Dog-lovers have something new to celebrate: the return of high-flying canine sport and entertainment as the Go RVing DockDogs Arena will return to Lionshead Village for the 2021 GoPro Mountain Games.
Dock Dogs competition at the GoPro Mountain Games returns to Lionshead Village. The Antlers is happy to once again offer pet-friendly rooms for participants and spectators.
“We were crossing our fingers that we would get the ‘all-clear’ to bring dogs back to Lionshead, and thanks to great partnerships from Vail Resorts, the Town of Vail, and everyone involved, we were able to do so,” said Sarah Franke, Vice President of Operations and Marketing for the Vail Valley Foundation, which hosts the GoPro Mountain Games June 10-13 in Vail Village and Lionshead this year.
“We are thrilled to be returning to Lionshead. It is the
perfect venue for our dog-friendly events and has become an integral part of
the Mountain Games,” Franke said.
This year’s events feature the Orijen DockDogs National
Championships. But that’s not all: Along with Orijen DockDogs Big Air, Orijen
Dockdogs Extreme Vertical, Orijen DockDogs Speed Retrieve, and Dueling Dogs,
the Go RVing DockDogs Arena will also feature the K9 SuperWall.
The K9 SuperWall was a big hit in its inaugural year in
2019. The K9 SuperWall challenges athletic dogs to jump as high up a wall as
they can… like a high jump for our canine friends.
Public concessions will be available in Lionshead 11 a.m. –
6 p.m. Thursday, June 10 – Saturday June 12, as well as Sunday, June 13, 11
a.m. – 4 p.m. Live music from local artists will take place in Lionshead Pedestrian
Mall, as part of the GoPro Mountains of Music, at select times throughout the
GoPro Mountain Games.
All of the above is just one portion of the action at the
2021 GoPro Mountain Games. Learn more about activities in Lionshead as well as
Vail Village and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater at mountaingames.com.
Vail Resorts announced today plans for summer
operations at its Colorado resorts. Vail and Beaver Creek mountains
will open for the summer on June 19. Following a reduced operating footprint
last summer, guests can look forward to more activities on tap at the resorts
for the upcoming summer season.
Health and safety continues to be a top priority. The resorts will be operating according to local public health orders and will be following their guidance as it relates to face coverings throughout the summer season. Eagle County, where Vail is located, has set a target of May 27 to expire all local public health orders and rescind the local emergency declaration.
Grab a tube, hop a lift, get a rush on one of the two summer tubing hills. Photo courtesy Vail Resorts/ Andrew Taylor.
Vail: June 19 –
Oct. 3
Open daily through Sept. 6, then Fridays to Sundays weekly through Oct. 3
Activities will include Gondola One and Eagle Bahn Gondola (#19) for scenic rides, hiking and bike haul, as well as Epic Discovery summer operations including the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, Eagle’s Nest Tubing and Gore Creek Mini Golf
Saor down Vail’s Forest flyer alpine coaster starting June 8, 2018. photo: Andrew Taylor/ Vail Resorts
Epic Pass Lineup & Price Reset
Vail Resorts recently announced a bold price reset of
Epic Pass products to continue to deliver on our commitment of Epic for
Everyone and to honor the loyalty of our pass holders. Epic Pass
prices have been reduced by 20 percent across the board, and are now available
to purchase at EpicPass.com for the 2021/22 winter season. The price reduction
applies to the entire portfolio of the company’s North American pass
lineup. The Epic Local Pass is now available for $583 (down
from $729 last season) and the full Epic Pass is priced
at $783 (down from $979 last season). This reset takes these products
back to prices last seen during the 2015/16 season when the Epic Pass offered
access to only 11 U.S. resorts compared to today’s more than 70 resorts
worldwide. With the price reduction, the Epic Day Pass, which provides the
same season pass value to guests who want to ski or ride just 1-7 days, gives
guests the chance to visit world-class resorts like Vail for just $87 for
a 1-day pass.
2021/22 Epic Local Pass and full Epic Pass holders
receive free summer lift access and other benefits.
Eagle County Vaccine Status and Health Orders
As of April 27, Eagle County was the third highest county
in Colorado for vaccine adoption by population. 69% of the eligible county
population has had at least one vaccine dose. 87% of the county population over
age 50 has been vaccinated. The county goal is to have 60% of the total county
population vaccinated by Memorial Day to see some level of herd immunity to
provide some community protection for those who aren’t eligible for the vaccine
(under age 16) or can’t get it for some reason. This is key to meeting the goal
of expiring health orders on May 17.
