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Located within the beautiful community of Arrowhead at Vail , home to the renowned Country Club of the Rockies Golf Course, the Arrowhead Alpine Club is one of the private Vail Resorts Signature Clubs just steps a from the Arrowbahn ski chairlift. This lift provides direct access to Arrowhead Mountain, Bachelor Gulch and  Beaver Creek Mountain Resort, where members can experience the adventure of world-class skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or biking. The Alpine Club, is truly more than a Club and has evolved into a real community with members gathering after their morning workout to chat over breakfast or relax with a glass of wine at the end of an active day of hiking, biking or skiing. And unique to all the Clubs, members of the Alpine Club can enjoy private ski in/out dining at The Yurt what I call “ My Happy Place” to take in the spectacular views and remember how grateful we are to live in this awesome valley! In addition the Club offers a work out facility, spa options, pool with hot tub and endless organized activities and classes for all ages. Truly a Club worthy of your consideration.

If you would like a private tour of the Arrowhead Alpine Club, or any information on Vail Valley real estate, please contact me! Suzi Apple, 970-376-5417, Apple@gatewaytovail.com

GatewayToVail.com

Vail Mountain originally opened to guests on December 15, 1962, and the official opening party happened on Jan. 19, 1963.

As a 60th birthday present to itself, Vail built a completely new lift line this season, an express chair taking guests from the bottom of Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls to the top of the Wildwood area. The new chairlift will be called the Sun Down Express (# 17). While the lift towers have been erected and the lift stations constructed, the cable has not yet been hung and the chairs are not yet mounted due to supply chain issues from the lifts’ manufacturer. Despite the delays, Vail Resorts anticipates the lift to be fully operational this month and we can’t wait!

In addition to this lift opening, Game Creek Bowl Express has been upgraded from a 4-person to a 6-person chairlift and Vail reintroduced its legendary Ice Bar. For more information regarding the Ice Bar, check out our blog post: https://gatewayland.com/blog/?p=56114

Vail, Colorado is home to one of the top ski resorts in the Country! After a long day of hitting the slopes, it’s always nice to enjoy a little apres action after being on the mountain. We have compiled a list of our favorite bars in the Vail area that you can check out for Apres!

Elway’s

This is one of Vails best Steakhouses by night and a fantastic apres ski spot in the Vail Village! You will be able to find a full menu of hand-crafted cocktails, beer, and wine as well as an exquisite food menu of small bites! You can enjoy your drink of choice while you relax on their outdoor patio.

Root & Flower

This is one of Vails modern wine bars that offer more than 50 wines by the glass and a changing menu of American bites! Root & Flower opens at 2:00 pm each day so this makes for a great Apres spot if you enjoy drinking in elegance with an amazing chef-inspired food menu to choose from. We truly enjoy this place because of the creativity that goes into each hand-crafted cocktail.

El Segundo

El Segundo offers a great location in the Vail Village which makes it a great choice for Apres! Located overlooking Gore Creek it is a great spot to sit inside or outside on their patio with a nice view. El Segundo offers a great selection of hand-crafted cocktails. My favorite drink is their house margarita. You can thank me later after trying it! They also offer a wide variety of delicious tacos and Mexican cuisines.

Stay tuned for our next monthly newsletter which will include more of our favorite goto Apres locations! https://gatewayland.com/

A selection of the Vail Valley’s finest properties for sale this Season!

If you are interested in a private tour of any of these properties please contact Suzi Apple at 970.376.5417 or Apple@GatewayToVail.com

chasingrabbitsvail.com

The Solaris group introduces Chasing Rabbits, a uniquely curated experience featuring a film house, speakeasy, library lounge, decadent dining, and a revivalist arcade. This sophisticated and playful space venue caters to families, adults, locals, and tourists alike.

Chasing Rabbits will host a Roaring 20’s New Year’s Eve partycomplete with live entertainment, a champagne toast, and more. This party will offer guests the first official look at the new nightlife venue in Vail, with a celebration fit for the occasion.

Guests are asked to dress in 1920s attire (or dress to impress) while they enjoy craft cocktails and entertainment from ETHNO of Thievery Corporation and Fort Knox Five, and prohibition inspired entertainment including burlesque dancers, magicians, tarot card readers, contortionists, and many more surprises!

Tickets are available for $225 per person and includes entry to the party as well as passed appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. The New Year’s Eve party will take place from 9pm to 2am.

