As you come in for a landing in Colorado en route to one of the Timbers Resorts private residence clubs like One Steamboat Place, The Sebastian - Vail, The Timbers Club in Snowmass or Dancing Bear Aspen, you can’t help but fall in love with the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. Therefore, it’s only fitting that you take along some of the world’s best mountain climbing books, which provide awe-inspiring looks into the danger and glory of climbing the world’s highest peaks. Here are five of our favorites:

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air has been one of the most popular books about climbing Mount Everest for more than a decade. The book is the author’s account of successfully summitting the world’s highest mountain while examining what mistakes led to five fellow climbers losing their lives. These events in May 1996 have become a significant part of Everest’s history and lore. Guide Anatoli Boukreev wrote a competing account of the events, The Climb, after taking exception to Krakauer’s portrayal of him. Be warned though — once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down until you've finished it. Timbers Resorts tie-in: Neal Beidleman who was a guide on the famed 1996 climb is an Aspen, Colorado, resident and friend to Timbers Resorts.

No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks by David Roberts and Ed Viesturs
There are only 14 mountains on the planet higher that 8,000 meters, and mountaineering legend Ed Viesturs set out to climb all of them without the aid of bottled oxygen. It took Viesturs 18 years to accomplish the task before publishing this memoir in 2007. To be inspired by one of the world’s most incredible achievements (and men) No Shortcuts to the Top is the perfect vacation read. Timbers Resorts tie-in: In 2008, One Steamboat Place brought Viesturs to town for a slideshow presentation from his 8,000-meter peak quest, which drew a full house at the Community Center. Ski mountaineer Chris Davenport of Aspen, Colorado, opened the presentation with an account from his "Ski the 14ers" project where he skied all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks in a record-setting time of one year.

Annapurna: The First Conquest of an 8,000-Meter Peak by Maurice Herzog and Conrad Anker
Annapurna claims the life of more than half of those who attempt to reach its summit. Not only is it 8,100 meters high, but the approach is one of the most treacherous in the Himalayas. All of this makes the tale of the men who reached Annapurna’s top for the first time in 1950 – without oxygen or modern climbing equipment – all the more amazing. This book is Maurice Herzog’s account of the climb, dictated from his hospital bed after barely escaping the mountain with his life. Timbers Resorts tie-in: Conrad Anker was the keynote speaker at the 2010 5Point Film Festival sponsored by Timbers Resorts in our hometown of Carbondale, Colorado.

Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home by Nando Parrado and Vince Rause
On October 13 1972, a plane crashed in the Andes carrying 45 people including a Chilean rugby team. After being unconscious for three days then waiting for a rescue that never came, Nando Parrado led a group of survivors 45 miles through the Andes to find help, then lived to tell the tale.

Savage Summit: The True Stories of the First Five Women Who Climbed K2, the World's Most Feared Mountain by Jennifer Jordan
K2 is not as high as Everest, but it's far more dangerous. At the time this book was published in 2005, only six women had reached its summit, compared to Everest’s 90. Three died on the way back down. Jennifer Jordan tells the stories of these courageous women.

Got a favorite arm-chair mountaineering book we didn't list? Share it with us in the comments section below.

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

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.

Timbers Resorts flew South to Miami last month for the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE. The annual winter extravaganza brings many values together Timbers Resorts appreciates and stands for: fine food and wine, beautiful destinations, and time spent with friends and family. The star-studded series of events encompassed seminars, wine tastings, parties, brunches and concerts.

On Thursday, February 21, Timbers Resorts hosted a Taste of Timbers reception at the new Design District establishment, MC Kitchen, with Chef Dena Marino at the helm preparing savory appetizers, flatbreads and decadent desserts. On Friday, February 22, Timbers Resorts took part as the silent auction sponsor and an official photographer for the Best of the Best at the Fontainebleau Hotel where 1800 guests dressed to the nines to enjoy wines rated ninety points and higher on Wine Spectator's list along with delicious dishes. On Saturday, February 23, Timbers Resorts participated in the Tribute Dinner for Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Christophe Navarre of Moët Hennessy with Martha Stewart as the Mistress of Ceremonies. The evening began with a cocktail reception followed by dinner, the live auction with a deluxe trip to Castello di Casole in Tuscany among the coveted items and an awards presentation to Chef Matsuhisa.

See below for several photos from our few days in Florida or click on the event links above to view galleries from each evening. To learn more about Timbers Resorts, please contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Imagine a weekend where the world's elite tastemakers gather to rub elbows, trade secrets and discuss trends all while enjoying cocktail parties, breathtaking beach front views and luxury shopping trips.

Fantasy? Or reality?

