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.

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.

Timbers Resorts Owners know well the pleasures that await the palate when they dip deep into our luxury residence properties' connections:  local produce, fish, meats, and cheeses ... all of these await the cooks who take in nearby local farmers' markets.

From Colorado to Napa Valley, and as far afield as Tuscany, the properties of Timbers Resorts are graced with local farmer's markets that bring the best of the harvest to your table. Here are some of the best of the bunch:

The Sebastian - Vail: Picture piles of summer tomatoes, taut red orbs splashed with gold. Picture a frosty dome of strawberry-pink Italian ice sporting a sprig of mint in emerald-green. Consider the wedge of smoked salmon on its slender wooden slabs. Now you're in Vail at the Farmers' Market and Art Show. It's not just for farmers, of course, but also area jewelers, clothiers, and visual artists. The Sebastian has two booths at this weekly market. Bloom Spa offers mini-treatments from our menu of custom massages. Chef Sergio Howland's culinary team offers Wagyu beef sliders with an array of condiments, as well as refreshing aqua frescas made with fresh fruit.

— When: Sundays; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m;  June 17 to September 23
— Where: Meadow Drive

One Steamboat Place: From its days as a riverside ranching hub to now, when you're equally likely to stroll alongside skiers and artists, Steamboat Springs is the kind of northwestern Colorado town that knows its marketplace tradition. Mainstreet Market has been a go-to summer spot for eight years running, with a bountiful selection of local fruits and veggies, meats, cheese, baked goods, arts, and crafts.

When: Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m;  June 9 to September 8
Where: 6th Street and Lincoln Avenue

Dancing Bear Aspen & The Timbers Club: Owners come here for the rugged charm and alpine setting, but they also know that Aspen is serious about celebrating its sense of community. In business for 13 years is the Aspen Saturday Market, an outdoor experience that strictly limits its vendors to in-state sources.

— When: Saturdays; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m;  June 16 to October 13 (9 a.m. start after Labor Day)
— Where: Starts at corner of Galena and Hopkins

The Orchard at The Carneros Inn & Mayacama: It should come as no surprise that the geography now famous for its wine (and olives) should be home to a farmers's market that revels in the riches of Napa and Sonoma Valleys. From practically purple virgin pressings to deep brown and creamy tan mushrooms, the Napa Farmers Market comes replete with vendors of prepared food, natural beauty supplies, and artisanal works, too.

— When: Tuesdays and Saturdays; 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m;  May 1 to October 30
— Where: 500 First Street

Castello di Casole: In their most recent form, food markets found in Tuscany are  called mercatali. They're not only good for fresh and local foodstuffs, but farmers here take the time to describe to customers where and how their goods were grown. Mercatale of Sovicille is close to nearby Siena, and it runs monthly throughout the year.

— When: Third Saturdays; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m
— Where: Piazza Marconi

To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us at 800.941.4579 (toll free) or 970.963.4626 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Aspen Peak magazine, Aspen's Susan G. Komen chapter and Dancing Bear Aspen hosted a Ladies Luncheon on July 12. Set on the divine rooftop at Dancing Bear Aspen, guests enjoyed the rarefied air, sipping glasses of Skinny Girl wine and savoring a delectable lunch prepared by Brexi Brasserie. Guest speaker Polly Letofsky shared tales from her experience being the only woman to walk around the world as an awareness campaign for breast cancer and survivors. All retreated to a Dancing Bear Aspen residence to enjoy profiteroles for dessert and a book signing with Letofsky. See below for photos!

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For more information Dancing Bear Aspen, contact our Ownership Representatives at [email protected], call 970.920.2510 or stop by our sales gallery at 411 South Monarch in downtown Aspen.

Timbers Resorts' four Colorado properties are all within easy reach of two must-see day trip destinations - Leadville and Glenwood Springs.  While staying at One Steamboat Place, The Sebastian- Vail, Dancing Bear Aspen or The Timbers Club, take a short drive  via the scenic Rocky Mountain highways to each of these towns for a mid-trip change of pace.