With its impeccable design and attention to detail, Chasing Rabbits is the first of its kind in Vail. Guests will be intrigued by the venue’s unexpected twists and turns and will embark on a journey into the wee hours at Chasing Rabbits — a delightful distraction of bespoke experiences for dining, sipping, and playing.

Upcoming Events: 

• December 23rd, 9 pm: DJ Logic – Since his emergence in the early nineties amidst the Bronx hip-hop scene, the New York City based deejay has been amassing a veritable mountain of collaborations, including a full-fledged band with members of Blues Traveler. 
• December 31st, 9 pm: To get to 2023, you’ll have to go down the Rabbit Hole! Ring in the New Year at Chasing Rabbits with DJ sets from ETHNO of Thievery Corporation and Fort Knox Five. Entertainment includes burlesque dancers, magicians, tarot card readers, contortionists and more!
• January 4th, 7 pm: comedy show with Sean Patton.

For more details, visit: https://chasingrabbitsvail.com/

Vail’s 60th Anniversary Celebration will take place from the weekend of December 15th to December 17th. Events will be happening on and off the mountain during the duration of this weekend! You can expect to see events ranging from a complementary Birthday toast and Dj set to Vail tree lighting to an outdoor ice skating show and an art workshop!

The majority of these incredible events will be happening in Vail village. Things will begin to kick off each day after 1 PM. Be sure to bring your warm layers for the cold nights! This 3-day celebration is sure to be a blast!

This weekend, Beaver Creeks kicks off winter with the US World Cup Birds of Prey Open. Not only will the first weekend of December feature epic ski racing, but also a plethora of activities including Shaun White autograph signing, Beers of Prey, Warren Miller Daymaker screening, fireworks and champagne. 

Hailed as the number one overall event to attend by athletes, coaches, and spectators alike, this is one weekend you will not want to miss. 

bcworldcup.com bcworldcup.com bcworldcup.com

For full details, tickets, and schedule please visit: https://bcworldcup.com

Vail’s Sitzmark Lodge, owned and managed by the Fritch family since 1974, recently sold to a group of investors led by Steve Kisielica. Steve, a long time veteran of the lodging business, recently moved his family to the Vail Valley full time. When asked, Steve shared that he thought that the Sitzmark was undoubtedly “the best kept secret in Vail Village” although it was known for the extraordinary hospitality of the Fritz Family and for its unmatched location. With both ski slope views to the south and Gore Creek to the north, this boutique hotel, still now family owned and operated, offers an iconic location! We at Gateway Real Estate have been blessed with a corner office in the Sitzmark Lodge on Gore Creek and the International Bridge for 12 years! We are very excited for Steve Kisielica and his family and wish them the best their passion to put their mark on this legacy property.

For a tour of the Sitzmark building or any Vail Valley real estate needs please feel free to contact me, Suzi Apple, at 970-376-5417 or apple@gatewaytovail.com or visit our website gatewaytovail.com

This breathtaking 9,080 square foot estate was constructed on the first homesite to be sold in Arrowhead at Vail. Backing up to a wooded backdrop of massive pines, this commanding acre+ lot is worthy of the legendary 7 bedroom, 7.5 bathroom home that was ultimately built on it. The international influence of the owners, Brian and Laura Woodford, is both handsome and elegant. A striking mix of British strength and Asian beauty describes the architectural style captured in the home. A 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment with full kitchen, fireplace and separate entrance, originally built to house the owners pilots, gives this property great versatility. Elegant, rare and versatile this unique estate will not be available for long! For more information on this property or for a private tour please contact me at 970-376-5417 or apple@gatewaytovail.com

2022 Vail opens its lifts earlier than ever! Tomorrow Thursday 11/11 Vail rings the bell for opening day. It’s one of our favorite days of the year and brings in skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts from around the world. To make sure your opening day is epic, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Be Prepared for Lines: lift lines are a given, but also factor in parking, rental shops, and restaurants. Making reservations ahead of time help ensure your day flows like the perfect S line.
2. Reactivate or Print New Pass: make sure you have your pass ready to go or you will be forced to sit in one of the slowest lines in history – the ticket line. Just in case, bring valid photo ID and receipt of pass purchase to get pass reprinted if necessary.
3. Variable Conditions: Vail does a lot to ensure the mountain is safe, but it is still early season. Be careful with brand new equipment – you’ll be getting the feel for it and rocks, branches, etc may be present. 
4. Layer: temperatures have been fluctuating. Earlier this week was up to 60 degrees in the day and down below freezing in the evenings. Layer attire appropriately to be prepared for variable weather.
5. Be Aware of Others: this is a day of excitement for all, but for most of us, its been months since we’ve been on the snow. Remember everyone is just warming up their ski legs, so stay aware and keep your distance from others. 
6. Have a Plan if Roads Close: if you are traveling here from out of town, have a plan in case roads close. With increased traffic to hit the slopes comes an increased chances of accidents which may close the pass. Be prepared in case you need to spend the night close to the mountain.
7. Stay Stoked! The runs may be short, the lines long, but at the end of the day just remember that you are skiing on a weekday on the earliest opening day ever – and that’s pretty awesome.