For experts in luxury goods and services this "too good to be true" gathering is a yearly event: the American Express Luxury Summit. Now in its 14th year, the summit gathers senior level executives from the world's leading luxury brands to examine and reassess the needs of the affluent customer.

Timbers Resorts has been a part of this annual gathering for several years, sending marketing executives to join as delegates.
is year's summit takes place April 21-23 at the beautiful St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point, California. The who's who of luxury living left no stone unturned.  Speakers range from CNBC reporter and editor Robert Frank to President and CEO of The Corcoran Group, Pamela Liebman.

Panels included topics like "What Do Travelers Want Now?" a discussion on how to deliver high end services in a high tech world, "The Return of High Dollar Real Estate," an examination of where the multi-million dollar housing market is headed and "A Special Report: Africa...The Next New Hot Spot" a conversation with Sophy Roberts, editor of Departures on future travel trends.

There are even a few celebrities in the mix. Actor Kyle MacLachlan will be there to discuss the wine business on behalf of his label Pursued by Bear & Baby Bear. And Sir Richard Branson will provide the audience with a dose of his world renown business expertise while in conversation with CNBC reporter Jane Wells on "Building the Consumer Experience."

Don't be mistaken though, the American Express Luxury Summit is hardly all work and no play. Attendees get the opportunity to do a little indulging of their own.

The summit kicks off with a golf tournament on the the lush Monarch Beach Golf Course, followed by a champagne brunch and luxury shopping experience at South Coast Plaza -- Southern California's mecca for high end goods. Surfing, bicycle tours and riding on a vintage schooner are also on the docket. While those executives looking for a little more R&R in between cocktail parties and panels, can take time out for a soothing antioxidant wrap or a wellness massage.

To learn more about Timbers Resorts and the luxurious life, contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone, 888.366.6641.

Summer in the Rockies means white capped peaks and lush green trails. And instead of skiers and boarders lined up for the chairlift, mountain bike enthusiasts and hikers head up the mountain.

It's summertime in Colorado, which means mountain biking season is on!

Owners and guests at Timbers Resorts' luxury fractional homes in Aspen, Vail, and Steamboat Springs are at the center of a world of scenery. The mountains are calling, and with a bike you can experience them in a whole new way. You'll whisk along the edges of horse pastures, and dive into the cool and rugged woods surrounding the ski resorts, emerging at the edges of startlingly clear lakes under skies of blue.

Check out these key trails and options for mountain bikers of all stripes. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, your two-wheeled summer journey awaits.

Snowmass and Aspen: Biking Adventures

From your front door at Dancing Bear Aspen or The Timbers Club, the trails are just a ride away including the following routes:

— Rio Grande Trail: Paved bike paths give way to dirt trails, following alongside The Roaring Fork River. A popular stop along the way is the locals' favorite watering hole, The Woody Creek Tavern.

— Brush Creek/Government Trail: A beautiful ride through the stunning aspen groves linking Snowmass's Base Village to downtown Aspen.

While in Snowmass, take the Village Express chairlift that carries you and your bike uphill where a variety of exciting downhill rides await. Two ways to cruise the singletrack back to the base:

— Tom Blake Trail: If cross-country is your style, this undulating trail provides a superb ride on the gentler side though there are a few steep sections as well to provide an adrenaline rush.

— Valhalla Trail: Feel the need for speed? Pick up some velocity on this challenging downhill flow trail. For experts only!

— For those who want to take things a little more slowly, try out one of the two disc golf courses on the mountain - both are challenging and fun in their own rite.

Vail: Tours and Excursions

The pine-cloaked mountain awaits with miles of inviting terrain. Take advantage of the reputed and well established network of trails that crisscross Vail Mountain. Just pedal strokes away from the front door of The Sebastian - Vail , consider this trio of options:

— Eagle's Loop: Newcomers to riding in these parts can absorb the vistas along Eagle's Loop, an easy one-mile ride from the drop-off point along the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead.

— Magic Forest and Mane Lane: Adventurers can point their handlebars at lower altitudes from the steep and challenging summits of Magic Forest and Mane Lane — both can be very tricky with drop-offs and other kinds of heart-pumping terrain.

Steamboat Springs: Bike Town USA

There are more single-track mountain biking trails in Steamboat Springs than anywhere else in the U.S. For Owners and guests at One Steamboat Place, that means plenty of choices for the enthusiast, and easy points of entry for those still new to the sport. Here are three ways to ride:

— Buffalo Pass/Long Lake Loop: A family-friendly 14-mile excursion along the Continental Divide, with lots of waterside stop-offs and easygoing trails.

— Fishhook Lake, Lost Lake and Lake Elmo: Thinking that a little angling might add to the trip? Bring your rod and reel for these trails because Lost Lake and Lake Elmo are renowned for their excellent fishing.

