March 2nd, 2010 by Joseph
 Many resort towns what we all consider iconic hotels and resorts. These are the properties which set the standard for their peers to attain while continually improving the guest experience. In Deer Valley it’s the www.steinlodge.com, in Vail, The Sonnenalp, in Aspen, The Little Nell. In Telluride, it is The Peaks Resort, the defining symbol of Mountain Village, the mid-mountain base area known for its opulence and extravagance yet comforting with true rocky mountain sensibilities.
For those who may be unfamiliar with The Peaks Resort or The Peaks as it is known locally is Telluride’s premier full service resort. The hotel offers its discriminating guests 149 hotel rooms including 32 suites and 14-penthouse flats plus 34 truly unique 3, 4 and 5 bedroom mountainside cabins known as the See Forever collection due to their privacy and views.
We are proud to present the Penthouse Flats and The See Forever units
Each of the 14 penthouses is individually decorated encompassing the finest furnishings providing a mountain chic interior which is comfortable and inviting. In addition, to views and vistas which cannot be replicated anywhere, the penthouses are truly luxury personified.
Guests residing in one of the penthouses will be spoiled with down comforters, lavishly stocked refreshment centers, and oversized bathrooms with separate shower and bathtub. In addition, all penthouses feature all common hotel amenities plus plush terrycloth robes/ slippers, individual heating controls, multiple closets, clothes press, laundry basket, coffeemaker furnished with the finest gourmet coffees and teas.
For those who desire the privacy of a vacation home rental coupled with the amenities of a luxury full service resort and spa, The Peaks See Forever Luxury Rentals are for you.
Located adjacent to the resort, the spacious units feature one-of-a-kind custom décor along with full-size kitchens, in-floor radiant heating and wi-fi internet connectivity. All of the one- to five-bedroom units offer amazing views of the nearby San Juan Mountains and are ideal for families, groups of friends or those in search of additional space and privacy to relax and be at ease.
January 27th, 2010 by Joseph
Colorado has a reputation worldwide of providing visitors (and residents) the ultimate vacation opportunities from the mountains to the plains. While named resorts such as Vail, Aspen and Telluride are profiled in the popular press, as residents of Colorado, we know a few “hidden gems” which offer spectacular beauty, 4 seasons of recreational amenities and best of all, no crowds.
One such area is the San Luis Valley in southwestern Colorado. Considered remote which is much of the charm, the San Luis Valley represents a Colorado of years past when you did NOT have a lift line at the local ski resort or have to wait for your tee-time on the golf course. An area where the Native American crafts are actually constructed on-site, where two-lane roads dominate and an interstate highway is not the defining geographic feature of the landscape.
 Situated at the west-end of the San Luis Valley we are pleased to present The Rio Grande Club providing the ultimate guest and lifestyle experience within the picturesque San Luis Valley.
Ranked in the top 15 golf and fly fishing destinations in the world, The Rio Grande Club features a 25,000 square foot clubhouse, truly the gathering spot of the club featuring a spacious dining room with impressive mountain vista views,  a comfortable and cozy lounge, conference and banquet rooms, business center, pro shop, and a spa/fitness facility with cardiovascular stations, circuit training and free weights. There is also a workout room with a wide variety of programs including yoga, aerobics and Tae Bo among other activities. The clubhouse is the perfect location for destination meetings, events, and weddings.
Beyond the clubhouse, The Rio Grande Club’s amenities allow you to choose how active your vacation is. For relaxation (and maybe do a few laps) the outdoor patio includes a swimming pool with sitting area, spacious hot tub and an outside lounging area. Outside food service is also available for the pool area.
For the tennis player, The Rio Grande Club offers two tennis courts. In addition, private lessons and challenge courts are available all season.
For the fishing enthusiasts, the Club has private access to a one mile stretch of gold medal water. This portion of the river is periodically stocked to enhance the fishing experience.
November 25th, 2009 by Joseph
 Hidden in southwestern Colorado, Telluride is an exclusive mountain resort attracting VIP clients who desire privacy and exclusivity, guests who wish not to be photographed on the streets of Aspen or isolated at The Yellowstone Club. Telluride is the resort for those desiring the skiing experience of yesteryear coupled with the finest modern amenities and après-ski activities of the new millennium.