Vail Resorts has decided to bring back its famous Ice Bar that was created in the 1960s when the resort first opened! Thanks to Bill Whiteford, the original ice bar was created in February of 1965. This is very exciting news because the original ice bar only lasted for one season back when the resort first opened! Vail will be bringing back not one, but two ice bars this season to kick off its 60th-year anniversary!

The two ice bars will be built at Eagle’s Nest and Wildwood located on the top of the mountain! In addition to the ice bars, there will be plastic “igloos” with metal frames that guests can reserve ahead of time for use. Skiers and snowboarders alike will be able to enjoy a full bar and limited food menus. Vail is hoping to have the two bars up and running by December!

We look forward to seeing you on the mountain this season!

I love this time of year for many reasons: fresh snow, a quieter village, and crisp mornings. Winter is on its way and while that means powder days are on the way, it also means that the holiday craziness if fast approaching. Over the weekend, I watched one of my favorite shows The Home Edit. If you haven’t watched, two women started this home organization business that has exploded into a Netflix sensation and organization empire. The whole process of getting a home in order can be overwhelming, but they breakdown mini-projects that can be done each day for month to turn a chaotic household into a gorgeous and fully functional home. 

For week number one, here are their easy to follow recommendations:

Day 1: Check Expiration Dates

The Home Edit Blog

No need to take everything out. Just grab a trash bag and start checking dates. Keep track of the expired items that should be replaced or never bought again. If you have bulk items in canisters, make sure to write the expiration date on the back, either with a label maker or a washable chalk marker, because no one likes a stale pasta night.

Day 2: Tackle a Drawer

The Home Edit Blog

Not two. Just one. We always say, “If you can manage a drawer, you can do so much more.” And it’s so true! Drawers are a manageable project that will give you a bite-sized win without feeling overwhelmed.

Use individual inserts in various sizes to contain your categories, testing multiple configurations to come up with the smartest solution for the space.

Day 3: Master the File Fold

The Home Edit Blog

File folding is so calming—it’s basically a cheap form of therapy. This technique turns stacks of clothing or linens upright so you can quickly identify what you have, and helps maximize drawer space when you really need it.

Step 1: Lay the shirt flat in front of you, with the front of the shirt facing down.

Step 2: Fold in the right sleeve

Step 3: Fold both sleeves to the middle of the shirt. Fold the sides of the shirt slightly, it should never go past where the hem (aka the neckline stitching) begins on either side

Step 4: Fold the shirt in half from the bottom hem

You’re done! The trick to knowing whether you folded it correctly is if the shirt stands up by itself with the folded side up. If your shirts need a little extra support, feel free to add some expandable dividers into your drawer.

Day 4: Edit Your Inbox

Start by purging anything you no longer need and unsubscribing to any newsletter or promotional content that is clogging up your inbox. Then set up folders for your general categories (Work, Family, Travel, Etc.) and use filters so emails go straight to the inbox they belong in. From there, you can also prioritize these emails into categories that signal action such as Reply or Waiting For Reply so you don’t miss anything.

Day 5: Try a Turntable

The Home Edit Blog

If there’s one thing we know to be true, it’s that we *love* a turntable. They work practically anywhere in the home and can be the perfect solution for even the trickiest of spaces! Think about something that is giving you trouble. Maybe it’s the fact that you can never access the cooking oils properly in your pantry. Maybe it’s that awkward corner in your bathroom cabinet where things get lost in the mix. Try a turntable and see what happens!

Day 6: Tame Your Cords

Every device seems to come with extra cables, adapters, and accessories. Chances are, you probably don’t need all of them, BUT IF YOU DO…wrap a cord tie around each individual cord, add a label to identify what they go, and store them in a designated drawer or bin.

