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Summer Festivals & Outdoor FunVail & Beaver Creek, ColoradoBy Valerie SummersBreathtaking vistas of the soaring tree covered Rocky mountains throughout the two hour drive from Denver provided a fitting prelude to my visit to Vail. I eagerly anticipated the eclectic adventures which awaited me. Music and dance performances, art festivals and a variety of outdoor summer activities would be there for the taking.
During Vail’s summer season, a cornucopia of cultural, theatrical and musical fare continues, this season featuring the Theatre Festival in collaboration with the famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company presentations by several Chicago troupes. These included The Second City, in an evening of improvisational comedy, a presentation by the Steppenwolf players of Warren Leight’s Tony Award winning Side Man with the playwright hosting an interactive discussion. The zany Neo-Futurists presented the long running, sped up Chicago hit, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind.
Early the following morning, a former engineer turned interpretive guide with Lakota Guides picked me up in a strange looking bright red vehicle topped by a clear plastic cover. Eight other passengers were already on board, seated on the vehicles several levels. The 6,000 pound Hummer, as I leaned, is the premier off-road vehicle, capable of transiting otherwise inaccessible terrain. After a brief highway ride, we turned off at Wolcott where the Hummer’s plastic cover was detached and continued along miles of dirt roads, though enormous ruts and bumps heading in the direction of the 17,400 foot Castle Rock. We easily ascended an otherwise steep, unscalable bluff, but for the Hummer, it was duck soup and for the passengers, it was an E-ride. Atop Castle Rock Lookout we viewed the valley, the pine forests and the New York Mountains. Several majestic Red Tail Hawks circled on the lookout or their next meal. A family of deer moved quickly out of sight as we approached and I was told this is Mountain Lion country, but none were sighted. Heading back to Vail, nestled amidst the trees, a gem of a lake came into view, its waters the color of the Caribbean, appropriately named Blue Lake. Once out of the back country, en route to town, we passed a number of beautifully manicured golf courses. One sport I did not participate in during this trip was golf which is, however, Vail’s most popular summer sport, with more than 14 courses in the area.
A variety of restaurants abound in Vail and I dined at several which I enjoyed. Conveniently situated upstairs from the Spa, I relished an exceptional dining experience at the much heralded Terra Bistro. First course selections included gazpacho with dungeness crab salad, spiced corn and sweet potato soup, and salmon and soba rolls with three dipping sauces. My party of eight all decided upon seafood entrees and all raved about their selections. I chose the fresh and firm ahi tuna wrapped in toasted rice and mori with wasabi vegetables and tamari vinaigrette, an exquisite melding of exotic flavors and textures, artfully presented. In addition to the regular menu, the restaurant included a less extensive but well chosen two-course pre-ballet menu for $29, a real bargain. Breakfast in Cucina Rustica at The Lodge at Vail offered an elaborate buffet with every kind of morning delight one could imagine. Also at The Lodge, the award winning Wildflower, specializing in American cuisine, served a beautiful mid-day meal in one of the prettiest settings in Vail. For a quick informal lunch, I stopped by Joe’s, easy to miss because of its downstairs location, for a freshly made sandwich and delicious homemade ice cream. One of the nicest ways to wrap up an evening in Vail is with a visit to Mickey’s Piano Bar in the Lodge at Vail. Mickey Poage, for whom the lounge was named, has been entertaining guests with is mellow renditions for more than 27 years. Music and a nightcap followed by sweet dreams of the coming activities made a sweet finale to a day filled with summer fun and festivals. More information:Colorado Mountain Express offers door to door airport service to most every lodging destination in Vail., Beaver Creek, Aspen and Snowmass with a fleet of more than 100 late model 10-passenger vans. 800/525-6363 http://www.cmex.com Lakota Guides The Lodge at Vail, one
of the most prestigious addresses and certainly one of the most well
situated hotels, located right in the heart of town. The Lodge combines the
rustic nature of Colorado with the elegance and charm of an Old World inn
with 165 richly decorated guest rooms. Amenities include an outdoor
swimming pool, fitness center, babysitting, concierge services and two
dining rooms. United Airlines and United Express serve both Denver International Airport and Eagle County Airport with more than 400 flights daily to and from both domestic and international destinations. 800/241-6522 http://www.united.com Vail Mountain Lodge &
Spa Vail Valley Foundation
presenters of the Vail International Dance Festival. |
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TM
The opening night
performance for this year’s International Dance Festival , presented by the
Vail Valley Foundation, featured a collection of the world’s most celebrated
international dance couples and soloists. Representatives from the
National Ballet of Canada, Riverdance, Parsons Dance Company, the Stuttgart
Ballet and the World Exhibition Champions strutted their stuff in a glorious
presentation. The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Vilar Pavilion, fronted by
Ford Park, provided the lush outdoor setting, the triple V-shaped roof
covering comfortable audience seating with excellent sight lines and
acoustics. Some chose the economical alternative and picnicked on the
grassy hillside behind the amphitheater. 
