Chef Barry Robinson’s Delicious Thanksgiving Feast
Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner this year at the Antlers, catered by Chef Barry Robinson.
This Thanksgiving, leave the cooking to us! Enjoy Chef Barry Robinson’s delicious thanksgiving feast. Ideal for those who’d rather spend Thanksgiving in Vail on the slopes rather than in the kitchen. Chef Barry’s classic Thanksgiving feast lets guests enjoy the excitement of a Vail ski vacation, while still relishing the comforts of a home-cooked meal. Add Chef Barry’s Thanksgiving Dinner to your lodging reservation by November 21, 2020. We will deliver it to your condo in recyclable, oven-proof containers in time for Thanksgiving Dinner on November 26, 2020.
Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner this year at the Antlers, catered by Chef Barry Robinson.
Vail Chef Barry Robinson will prepare Thanksgiving dishes he’s cooked for his own family for years. Dishes include roasted turkey and slow-cooked giblet gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with toasted almonds, caramelized butternut squash, savory stuffing, tart cranberry sauce and mixed greens with herb dressing. And dinner wouldn’t be complete without the Chef’s classic pumpkin pie. Chef will deliver the meal to your condo in ovenproof, recyclable containers for heating and serving at your convenience on Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving dinner is $45 per person (plus 8.4% tax)
Home-Away-From-Home Antlers at Vail Thanksgiving
Relax in the Antlers platinum-rated Condo Suites.
With our friendly staff and comfortable condominiums, we strive to provide a “home away from home” experience for our guests. Antlers condos are comfortable for families, groups of friends and even pets. All Antlers’ suites feature a fully equipped kitchen making leftovers easy to reheat. A spacious dining and living area, cozy bedrooms and gas fireplaces make relaxing easy. Book your Thanksgiving lodging reservation with us today. Enjoy Vail, a delicious thanksgiving meal, and all the comforts of home at the Antlers.
Simply add dinner to your reservation when you book your Antlers lodging, or call 970.476.2471 to add it on to an existing reservation.
This guest post is written by Vail local Gina Parrish of Make a Date of It, a website dedicated to creating date, travel, and gift ideas out of the things you already love so you can have more fun and stress less. Subscribe to their newsletter and follow them on social @makeadateofit.
When you think of Vail in winter, you probably think of skiing. After all, Vail has a reputation for being home to some of the best ski terrain in the world.
However, here’s a secret the locals have been reluctant to tell you: that’s not all winter in Vail has to offer.
As a veritable winter wonderland, Vail has no shortage of activities. From trekking the unbeaten path on snowshoes, to chucking snowballs at your loved ones, there is always something to do in Vail, even when skiing isn’t an option.
We’ve made a list of 10 outdoor activities to try out while you are here. Which are you going to do first?
Get outdoors and enjoy Colorado’s local scenery on snowshoes. On mountain and off, there are plenty of trails to check out within the area. We suggest Booth Falls Trail in East Vail or heading over to Minturn’s Grouse Creek Trail. Dress in light protective layers and, if the sun is shining, don’t forget the sunglasses and sunscreen!
The Antlers at Vail offers a limited number of snowshoes for guests to use on a first-come-first-serve basis. Inquire at the front desk.
If snowshoeing feels a bit too extreme, there are areas you can enjoy a walk without the need for snowshoes. Gore Valley Trail, the bike path that leads from East to West Vail, while for the most part unmaintained, tends to get packed down in winter. The scenic path follows Gore Creek and is enjoyable at any time of year. Wear snow boots with decent traction or crampons, then get walking and take in the fresh air.
So long as the weather is nice (that is, it’s not snowing and the roads are dry), why not take a scenic drive and admire the beautiful mountain views? A day trip to Red Cliff or Leadville takes you along spectacular Battle Mountain Pass, a scenic byway sporting brilliant views and plenty of pull offs for photographs.