The seclusion and relative isolation of Telluride is a component of its desirability. A historic mining town of eight square blocks wedding by aerial tram to the luxurious resort enclave of Mountain Village. This is where you will find Hood  Park Manor, a one-of-a-kind ski-in/out estate perched over the Town of Telluride.
Hood Park Manor, the pinnacle of luxury accommodations in Mountain Village is a nine (9) bedroom, ten (10)+ bathroom mountain chalet situated on a 1+ acre lot with southern exposures and adjacent to open space insuring privacy and exclusivity so rare in the rarified echelon of luxury ski resorts.
The custom design embraces the history of the wealth and prosperity of Telluride and the Rocky Mountain West when mining was the economic engine. As guests arrive at the estate, as dusk descends, the home’s illumination is breathtaking. Once guests enter; a world of luxury and opulence awaits.
The interior of the home is a blend of custom stone, tile and wood designs all blended together to provide a formal yet warm and inviting atmosphere. The great room with its cathedral ceilings is dominated by a center-axis fireplace. The direct and indirect automated lighting and sound system can be set depending on mood and desire throughout the home.
Each of the nine bedroom suites has been designed to accommodate a diverse audience from extended families to groups of friends to the corporate retreat. With five (5) expansive master bedrooms (some with vaulted ceilings), all with king beds, guests have a variety of choices. The additional four (4) bedrooms include queen and twin beds offering options for all nightfall configurations. En-suite bathrooms complement the custom designed bedrooms.
For formal meals, the dining room design is reminiscent of the finest mansions in Europe with beamed ceilings and a fireplace, a design which enhances the finest meals served by the available private chef and servers. For casual dining, options include the eat-in gourmet kitchen with breakfast bar and fireplace, perfect for a pre-ski smoothie or a gourmet lunch between runs.
October 26th, 2009 by Joseph
 Last season, those looking for cost savings eliminated private and class lessons. While many consider lessons a splurge, we at The Society consider it a perk of the vacation. Note, if you have a family or group of friends, most private instructors can take up to 6 participants: a great way to spend the day and it’s cost effective. Whether class or private, instruction offers the following advantages:
- Skip the Lift Line: how enjoyable during prime vacation periods.
- Increase Skill Set: When you ski/board techniques improve, makes the vacation more enjoyable.
- Hidden Trails: A good instructor knows the mountain and will also know where the best snow conditions are.
- A New Challenge: Break the bad habits (like me, not bending in the knees) and challenge yourself to exceed status quo abilities.
Aspen & Snowmass: The resorts of Glamour Gulch have been most proactive in their marketing department. Look for discounted lift passes, rental equipment and a $50 voucher for those who purchase 5 days of private instruction.
Copper Mountain’s new “Discover Private” program allows skiers who don’t want to spend $475 for a full-day private lesson to pay $150 for two hours of private instruction.
Winter Park is offering four half-day group lessons for $99 if purchased in advance.
Vail Resorts is offering small-group “Adventure Sessions,” with loosely structured lessons and lift line-cutting privileges for $119 to $129 per skier.
October 12th, 2009 by Joseph
While most ski and mountain resorts market themselves as “perfect for all visitors”, those of us in the travel community know the unique attributes of each resort area. Subsequently we are able to advise which resorts are most appropriate for which traveler. At The Society, we recently received the following question:
My wife and I plan to take our adult children and our grandchildren for a skiing vacation. A few of the adults do not ski or snowboard. We would like the grandchildren to be affiliated with a family-oriented ski-school. We all enjoy fine food and service but realize with young children, this may not be possible. We would love ski-in/out yet walking distance to a commercial area with shops, restaurants, spa and so forth. Any suggestions?
 We called the client, asked a few more questions and suggested Beaver Creek, Colorado and specifically two homes, our “Ski Safari” with 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms (sleeps 10) and “Beaver Creek Shangri-La”, with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms (sleeps 14). Both houses offer the opulence associated with a luxury ski-chalet, yet are also comfortable and inviting to all who reside in the homes. Mountain chic is the most apt description for these two unique vacation residences, which we consider among the finest in the Vail Valley.