“All of us are really excited to get back to normal
very soon. The answer is vaccines,” said Eagle County Emergency Management
Director, Birch Barron
Things will still look a little different than
pre-pandemic normalcy. Private businesses will still have the ability to
require face coverings. Organizations, such as the airports and transit, that
receive federal funding may still require face coverings.
It is very exciting to look forward to a summer in Vail
that looks a little more like pre-pandemic summers, with the town and mountain
buzzing with activity and fun.
Once upon a time the town of Vail,
Colorado was known for an epic line up of consistent annual events that drew
large crowds to this charming Bavarian mountain town. Then exactly a year ago
the first case of COVID was discovered in Colorado. A few short days later ski
resorts shut down. We were all left wondering what the world would look like in
the coming weeks and months. While we still don’t know exactly what lies ahead
over the next few months, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With
vaccination efforts well underway and continued social distancing in place,
case counts and hospitalizations have declined. Our community is headed in the
right direction.
The Vail Valley Foundation’s announcement this morning that GoPro Mountain Games will return June 10-13, 2021 brought an unexpected burst of joy to this resident’s heart. That the outdoor adventure sports competition will again feature whitewater sports, mountain biking, road biking, fishing, trail running, DockDogs, disc golf, yoga, a photo competition, three nights of GoPro Mountains of Music (livestreamed and limited in-person capacity) made the hope that I have been feeling about the future a bit brighter.
DockDogs competition at the GoPro Mountain Games. The Antlers is happy to once again offer pet-friendly rooms for participants and spectators.
“We are BACK, and we
could not be more excited to bring some joy, vitality and positivity into
people’s lives in the fresh air and sunshine of this beautiful mountain
setting,” said GoPro Mountain Games Event Director Dave Dressman.
This announcement
really does just that — bring joy, vitality and positivity to our community.
While spectator participation and activities
are expected to be curtailed, and in some cases eliminated, due to ongoing
public health restrictions, this announcement still signifies a return of some
of the things we love so much about our home in the mountains of Colorado.
Dressman continues, “It takes months of planning and many, many key partners to make this event happen. The support we have received from our sponsors, the Town of Vail and Vail Resorts is remarkable, and it speaks to the power of the Mountain Games brand. We have looked at this from every angle and we feel confident we have a strong baseline plan to execute a safe, high-level, athlete-focused GoPro Mountain Games this June.”
Antlers General Manager says, “We understand that it “takes a Valley” to make such a wonderful event happen, and we cannot be happier and proud of the Town of Vail and the Eagle County for moving forward with this event. The Antlers at Vail is once again ready to support our community by providing discounted lodging rates for anyone who wants to enjoy the celebration of outdoor sports at the GoPro Mountain Games. We do this while taking our mission of keeping everyone healthy by following the Eagle County “5 commitments of Covid-19 Containment.”
Vail Valley Foundation organizers said they are going to take
all the energy and excitement of the GoPro Mountain Games and concentrate it on
core components of the event to ensure that both “pro and joe” athletes can get
back to the water, trails, and competition after nearly a year of limited
adventure sports competition opportunities.
The event will also include three nights of GoPro Mountains of
Music headliner concerts (in-person and livestreamed) from the Gerald R. Ford
Amphitheater, and a daily ‘SportsCenter-style’ live broadcast produced by
Outside TV, which will open the livestream concert each evening. Athlete
registration is expected to open April 9, 2021.
GoPro Mountain Games will kick off a new and improved season of
2021 summer events in Vail. This summer may look like a mesh of typical summers
peppered with some of the adaptations we saw in summer of 2020. Last summer saw
the introduction of a small stage at Ford Park, as well as small pop up
performances throughout the villages. Those are likely to return and be
incorporated into the schedule as large events return.
Based on funding the Vail Commission on Special Events has
agreed upon you can expect a return in some possibly modified format of the
Vail Farmers Market and Art Show, Bravo! Vail, Vail America Days, Vail Jazz
Festival, Vail Oktoberfest and live music at the Gerald R Ford Amphitheater.
“The Commission on Special events is very pleased that many of the “iconic” summer events are well into planning for a return in 2021 and have received funding from the Town of Vail. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, as Vail welcomes back events such as the Vail Lacrosse Tournament, The King of The Mountain Volleyball Tournament, Vail Arts Festival, the Kids Adventure Games, Vail Craft Beer Classic, and Gourmet on Gore (just to name a few),” said Antlers Assistant General Manager and Commission of Special Events member Kim Newbury Rediker. “Our fresh air and wide open spaces are perfectly suited for hosting these outdoor events in a safe, yet fun, way.”
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.
