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A Quick Study in Wine & Food: How to Pair, Where to Start

From a perfectly seared New York Strip steak to a fruit-and-spice cradled spear of Caribbean shrimp, Owners and guests of Timbers Resorts know that one exquisite meal elevates the day. What we eat can lift our spirits, energize our evenings and afternoons, as well as open our senses to new experiences. Shouldn't our glass of wine stand to do the same?

One scenario that the luxury residence surroundings of the Timbers Resort properties properly attend to is just this: it is the case that the wine cellar on site is as crucial as the chef. That being said, you don't need to be a sommelier to know some basics about wine-and-food pairings. Have a look at the following starter's guide, and then begin your own journey into the cork-and-cuisine possibilities of dining at Timbers Resorts.

Wine and Food: Basics for Any Fine Pairing

  • Contrast Complex and Simple: Say you order the sumac-rubbed bluefin tuna at Cocina Del Mar, located at Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Sumac can be a big flavor, simple but sparkling with lemony citrus. A good way to approach forward flavors like that is by selecting subtle and complex wines to accompany. Think oaky Chardonnay blends, anything mellow, buttery and layered. On the other hand, if you went for a complex dish full of heat and rich tastes -- say a tropical choice from the The Preserve at Botany Bay -- then something crisp and simple like a sauvignon would make a refreshing complement (or you can join fruit with fruit and rarely go wrong ... so think riesling, viognier, and the like).
  • Respect Your Sugars and Salts: Here's a sommelier's secret: salty food generally does a number on wine. So, for example, if you're digging into anything that crackles with bacon, like the Squab en Croute at FARM -- the restaurant at The Carneros Inn -- then lean toward soft, jammy merlots and riojas. The sweet and the salty meet in the middle, and you'll enjoy both as they work together.
  • Match a Treat with a Treat: If it's an evening for that fine steak at Truffle Pig at One Steamboat Place, don't skimp. Match a great cut of beef with a great pour of vinum. Go up to a worthy, top of the line pinot noir or cabernet. On the other hand, that kind of wine might be less well matched if you're enjoying a wood-fired pizza at Pazzia Pizzeria in Tuscany, one of the specialties of the options offered at Castello di Casole. In that case, it's perfectly alright to look for a more modest and less developed red. These are the perfect opportunities to play around and search for that surprising lower-end bottle, something that you can claim as your find of the month!

Finally, remember that wine is supposed to be fun, something pleasurable. Don't feel like you have to obey any given rule(s). Knowing some of the above basics should help you navigate, but never get caught in that "no merlot!" trap they set for audiences in the movie Sideways. Wine is in the palette of the imbiber. Go your own way, and enjoy!

To discover more about Timbers Resorts and the dining options at each of our properties, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

ESPN’s Winter X Games to Stay in Aspen Through 2014

Aspen, Colorado, home to two Timbers Resorts' destinations, Dancing Bear Aspen and The Timbers Club, will continue to host The Winter X Games through 2014. After 11 years together, Aspen Skiing Co. and ESPN’s Winter X Games have agreed to host the winter circus for two more winters. Aspen Skiing spent the last year negotiating with ESPN but could only agree on a two-year extension of the deal that has the X Games taking over Aspen’s Buttermilk ski area for a month every winter.

But ESPN’s new global focus — announced May 1 that it would expand its Summer X Games to three international cities next year in Spain, Germany and Brazil through 2015 — left the network reticent to commit in Aspen longer term.

ESPN’s X Games franchise will expand to six events in 2013. Barcelona, Munich and Foz do Iguacu, Brazil will host Summer X Games events through 2015, beating out nine finalists ESPN tapped last year when it announced it was planning a global expansion of its wildly successful X Games competition. While X Games often have visited Europe – Tignes, France, joins Aspen as a Winter X host – the move to Brazil marks ESPN’s boldest push into the burgeoning action sports scene in Latin America. (Summer X has seen a growing presence of Brazilian medalists in skateboarding and BMX events.)