Beaver Creek the resort is the perfect destination for the multi-generational family vacation. The base area is by many resort standards, quite small, yet is so family friendly with an outdoor skating rink, many shops, restaurants, gelato, spas and our favorite heated walkways and escalators to the lifts. Mornings may begin with a Starbucks coffee and taking the kids to ski school. When descending the last run of the day, warm cookies waiting at the base area.
With an excellent selection of dining options, one will never be bored during vacation. From the casual fare at The Dusty Boot to the fine dining at Splendido to subs and pizza at Blue Moose, Beaver Creek offers a variety of family-friendly restaurants. We would also suggest a night at Beano’s Cabin. For the children, consider the 5:30PM seating with the horse-drawn sleigh from the stables to the on-mountain restaurant.
October 6th, 2009 by Joseph
 It has been a tradition of Ski Magazine to list their top ski resorts annually. The ranking criteria consider many variations from terrain to nightlife to readership ratings. Last week we provided “opening dates” for a few resorts, this week, the top 30. Below is the list with a few comments added by our “winter sports specialists” here at The Society.com:
- Deer Valley, Utah – no snowboarders allowed on mountain & limited # of passes sold per day.
- Whistler Blackcomb, B.C. –site of the 2010 Winter Olympics
- Vail, Colorado – largest single mountain resort in North America & legendary back bowls
- Park City, Utah – consider the Silver Passport lift pass
- Beaver Creek, Colorado – where locals escape Vail weekend crowds
- Snowmass, Colorado – new base area for 2009/2010
- Sun Valley, Idaho – say hello to Gov. Arnold of California
- Squaw Valley, California – former Winter Olympics venue
- Mammoth, California – option for the S. California resident
- Steamboat, Colorado – western family resort, challenging trees and powder
- Telluride, Colorado –hidden gem, culinary tour de force
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming – not for the faint of heart
- Heavenly, California – cross the border and gamble into the morning
- Aspen Mountain, Colorado –the original “glamour gulch”
- Breckenridge, Colorado – spring break central for colleges and universities
- Northstar-at-Tahoe, California – small scale, big challenges
- Aspen Highlands, Colorado – expert terrain and a Ritz-Carlton
- Copper Mountain, Colorado – segregated terrain, bowls can challenge
- Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana – never a crowd
- The Canyons, Utah – see #4, Silver Passport program
- Keystone, Colorado – a true resort with “charging privileges”
- Big Sky, Montana – limited nightlife, to exhausted from skiing all day
- Winter Park, Colorado – drop in next door at Mary Jane
- Crested Butte, Colorado – high-altitude skiing/boarding
- Snowbird, Utah – for strong intermediates and experts
- Solitude, Utah – small family-oriented enclave
- Taos, New Mexico – from valley heat to snowcapped peaks in 30 minutes
- Alta, Utah – skiing as it was 40 years ago
- Snow Basin, Utah – rustic chic
- Alpine Meadows, California – Tahoe’s hidden gem
August 10th, 2009 by Joseph
Aspen has its music tent and Vail its Bravo series, yet both towns have embraced the interest in jazz culminating in major festivals celebrating the end of the summer season. Yet, jazz aficionados are not left high and dry throughout the summer and August continues to heat up with jazz in the mountains preparing for a Labor Day Blowout:
 Vail: For fans of Jazz, Vail has your “cover charge” taken care of on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. Jazz at Vail Square (Lionshead), promising cool jazz on sultry nights is scheduled for August 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th and September 3rd. The venue, with 250 covered seats presents Hot Tomatoes Swing Band on the 13th. On the 20th, Magos Herrrea Quartet is scheduled. Magos’ signature sound elegantly blends her classic jazz styling with Mexican, Cuban and Brazilian melodies. On August 27th Memphis native Doug Wamble will play his unique blend of jazz, gospel and blues on the acoustic guitar. The Clayton Brothers Quintet and the Vail Jazz All Stars will close out the Thursday night series on September 3rd in preparation for the Labor Day Weekend Jazz Party. Thursday night shows run from 6:00PM to 8:00PM.