— Nipple Peak Loop: A 30-mile challenge that will test your mountain-biking skills with hills, rocks, trees and a dozen other ways to earn your dinner. Best for experts.

Preferred partners at each of these Timbers Resorts locations offer top-of-the line equipment rentals and safety gear, as well as expert advice, maps and friendly service. Simply contact the concierge at each property for suggestions on where to go for gear so you can get out there and enjoy your ride!

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].

Snowmass Village may not be the same skiers' mecca during the warmest months of the year, but it's still a prime destination for lovers of the outdoors and cool culture.

For 19 years, the Snowmass Village Free Summer Concerts series has been thrilling visitors and locals alike — not to mention Owners and guests a quick shuttle ride over from Dancing Bear Aspen — with its electrifying mix of genres, from rock and dance, to jazz and soul. The stunning backdrop of high-mountain countryside certainly doesn't hurt either!

This year is no exception. Whether you're spending a few summer weeks at a Timbers Resorts' luxury fractional residence, or just popping in for a long weekend, take a look at what's in store this summer for Thursday night concerts in Snowmass. Music starts at 6:15pm at the Village Mall on Snowmass Mountain, so get out your calendars out and start planning your accommodations, there is no better time than now to be here!

2013 Snowmass Village Free Summer Concert Dates

June 20 – Freddy Jones Band: If you love The Band, you're going to like this band too. Roots rock in the classic American tradition.

June 27 – The Dunwells: English folk rock that rose up from the pubs of Leeds to worldwide touring. One part acoustic, one part electric — get ready for five-part harmonies!

July 5 – C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band: What would outdoor summer music be without some zydeco in the mix? C.J. Chenier's got the pedigree for the task; he's the son of Clifton Chenier, the first Creole musician to win a Grammy.

July 11 – The Revivalists: Songwriting is at the forefront of this band's performances, along with layered and complex rock arrangements.

July 18 – Mountain Standard Time: It's time for some innovative bluegrass on the slopes. Expect a big, jammy experience.

July 25 – J. Boog: Genuine Jamaican reggae, fronted by a multicultural songsmith.

August  1 – Tab Benoit: It's back to the bayou for some Cajun blues. Straight out of Louisiana, bluesman Benoit learned from the legends before taking his act on the road.

August 8 – Nigel Hall: A funky and soulful ensemble with high energy sure to get you off your feet.

August 15 – Robert Walters 20th Congress: A keys- and piano-driven excursion into the heart of dance and jazz.

Remember that this is live music, and that with live acts comes the possibility that schedules will change. Be certain to check the Snowmass music series website for updates.

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]. 

Swift, deep, and clear - the Roaring Fork River flows northwest through Aspen on its way from the Continental Divide to the Colorado River. Within that river, are all the trout you can reel in. Welcome to summertime fishing at Dancing Bear!

For Owners and guests at Dancing Bear Aspen's luxury fractional ownership resort, the Roaring Fork awaits, and so do the experts at Aspen Outfitting Company who want you to experience the thrill of fly fishing this summer.

It's as a perfect day, all for the taking. Whether you're an experienced angler or you've never once tied a fly, all you need to do is step outdoors and place yourself in the hands of these enthusiasts.

Fly Fishing for Everyone

"We provide all the necessary equipment," said Jarrod Hollinger, one of the experts at Aspen Outfitting. "Just dress for a hike. We provide the waders, the boots, rods, reels, line, and flies."

From there, the company's Certified Guide Program takes over -getting you into your equipment and out to the water- your destination is just a 15 to 20 minute ride to the Fryingpan, a 14-mile stretch of Gold Medal fishing, just below Ruedi Reservoir. Their fishing coaches are right there to help with whatever level of expertise you may, or may not, need.

Fly fishers are pulling mostly brown and rainbow trout this time of year, Hollinger said. And for the animal lovers in your family, it's good to note that the Roaring Fork is catch-and-release only, along the stretch you'll visit.

The Perfect Day (by Night!)

While a perfect day on the river may amount to a morning/early afternoon on the river's edge, Hollinger suggests something slightly different and unique... evening fishing.

Intrigued? Here's how it works.

After a late morning breakfast, a shopping excursion or spending a bit of the afternoon riding bikes, you and your guests meet in the lobby of Dancing Bear Aspen, right around 4 p.m., then walk over to Aspen Outfitting Company's shop in the St. Regis, and get your gear. You'll be driven out to the Roaring Fork, settling into a private spot, and then the action begins.

"It's a very nice of time of day to be out on the river," said Hollinger. "We get people out there by 4:00 or 5:30 and they fish right up 'til dark. That last hour can be fantastic. The fish feed pretty seriously then, and there are big fish- the kind not really out earlier in the day. And, of course, the light is beautiful."