4. Photography (+ Free Photo Scavenger Hunt!)
Time to pull out that camera on your phone and start taking photos! Vail not only has amazing nature views, but also spectacular art and architecture. Download our FREE Vail Photo Scavenger Hunt Challenge to print or use on your phone for inspiration.
5. Window Shop
Vail has two pedestrian villages full of shops and galleries to explore. Tour the galleries, observe the latest mountain trends, and people watch. The local retailers are always finding new ways to impress.
6. Build a Snowman
No matter your age, you are never too old to play in the snow. Use items you find in nature, like pine cones and fallen branches, to craft the perfect snowman. Bonus points if it looks like you!
This one is not just for the kids, either. Snow has many possibilities–you can ski on it, step on it, build with it, and of course throw it at each other. Just be sure to use the soft stuff.
Biking? In the winter? Yes, it’s a thing. Rent fat tire bikes from a nearby retailer and take to the bike paths for a day of extreme fun. Check out the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance recommendations on what trails to ride and where to rent.
Want to do a tasting of your own? Local retailers like West Vail Liquor have a wide selection of local beers.
10. Learn the Local History
It is always fascinating to learn the history of places you visit, and Vail is no exception. Several years ago, for Vail’s 50th anniversary, Vail put out a video history series, perfect to watch before exploring the iconic town. As you tour the villages, see if you can recognize the old and the new parts of Vail.
Another great resource is the Colorado Ski Museum, which has online access to pieces from their collections, as well as their Hall of Fame.
Enjoy the Amenities
You can also take advantage of evenings in at the hotel. The Antlers at Vail has a vast DVD movie collection, as well as a great selection of board games. These are complimentary to guests of the hotel and would make for the perfect family fun night.
Each Antlers at Vail residence also features a fully equipped kitchen. The Antlers offers a complimentary shuttle service to anywhere from East Vail to West Vail, including the local grocery stores. Try out a new recipe, like those in Ski Town Life, collected from ski town restaurants around the country.
It’s official – the Antlers at Vail has a beautiful, spacious new lobby and a speedy new elevator that accesses all floors of the hotel. Local interior design firm Casey St. John has crafted bespoke interiors for the new space. Large windows pour natural light into the new lobby and elevator foyer. General Manager, Magdalena King, wanted to tie together these new spaces with art that would not only adorn the lobby, but would be unique to the Antlers. She wanted this art to enhance our guests’ and homeowners’ feeling of being in the mountains. She sought to commission two very talented artists to help her achieve this goal. Enter artists Cindee Lundin and Bonnie Wakeman who have fulfilled this vision and created one-of-a-kind pieces for the Antlers at Vail.
Cindee Lundin, Faux Bois Artist
I had the opportunity to talk with Cindee Lundin a few weeks back, and had the pleasure of asking her questions about her as an artist and the pieces she has created for the Antlers at Vail. Cindee was an educator, and also painted murals in people’s homes. She has always had a knack for painting and enjoys it immensely. While studying to continue her career as an educator, one of her clients encouraged her to study art and painting instead.
On the way to Artistry
Cindee felt compelled to study art and wanted to pursue her passion. She changed fields of study, and began studying art fundamentals and art history. Cindee has now been creating art for her clients for 25 years. Cindee is intrigued by concrete faux bois art. Concrete faux bois is the artistic rendition of creating the appearance of wood grain using cement, stones, and gems. Faux bois art is now recognizable by many. Martha Stewart even began featuring her own faux bois collection a few years ago. Cindee is proud to create faux bois pieces and enjoys being part of this artistic movement.
Custom Faux Boix Panels for the Antlers at Vail
The collection she has created for the Antlers at Vail is all original and unique to the hotel. There are 73 pieces in all. From Cindee’s Artist Statement; Images of mountains are carved into concrete, trees are represented in the faux bois panels, the minerals and the riches of the mountain are symbolized with natural stone elements, semi-precious gemstones and crystals.The movement of the mountain streams are also represented throughout the compositions.The connection between us and nature is strong here. Cindee will be in residence with us in the spring of 2020 when she will install her faux bois panels.