Day 7: Swap Your Hangers

Wire and plastic hangers are the worst. Sorry if that offends anybody, but it’s true. If you’re looking for the easiest way to update your closet and maximize hanging room, invest in matching velvet or wooden hangers.

All tips provided by The Home Edit Blog at https://thehomeedit.com/blogs/the-blog/the-fresh-start-february-challenge-week-1

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That is a great question! Jessica Flint, real estate reporter for the Mansion Section of the Wall Street Journal actually interviewed me last week, wanting my insight on what is so alluring about living down valley? Is it the stunning Lake Creek Valley with its endless ranches and iconic homes? Or is it Arrowhead offering phenomenal golf at Country Club of the Rockies, the Alpine Club and ski mountain access? Or is it the Singletree neighborhood, home to the Sonnenalp Golf Club and so many locals? Or is it the four Cordilleras, with four golf courses, three fitness centers and endless trails for hiking, biking or snow shoeing? Or is it the fun, bustling town itself with numerous shops and fabulous restaurants? Yes, yes and yes to all of the above! But the lower altitude combined with shorter Winters and longer Summer’s makes living here almost irresistible for many of us to resist!

Who doesn’t love a good ghost story during this spooky Halloween season? Here is Eagle County we have our very own infamous ghost town – Gilman. The rich history of this mining town tells a story of boom, bust, and a haunting legacy.

A Promising Beginning

Founded in 1886 during the Colorado Silver Boom, the town later became a center of lead and zinc mining in Colorado. The mining district became the richest and most successful in Eagle County. 

By late 1887, the fledgling town boasted a hotel, a boarding house, a general store, a billiard hall, a sampling room, a newspaper called the Gilman Enterprise, several saloons, and a population upwards of 1,000 people. Like many other mining camps, it also hosted several rowdies who might ride their horses into a saloon, shoot out the lights, and conduct acts of banditry and violence.

In 1899, Gilman was almost destroyed by a fire that took down the Iron Mask Hotel, the school, the shaft house of the Little Bell Mine, and much of the business district.

By 1900, some $8 million in silver, gold, and lead ore had been recovered on Battle Mountain. However, by this time, the area mines were no longer producing much silver and turned to mining zinc.

In 1905, The Eagle Milling and Mining Company reopened the Iron Mask Mine with a new emphasis on zinc production and installed a roaster and magnetic separator that separated the zinc minerals. In 1912, the New Jersey Zinc Company began buying up the claims and land on Battle Mountain, including the town of Gilman, and the days of independent miners came to an end.

Efficiency was an essential part of Gilman’s longstanding commercial success as a company town. The company began buying and tearing down all the old cabins and, by 1919, erected dozens of uniform houses placed in rows down the hill from the shaft house. With black tar paper roofs and gray paint, these utilitarian houses were well insulated and had electricity and hot water.

The company maintained total ownership of Gilman, including the housing, school building, post office property, and all of the town’s retail space. The company built a two-story clubhouse with a pool hall, basketball court, and library-lounge, that served as the hub for recreation. They also built a hospital, a general store, a dormitory, and a mess hall to accommodate 60 men.

The clubhouse often brought the whole community together for monthly dances, sing-a-longs, Hollywood movies, and holiday celebrations. Further entertainment was found during the winter when residents enjoyed sledding down the steep hillsides on cardboard, garbage can lids, coal shovels, and toboggans, sometimes to the base of Battle Mountain. Skiing was introduced to the community by Scandinavian workers in the 1920s, long before the nearby ski resorts were founded. In these early days, the skiers utilized plain wooden skis without fancy boots or bindings and made poles with broomsticks rammed through coffee can lids. The residents also enjoyed the unspoiled wilderness around Gilman for hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping.

Zinc remained the economic mainstay until 1931, when low zinc prices forced the company to switch to mining copper and silver ores. Amid the Great Depression, most industrial mining virtually ceased in Colorado, but unlike similar mechanized mines, the Eagle Mine never closed. Though the company did lay off many single employees and cut the hours and wages of remaining workers, comparatively speaking, the Eagle Mine was quite successful during this time, producing 85 percent of Colorado’s copper and 65 percent of its silver. In 1933, the company recalled many of Gilman’s laid-off workers.