To learn more about ESPN Winter X Games in Aspen, visit www.aspensnowmass.com. To discover more about Timbers Resorts, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Recommended Reads For Your Next Vacation

When packing for vacations, a good book should always find its way on the list. Rather than grabbing a novel last-minute, plot out your travel reads to coincide with the Timbers Resorts luxury property for which you are bound. A book that takes on the setting of a destination can add depth to any trip, layering in history and cultural context. The following stories to read while on a luxury vacation are guaranteed to enrich your stay ... and move your guidebook to second fiddle. If you forget your book, however, don't despair - there are always great reads at Timbers Resorts' properties that can be found in places like The Library at The Sebastian - Vail or, for the younger set, try the Tykes' Room at The Timbers Club!

Train Dreams, by Denis Johnson

Train Dreams was a Pulitzer finalist for fiction this year, and the tale was originally published in the Paris Review. This novella depicts the quiet yet riveting and at times heartbreaking life of a fictional man named Robert Grainier, born at the turn-of-the-century and and living out his life in the untamed American West. Hailed in the New York Times Book Review recently as a story that will haunt you for years to come, this is a relevant read to bring with you on your next visit to One Steamboat Place in Steamboat Springs where trains roll through town daily. Since the arrival of the Denver Northwestern and Pacific railroad on December 13, 1908, trains have been extremely important to the growth and development of Steamboat Springs.

A Visit from the Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan

Jennifer Egan’s work nabbed the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2010, and the jury described it as ”an inventive investigation of growing up and growing old in the digital age, displaying a big-hearted curiosity about cultural change at warp speed.” Egan cited Proust and HBO’s The Sopranos as inspiration, and the colliding result was a work about a former punk rocker. While the majority of the story is set in the New York City area, characters take off to places like California and Italy, so readers at The Orchard at The Carneros Inn in Napa Valley and Castello di Casole in Tuscany can see their present location play a part -- and glean inspiration for future travels.

Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness, by Edward Abbey

Abbey's book, which was his first nonfiction work, is what established him as an acclaimed nature writer. The time Abbey spent as a park ranger in the Colorado Plateau region became fodder for his story, chronicling his personal struggles to experience and preserve nature’s purity. The adventure in the story and the poetic nature of the author's prose are compelling.  The work often draws comparisons to Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, but set in the West. A good choice of reading material when visiting any of our Colorado properties, as well as The Rocks Club in Scottsdale, AZ.

All the Pretty Horses, by Cormac McCarthy

McCarthy’s novel might have been turned into a movie starring actors Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz, but behind the Hollywood star power was a bestselling novel that took the titles of both U.S. National Book Award for fiction and National Book Critics Circle Award. The novel stretches from a Texas town to down across the Mexican border, chronicling the journey of a young man in a flowing, unique style of prose devoid of traditional punctuation. The novel is the first installment of The Border Trilogy, so if you have a long trip planned for your time at Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, you might want to have all three packed.

To discover which Timbers Resorts property you'd like to read more about - or to visit and enjoy a good read, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Wildflower Season in Colorado

One of the pleasures of summertime hiking around Timbers Resorts' Colorado properties, Dancing Bear Aspen, The Timbers Club in Snowmass, One Steamboat Place or The Sebastian - Vail, is the dazzling floral display you’re sure to encounter. Wildflowers usually present their colorful heads mid-summer, but with the mild spring conditions throughout the state this year, they've been blooming weeks ahead of schedule. Don't delay your hikes in the high country to see gems in Mother Nature's jewelbox. At each of our luxury resorts, Owners and guests can take guided hikes with naturalists who will point out all of the variations on the trails and hillsides such as these six wildflowers.