We always say how much we love our guests. Many really do become like part of our family. But every once in a while, one reminds us of something else to love. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that you helped create a memory that brings someone back home to the Antlers. And, that even after 35 years there is one thing that hasn’t changed — the heart and soul of the Antlers — our dedication to warmly welcoming guests to our home.
Melissa and Jeff Gilchrist first visited us thirty-five years ago. They met in college in Wisconsin. They were married on June 29, 1986 outside of Chicago. The following day on June 30, 1986 they arrived at the Antlers at Vail. Things were very different then. They planned their honeymoon using a travel agent and brochures that the agent provided to them.
Cover of Antlers at Vail print brochure that helped the Gilchrists decide upon Antlers as Vail as their honeymoon destination in 1985.
Vail became their chosen destination because it was a place where they could both enjoy the different things they like to do. Jeff loves to fish. Melissa was looking for relaxation and hiking in a beautiful environment. Those things haven’t changed.
In 1985 they paid $70 per night and received their seventh night free. They remember loving the kitchen and open floorplan of their condominium. Their favorite restaurant during that visit, Le Petit Cafe, sadly is no longer around. There are a few more homes across the Gore Creek, where Jeff caught many, many trout.
Photo of the covered bridge in Vail village in 1985.
This visit Jeff had more luck on a guided fishing tour than in Gore Creek. Melissa has really enjoyed the loaner bikes the Antlers now offers, as well as the other amenities. She’s been taking new hikes up the mountain and really getting away from it all. One morning she set out and didn’t see another person for more than two hours. She’s enjoyed the beauty of the river, the convenience of the village and that there’s plenty of things to choose from without getting overwhelmed.
Their first visit to Vail they have wonderful memories of a visit to Piney Lake. This visit they explored historic Leadville one day.
Map of Lionshead village from 1985. Much has changed.
In addition to the location and amenities, the thing that really stuck out to the Gilchrists about the Antlers is the motto, “The answer is yes, now what’s the question.” They saw that motto in action with the attentiveness that General Manager Magda King and Head Housekeeper Gladys Contreras showed them upon arrival. They were impressed with the cleanliness of housekeeping and responsiveness of the Antlers engineering department.
The Gilchrists celebrating their 35 anniversary at Sweet Basil in Vail village in 2020.
In the years since their first visit, Melissa and Jeff have raised two children. One of whom is now raising their own family. The other has an upcoming wedding this summer.
Our only question is whether it will take Melissa and Jeff another thirty five years to return. We hope not!
Thank you to Melissa and Jeff for sharing their story and memories with us. You have our heartfelt gratitude.
This past weekend we had the privilege of celebrating some amazing high school graduates. We couldn’t be more proud of Amalia, Owen and Vicky on their High School Graduation. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Amalia, Owen & Vicky on their high school graduation!
Amalia is the daughter of Chris Manning, our Front Desk Manager, Owen is Kim’s son, our Assistant General Manager, and Victoria is Cristina’s daughter, our Executive Housekeeper. We are proud of these kids and their parents! We are certain many success will follow them.
Amalia Manning
Amalia is a humble, reserved woman who attempts to do everything to the very best she can. She started walking at 9 months, in ski boots and a climbing harness before she was 2. Being the middle girl with 2 other sisters – she is always keeping up and at the same time pushing her sisters (and we should say parents also). Tessa (Mom, wife) and I have given up on trying to follow some of the climbing routes she can do.
She has participated in the battle mountain climbing team throughout high school and has been on the podium every year for the State competition (2nd place freshman year, 3nd place sophomore year, 3rd place Junior year and 2nd place her senior year). In addition, she also has been a part of the cross country team throughout high school and lettered.
I talk about physical activities but she is mighty bright also. Top 10% of her class, National Honor Society Member and AP Scholar. We are going to miss her next year.
Out of all the top schools she had a selection of, she decided to go with Colorado College. You may know an alumni that attended there – yep, Rob LeVine.
The beautiful thing for Tessa and I is that since she is attending college in Colorado Springs her telemark skis will not be gathering too much dust. We will hope that she will get the true college experience and not have to be attending on line learning for her freshman year.
Owen Ruotolo
Owen is a true Vail native. He was born in the Vail hospital and has lived in West Vail his entire life.
During high school, Basketball was a major focus for him . He was Captain of the Varsity Basketball team for 2 years, was named 1st Team Academic All State & All League, and three times received the the “Husky” award for leadership.
Owen also played on the Golf team, earning his Varsity letter twice and qualifying for Regionals.