But by the mid-1970s, most auto manufacturers had abandoned chrome in their vehicles, and the mine’s zinc reserves were nearly exhausted. A spike in gold and silver prices kept a much smaller operation going for a few years, but ultimately the Eagle Mine closed at the end of 1977. In December 1977, the operation laid off 154 miners after a two-week notice, with 16 remaining on the payroll. Afterward, some limited copper and silver production occurred, but that too soon ceased, and the pumps were deactivated, and the mine was allowed to flood.

In 1983, the town and its mines were sold to a Canon City businessman named Glen Miller, who planned to put the land to multiple uses, including converting mine tailings into fertilizer, creating new residential development, and the possibility of developing a ski resort. However, within a year, he sold the town to the Battle Mountain Corporation.

Disaster Strikes

Gilman became an official ghost town in the spring of 1985 when the Battle Mountain Corporation evicted its remaining residents, and the post office closed its doors forever.

After the closure of the mine and the abandonment of the town, a 235-acre area, which included eight million tons of mine waste, was designated a Superfund site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Massive amounts of pollutants had been released into the ecosystem, which placed the site on the National Priorities List.

Interestingly, CBS Operations, Inc., who bought Viacom International, Inc., which owned the controlling shares of New Jersey Zinc Company, was deemed responsible for the site’s cleanup. Cleanup of the mine began in 1988 with the relocation of mine wastes and capping of the main tailings pile. According to the EPA, the network of mines included “an estimated 70 miles of underground mine tunnels”.

EPA Updates Status

In September 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday issued the removal of part of the Eagle Mine Superfund site in Minturn from the National Priorities List (NPL). The deletion of Operable Unit 2 at the Eagle Mine Superfund site reflects the significant progress that has been made to secure the site and protect human health and the environment. Therefore, EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) have determined that no further cleanup response is necessary at OU2 of the site. 

Despite the new designation, the future of Gilman is still unclear. “No Trespassing” signs hang on the closed gates, and more signs are posted warning trespassers of “Hidden and Visible Dangers” and the “Risk of Injury or Death.” However, in years past, many have ventured onto the property, despite the warnings. This is evidenced by the amount of graffiti on the buildings and photographs taken by trespassers. Inside the buildings, x-rays are strewn about the old hospital; mine records remain in the offices, furniture and appliances sit rusting and deteriorating in the houses, and a rusty swing set and a slide still sit in the old schoolyard. Mine buildings are filled with old equipment and abandoned vehicles.

Tour tickets are now available to view the mine so book ahead: https://erwc.org/event/eagle-mine-tour/. Do not attempt to view on your own, as trespassing is strictly forbidden and violators are routinely persecuted. 

Notice: No trespassing means no trespassing. The Eagle County Sheriff’s Department stepped in and now cites trespassers with a ticket and a fine. To help with the enforcement of the no-trespassing laws, the local Crime Stoppers organization rewards tipsters with as much as a $1,000 reward. 

Best Places for Halloween Events

Looking for things to do in Eagle County this Halloween? Thankfully there are several family friendly events planned throughout the valley this season!

• 10/26 
  • Eagle Ranch Village 5-7 pm: includes games, photos, DJ, thriller dance
• 10/27
  • Gypsum Rec 5:30-7 pm: story time, costume contest, and drawing
• 10/28
  • Kiddie Halloween Party at North Coast Originals 4-7:30 pm: paper jack o’lanterns, cookie decorating, dipped candied apples, adult beverages & snacks.
• 10/29 & 10/30
  • Science Spooktacular at Walking Mountain Science Center in Avon 9 am – 12 pm
  • Learn about forensic science by dusting for prints, exploring with periscopes, decoding secret messages, and writing with invisible ink. Plus, Bravo! Vail Music Makers Haciendo Música students and staff will present a Spooky Concert, Spooky Forest Walk, and a Spooky Sounds Instrument Petting Zoo
• 10/30 
  • Minturn Halloween neighborhood trick or treating 5:30-7:30 pm 
  • Most homes are decked out in full Halloween decorations, so its a great place for an authentic trick or treating experience. Please note that Minturn has limited sidewalk space, so strollers may be a hassle.
• 10/31
  • Miller Ranch Edwards neighborhood trick or treating 4-7 pm
  • Vail Valley Trick or Treat Trot 2-5 pm 
    • Come and enjoy this safe trick or treating venue for kids of all ages. A wonderful Vail tradition. The Trick-or-Treat-Trot is Vail’s annual trick-or-treating event so little ones (and bigger ones) can run costume-clad through Vail and Lionshead Villages and collect candy from participating merchants.