http://coldwellbankervail.com/blog/archive_201804/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Visiting Vail in late April or May after the resort has closed can be a nice time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains, where you can just take a quiet stroll and not hear the hum of the chairlifts in the background. If you're going to enjoy a spring stroll in Vail we recommend you pack a lunch, along the paved Gore Valley Trail you'll find numerous benches and picnic tables where you can stop and have a bite to eat. The Gore Valley Trail runs along Gore Creek and offers a peaceful glimpse of the running water as you walk by. The trail is 12 miles in total so you can pick it up at any point in Vail. A new spot that people are enjoying picking up the trail is at the bridge over the creek just west of the Ritz Residences in Lionshead. This area is used by snowcats to enter and exit the mountain in the winter, so once the ski season ends it gets especially quiet and beautiful there.  The other main reason to visit Vail after the mountain closes is to check out the other side of Dowd Junction, where West Vail turns to Eagle-Vail. This area will start to resemble summer much sooner than Vail as the drop in elevation and late day sun exposure from the west really make a big difference. Five miles west of Vail, the Eagle-Vail golf course will have 9 holes open starting in April. Five miles further, the hiking and biking trails in the West Avon Preserve will open April 15. There you'll find beautiful views of the Sawatch mountain range, which will still have snow. Another few miles to the west in Edwards a short track mountain bike race is scheduled for May 9 at the Miller Ranch Open Space, open to all. Kids start at 5:15 p.m. Freedom Park in Edwards will also have a skatepark open in April and May. Also in Freedom Park, the field house has a really fun bouncing area for toddlers and a trampoline area for adults and older kids. Further downvalley in Eagle, you'll also find a thriving network of hiking, biking, horseback riding and ATV trails all open in April. Eagle can get really sunny and warm in the evenings in April and May, and their newly redone town parkhas some really cool climbing features for kids with nice views of the setting sun. On May 2, a short track race will take place in Eagle Ranch, with kids starting at 5:15 again. Eagle Ranch also has a golf course which will have 18 holes open in April.  At the Eagle fairgrounds, the Hole in the Sky disc golf course is open in April and May, which is worth checking out just for its beautiful trek along the Eagle River. They have doubles tournaments open to all every Wednesday night starting at 5:15 p.m. Also at the Eagle fairgrounds, a spring short track mountain bike race is set for April 25, open to all. Kids races start at 5:15 p.m.Original article by Polina LaConte http://coldwellbankervail.com/blog/5749/off-season-go-time/ Thu, 26 Apr 2018 12:00:00 -0700 You have found the perfect home that fits your family, from top to bottom. But the outside is questionable. That’s ok! Don’t let the landscaping completely turn you off from a house that is not only within your budget, but is exactly what you’ve needed from the day you started looking. Of course everyone wants a home that has a beautiful front yard for the neighbors to admire and a backyard that you’re able to escape to for relaxation. However, sometimes you have to sacrifice one thing to get another. Fear not! There are so many ways for you to fix this within it spending a whole lot. It will take some planning and work on your end, but if you’re willing to take on the task, you can easily transform your front and backyards into a homeowners dream and without breaking the bank. Flower beds – if you have planters in your front or backyard, adding some mulch to the empty space with a few easy to maintain flowers will add some color and life to it. Create your own water fountain – checking local garage sales or consignment centers, you are bound to find big metal troughs or barrels to create a fun and creative water feature in your backyard. Create your own path – so many industrial buildings leave old pallets out for anyone to take. Snag a couple and cut off the boards, even their length and create a cute wooden walkway linking sections of your backyard or front yard planters. Edging – if you have a garden that looks plain or has some old edging, grab some colored bricks or stone and it will make your garden look clean and professional.Lighting is everything – if you have large trees or even some tall potted plants throughout your backyard, add some lighting pointing up towards the greenery of it. This will create a warm ambiance that people will truly enjoy. There are so many ways to spice up your yard without spending more than you’d like. Dig into your imagination and get creative with your designs. You can build the front and backyard you have always wanted that you’ll never want to stop admiring.   