Here comes the summer sun... Or is it rain?

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


Finally we have had some rain up in these mountains, much awaited and we are most grateful! Things are green, blooming and beautiful all around. Plenty to do and this week's weather is back to the standard summer fare. Cooler temperatures in the mountains, high 60s to 70s, and the usual possibility of afternoon thunderstorms. 


Though the raising of fire restrictions from Stage 2 (current fire ban) to Stage 3 (limit on any and all backcountry activities) is unlikely as of right now; fire risk remains a possibility. Hikers, campers and all forest users are asked to be careful and wary as we are still in a state of drought. Fishermen and anglers are also concerned with the rising water temperatures. These can stress the fish, causing diseases; and fishing the streams exacerbates this stress. Fishermen are asked to fish early in the morning, fish higher up in the drainage and keep a constant eye on the water temperature to avoid long term negative effects. A voluntary or even mandatory fishing ban is not off the table. 


This last weekend launched the ticket sales for the next summer event series: the Vail International Dance Festival. Featuring world famous dancers and specially choreographed pieces, a performance in this series is not to be missed. With seated and lawn options for tickets, why not pack a picnic and bring a group of friends together for a cultural evening?

View a highlights video from 2011's festival in the above video. Buy tickets and view performance details here. Performance passes, including 9 lawn tickets and 9 drinks from the bar are also available!


We hope to see you at our Vail and Avon locations soon - new summer wear and sale winter wear and gear still available. Why not stock up on some half price Patagonia Capilene for this winter? 

4th of July week in Vail

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


With 4th of July falling midweek this year, what better time to take a full week to enjoy the life our mountains have to offer. Escape the city heat (somewhat) and come up to Vail for some summer fun.


Due to the extremely dry conditions and fire bans, both Vail and Avon fireworks events have been cancelled. I am sure we can all understand why with wildfires raging around the state! More info on fire restrictions can be seen in the release from the Forest Service here.


There is still plenty to celebrate on the 4th of July in the mountains. The Vail America Days parade starts at Golden Peak at 10am, moves through the village and concludes in Lionshead at about noon. Always fun to watch, it is the region's largest Independence Day parade and promises entertaining floats/acts such as the Lawn Chair Drill Team. Avon's celebrations in Nottingham Park are also still on, barring the fireworks of course. Starting at 5pm, free concerts, beer garden, paddle-boarding and kids activities promise to make it a memorable 4th. 


Tomorrow's (Tuesday's) Hot Summer Night concert features Martin Sexton, a soulful guitarist with an acoustic style. Get a taster of what to expect from him below. These concerts are free and hosted at the Gerald Ford Amphitheatre at 6.30pm. 

As for the Bag and Pack Shop, we plan to celebrate the 4th in style - by holding a sale for all you wonderful folks. 20% off storewide (on non discounted merchandise only) on the 3rd and 4th of July. Come and get it!


Mountain bike fans, fond of flying down steep drops, over rocky outcrops and off breathtaking jumps; will be glad to hear of the opening of Radio Flyer, a new trail on the western side of the mountain. Not quite as intimidating as the original of the same name, the trail boasts a thrilling ride for the intermediate downhill rider. Built in partnership with the Forest Service and IMBA, Radio Flyer is constructed using techniques that allow water to run off the trail itself, so it lasts longer and helps prevent severe erosion. I know we are gearing up to try it out!


Finally, make sure not to miss the Bravo concert this Sunday, part of the Vail Valley Music Festival series. "A fusion of two art forms", it pairs the fabulous talents of the Philadelphia Orchestra with a team of aerial flyers, acrobats, dancers and more in a show called Cirque de la Symphonie. Whether you prebook amphitheater seats (probably a good idea for this one!) or picnic on the lawn; this will be an unforgettable event. Tickets and info are available online. 

This week's action in Vail

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


The last week of June this year is prime for summer activities. Who could believe that last year this time we still had snow falling up here in Vail? 

The Gore Range has myriads of hikes to offer. The Missouri Lakes-Fancy pass loop off Homestake Road is great for some historic background, gorgeous views and a full day adventure. Alternatively, Lake Constantine in the Holy Cross wilderness is great if wildflowers and some mid-afternoon fishing are what your're after. No matter your adventure, a great accessory to throw into your pack is one of Grand Trunk's hammocks.  Lightweight and packable, you will be the envy of all when you arrive at your alpine lake or flowery meadow and park off for a nap in one of these babies. 