1. Birdfoot Violet (Viola pedata)

Dainty birdfoot violet flowers are pale to dark purple with a white splash in the center of the bloom. The plant gets its name from the fact that the foliage resembles a bird’s foot. Birdfoot violet is a clumping, low-growing plant, reaching just 4 to 10 inches high with leaves that are 1 to 2 inches long. Find this violet in dry outcroppings up to 8,500 feet.

Source: Wikipedia

2. Blazing Star (Liatris spicata)

The fuchsia-colored, tufted flower-heads of this wildflower sit atop 3- to 4-foot-tall stems. Blazing star is an erect grower with thin, medium-green leaves. Spy this wildflower in dry, open areas at 3,500 to 8,000 feet.

3. Colorado Blue Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea)

Colorado’s state flower grows 1 to 2 feet tall and features light green foliage and blue and white spurred petals that resemble eagle’s talons. Discover this beauty at elevations of 7,000 to 12,000 feet in a variety of habitats, from aspen groves, to open woodlands, to stream-side.

 

4 Monkshood (Aconitum columbianum)

Spot the bright purple flowers of this wildflower at a distance. The distinctive blooms sit atop 1- to 5-foot-tall, thin stems. All parts of the plant are poisonous, so just admire the flower — no touching. Find monkshood growing up to 8,000 feet in partially shaded areas.

Source: Wikipedia

5. Scarlet Paintbrush (Castilleja integra)

Reaching 6 to 16 inches tall, this plant sports striking, orange-red plumes that resemble a paintbrush. The plant’s silvery-gray foliage is narrow. Locate scarlet paintbrush in woodlands at 10,000 to 12,000 feet.

 

6. Winding Mariposa Lily (Calochortus flexuosus)

This exotic wildflower features white to lavender petals with yellow centers and pink stamens. The plant gets its name from the fact that its grass-like foliage naturally curls, and the stems tend to twine. Leaves may be present during flowering or have withered and fallen. The plant is commonly found in dry locations at 1,600 to 6,500 feet.

Source: SWColoradowildflowers.com

For more information about Timbers Resorts, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Announcing Two New Properties Added to Our Collection

Timbers Resorts is pleased to announce two new exquisite additions to our collection of properties in equally intriguing destinations. Dancing Bear Aspen is our newest Colorado Private Residence Club; a truly one-of-a-kind property with beautifully appointed residences and sensational amenities, just steps to Aspen Mountain. In addition, we are equally excited to announce Mayacama in Sonoma, California. This private golf and residence club includes a collection of villas, a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, and an impeccable vintners program and wine cave. Please see below for more information on each of these properties - both of which will soon be available through Timbers Reciprocity Program as our newest tradable resorts. Please be on the lookout for news regarding each property, ownership opportunities, dates when they will be available for trading, benefits of ownership, special events, and more.

Dancing Bear Aspen – A Timbers Resorts Residence Club

Dancing Bear Aspen - A Timbers Resorts Residence Club, featuring nine three-bedroom residences, is a singular blend of rugged alpine charm and sleek sophistication. Set in the historic red-brick heart of downtown Aspen, this distinct property is just steps to dining and shopping, hiking and biking trails, rivers and streams and Aspen's Silver Queen Gondola and premier ski slopes. Equal parts high-country getaway, private retreat and live-in art gallery, Dancing Bear Aspen is life invigorated. It's a place where ownership in our Private Residence Club is a thoughtful and luxurious way to call Aspen, the world's most renowned ski town, home.

Villas at Mayacama - A Timbers Resorts Residence Club

Nestled in the heart of Northern Sonoma County, nearby the charming town of Healdsburg, Mayacama is a private golf and lodging club where time seems to stand still. Inside these gates, you'll discover 675 acres of remarkable beauty teeming with wildlife. Enjoy Tuscan-inspired outdoor living in a Timbers Resorts Residence Club Villa with sweeping views of the surrounding hills and Russian River Valley. Relax in a European-style spa after a traditional round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Celebrate Napa and Sonoma's renowned wine culture with premier vintners and customized wine clubs.