On Sundays, Jazz @ the Market offers 10 free outdoor concerts featuring local and regionally-based jazz talent at the Vail Farmers’ Market, Sundays from Noon to 3:30pm. The jazz concerts are a natural complement to the fabulous shopping and wonderful food for which the casual outdoor market is known (which is the largest in the State of Colorado). Covered seating is available, so stop by and enjoy refreshing jazz!
For additional information concerning Jazz in the Vail Valley and the big Labor Day Weekend Party, please visit The Vail Jazz Foundation.
 Aspen: Since 1991 Jazz Aspen Snowmass has been delighting the sophisticated visitor and residents of Aspen with some of the finest jazz performances available in the Rocky Mountain West. The Labor Day Festival gains in popularity annually and 2009 is no exception. The Main Festival Stage at Snowmass Town Park is guaranteed to be moving and shaking Labor Day Weekend. Standout acts include Elvis Costello and The Black Eyed Peas on September 5th and The Doobie Brothers and The Allman Brothers Band on September 6th. For the Labor Day Festival and other jazz performances in the Aspen area, check out Jazz Aspen/Snowmass.
August 4th, 2009 by Joseph
 While there has never been an exact science of formula concerning pricing a vacation home rental, present economic conditions, limited demand, increased supply and the multitude of options concerning exposure makes the pricing proposition a quandary many face.
In addition, it is now most important to quantify asking prices due to the issues we all face above. The discounting approach, which may or may not be successful, is more appropriate for hotel inventory versus the unique opportunities and constraints concerning vacation home rentals. Now, factor in that each night of vacancy is truly a perishable commodity, what is one to do? We hope the following provides insights and guidance and please note, the staff of TheSociety.com is available to assist on multiple levels from pricing to exposure to target market analysis and so forth.
Please note, “How to Price Your Vacation Home Rental” will be an on-going series:
Installment I: The Honest Assessment AKA “The Appraisal”
-Section I: Location
Whether you are an owner of a vacation home or a property manager, when considering the vacation rental potential of a property, the initial job is to assess the true value of the home or what we call “The Appraisal”.
Unlike the physical plant of a hotel i.e. 1-5 room categories, a strategic location, branding, a vacation residence is by design, a unique entity. No two vacation rental residences are alike (yes, even duplexes i.e. shared common wall will have unique differences. Thus one must look at the property with the skill set of an appraiser and the point-of-view (POV) of a potential renter.
As in any real estate, the ultimate value proposition is the LOCATION!
Location will dictate demand. For example, the 10 bedroom home in Marshalltown, Iowa is probably not as in-demand as the 3-bedroom oceanfront cottage in East Hampton, New York. Even on a local level, in our (TheSociety.com) own backyard, the 2 bedroom flat in the heart of Vail Village, walking distance to the slopes will generate higher demand and revenue versus a 4 bedroom home in neighboring West Vail, just minutes away by free shuttle.
Location is a unique variable.
Consider the following (and of course there will always be variations to the information below):
Beach/Water Oriented Community (scale most to least in-demand)
- Waterfront
- Close to waterfront
- Walking distance to waterfront
July 24th, 2009 by Mike
 Aspen has a plethora of events coming up in August. Take a look below. If you need any help finding a vacation rental or resort home check out our luxury rentals in Aspen.
July 7th, 2009 by Joseph
 Yes….if you desire a specific property, it is best to book as soon as possible. The properties in highest demand including ski-in/out, walking distance to the lifts and most recently renovated always book early. The majority of our management partners in “ski country” usually will take a deposit and require full payment 45-60 days prior to arrival. Ski homes are each uniquely individual from charming flats and condominiums to chalet’s including indoor pools, outdoor hot tubs and ski-in/out locations. Our inventory of vacation ski rentals is very diverse with lodging options and resorts for all tastes and budgets. Avoid disappointment and book now knowing your ski vacation is secured. Hint, consider booking your air and rental car now as well, while demand is still light.
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