For those planning on some camping adventures to enjoy the late daylight of summer, make sure to heed fire bans across Colorado and many US states. Extremely hot weather and lack of rain have made conditions dry and dangerous. Time to crack out your Jetboil or enjoy packed, cold lunches - there won't be any roasted brats in the wilderness for a while! Further info on fire restrictions in Eagle County here.


Make sure to enjoy the many markets our region has to offer. On Saturday morning, visit the Edwards Farmer's Market on Edwards Corner for some delicious breakfast choices from local food vendors. Browse the fresh produce and local craftmanship, before heading to Minturn Market for a snack and a more artsy themed market. Both running from 9.30am until lunchtime, these markets will make for a fun diversion. 


But, Sunday belongs to Vail's famous Farmer's Market. Offering selections of produce from all over the state, you can stock up on cherries, spinach, snap peas, peaches and more. Why not ride your bike into town (make sure to lock it somewhere before entering the market area as it tends to crowd up quick!) or walk the dog in (leashes are a MUST) and spend a leisurely time sampling goods from divine avocado salad dressing to Hawaiian wafer snacks. Not to be missed are Maggie's "Magpies" fresh pies (out of this world) and Kirby Cosmo's whole turkey leg - you have to see it to believe it!


Plenty to choose from in Vail this summer... make sure you are part of it. 

Summertime sunshine in the mountains

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


This month in Vail is full of activities to enjoy with your family or solo.
Appreciate a relaxed lawn picnic while listening to beautiful classical music at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. Kicking off with a free concert on opening night 25 June at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater, this year's lineup promises to be as entertaining as ever, with orchestras from New York, Dallas and Philadelphia among the performers.  See the full concert schedule and buy tickets here.


The Vail Gondola will be running daily from June 15 to September 3, so take a ride to play some disc golf, enjoy the view of Holy Cross and Game Creek Bowl, hike out to Ptarmigan Point or simply picnic on one of the many available decks. Adults pay $24 and children under 12 only pay $5! If you want to take up your bike too and enjoy one of the many downhill trails, bike hauls on the gondola cost $15 for adults and $5 for kids, additional with a lift ticket.


Adventure Ridge at the top of Eagle's Nest offers a range of fun activities as well. Take a motor tour of the mountain, or a scenic horseback trail ride into Game Creek Bowl. Kids can enjoy the climbing wall and the bungee trampoline that lets them reach new heights!


The evening of Wednesday June 20th sees the Davos Dash mountain bike race up to the Radio Tower in West Vail. For those intrigued, there are all sorts of categories for racers, from Masters to Never Evers; and you could always grab a cowbell and give the hard working bikers some support! Race info and registration here. 


We hope many of you tried your hand (and feet) at the Summer Solstice Run this past weekend. There is quite a break until the next race in the La Sportiva Trail Running Series but that just means ample time to train for the upcoming Vail Hill Climb, Vail Half Marathon and the Berry Picker Trail Run. For anyone visiting the valley and planning to do these fun events, make sure to give yourself a few days to acclimate to the altitude by doing some gentle runs once you arrive. 

Kicking back in Vail this weekend

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


Nothing like heading into the beautiful mountains on a Friday afternoon. Come up and spend this weekend with us in paradise!


Golf enthusiasts can catch a twilight round of golf at the Vail Golf Club after 3.30pm, only $42 with a cart until June 28. Book a tee time at 970 479 2260.


Most stores in the Village and Lionshead are open until 7pm, browse around for leftover winter deals and gorgeous new summer arrivals, before heading out to dinner. 

Rise with the sun on Saturday June 16th to get awake and limbered up for the Summer Solstice Trail Run, the second in the La Sportiva Trail Running Series. With a 10.30am start in Beaver Creek, a 10km and 5km option; there really is no excuse to not get out there and participate! Entries are $35 if you pre register and $45 if you wait till race day to see how you feel. More info here.


Following your active morning, pack a picnic and drive back up Vail Pass, taking exit 190 to the rest area. Follow the dirt Shrine Pass Road (no high clearance required) for about 4 miles to the Holy Cross Overlook Deck - just a short walk from the parking lot. 


Following a much needed afternoon nap, take a twilight ride up on the gondola (only $20 for adults and $5 for kids under 12) after 4pm and play a round of disc golf. 18 holes with 9 beginner and 9 advanced, play is free with your own discs, or you can rent a set for $10. 