Bonnie Wakeman, Sculpted Relief Artist
A sculpted and painted scene of a majestic elk in front of the Gore Range is one of the first decorative elements you will notice upon entering the Antlers lobby. Bonnie Wakeman recently completed this sculpted relief when she was in residence at Antlers last month. Bonnie was gracious enough to take some time away from creating the sculpted relief to speak with me about the piece she has created and her journey as an artist.
From Illustrator to Sculptor
Bonnie’s background is in illustration and design. She moved to the mountains in the early nineties. Bonnie began painting murals in her clients’ homes in Keystone, Breckenridge, and Vail. In 1995 her and her husband took a trip to Italy where she noticed sculpted relief everywhere. She wanted to bring this back to the US and so began crafting a plaster medium which can be sculpted wet and dry. Everything she has worked on in her life has come together in this art form. The pieces she creates involve mountain scenes and aspen groves, African safaris and lions, as well as any other scene her clients bring inspiration and passion to. She enjoys bringing the beauty of nature indoors through sculpted relief. Every blank wall she sees now looks to her a fresh canvas.
A Sculpted Relief that just suits the Antlers
The incorporation of antlers through a bull elk and the Gore Range in the background is one of the elements of this piece that she loves most. The aspens give the impression of being in a grove as the limbs even wrap around the adjacent walls. She has enjoyed partnering with the Antlers at Vail to create a piece that was exciting for her to design, sculpt, and paint.
We are delighted to share these talented artists’ work with our guests and homeowners.
Are you interested in commissioning art similar to what you have experienced at the Antlers at Vail for your own home or business? Please visit Cindee Lundin’s website Sticks and Stones Decor and Bonnie Wakeman’s website Transforming Walls to contact the artists directly.
Click or tap on a thumbnail below to view Cindee’s and Bonnie’s art at the Antlers at Vail.
In the shoulder season, activity around the Antlers at Vail slows down a little. It’s in this season that our staff likes to take time to see how we can give back to our community. There are a wide variety of excellent charitable organizations in the Vail Valley. One Sunday this fall, we shuttled down-valley to Gypsum to give our friends at Roundup River Ranch a helping hand.
About Roundup River Ranch
Roundup River Ranch is an incredible organization. They specialize in providing children the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors at summer camp. The children invited to Roundup River Ranch are some of the bravest around; they are those that face serious illnesses everyday. Their campers have the opportunity to take a true vacation from being “a patient” and get back to the fun of being a child. At the camp children are provided the medical, physical and emotional support of healthcare professionals – All the while having a great time participating in activities like horseback riding, canoeing, stargazing, and making arts and crafts. Camp at Roundup River Ranch is always free of charge for all kids and families who attend. This worthy non-profit is funded by the communities that the camp serves.
We were grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with Roundup River Ranch. We spent a day out of the office, and away from the condominiums that we usually look after, to clean the facilities at Roundup River Ranch. At the end of their busy summers it’s all about the cleaning, and we were happy to pitch in for the cause. Some photos of our staff helping out are shown in the gallery below. If you would like to make a donation to Roundup River Ranch, we invite you do so. Just visit the Roundup River Ranch website by following this link.
Antlers at Vail’s $5 million renovation project has reached its highest level, and celebrated with a topping off ceremony earlier this week. While the focus of the project has been the speedy new elevator and spacious new front desk, lobby and gathering space, it also includes a brand new two-bedroom residence. This new construction in the heart of Lionshead Village in Vail is now available for sale!
With the main entrance on the 5th floor, located between units #518 and #519, this new condominium will be identified as #500. This newest Antlers gem has very unique features, and everybody will love it!
Here’s what you can expect in this new 2-bedroom residence at Antlers at Vail:
Air conditioning.
A completely enclosed entrance. Access from both levels of the garage (as well as the courtyard level) is via the north elevator. It will be the only one of our 91 condominiums without an “exterior” front door.