For more information about Timbers Resorts, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Summer Cruisin’ with Sweet Rides!

Suddenly, it's summertime, and the riding is easy.

The gentle roads of vacation never came easier for Timbers Resorts' Owners than they do these days astride a new, sleek, good-looking street cruiser.

Let's take a look at the world of very urbane cycling — epitomized these days by the elegant cruiser model bicycle. We'll look at three Timbers Resorts properties where cruisers and all the accoutrements for a comfortable ride await (plus trails to frame your journey). We'll also look at some classy designs that you might choose to eventually own.

Timbers Resorts: Trails to Ride on Road Bikes:

One Steamboat Place: By the mid-2000s, Steamboat Springs in Colorado boasted more miles of country road than anywhere else in the state. That means a biker's paradise for street-cruiser riders. From Long Lake Loop to Yampa River Core Trail, check out the Chamber Resort Association's menu of routes to explore.

The Sebastian - Vail: While Vail is working on a valley-wide paved trail system — perfect for cruising — enthusiasts can right now start with the banks of Gore Creek and then work their way up to U.S. Route 24 (all the way to Leadville). More information awaits at Vail's website.

Dancing Bear Aspen: Try Castle Creek to reach a real ghost town, all the while enjoying the scenery of the valley. Head over to Old Snowmass for a gentle ride around a ranch-covered landscape. Or, tap into the Aspen Cycling Club for some deep-insider knowledge about the best places to put your pair of wheels.

Street Cruisers: Fly Rides to Try . . . 

There are a few basics that every rider can look for in a street cruiser.

Look for a sturdy machine, yes, but not too heavy (so stay away from steel). Seek the soft curves and comfy seats that have made these a summertime tradition for more than 70 years, but don't go too wide when it comes to the place you park your posterior. Too much seat means chafing for most folks.

Here are some top makers' models, from the sophisticated to the playful:

— Schwinn Classic AL 3: Olive green and light enough to let you ride without hauling a hefty bit of gear under pedal, the Classic AL 3 is not only noteworthy for its lightweight durability but also for its retro cool looks.

 

— Six Three Zero Mammoth: Single speed with forward-shifted orientation for ease of motion, this is one of the largest in the world of cruiser bicycles. Expect to pay in the $300s.

— Nirve: Based on bikes of the 1950s, you'll find this company's ladies' designs echo times past with spring saddles, long fenders, and wide curved handlebars. These retail in the $300–$500 range.

You can find good deals on these cruisers at Amazon.com, but also at retail spots like REI and others.

Or just ask your concierge at the Timbers Resorts property that you call home, and our cruiser-outfitted locations will have you at the handlebars in no time.

For more information about Timbers Resorts, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Getting Rowdy at the Snowmass Rodeo

Rodeo fans big and small, saddle up for some real Colorado fun!

It's time for the summer tradition of Western Wednesdays at the 39th annual Snowmass Rodeo from June 13 - August 15, 2012. The price is right at $18 for adults, $10 for kids ages 11-15 and free for kids 10 and under. Located at the Snowmass Village Rodeo Grounds, which is only eight minutes from your Aspen luxury condo at  The Timbers Club at Snowmass, Owners can take advantage of the on-site valet service so they can get to and from the rodeo with ease and style. For those staying at Dancing Bear Aspen just down the road, Owners enjoy rides to and from the Wednesday events as well, a popular pastime for families and rodeo fans.

The Snowmass Western Heritage Association makes every effort to keep the rodeo historically accurate. You'll feel like you've been transported back to the 1890s, as silver was becoming a booming business in nearby Aspen, and ranchers started flocking to the area.

Check out this don't-miss list for this year's weekly rodeo event:

Before the Rodeo (5-7 p.m.):

Lil' buckaroos enjoy the pre-rodeo fun drummed up just for them. This rip-roarin' good time includes a petting zoo, pony rides for $10, a bucking mechanical bull ride for $7, a moonwalk bouncy house for $5 and even roping lessons! Kids ages 4-12 try their hand at the Calf Scramble, and the 5-7 crowd gives Mutton Bustin' a shot.

