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].

Timbers Resorts' affinity for The Arts can be traced through our properties' designs and decor, temporary exhibitions and permanent collections, culinary programs and special menus, vineyards and wine production, and more. With a nod to the artistic lifestyle, Timbers Resorts hosted a reception at The San Jose Museum of Art on Thursday, September 27, for Owners, guests and friends. This unique art museum in San Jose, housed in a statuesque, landmarked former 19th century library and adjoining modern gallery, exhibits a contemporary art collection, as well as the artworks of emerging West Coast artists.

At this special evening celebrating, "The Art of Living Well," museum docents led tours through the exhibits, an artist created her interpretation of one of the properties within the Timbers Resorts portfolio, PlumpJack and CADE Wineries' prized varietals were served alongside Castello di Casole's Sangiovese blend from Tuscany.  Signature cocktails and dishes were also provided, each inspired by the distinctive properties of Timbers Resorts.  Click here to view the photo gallery from the event.

For more information on Timbers Resorts events or ownership opportunities, please contact us at 970.963.5019 or via email, [email protected].

Anthony Bourdain famously holds back "No Reservations" on his Travel Channel series, which has begun its final season of road-tripping this month. Bourdain can expect comedians to not hold back, either, when they "roast" him on Oct. 11, 2012, at Pier Sixty in NYC as part of the 2012 New York City Wine & Food Festival.

Mario Batali and Willie Geist will host On the Chopping Block: A Roast of Anthony Bourdain with comedians Gilbert Gottfried, Artie Lange, Marc Maron, Jim Norton and Sarah Silverman all onboard to poke fun at Bourdain. As-seen-on-TV chefs Guy Fieri, Ted Allen, Rachael Ray and Eric Ripert also will sit on the dais.

"Bourdain's been trashing 'celebrity chefs' for years. Let's see how the shoe feels on the other foot," Batali said.

The Bourdain roast is being produced by Lizz Winstead and Caroline Hirsch of Carolines on Broadway.

Timbers Resorts is a proud sponsor of this event, hosting the Opening Reception with silent auction packages for lavish stays at  The Orchard at The Carneros Inn, Mayacama, Dancing Bear Aspen, One Steamboat Place and The Sebastian - Vail. A four-course dinner presented by Bank of America will follow in the dining room with scintillating views of the Hudson River, raucous entertainment and a live auction including a luxurious trip to Tuscany presented by Castello di Casole and Delta Airlines.

Dinner will consist of four courses prepared by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael White featuring menu items from his hotspot restaurants Ai Fiori, Osteria Morini and Marea. Fans will also enjoy GODIVA Ultimate Dessert Truffles and a GODIVA chocolate after dinner gift. Watch as Bourdain’s friends and foes return the torture he’s inflicted upon them for years.

Tickets for the all-star affair are all-inclusive with proceeds directed to the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign.  While they last, they can be ordered online at www.nycwff.org or by calling 866.969.2933.

Follow all the action on Twitter with hashtag #NYCWFF or @Lee_Schrager

For some folks, picking the right holiday gift for a friend or family member is a snap. But what if you're buying for the snapper of the bunch?

Unless you're a photographer yourself, it can be a bit bewildering to wade into the lenses, bodies, and accessories that help fuel a picture-taking hobby or career.

Well, the good news is, photographers and gear go together like ducks and water. You can be clever about what you choose, and you needn't go looking for a full four-figure rig. Photographers appreciate options. Let's look at some of yours, and bring some good gift ideas into focus.

1. 360 Panorama app ($0.99 | Buy It)

This app gives you a point-and-match grid for photographers who want to get a multi-shot panoramic image.

2. Holga SLFT-IP4 Lens for iPhone ($23.99 | Buy It)

Featuring a clip-on case, this ingenious wheel of lenses and filters pushes the envelope of what your iPhone camera can do. From colors to close-ups, and multi-image effects as well, the Holga lens transforms your picture-taking into something more like toting a traditional bag of cool accessories.

3. Keyboard Shortcut Skins for Photoshop, Aperture, and Final Cut ($15–$40 | Buy It)

The photographer in the digital age may still retreat to the darkroom now and then, but odds are they're a digital editor. These intuitive and innovate flexible skins overlay their computer keyboard, revealing all the quickest ways to do the most common and useful image-editing tasks with just a keyclick.

4. Impossible Project Classic and Modern Polaroids ($50–$149 | Buy It)

In 2008, The Impossible Project gathered a team of 10 former Polaroid employees and saved the last Polaroid production plant on Earth. They put it back to work, inventing and producing new instant film cameras, accessories, and film-packs. For the analog fan on your list!