Vaulted ceilings throughout the living room, kitchen and dining areas
Ample windows facing east, west and north. It may be the lightest, brightest unit at the Antlers with more natural light than any other.
Two spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms … unlike any of our other two bedrooms.
Two private decks … one off the living area and another off the bedrooms.
1,200+ square feet … compared to most of the other Antlers two-bedrooms which range from 900 to 1,100 SF.
A finish package to rival the nicest, newest condominiums anywhere in Vail. Note that a pre construction purchase allows the buyer to select their own flooring, woodwork, countertops, appliances and any other custom finishes. The offering price includes a very upscale, defined (platinum) level of finish. Any customization may cause a deviation from the initial price. Furniture is optional.
We are very pleased to announce that the Antlers at Vail’s new lobby and Southwest Elevator have reached their tallest point as of October 8th, 2019.
Hyder Construction celebrated this progress with a luncheon for everyone involved – both Hyder Construction’s staff and subcontractors and the Antlers at Vail’s employees.
Framing, and exterior walls are being installed this week, and all glass windows are here. Installing the new elevator car and its mechanics began today, and we are well underway to have the project completed by Mid-December. To view progress of the construction project in real-time, please visit our construction updates page.
We are thrilled to offer our guests an elevated check-in experience and a beautiful new lobby to relax in, a speedy elevator ride up to platinum-rated accommodations, and unforgettable experiences at the Antlers at Vail. We look forward to welcoming all our guests this winter for Vail’s 2019-2020 ski season.
Our staff recently rode along the Gore Valley Trail and enjoyed this view of East Vail while on a Charter Sports led bike tour.
Have you ridden a bike on Vail Pass before?
This summer Charter Sports was kind enough to take several of our employees on a guided tour of Vail Pass.
Charter Sports offers several tours each day in the summer that will shuttle you and your family up to the top of Vail Pass to enjoy an exhilarating coast down 3,000 vertical feet along the Gore Valley Trail paved bike path. On our recent tour we passed by a bride and groom taking photos in Vail Village, cascading waterfalls in East Vail, and radiant wildflowers along the trail. We enjoyed conversation with our guide Kris along the way and listened to his stories about living in the mountains for many years working as a ski instructor in the winter and leading adventure activities in the summer.
The tour was great fun and we would highly recommend this unique experience to our guests.
We paused at the Black Lakes at Vail Pass and took in the view before descending Vail Pass.
In addition to tours of Vail Pass, Charter Sports now offers E-Bike rentals. E-Bikes are a really fun way to zip around town. You can still pedal freely whenever you would like to, but let’s face it, cycling around the mountains is not the easiest activity. With the help of electronic assistance you can climb hills using half the effort of riding a standard bike. I must admit that while I was a little skeptical at first, after my first climb up a hill using very minimal effort on my part it I was sold. It was an absolute blast. Charter Sports E-Bikes are locally manufactured by QuietKat in Eagle. We think it’s really great to not only experience riding a bike around Vail, but to also have a truly local experience by riding a bike that was assembled near Vail. Charter Sports E-Bike Rentals are $65 for a 4-hour rental and can be booked by calling 888-295-9797 or 970-476-0202. They say their E-Bikes are most comfortable for people 5′ 3″ and taller as their E-Bikes are a bit heavy and limited in terms of being adjustable.
The nearest Charter Sports location to Antlers is just around the corner in Lion Square Lodge North – so feel free to stop by during your next stay at the Antlers at Vail to see which tours are available that day, inquire about E-Bike rentals, and have an awesome time riding around Vail.
Hannah Hervert at Cornell University where she will attend this fall.
