Like some of us River Run Village condo owners up in Keystone, Colorado, we choose to rent our condo out as a vacation rental this Christmas. So I'm wondering if there's anyone out there that actually spent Christmas skiing in Summit County this year? My sister and I have owned our condo for 4 years now and still have never spent a Christmas there. I can only imagine what it must be like to get up early to a white blanket of snow, the early morning Christmas lights still shining through the snow while you sip on a cup of steaming hot chocolate. The excitement has to build as you get all your ski gear ready for the day on the slopes. Walking thru the village with your skis on your shoulder and gazing up at the slope right above River Run Village has to make your heart skip a beat. I'd have to stop by Starbuck's for a latte first and maybe a cinnamon coffee cake and then my day would most likely involve sitting by the fire watching members of my family swoosh down the slopes. I prefer the quiet swooshing of a stir stick in my latte as opposed to skis through the Keystone Rocky Mountain powder. To each his own I guess. If you spent Christmas skiing anywhere in Summit County let us know how it went. I would love to hear from you. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Nothing like a Colorado Christmas!

With all the talk of bailouts and recession these days, have you ever wondered what it would be like if the media actually promoted positive topics instead of such constant negative broadcasts into the air waves every day? All we hear about is how bad things are and the terrible mess we’re in. Of course they’ve been saying that long enough to get us all to believe it and stop spending – would it have mattered if it was true or not? I wonder just how much they control how we Americans spend our money? Or better yet, I wonder how much of what the ytell us we actually believe!

We’ve had car manufactures wanting government bailouts because of their lack of good management (as some say). I even heard that Hustler Magazine is now asking for a government bailout because their magazine is on the down swing. They believe a bailout is necessary because people can’t live without sex and if their magazine goes under…. Are you kidding me?

With all of that said I would like to point out some interesting things I’ve observed during this recession. Maybe what we really need is a Media Bailout!

The lines in the grocery store are always long and the carts are full. Why do people not understand that 20 items or less is there for a reason! The wait is at least 15 minutes to get into a chain restaurant on a Friday night because of the crowds. The new movie Marley & Me brought in $24 million just this past weekend with $106.7 million in the first week of its release! Wow! My sister works for United Airlines and she says the lines at the airport are long and the flights are full.

But, the best news - the ski slopes in places like Keystone, Colorado are packed with skiers, great snow and vacation condos are being rented for winter vacations! Keystone is hopping and our properties are filling up on a daily basis. The phones are ringing and people are booking their ski vacations!

Here’s what I would suggest to those of you who are about as tired as I am of hearing all the negative broadcasts – take a Media Bailout! Head on up to Summit County and enjoy some fresh air and great snow. If you need a place to stay I would suggest River Run Village in Keystone, Colorado. River Run has some of the best-priced ski lodges in Summit County. Some are only a small walk away from the new Gondola. If you need any help with booking, Take a Peak Lodging would be glad to help you find the best deal possible.

So take a Media Bailout and join us on the slopes. You’ll be glad you did!

A few years ago I let my sister talk me into purchasing a vacation condo in River Run Village in the Keystone Resort area. She made a good pitch but I wasn’t too excited about the thought of a ski vacation where the temperature makes your bones shake and the snow can be deeper than the roof of my car. Lucky for her she approached me during the summer. A few weeks after the purchase of our first resort condo we decided to drive back up to Keystone and do some interior decorating with our new condo. Our goal was to try to give our condo that mountain feel while anticipating to rent our vacation rental out to others who loved the snow and loved to ski. My sister was convinced that if we could rent out our Keystone vacation condo it would pay for itself. I was hard pressed to believe that there would be that many people that would actually drive all the way up to Summit County. Find Keystone. Pull into River Run Village. Pull out a pair of skis and start making their way to the top of Keystone Mountain. It can get really cold on that mountain. Never mind the snow, the wind will send chills thru your bones making you feel like you’ll never be warm again. And besides, I don’t even like to ski and I’m too not thrilled about being so cold even jumping in the fire place doesn’t warm you up.

However, after 3 years of owning our Keystone vacation condo in River Run Village, I’m here to tell you that Keystone is a blast! Even for those of us who don’t ski or like the cold! If that sounds like you – welcome to my blog! I’m not a skier but I love to spend time at the Keystone Resort and surrounding areas in Summit County. It amazes me that it’s only a short drive from Denver and yet you feel like you’re on a real vacation. Here are few fun things that I’ve found and I’m always looking for more fun things to do! So keep me informed when you find something new and fun to do.

Our condo is in Expedition Station in River Run Village. That means we’re close to everything. The Haywood Café is just outside of the village, along Highway 6, and is a great place to have a nice hot breakfast. The first time I went there I was totally impressed. Their service was incredibly friendly and efficient. The food was more than I could have ever made for myself and very delicious. They even have flavored creamers for your coffee! Not many restaurants can top that. They will happily substitute items on the menu and are just down right friendly. I need to try it for lunch or dinner sometime. Also, for you sports fans – great place to watch your favorite team. They have numerous TV’s and even a nice couch that is positioned right in front of a great flat screen on the wall!

My other favorite place is in River Run Village. The Rockin’ Ranch Trading Post. They have everything you’ll ever need and then some. I’ve had really good luck finding some great souvenirs there along with some very comfortable sweatshirts. I’m picky about my sweatshirts. Theirs are shorter in length and a little more room in the mid section – if you know what I mean. They also have great snacks, toothpaste (if you forget yours), fun stuff for the kids and even some great mountain style Christmas ornaments. If you’re a vacation condo owner in Keystone and have an owner card you can get some great deals. Make sure and show them your owners card.

My sister and I are going back up to Keystone this weekend for some new adventures. I’ll let you know of some other places to visit for those of you who may not think hitting a slope is all the attractive. Stay tuned and please respond with your favorite activity – even if it is skiing! Go ahead, let it snow! You’ll have a blast either way.