it all happened. Read on to find out how you could win a weekend just like Dan's below. ...

With its distinctive European Alpine towers and buttercup yellow façade, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail provides the final flourish for a town-wide renaissance, evoking quality and ultra-luxurious living just a short walk from the redeveloped LionsHead and the Eagle Bahn Gondola. The Ritz...

All six of the Vail Resorts will see major capital improvements next year, including a new restaurant, new chairlifts, and the introduction of EpicMix 2.0. Vail , Beaver Creek , Keystone , Breckenridge , and Heavenly ski resorts will see $83 to $93 million and the newest resort to join the family, Northstar...

After leaving the Buckwheat Zydeco concert during CarniVail, I discovered a great angle in which to capture a time lapse of the families in the Solaris Plaza in Vail Village hanging out. Check it out.

High Noon is among the most legendary lifts in the world, a cozy conveyance that serves the heart and soul of the Vail ski resort experience, the original Back Bowls (Sun Down and Sun Up)-terrain that has created a half-century of world-class memories. It's a testament to the sanctity of this...

Sometimes you want to splurge, and sometimes you need to rein it in. When reining in is necessary, first check out Keystone's top lodging-discount deal ( keystoneresort.com ; under "Plan a Trip," click on "Vacation Deals"): You make a reservation for a guaranteed rate at a savings...

The first time I stayed at the Lodge at Vail , A RockResort, I was eight months pregnant. It was January, snowing, and I knew I wouldn't be skiing. Normally that's a recipe for depression. But from my suite-with-a-view, I was just fine. After all, the one-bedroom suite featured a king-sized...

Local Vail skiers take their pass on the road and head to Las Lenas where the Epic Pass works.

Locals from Vail head to Las Lenas, Argentina for 10 days to really explore their pass options -- across the globe.

I admit it: on my freelance income I will never be able to afford a residence at the new Ritz Carlton at Vail. This is luxury reigning supreme. An exclusive, private residence (as in there are no services for the general public) with posh facilities, a gorgeous outdoor pool and hot tubs, a fitness...

Did you experience the epic season that was 2010-2011 at Vail Resorts? The videographers sure did and captured some incredible footage. Spread the stoke and get a glimpse of what next year may have to offer here.

Most everything about Vail is big. The back bowls. The entire mountain. The Arrabelle at Vail Square . Lindsey Vonn. Sometimes, though, you don't want to go big. Instead you want intimate spaces. Privacy. And that's when you go to the Austria Haus . A 25-room boutique hotel in the heart...

Long ago, before I had a boyfriend (to say nothing of a husband and baby), my dog Chloe was my constant companion. A loyal-to-a-fault Australian Shepherd, Chloe (or C-note) pounded trails behind my mountain bike, tromped through my skin track, and blazed ahead on trail runs. In those days we camped in...

And you thought Vail was all about the outdoors. Clearly you haven't yet heard about Vail Restaurant Month . Four weeks of gourmet, farm-to-table, healthy living, family style, this off-season celebration is reason enough to head to the high country in the coming weeks. Restaurant week kicked...

Any Colorado native knows the best ski pass is Vail Resort's Epic Pass . For $649 you get unlimited access to Vail , Beaver Creek , Breckenridge , ski resort">Keystone , Heavenly , Northstar and Arapahoe Basin with no blackout dates. You also get six ski-with-a-friend discounts that are preloaded...

Take a step inside the Austria Haus in Vail, Colorado. Known for incredible luxury, stunning vistas, and proximity to the ski slopes, Austria Haus is the perfect place for a mountain getaway.

There are those in life who eat steak. And those who don't. I can't imagine being in the latter group. A lifelong carnivore, I can't imagine going without the pleasure that comes with the first bite of a tender and juicy sirloin, grilled perfectly medium rare. That was my first thought...

No matter where I have lived in my 39 years (YIKES!) on earth, I have always had trouble playing tourist and seeing the sights of my hometown. It was the case growing up in St. Louis, during my seven-year stay in Miami, and unfortunately, for most of the eight years I’ve been a proud resident of...

The early bird definitely gets the worm with this off-season special from Rock Resorts: Book a ski vacation for the 2012/2013 season by July 31 and save up to 33 percent off your high-end Vail hotel room. Sure, you don’t know when the snow’s going to be the best, but this deal is a great...

Summer in Vail is as enticing as winter (perhaps even more so, considering the amount of diverse activities available), and the resort’s lodging options are abundant. Whether you’re going for four-star luxury or something more economical, a three-bedroom condo, or a simple hotel room,...

While you're in the giving mood, why not give just a tad bit more to your loved ones and maybe even yourself. This is Santa in slippers … fur-lined, of course. To start with, why not celebrate the holidays in the mountains slopeside. Here are your best bets for sumptuous celebrating. ...