Hannah Hervert is an ambitious, aspiring hotelier and marketing professional. Over the past few years, we at the Antlers at Vail have had the privilege of working with her. She started with us as an intern, assisting with our conference, and housekeeping departments. She also helped come up with some fun, new amenities that we have since added to our ongoing list of excellent amenities. Since her internship and graduating from high school, we had an open position on our guest services team that we offered to her. Hannah excelled at this – providing our guests with top-notch service, and attention to detail. We are proud to share that her hard work has truly paid off. She has officially been accepted to Cornell University’s Hospitality Management program where she will begin studying this fall. We are simply ecstatic for her to attend Cornell and begin her collegiate journey. I asked Hannah how she felt about her experience here at the Antlers, and here’s what she had to say:
“My experience at the Antlers has been one that I will never forget. Every single person here has opened up their arms to me, and I have never felt out of place. During the first year of being an intern, I learned so much about how each department works, and ultimately how all of the departments blend together to make up the amazing hotel that we have today. Through moving up to working the front desk, I have learned the importance of guest relations, kindness, and putting others needs before myself. This is knowledge that I will take with me throughout my schooling and future career. The Antlers has given me vast opportunities, and I feel so fortunate to be able to say that I have worked here.
As I am moving on to the next phase of my life at Cornell University, I am confident that the teachings that I have learned at the Antlers will help me in pursuing my Hospitality Management degree. I plan to seek two minors in real estate and communications, and I would like to go into marketing in the hospitality industry. Cornell has always been my dream school, and I am so excited to be able to learn from some of the greatest professors in the country, and to be able to share my hospitality passion with my classmates. I will be sitting in the same classrooms and walking on the same paths that many of my idols have (Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Bill Nye to name a couple). I am beyond excited to leave for Cornell, and I will always remember my time here at the Antlers.”
Our feelings are mutual. We feel very fortunate to have worked with Hannah. Our Assistant General Manager, Kim Rediker, also wanted to share her experience in working with Hannah:
“Two years ago, we hired Hannah as an intern at our property, with the expectation that she would serve as sort of just an extra set of hands. We intended to introduce her to the hospitality business, giving her insight into all aspects of operations, but without an overwhelming list of responsibilities. Well, Hannah soon proved herself to be way more than “just an extra set of hands”. She is an outstanding young woman with a strong sense of responsibility and an extremely strong work ethic.
After the initial summer internship with us, we invited Hannah to stay with us through the very busy ski season and gave her additional responsibilities in the Front Desk & Administration departments. She again made it through the season with flying colors, and upon graduation from high school, we offered her a permanent position as a Front Desk Agent. As a resort condominium-hotel property, we rely heavily on our Front Desk Agents to provide incomparable customer service. Hannah has been, without a doubt, one of our best. She has a wonderful demeanor, she is kind and welcoming to our guests, and she always handles problems and complaints with a calm and helpful attitude.”
All in all, we couldn’t be more thrilled for Hannah and the journey she is about to embark on. We wish her all the best in her bright future ahead!
Newly planted willow cuttings along Gore Creek. These will establish roots throughout the summer, and if they survive through the winter, will continue to grow for years to come.
Gore Creek is a special part of Vail. Residents and tourists alike appreciate the natural beauty it brings to our town. One of the features our guests and homeowners enjoy most about the Antlers at Vail is our creek-side location. But due to urbanization, Gore Creek is in trouble. In 2012, after numerous assessments of the health of the macro-invertebrate community, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) listed Gore Creek on the Clean Water Act’s Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters. Since then, the Town of Vail and other stakeholders have put programs in place to restore Gore Creek. We know that our town’s local businesses affect Gore Creek, so at the Antlers at Vail, we make environmentally-conscious decisions everyday. This past weekend, our team went a little further and partnered with Love Vail, a Town of Vail program committed to keeping our footprint small, our resources plentiful, and our contribution to sustainability top of mind.
Peter Wadden shows the Antlers staff what to look for and how to collect willow cuttings.