Big buckaroos can shop for local art, jewelry and Western-wear while the kids play, then enjoy BBQ chicken and ribs courtesy of Aspen's Hickory House. And yep, there's even a full bar at the saloon.

At the Rodeo (7-8:30 p.m.):

The rodeo kicks off with flair as cowboys and cowgirls enter the arena on their horses during the Entry Parade. A great time is to be had watching Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping, Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, harrowing Bull Riding (could you stay on for eight entire  seconds?) and finally Dally Ribbon Roping.

Post-Rodeo:

Simmer down with marshmallows roasted over an open fire during a Cowboy Singalong hosted by Twirp Anderson.

If the rodeo has you tuckered out on Thursday mornings, Owners at The Timbers Club might want to relax in one of the three hot tubs or get a massage.  Those bull riders wish they could lasso some of that!

For more information on all of the exciting activities available to you in the Aspen/Snowmass area, contact The Timbers Club concierge at [email protected] or 970.922.2400 or The Dancing Bear Aspen concierge at [email protected] or 970.920.2500.

Snowmass Thursday Night Concert Series

A highlight to summertime in the Rockies is the abundance of outdoor activities and social engagements - many of them free to the public. One such tradition in the Aspen/Snowmass area, home to Timbers Resorts properties Dancing Bear - Aspen and The Timbers Club, takes place on the slopes of Snowmass. As an Owner in one of these Private Residence Clubs, you're either just a short, chauffeured drive or brisk walk away from the shows that draw families, friends and music enthusiasts of all ages.
Now entering its 21st season, the Snowmass Free Thursday Concert Series offers a line-up fit for grown-ups that includes everything from country rock, psychedelic soul, R&B, hip-hop and even that elusive genre of “alternative.” The series kicks off June 28 with Boulder band Firefall and concludes Aug. 16 with Chali2na, a Los Angeles-based hip-hop group. Concerts are held weekly from 6:15 - 8:30 pm.
• Firefall, June 28
Formed in 1975 by Flying Burrito Brothers Rick Roberts and Jock Bartley, Boulder-based Firefall struck gold with a number of 1970s hits including “You Are the Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You” and “Strange Way.” Respected for their energy and spontaneity on-stage, the band has remained together all of these years in part due to their music’s integrity.

• Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, July 5
Direct from rural Southern Indiana, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band features a “fingerpickin’, scrubboard scratchin’, drum-bucket country blues trio.” As its name would suggest, the group features the vocals and guitar style of “Reverend” Josh Peyton, his wife Breezy Peyton (on washboard and vocals) with Aaron Persinger on drums.

• Monophonics, July 12
This band is considered one of California’s premier psychedelic soul bands. Raised in the midst of the San Francisco Bay Area’s rich musical culture, Monophonics carries on the tradition of music native to their hometown, which flourished during the birth of psychedelia. Monophonics was formed in 2005 and due to a recent staff addition, now has an even more pronounced psychedelic soul and heavy funk sound.

• Quick and Easy Boys, July 19
The pride of Portland, this funky R&B, garage pop band hearkens back to the best of The Police, Minutemen and My Morning Jacket. The Quick & Easy Boys built their fan base in the college town of Eugene, Ore., before heading north to Portland. Expect electrifying stage antics and unique musical moments from guitarist Jimmy Russell, bassist Sean Badders and drummer Michael Goetz that may even inspire the most serious concert listener to get up and dance!

• Pure Prairie League, July 26
One of the pioneering “country rock” bands, Pure Prairie League is best known for its classic “Amie,” and the full throttle tune “Two Lane Highway.” Or maybe you’ve heard the ballad “Let Me Love You Tonight.” Originally formed in 1969, Pure Prairie League enjoyed a reboot of sorts back in 2000, adding additional depth to the band. But in person, as they demonstrated two seasons ago during a Fanny Hill appearance, PPL performs songs that are true to their original form, rich harmonies and all.