Once you've conquered some trout, it's time to pack it in and tell some big fish stories over a glass of wine or a beer. Hollinger says that an ideal end-of-trip note is to slip into Jimmy's, just a few steps from your residence, and plunge into a juicy steak or burger.

Although, your perfect day doesn't end there. Finish it off right at Dancing Bear Aspen, spending some time in the hot tub under the stars, unwinding completely, and reflecting on a day very well-spent... your Roaring Fork River experience awaits!

To learn more about ownership opportunities at Dancing Bear Aspen, please contact us at 855.920.2510 (toll free in the US) or 970.920.2510 (direct) or via email at [email protected].

Aspen Mountain once hosted an adventurous downhill ski race named "24 Hours of Aspen." Duos competed head-to-head for the most laps on the ski areas slopes on a December weekend from noon one day to noon the next. Hundreds of volunteers took part in the round-the-clock race offering support from massaging the skiers' exhausted muscles in the gondola to waxing and tuning their gear between laps to slipping the course to keep it in tip top shape to prepping and serving food to keep them going. After a decade-plus of running the charity event, Aspen Skiing Company retired the race though it still comes up in conversation on occasion by locals reminiscing about the excitement all day then at night under the lights.

Tipping a nod to the race's memory and suggesting ways one could spend 24 hours in Aspen in the summer, we've devised an itinerary for a full day at Dancing Bear Aspen. For Owners and guests at Timbers Resorts' luxury fractional property, there are endless ways to enjoy all this cosmopolitan mountain town has to offer...just right out Dancing Bear's front door.

24 Hours of Dancing Bear Aspen:

Follow our schedule and you'll find yourself in the sky, on the water, and surrounded by good food and good times. Here we go!

7:00 am: Rooftop Breakfast

Rise and shine for a rooftop breakfast buffet. The breakfast bar is available starting now with unparalleled views of Aspen Mountain, Independence Pass, and the Roaring Fork Valley. Once you've tucked into a healthy morning meal, it's down to the lobby to connect with the concierge and arrange your next stop. (Also be sure to schedule the private screening room at Dancing Bear for 8 pm that night.)

9:00 am: Cruising down the Street

Hop on one of Dancing Bear's cruiser bikes and ride over to the town's own paragliding headquarters just a few blocks away. At Aspen Paragliding you'll suit up, sign waivers and get ready for an adventure like no other.

10:30 am: It's a Bird, It's a Plane!

After being driven to the top of Aspen Mountain, you'll join an expert pilot as your guide for a tandem flight. Enjoy a bird's-eye view experience of summertime in this remarkable landscape. The ripple of green ridges along the valley floor. The unending blue of the sky.

11:30 am: Lunch with a View

You've landed, thrilled, and got your legs back under you. And you've worked up an afternoon appetite. Grab a seat on the outdoor terrace at Ajax Tavern at The Little Nell. From a cool chilled pea soup to a Colorado lamb bolognese, you'll leave revived —and full— just in time for your next stop.

1:00 pm: Rods and Reels

At Aspen Outfitting, your next stop on this most perfect day, you'll gear up with the experts on fly fishing. No matter what your skills with the rod and reel, Aspen Outfitting will have you in the sweet spot for some afternoon catch and release on private waters along the Roaring Fork or Frying Pan rivers.

4:00 pm: Rejuvenate

Once back at Dancing Bear, it's time to let someone else do the work for a while. The concierge will be happy to arrange a personal massage in one of the fitness center's treatment rooms, and then a cool soak back at home before slipping into evening wear. The next part of your day has just begun...

6:00 pm: Wine and Dine

An early evening flute of champagne at Brexi at Dancing Bear sets the tone. Nibble on an exquisite tartare with cognac aioli and quail egg, or keep it light with an artisanal cheese board. However your appetite is inspired, be ready to take a seat for a full dinner— from filet mignon laced with Roquefort cream to a sizzling grill of Colorado striped bass.

8:00 pm: Movie Screening

It's time to put your feet up and get lost in a classic. The private screening room you reserved this morning is ready. May we suggest something timeless? Roman Holiday or An Affair to Remember could be just the right flick for your Aspen trip.

10:00 pm: Nightcap

And now, the day is through. But one last stop, right where you started: the rooftop. Sip a cocktail under the stars. Sidle up to the crackling fire pit if the air's turned cool. Toast to a perfect day in Aspen.

Finally, turn in, sleep well, and we'll see you tomorrow at 7:00 am —though a little later's just fine, too— to do it all again.

To learn more about ownership opportunities at Dancing Bear Aspen, please contact us at 855.920.2510 (toll free in the US) or 970.920.2510 (direct) or via email at [email protected].