Saturday evenings in Vail usually comprise an evening stroll to find the best place for dinner. With a sunset time after 8.30pm, there is no better time to enjoy the alpenglow on the Gore Range either before or after dinner. Many award-winning restaurants in Vail or Lionshead can tempt you with their offerings - La Tour for locally grown, fresh produce; Sweet Basil for contemporary American fare; the famous Matsuhisa in Solaris is great for seafood and sushi, choices are vast and everyone has their favorite. 


Start your Sunday morning off with a bottomless mimosa at La Tour's brunch, served from 10am to 2pm. The wiser ones will enjoy an outdoor hike or run up Vail Mountain before settling in for a morning (and perhaps afternoon!) of eating and drinking in La Tour's sunny outside area. 


Enjoy your week and hope to see you this weekend at our Vail or Avon locations!

What to do, what to do

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


The mountains have completely dried out and are beautifully green already. Many rejoice at this early summer, though it does bode ill for river rafters with the low water levels caused by smaller runoff from snow melt. However, there are plenty of other activities to sink your teeth into this summer!

Hiking

With most trails being completely clear, pack a lunch, fill up your water bottle and enjoy one of the scenic hikes the valley has to offer. Some trails in West Vail are closed for maintenance until 15 June, so make sure to check posted signs. But, the  East Vail selections are good to go.  

Bighorn Trail starts off steep but flattens out to a gentle rolly trail until the final push to the rustic cabin at the top. Booth Lake Trail is ever popular and tends to be quite busy on the weekends, roughly an hour and a half to the falls and another 2 hours or so to Booth Lake, well worth the climb for the quiet peacefulness. Pitkin Creek Trail follows the creek and is pretty deceptive, 3 hours or more to reach the lake and it's not too easy! A great trail to do if you are not sure how long to go for is Gore Creek Trail, right at the end of East Vail. Following Gore Creek and with gentle climbs, it's a great choice for an afternoon walk. Stop by at either our Vail or Avon locations for more suggestions or to pick up the Vail Hiker (available @bagandpack), a great book to own if you plan on exploring the valley and surrounds. 

Biking

The front side of Vail Mountain is open and ready to bike up and down.  Start a sunset ride around 5pm for a quiet, cool ride down before heading out for dinner to one of the lovely local restaurants. Two good options to bike up - The Village Trail road is longer but a little easier on the legs, while Gitalong Road is shorter in distance but has some steeper climbs. The gondola opens this weekend too if you are feeling more sedentary! For the downhill, a variety of fun trails are available, from the popular Lion Down which has singletrack in it, to the trickier Hank's Hideaway through the trees.  The 2011 Vail Mountain Summer Map can be seen here. Vail promises to release the 2012 version soon as some new trails have been added. 

Running

Any of the hiking trails mentioned can be easily used by trail runners. Early mornings are particularly beautiful. If heading to East Vail, plan on starting your run 7/ 7.30am as it tends to get warm a little later than sunrise down there! For those fitness gurus out there, run the Berrypicker hiking trail up the front of the mountain to get ready for the race held later this summer. The bike trail in East Vail, the section through the golf course, is another good option for runners or dog walkers. Run from the Pitkin Creek market and join up with the Vail Trail (heads uphill into the trees just before the Golf Clubhouse) which will come out at Golden Peak, if you want a longer run. 

Enjoy these fresh summer days and come check out our new summer arrivals from Patagonia, Arcteryx, Millet, Horny Toad and Prana for men and ladies!

Welcome back to the mountains

Marina Egorov – The Bag and Pack Shop, Vail, Colorado


For those lucky ones that have been travelling all over this shelter season, welcome back to the mountains. Plenty to see and do in Vail this summer, stay posted to our blog, Twitter @bagandpack and Facebook page for the latest tips and inspirations for summer adventures.


The countdown for the annual Summer Teva Games in Vail is down to the final wire. Running May 31 and June 3, this event promises to be as action packed as ever. Riding on the success of the first Winter Teva Games ever, held in Vail this past February; the weekend looks like it holds good weather and exciting stunts. From Dock Dogs to Kayak Freestyle, Citizen's Bouldering to the inaugural Rocky Dog Trail Run with your pooch; the Summer Games are great fun to watch or participate in. For more events and to scoop up last minute entries, see the schedule here.

See a highlights video with a performance by Xavier Rudd for the 2011 Teva Games here and get amped for your own experience! 

While you are out browsing all the tents from the brands we love that are sure to be keeping Vail Village entertained; stop by and see new summer arrivals and perhaps some leftover deals from winter weather at our Vail location opposite the Solaris and right next to Pazzo's Pizza.