• Honey Island Swamp Band, Aug. 2
This New Orleans roadhouse rock & roll group actually has a San Francisco connection: four of the Louisiana-based musicians hooked up in California while waiting out the Hurricane Katrina devastation. Their music has been described as “Bayou Americana,” and it combines guitar, mandolin, four-part vocal harmonies and a stomp rhythm section. Honey Island Swamp Band’s first full-length album, “Wishing Well,” was awarded OffBeat Magazine’s “Best Blues Album” for 2009.

• Van Ghost, Aug. 9 
Direct from Chicago comes this six-piece band that’s flavored with pedal steel and psychedelic guitars, a strong rhythm section and “haunting” harmonies. Following their debut album, “Melodies for Lovers,” the group headed by Michael Harrison Berg beelined it to Nashville to begin work on their next move. After adding an award-winning producer/engineer/mixer, Van Ghost continues to progress and delight audiences in small clubs and larger venues alike.

• Chali2na, Aug. 16
From his days growing up on the hardscrabble streets of Chicago’s South Side to his subsequent explosion onto L.A.’s hip-hop scene to his tenure as MC for seminal group Jurassic 5, Chali fits the part of a 21st century artist. Chali’s baritone is distinctive and he has used it at arena shows in Tokyo, at Lollapalooza shows as well as when hawking brands including Coca Cola. He may also be familiar to local audiences as the former frontman for Ozomatli.

For more information on Timbers Resorts' properties and all of the exciting happenings at each location, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Summertime in The Cultural Epicenter of Aspen

Who wants to spend summer in the city? Not only are the world’s major urban centers uncomfortably hot, the arts and culture scene goes dormant. Not in Aspen though, where a calendar full of festivals will keep you busy (and cool) all summer and your stay at Dancing Bear Aspen keeps you close to the action.

For the intellectuals among us, start off in June with the Aspen Summer Words Literary Festival (June 17-22) hosted by the Aspen Writers' Foundation, where writers of all sorts come together to learn from and inspire one another. Then hit up the Aspen Institute's Aspen Ideas Festival (June 27-July 3) where a group of leaders in the arts, science, culture, religion, philosophy, economics and politics delve into today's most significant ideas and issues.

Music fans will want to make it to one of Jazz Aspen Snowmass's festivals either in June (June 22-July 7) or over Labor Day (August 31-September 2). JAS's mission is to present and preserve jazz, but artists like the Black Eyed Peas and Bob Dylan have popped up in the past as well. Not highbrow enough for you? Then the Aspen Music Festival (June 28-August 19) is sure to satisfy. Take in performances from the Aspen Chamber Symphony, the Aspen Festival Orchestra, the Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra and more, or attend lectures and recitals.

In the visual arts, the Aspen Chamber Resort Association will be putting on the Annual Aspen Arts Festival (June 28-29), where Dancing Bear neighbor Wagner Park will fill with paintings, sculptures, photography, glass, wood, jewelry, collage and ceramics.

The summer finishes off with MountainSummit: MountainFilm in Aspen (August 23-26), a collaboration between MountainFilm in Telluride and the Wheeler Opera House. It's a ways off so the specific films haven't been announced yet but don't expect any fluff. You'll be seeing leading independent documentary films.

There's always so much to do so never fear, you can find ongoing performances all summer at Theatre Aspen, an outdoor theater in Rio Grande Park, and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Your culture fix is always within reach.

For more information on how you can become an Owner at Dancing Bear Aspen and enjoy all that this cultural mecca has to offer, contact our Ownership Representatives at [email protected], call 970.920.2510 or stop by our sales gallery at 411 South Monarch in downtown Aspen.