1. Leadville lies an hour south of Vail Village, along the winding and mountainous Highway 24. The highway itself is a designated scenic byway, offering jaw-dropping views of steep mountain ravines, running streams and long waterfalls.

You can also spot the ruins of historic Camp Hale -- a military training and ordinance facility active from 1942 to 1965. The area is now part of the White River National Forest.

Leadville itself features an array of Victorian buildings, geological exhibits and unmatched antiquing. Visit the Mining Museum while you're there. The historic footprint of Leadville isn't limited to just the town. A handful of ghost towns -- including the Climax Molybdenum Mine and surviving buildings -- dot the area nearby.

The Leadville summer race series has put this town on the map with its 100-mile mountain bike race, 100-mile running race and variety of other high country competitions.
2. Glenwood Springs is a resort community featuring the largest hot springs in the world. Have a soak or enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this town just over an hour west along Interstate 70. Like other tourist towns in Colorado, you'll find more than enough opportunities for shopping or  dining.

The area hosts a variety of hiking and biking trails, many part of the national "Rails to Trails" effort that converts unused railroad tracks into public pathways. Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy a two-mile day hike up to Hanging Lake. The trail is steep, but relatively short and well-maintained.
Glenwood Caverns, also in Glenwood Springs, is the largest cave open to the public in Colorado. Tours range from easy explorations to "wild cave" tours for dedicated spelunkers. You'll see alien structures that are millions of years old, like King's Row and The Black Grottos. Above ground, the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers a discovery center, thrill rides and a laser tag arena.

For information on how to spend your time in Colorado, contact the concierges at any of our properties at [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].

From monumental landscape prints by photographer Peter Lik to the metalwork of acclaimed sculptor Richard Serra to the operatic interpretations created by Nathalie Darbellay, Dancing Bear Aspen showcases the talents of various creative minds whose works grace the walls, credenzas and intimate gathering spaces. As a result, art and architecture magically come together at this unique Private Residence Club in downtown Aspen, Colorado.

In addition to the aforementioned talents, Dancing Bear Aspen also features works by guest artists on occasion such as Aspen-based Shelly Hamill. As a peek into Hamill's perspective, art has been an important part of her life since she was a child.  Hamill's grandmother is an artist and someone who has been an inspiration. Growing up in Texas, Hamill would keep herself entertained with a canvas or paper and brushes always at the ready.  She often visited the Kimball and the Amon Carter Museums - both great influences and resources upon her.  As a young adult, in her travels as a flight attendant, she visited numerous art institutions around the world, drawing inspiration everywhere she went.

Mosaic has been a wonderful outlet and medium for Hamill who has enjoyed working with many versions of this form and seeing pieces come together to create a whole with texture.  In Hamill’s words, “The opportunities and ideas are endless,” which translates into a career that will certainly continue to flourish. Hamill currently resides in Aspen with her family and has two pieces on display at Dancing Bear Aspen, shown above and at right.

To follow Hamill on Facebook, visit her page. To discover the artistic lifestyle at Dancing Bear Aspen, visit our site, stop by our Sales Gallery at 411 South Monarch Street in Aspen, or contact us via phone at 970.925.2510 or via email at [email protected].

The Pro Cycling Challenge is ready to roll back into town. From August 22–23, Dancing Bear Aspen celebrates the return of one of the country's premier two-wheeling sports events when Aspen plays host to two stages of the race. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge brings 135 of the world's best riders into one competition, and it boasts what may be the most challenging course ever offered on American soil. Here's how you can enjoy it from the vantage of our luxury vacation homes.

The Race

In a seven-day test of skill and pedaling endurance, August 20–26, the participants in the Pro Cycling Challenge tackle nothing less than the Rockies. In its inaugural year, in 2011, almost 1 million spectators watched the drama unfold. This summer promises to be an equally breathtaking 683-mile ride.

Originally envisioned by Colorado governor Bill Ritter and Lance Armstrong, since its start, the race has been a source of Colorado pride.