He was a member of National Honor Society and graduated in the top 10% of the Battle Mountain High School Class of 2020. He also is recognized as an AP Scholar with Honor. In 2019 he was chosen as a Steadman Philippon Research Institute Summer Scholar.
Owen worked for three years as an outside staff member at the Vail Golf Club. In the fall Owen will attend the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill to study Biochemistry.
Victoria “Vicky” Rosado
Vicky is originally from Guayaquil-Ecuador. On 2006 she emigrated to New York with her parents at only 4 years old. Vicky started living the American dream in 2011 when she and her mom moved to the Eagle Valley. Here she developed the love for alpine and nordic skiing.
During middle school she took back up her favorite sport, tennis. In her freshman year she started playing for VMS Gore Range Tennis Junior Varsity team. Vicky was able to make the Varsity team after 2 years wining the Bibbo Award in 2018!
Vicky has embraced her Hispanic roots and culture been an active member of the Student Council at the Battle Mountain High School for 4 years. She has been a active member of the Spanish mentors program. And, finally in her senior was able to obtain her Seal bilaterally after 3 years in the making.
In the summer 2019 Vicky gained her certification as a bilingual teacher assistant for the Eagle County Schools and has worked for the Sandstone and June Creek preschool since then.
Vicky enjoys traveling and is enchanted by Art History. Her goal is to visit 100 museums before 20th birthday.
During the winter 2020 Vicky earned her US Citizenship.
She was accepted in the Le Moyne Jesuit College in Syracuse, New York having earned the Latoya Scholarship due her academics scores. Due to the recent pandemic she has decided to defer her first year an go to an small Community College “DCC” in Duchess County NY.
Your health and safety is of the utmost concern to the Antlers at Vail. Following is important information about COVID-19 in our community and links to important sources of information.
What to Know About Changes to Vail’s Offerings to Visitors
Restaurants are beginning to open with limited capacity, and many are offering To-Go services. Here’s a good resource of local businesses that are open.
Outdoor recreation is still encouraged, with social distancing in place. Hiking, biking, and exploring Vail will get you out into nature and lift spirits.
What to Know About Changes to Antlers Operations
Effective as of June 32rd, 2020:
Front desk hours will be 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM.
Daily housekeeping service has been suspended. Fresh towels and other items are readily available by calling the front desk.
Shuttle service will not be available.
The pool deck is open from 10 am – 8 pm daily, but is limited to 50% capacity.
The fitness center is open, but is limited to 50% capacity.
Update to Antlers at Vail Cancellation Policies
Any guest who has postponed their stay from the 2019-2020 ski season will have access to a lodging credit for the total value of prepaid lodging deposits. Credits will be held under the guest’s name. The guest may use this credit toward a future stay at the Antlers at Vail valid anytime prior to the end of the 2020-2021 ski season. You may call reservations at 888.268.5377 with any questions about Antlers lodging credits, or for the quickest response complete this short form.
What the Antlers at Vail is Doing to Contain COVID-19
Any employee who starts to
feel sick or who has a fever is required to stay home.
Hand sanitizing gel is provided in common areas throughout the
property for frequent guest and employee use.
As we have advised employees, we would also ask guests to please be sure to
take good care of yourselves: get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, follow
the advice of experts to wash your hands frequently with soap &
water for 20+ seconds every time you wash.
In addition to our usual
meticulous cleaning standards, the following additional sanitation processes have
been implemented.
In common areas, our Antlers at Vail housekeeping team is taking extra precautions to disinfect a minimum of three times daily frequently touched surfaces such as: door handles, key cards, elevator buttons, coffee machines, credit card machines, etc.
In condominium units, in addition to regular cleaning, daily cleaning includes disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces such as: door handles, appliance controls, faucets, thermostats, remote controls, and light switches. Antlers at Vail housekeeping staff wear disposable gloves for cleaning/disinfecting, and the gloves are changed between rooms.
What the State of Colorado is Doing to Contain COVID-19
The morning of March 10, Governor Polis declared a state of emergency for Colorado. While this may sound scary, it is actually really good news for our community and visitors. It proactively gives the state the ability to access funds and to put important prevention and containment measures into place. The state of Colorado has implemented emergency measures to contain the spread of the virus.
If you or a dependent
exhibit symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough and shortness of breath please call
your primary care physician first. If you do not have a primary care physician,
please call any primary care office or Urgent Care facility for further
instructions.
As always, thank you for being a part of the Antlers Family and feel free to reach out directly with any questions, comments or suggestions!
For additional information regarding Antlers at Vail protocols to ensure the safety of our guests, homeowners, and employees, please visit our Health & Safety Program page.
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.