The following evening,
at the neighboring Beaver Creek’s Vilar Center for the Arts, the festival
continued featuring 12 members of the New York City Ballet and starring its
principal dancer, Damian Woetzel, who both choreographed and performed the
world premier of Shostakovich Suites. A presentation choreographed by
Balanchine of a Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux and to Gershwin’s Who Cares?
were included in the eclectic program. The next night , back at the Ford
Amphitheater, a melange of classic and scintillating contemporary works were
performed by sixteen members of the Paris Opera Ballet featuring Agnes
Letestu and Jose Martinez. The repertoire included a charming modern routine
danced to an Edith Piaf song, the exquisite Black Swan, excerpts from La
Bayadere, concluding with an elaborately costumed company presentation from
the Don Quixote Suite. The final evening showcased The Hubbard Street Dance
Chicago, delighting audiences with its contemporary dance, combining
theatrical jazz, modern and classical ballet techniques. The closing family
matinee performance featured the Balalaika Ensemble and Russian Folk Dancers
in colorful native costumes. Appreciative audiences, some dressed in summer
finery, other in more relaxed attire, gave standing ovations at the closing
of each performance during the festival.
An added attraction for
ballet aficionados offered informal discussions with festival guests during
several afternoons presented at no charge. The audience gained insight
into a dance critics view, a dance journalists view, an insiders view of the
creative process and an intimate look at life at the Paris Opera Ballet.
Other summer events,
held throughout the season, included culinary festivals, country music,
Jammin’ Jazz Nights, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, The Colorado
Shakespeare Festival, an arts festival, comedy reviews and Hot Summer Nights
concerts, although there was nothing hot about Vail’s summer nights. The
potpourri of entertainment and cultural events offered something for every
taste.
During the bright,
sunny days, I explored the area via mountain bike, Hummer, on foot and
horseback. Although die hard bikers might scoff at the idea of taking a
gondola up the 6.5 miles to the top of Vail mountain, I was most happy to
take advantage of a ride up. At the top, Adventure Ridge offered a number
of summer activities including disc golf, indoor laser tag and bocci ball,
but I arrived with a bike and getting back down into the valley was the only
thing on my mind. This being my first real mountain biking experience had
me clutching the brakes along the dirt paths almost all the way down,
stopping occasionally to take in the breathtaking views. A feeling of relief
overtook me when I reached the bottom and I was ready for a different
adventure.
Twelve miles north of
Vail, down a dusty, unpaved road, at a 9,342 foot elevation, I entered the
Piney River Ranch, gateway to the Gore Range Wilderness. Hiking trails for
all levels about in and around Vail. I chose one at the ranch which led me
around the pristine Piney Lake and up a gentle slope, though a grassy meadow
heading towards Eagle’s Nest Mountain, the second highest mountain in the
Gore Range. After my hike, a buffalo burger and lemonade were in order
before I mounted Dakota, a gentle chestnut steed, for a ride through the
Blue Spruce, Lodge Pole Pine and Aspen forest alongside the Piney River.
The rustling Aspen trees and rushing river created the only sounds as the
horses padded softly along the dirt trails. 
Nothing soothes body
and soul more than the healing hands of an expert massage therapist after a
full day of activity. I checked into the Spa at Vail Mountain Lodge where I
checked out its Spa treatment menu which included Swedish Massage, Sports
Massage, Reflexology, Salt Glow, Mud Wraps and a variety of facials. I was
impressed to learn that organic and biodynamically grown plant based
products were used in their holistic treatments. While exploring the
facility, I discovered not only a full service beauty salon but a two story
equipment room where a lot of pumping and lifting was going on.
Additionally, a climbing wall had geared up rock climbers of varying
abilities sharpening their skills. I headed back to the tranquil treatment
area and selected the 75 minute Hot Stone Massage from the many
alternatives. After relaxing in the sauna, I was escorted into a spacious
treatment room. The therapist first applied warm essential oils to my body
followed by stroking very warm smooth river rocks along overworked muscles
for release. Then strong hands manipulated my body, melting away the
tension until I was so relaxed, sleep overtook me. I awoke refreshed and
relaxed, ready for the next event, in this case, eating.