“The USA Pro Challenge was an event that shined an international spotlight on Colorado,” said current Governor John Hickenlooper to race officials. “Any expectations we had for success were surpassed ten-fold.  We want race week each August to be known as a Colorado Cycling Holiday to attract visitors from all over the world and to celebrate Colorado, good health and cycling.”

Dancing Bear Aspen and the Pro Cycling Challenge

Not only is Dancing Bear Aspen a bronze sponsor of the PCC, our luxury residence property provides a dramatic vantage as the riders pass through Stages 3 and 4.

Aspen is home to what's known as the race's Queen Stage. Cyclists will ascend well outside of most rider's typical altitudinal comfort level, climbing and descending mountain roads at thousands of feet.

It's here you'll find the opportunities to get up close with the action alongside the course that winds through Aspen's downtown It's here at the Stage 3 finish line, and the start of Stage 4, that you'll be able to brush shoulders with the athletes. All the excitement — and elegance — you'd expect while in Aspen, a venerable cycling capitol of Colorado - and at Dancing Bear Aspen, the most luxurious private residence club in town.

Owners at One Steamboat Place and The Sebastian - Vail can also watch the race when it rolls through Colorado by following the 2012 route.

To discover the exquisite lifestyle at Dancing Bear Aspen, visit our site, cycle on over to our Sales Gallery at 411 South Monarch Street in Aspen, or contact us via phone at 970.925.2510 or via email at [email protected].

Labor Day Weekend: It's summer's last hurrah, for many, and it's also one of the best reasons to schedule a stay as an Owner at Dancing Bear Aspen's luxury residence homes or at The Timbers Club in Snowmass.

From action at the net to wild times on the stage, all staying at Timbers Resorts' properties in the Roaring Fork Valley are in for an absolute treat this August 30 to September 2. Here's a rundown of what's hot and what's not to miss. 

Motherlode Volleyball Classic

Time was, Labor Day could be a little low-key around Aspen. Then, in 1972, a few of our local business folk put together the first Motherlode Volleyball Classic. Since then, in the span of 40 years, it's become one of the most popular doubles volleyball tournaments of its kind.

As many as 700 teams compete, men and women of all ages, from all over the world, fighting (as good sports) for the tourney's championship titles. Come see the proving ground for future AVP players. Join an after-match party in town, or duck back to Dancing Bear Aspen for a bit of bubbly and a cool dunk in the pool. First serve at the net is on Thursday.

Want to take your own shot at the tourney? Pre-registration takes place through August 20 at the Motherlode website.

Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival 

The tunes kick off on Friday, with nothing less than a full-on set from the Steve Miller Band. As you can tell, already, the Jazz Aspen fest is cut from broader cloth than its namesake. Since 1991, the folks at JAS have been bringing jazz, yes, but also all kinds of related music to these mountains.

This is its 22nd season and it turns Snowmass Town Park into a party for 72 hours. Be sure to catch the following big names:

Friday August 31: Don't miss Steve Miller. Saturday, September 1: Mumford & Sons bring their rootsy, banjo-inflected tunes to Aspen. Sunday September 2: Talk about polar opposites! You get the Southern rap-rock of Kid Rock, but also don't miss the idea-heavy (and sometimes political, but always progressive) world jams of Michael Franti and Spearhead.Enjoy your Labor Day. As always, touch base with your Dancing Bear Aspen concierge with any questions or for help in setting up your weekend. We'll see you in all the action!

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

Autumn in Aspen is a spectacular season to relish all that this international destination has to offer. As the leaves on the trees transition from green to gold, enjoy the stunning natural beauty on the hillsides and surrounding town.  Throughout September and October, the rivers are prime for fly-fishing; trails beckon for hiking, biking and horseback adventures; and restaurants offer prix fixe menus with attentive service – all intriguing reasons to plan a visit to this special mountain town, home to Dancing Bear Aspen.

To discover the exquisite lifestyle at Dancing Bear Aspen, visit our site, stop by our Sales Gallery at 411 South Monarch Street in Aspen, or contact us via phone at 970.925.2510 or via email at [email protected].