If you have stayed at the Antlers at Vail in the past few years, you have probably met Gabe Kossman who was previously one of our all-star front desk agents. Gabe is now our Conference Services Coordinator, and recently completed a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability at Colorado Mountain College. In addition to conference services, Gabe is also now leading our sustainability efforts. Gabe organized a volunteer session for our team with Peter Wadden at Love Vail to harvest and replant willows along sections of Gore Creek that are lacking in natural flora.
Gabe Kossman collects willow cuttings.
Our team had a great time learning about the importance of Gore Creek and doing our part to revitalize the area. By removing willow cuttings from surrounding areas where willows are well established and replanting willows along areas of the creek where they are lacking, we helped reestablish a vital part of the local ecosystem. Willows provide shade to streams and critical habitats for a large number of terrestrial and aquatic species. They slow water flow and allow the ground to absorb water and nutrients, stabilize stream banks, and provide food and construction material for beavers and their dams.
Previous General Manager, Rob LeVine, and General Manager, Magda King, plant willow cuttings along the banks of Gore Creek.
For more information about Love Vail, the Gore Creek program, and to find out how you can preserve and restore Gore Creek, please visit their website at lovevail.org/programs/gore-creek/.
As Vail’s opening day for the 2018-2019 Ski Season is quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about booking your next ski vacation! Imagine bluebird days, fresh powder, après at your favorite Vail eatery, and your lovely home-away-from-home at Antlers just steps away from all the fun. Here are the Top Ten Reasons to stay at the Antlers at Vail this winter as curated by the friendly Antlers staff:
10. Your furry friends will LOVE it
Even our pets need a little R&R sometimes. We encourage you to bring them along on your family vacation! Just let us know ahead of time as we have a limited number of Pet-Friendly Condos available.
9. Enjoy all the comforts of home in your Antlers Condo
Relax with a mug of hot chocolate by the crackling fireplace in your living room or enjoy the breathtaking views from your private balcony.
8. Free Courtesy Shuttle
Don’t have a car? Don’t worry. Our front desk staff will gladly take you to the supermarket or anywhere else around Vail. Antlers’ shuttle service is a seasonal amenity.
7. Weekly Complimentary Guest Receptions
Who doesn’t like free wine and cheese? Join other Antlers guests and our staff each week for a glass of wine and light appetizers January through March.
6. Spectacular Pool and Hot Tubs
What better way to unwind after a long day of skiing? Our two outdoor hot tubs and pool are the place to be after hitting the slopes. The views of Vail Mountain and Gore Creek are hard to beat!
5. Fully-Equipped Kitchens
Each of our condominiums whether it’s a Studio Suite or a Four-Bedroom Penthouse has a fully equipped kitchen complete with pots, pans, plates, and everything needed to prepare a culinary masterpiece. Just BYOF (Bring Your Own Food).
4. Our Friendly and Informative Staff
From our front desk team to our housekeeping team, everyone is here to ensure you have a great vacation!
3. Daily Housekeeping Service
These days, it’s hard to find a condominium-hotel that doesn’t charge outrageous housekeeping fees. The Antlers at Vail still provides complimentary daily housekeeping services to help you have more time for fun and enjoying Vail.
2. Free Parking When You Book Directly
When you book directly with us via our website or by calling our reservations team, we do not charge for parking! So, say goodbye to parking fees and to scraping snow and ice off your car. Help yourself to our heated, underground garage located just beneath our property.
1. Location, Location, Location
The Antlers is located only 150 yards from the Eagle Bahn Gondola, bringing you closer to the slopes, ski school, and all the shops and restaurants that Lionshead Village has to offer. With Ski Butlers Complimentary Valet Service, your commute just got easier! Ski Butlers will even store and transport your skis to the gondola – just wear your boots and bring your poles. Didn’t feel like bringing your skis along? No Problem! Ski Butlers will even fit you in the comfort of your condo with top-of-the-line skis and equipment rentals, then store and transport your skis to the Eagle Bahn Gondola daily.
Ready to book? Give us a call at 1-800-843-8245 or choose your arrival and departure dates by clicking or tapping the Check Availability button at the top of your screen.
