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.

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:

1. Deer Valley, Utah – no snowboarders allowed on mountain & limited # of passes sold per day.
2. Whistler Blackcomb, B.C. –site of the 2010 Winter Olympics
3. Vail, Colorado – largest single mountain resort in North America & legendary back bowls
4. Park City, Utah – consider the Silver Passport lift pass
5. Beaver Creek, Colorado – where locals escape Vail weekend crowds
6. Snowmass, Colorado – new base area for 2009/2010
7. Sun Valley, Idaho – say hello to Gov. Arnold of California
8. Squaw Valley, California – former Winter Olympics venue
9. Mammoth, California – option for the S. California resident
10. Steamboat, Colorado – western family resort, challenging trees and powder
11. Telluride, Colorado –hidden gem, culinary tour de force
12. Jackson Hole, Wyoming – not for the faint of heart
13. Heavenly, California – cross the border and gamble into the morning
14. Aspen Mountain, Colorado –the original “glamour gulch”
15. Breckenridge, Colorado – spring break central for colleges and universities
16. Northstar-at-Tahoe, California – small scale, big challenges
17. Aspen Highlands, Colorado – expert terrain and a Ritz-Carlton
18. Copper Mountain, Colorado – segregated terrain, bowls can challenge
19. Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana – never a crowd
20. The Canyons, Utah – see #4, Silver Passport program
21. Keystone, Colorado – a true resort with “charging privileges”
22. Big Sky, Montana – limited nightlife, to exhausted from skiing all day
23. Winter Park, Colorado – drop in next door at Mary Jane
24. Crested Butte, Colorado – high-altitude skiing/boarding
25. Snowbird, Utah – for strong intermediates and experts
26. Solitude, Utah – small family-oriented enclave
27. Taos, New Mexico – from valley heat to snowcapped peaks in 30 minutes
28. Alta, Utah – skiing as it was 40 years ago
29. Snow Basin, Utah – rustic chic
30. Alpine Meadows, California – Tahoe’s hidden gem

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.

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.

For many summer is known for the 3H’s, heat, humidity and haze. The majority of the continental United States stifles during the months of July and August with one area of exception, the Rocky Mountain West.

The Colorado Rockies, literally within 45 minutes of downtown Denver is immune to the 3 H’s of summer. Due to topography, elevation and climate, the mountains of Colorado enjoy warm days, cool nights and very low humidity. There is a diversity of mountain communities and resorts from economical Keystone to historic Breckenridge. Winter Park, close to Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park to Vail/Beaver Creek for those who desire to be pampered. Aspen’s cultural opportunities rival most major cities. Steamboat Springs brings with west to life. Telluride, a hidden gem in SW Colorado where every street is a “Kodak” moment.

For many in the United States, Colorado is an easy accessible destination. The Denver Airport is convenient to most mountain resorts via car or shuttle flight. For those driving, all our properties include free on-site parking. With gas and flight prices at historic lows, you do not have an excuse not to visit.

Above: Fox Valley at the Raven in Summit County, CO has a single vision; to provide the serenity of mountain living in an exclusive golf course community. Fox Valley at the Raven is a short drive from six of Colorado’s world class ski destinations and countless other mountain activity venues. Surrounded by 130,000 acres of National Forest, and just a stones throw from the renown Blue River’s gold medal trout fishing, Fox Valley at the Raven has it all at your fingertips.

Silverthorne is the ideal mountain community, with access to hundreds of thousands of acres of national park lands to enjoy camping, fishing, hiking and biking. Nearby Dillon Reservoir also offers all types of aquatic activities. Additionally, you could spend your time shopping Summit County’s largest mall. Not to be overshadowed, Silverthorne offers a wide selection of restaurants from fine dining to your favorite burger joint. You can enjoy this peaceful mountain setting and be only an hour away from Denver and Denver International Airport.

–Keystone - 15 minutes
–Breckenridge - 20 minutes
–Copper Mountain - 20 minutes
–Vail - 30 minutes