http://coldwellbankervail.com/blog/5743/landscaping-on-a-budget/ Wed, 25 Apr 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Massive crowds swarmed Vail Mountain for Closing Day on Sunday, April 15, and there was plenty of terrain open for them to enjoy.About half of the mountain — 2,791 acres — was available for skiers and snowboarders, and most of it had reached a nice mashed potato consistency by the afternoon.By 3:30 p.m., most people had made their way to one of two areas — the top of Chair 4 or the bottom of Golden Peak.Atop Chair 4, thousands of costumed revelers congregated to celebrate the season.Vail native Hunter Schleper said it turned out to be a pretty good Closing Day."For how little of snow we had all winter to now, we have a great Closing Day," Schleper said.April 15 marks both end of ski season and beginning of bike season in AvonOnthesnow.com shows Vail receiving 171 inches this season. That's only slightly better than the 2011-12 season, where the website says Vail received 164 inches.The big difference between this year and 2012 was evident on Closing Day.In 2012, Riva Ridge was half grass, the local creeks and rivers had already reached their peak flow for the season, and the snowTEL site on Vail Mountain had completely melted out.This year on Closing Day, Vail's snoTEL site was showing 70 percent of the 30-year median, local streams are still far from their peak, and top-to-bottom runs like Riva were devoid of brown patches from Chair 4 to Golden Peak for guests who enjoyed both areas of festivities~Vail Daily April 16, 2018/John LaConte http://coldwellbankervail.com/blog/5716/end-of-another-snow-season/ Mon, 16 Apr 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Usually, a snow bird brings to mind leaving the snowy winterlands of the north behind for the sunny, warm beaches of the south.  Every winter, however, thousands of people from all over the globe flock to ski resorts in search of the iconic ski life - fresh powder, little responsibility, and mountain town living.  As ski resorts have grown and become more popular, seasonal migrators to Vail must pick up extra hours to make ends meet and even more importantly, find a place to live. If you’re one of those folks trying to make a winter home in Vail, here are 3 things to note.If you are a seasonal worker at one of the resorts in Vail, know that living on-site may be an option for you.  A law passed back in 2009 required resorts and employers to provide a certain amount of housing for seasonal employees.  While exact accommodations vary from resort to resort, you’ll likely end up in a single room situation or a shared living space, possibly even a bunk beds set up.  Lodging might not be glamorous, but reduced living costs and front door lift access is certainly a plus. Check with your employer before you start a house hunt. Housing, housing, housing.  Great! You got a job at Vail! Now, where are you going to live?  If employee housing is not available for you, start your housing hunt early and don’t be afraid to diversify your search strategies.  A few sites to include in your searching are Craigslist, the Vail Daily Classifieds, and Zillow for Eagle County. Do you really need that car?  Sure, you’ll need a way to get to Vail, but once there you might find that leaving your car in hibernation might not be a bad idea.  Situations for employees might be different than visiting tourists, but paid parking adds up. Also, if you’ve managed to snag housing at one of the resorts, a car isn’t even necessary to get to the slopes or your job.  Additionally, the town of Vail provides free year-round bus transportation services. http://coldwellbankervail.com/blog/5709/snow-birds:-seasonal-living-in-vail/ Fri, 13 Apr 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Here are the Colorado ski areas that closed last Sunday and will be closing this Sunday. Hit the slopes while you can, although be aware of the not-so-good driving conditions in the mountains.  Copper Mountain received 14 inches of snow in 24 hours just a week ago.Original article By ELIZABETH HERNANDEZ for The Denver Post (April 8, 2018)Sixteen of Colorado’s 24 ski areas are closing up shop this season from this Sunday to next weekend, so hit the slopes while you can.Keystone, Crested Butte, Telluride, Monarch, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, Silverton and Ski Cooper are going dark tomorrow while Copper Mountain, Steamboat, Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Purgatory and Echo Mountain are closing next Sunday.Copper Mountain received 14 inches of snow in the past 24 hours with 9 inches falling overnight, according to a news release from the mountain resort. Loveland Ski Area received 10.5 inches of snow last night with more on the way.Those racing to catch the last chairlift should beware of treacherous mountain driving conditions.The National Weather Service in Boulder issued a winter storm warning for the high country, which could drop anywhere from 6 to 15 inches of snow in the mountains. Roads will be icy, slushy and snowpacked, so drive with care.Once the drive is done, check out The Know Outdoors section for tips on preparing skis for spring conditions. Wax is key when converting your skis from winter-ready to spring-bound. The spring ski guide has these tips and more. http://coldwellbankervail.com/blog/5685/colorado-ski-areas-closing/ Mon, 09 Apr 2018 12:00:00 -0700