5. GoPro Hero 3 ($199.99–$399.99 [Harness: $39.99] | Buy It)

What if you could take your camera hands-free? GoPro makes this hi-def wearable camera that can survive almost any environment. Say you're skiing at Dancing Bear Aspen, or dipping into the waters of Cabo San Lucas at Esperanza, the Hero 3 doesn't mind the cold, wet, or most anything else the elements can throw at it. The unit is even time-lapse-photo capable, so photographers can set it up on its own, outdoors, for some spectacular nature work.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts and where you can capture a picture perfect lifestyle, please contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Denver is the gateway to any vacation in Colorado, whether you’re en route to or from One Steamboat Place, The Sebastian, The Timbers Club or Dancing Bear Aspen doesn’t mean you should just pass through. Tack a day onto your vacation and take a whirlwind tour of Denver.

Get a jump on the day with breakfast with a cup of coffee and a walk around Larimer Square. Larimer between 14th and 15th streets made up the entire town of Denver when it was founded in 1858 during the gold rush. In 1965, Larimer Square was the focus of Denver’s first historic preservation effort and it is now home to trendy shops, restaurants and nightclubs.

If shopping is your thing then you’ll also be right next to the 16th Street Mall, a 12-block-long shopping area. Still not satisfied? Well, then Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood will definitely do the trick with more than 500 stores, spas and galleries.

Denver is not commerce without culture though. Take in some of Denver’s Western heritage with a stop at the Denver Art Museum. Although you’ll find pieces by the masters, it’s the selection of Old West art that can’t be missed. This will place you right nearby the Colorado State Capitol and its gold-leafed dome. Even if you don’t take the time for the free tour, take a photo at the step marked exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. There’s a reason Denver is called the Mile High City!

Denver and Philadelphia are home to the only two U.S. mints open to the public so a peek around the Denver U.S. Mint is quite unique. Although you won’t see gold being melted into bars as they used to do when the mint opened in 1862, you will get to see how lumps of copper and nickel become shiny coins and sent into circulation.
Nighttime in Denver is best set aside for sports and beer. Denver is home to professional football, basketball, hockey, baseball and soccer teams so there is almost always a game to catch. Afterwards, head out to one of the city’s many brewpubs to take in the local beer. Wynkoop Brewing Co, Breckenridge Brewery and Great Divide Brewing Company are all popular with locals and tourists alike.

Are you a Denver local? Let us know if we missed anything in comments below.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts and our Colorado properties - and others around the world - please contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Ski jackets may have to be practical, but frumpy simply won’t do when you’re on a stylish winter holiday. When you’re whipping your way down the mountain in Colorado while staying at The Sebastian - Vail, One Steamboat Place, The Timbers Club in Snowmass or Dancing Bear Aspen, you want a jacket that will take you right from your day of skiing to après-ski cocktails and later on be a chic topper when you head out to dinner.

With one of these four stylish options, selected to suit each of Timbers Resorts’ premier Colorado properties, you won’t need a single other jacket in your suitcase.

Bogner Down Jacket Kea-D

Price: $1,299

Where to buy: Bogner

Where to wear: The Sebastian - Vail

Skiing is a serious sport in Vail so try a jacket with a technical vibe in an eye catching color like this pick from Bogner. The down-filled and waterproof jacket’s clean lines are flattering and the decorative patches just might have people wondering what ski team you’re on as you fly by.

Ralph Lauren RLK Hooded Print Jacket

Price: $1,495 now on sale for $787

Where to buy: Ralph Lauren

Where to wear: One Steamboat Place in Steamboat Springs.

Steamboat has a bit more Western flair than other ski towns so the gents should turn to this Ralph Lauren shell inspired by Southwestern textiles. Layer it up for a cold day or wear it on its own for spring skiing. The fantastic print is so unique that you’re sure to stand out in the crowd.

Moncler Grenoble Patri

Price: $2,290

Where to buy: Moncler

Where to wear: Dancing Bear Aspen

Moncler is the absolute leader in stylish skiwear, particularly for Aspen, where a little extra flash and fur is de rigeur. The Grenoble Patri has a luxurious sheen to its lightweight, technical nylon and is filled with feather down to keep you toasty but not bulky. An elastisized belt sets your waist off and a (removable) fur collar is the ultimate in ski opulence and removes the need for an unsightly neck gator.

Beretta Xtreme Ducker 2-in-1 Waterproof Jacket

Price: $499

Where to buy: Beretta USA

Where to wear: The Timbers Club in Snowmass

Stand out from the crowd and think a little outside the box for a jacket to suit Snowmass, which features several terrain parks and plenty of extreme skiing terrain. This Beretta jacket may be designed for hunting but the abstract camo print will look as cool on the slopes as it does in the fields, and the fleece lining and waterproof Gore-Tex has all the functionality you need.

If you arrive at your property still in need of a new jacket, be sure to check in with the concierge. Timbers Owners receive preferred rates on retails items at the stores on site.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts and our Colorado properties – and others around the world – please contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.