Breckenridge Grand Vacations

We recently received a wonderful letter from a new owner at the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and we believe it highlights how important service is to the entire guest experience including the sales process. The sales process is an important part of the Breckenridge Grand Vacations Esperience and we constantly strive to make it pleasing, informative and friendly as we do every aspect of our business. Read on…

Dear Mike and Rob,

My wife and I recently visited Breckenridge on the Grand Lodge tour package after signing up at the Denver Home Show through Orla who was both knowledgeable and helpful.   We had plans to ski Breckenridge in the upcoming weeks, and the lodging deal was too good to pass up.  The tour and sales presentation was not a deterrent to us as I have been looking into properties at Breckenridge, and was curious to take an inside look at the impressive Grand Lodge at Peak 7.

We received, in advance, an informative e-mail and phone call to confirm our stay, and were offered the opportunity to change dates, and a few lodging upgrade options.  Our tour was scheduled for the second afternoon at 1:00p.  I called to see if we could move to a slightly later time to better fit our schedule and were happily and politely accommodated.

We arrived at your 100 South Main office interested, open-minded, but still knowing that this was a sales presentation, and unsure how pleasant the visit would be.  I could see, and overheard from others present, some of the usual nervousness over the possibility of high pressure sales and the like.  I was not overly concerned as I had read a number of reviews relating a positive experience and no feelings of being pressured.

After filling out a survey, we were greeted by our sales representative, Mike.  He was cordial from the start, and early in the presentation dispensed with the issue of any pressured sales.  He asked only an open mind and willingness to be attentive to his presentation.  In the end, he explained, it would be of interest to us or not, and either was OK.

At the office, Mike reviewed the program and was most patient in answering our questions.  I was not aware that the property was on a flex-time system, and so I’m afraid my questions were plentiful and often naïve.  We then reviewed the map and model of the buildings.  As I mentioned, I have been looking at properties in Breckenridge, and pros and cons of owning a second property were weighing on my mind.  I’m a handyman of sorts, and knew that buying would come with the burden of my addiction to fixing/rehabbing things whether they need it or not.  The flex time perked my interest as a way to avoid this, and my wife and I were intrigued by the many options and flexibility.  We typically take a few multi-day ski trips each year, and one or two continental or international trips.

Now the most important part of my message, so I hope you’re still awake.  Next, Mike talked a bit about the company, and about you as the owners.  He was impassioned on both counts.  He spoke of your grass roots beginnings, working all aspects of the business with yourselves and few employees, your growth and success, and to cycle back, not forgetting or losing the sense of the earlier points in this sentence.  He was genuine in his high regard for the company and your involvement in the community, in ARDA, and your numerous awards.  This could easily have been the least interesting part of the presentation, but it was, in fact, the most moving.  It would normally be a small factor in my evaluation, but in this case became a larger one.

Then, of course, the fun part as we toured the facility.  I don’t suppose I need to preach to the choir on this one, but kudos to you for imagining and building a world class resort.  Location, amenities, ambience, and views, all best of class.  The room design and lock-off flexibility are outstanding.  Most that I’ve seen don’t get it quite right.  You did.

You might have guessed from the above that I bought.  Probably the single most uniformed decision I’ve ever made.  I have not ventured into any kind of time share, and so know little about it, and have nothing against which to compare. As we considered various options, Terri offered up a two-bedroom that seemed the best value and fit, and we closed.  There are a number of things that, despite my lack of knowledge, drove the decision to buy.  Enough that I won’t list them here, as this e-mail is far too long already. 

I do apologize for the lengthy message, but I did want to convey that this was a positive experience from beginning to end (or make that from beginning to new beginning), and give credit to those who helped make it so.

we flew out of a typical steaming hot and humid new orleans the last week in May in 2009. We had already had at least two months of 80 and 90 degree weather with almost 100% humidity daily. the week we were there was amazing. once we finally adjusted to the difference in the altitude it got a lot better. i've never been so thirsty in all my life. It seemed I could never get enough water to drink. we loved being able to do outside things without dying in the heat and sweating to death. we went white water rafting, horseback riding and some riding around just sight seeing and shopping, and lots of eating out! but the one thing that was so surreal was one day when we all were swimming in the pool at our resort, which they had heated to like 95 degrees, it suddenly started snowing! i ran to our condo to get the camera because i knew our friends and family back home wouldn't believe this! that was so fun for us. my children have seen snow like twice in their entire life and certainly never like this. The other part of our stay that was so amazing was how we kept seeing fox walking around our resort, not even seeming to be afraid of us. they told us that they were like dogs there, or squirrels, they were so common. One other big memory that my good friend and I laugh and reminise about often is one day we were walking around on main street in breckenridge and we noticed a large crowd of people gathered around. we walked over to see what was going on and there was a huge black bear in the tree right there on main street! My friend was afraid and saying OMG lets get out of here and I was like no way I'm getting pictures! I climbed on top of my van and snapped several shots while she prayed for my safety inside the van. Ha! we laugh about that still to this day. by the way, we're leaving in about two weeks to do it all again! this time we're staying for two weeks so that we can do even more!

Name: elisha coyle
City: denham springs
State: LA

The View from the Bottom is Mike Millisor’s monthly letter to all of the stakeholders of the Breckenridge Grand Vacations family of resorts.

I hope you'll allow me to crow a bit. My partners and I recently returned from the annual convention of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the professional organization of the timeshare industry. I have been a member of ARDA since I entered into this industry, and I never cease to be impressed by their work to maintain high standards of knowledge and service among their members. This is the same organization to whose affiliate, ARDA ROC, $3 of your HOA dues goes each year, to support ARDA's legislative watchdogs in safeguarding your timeshare investment.

At the convention each spring, ARDA conveys a number of awards for excellence. These awards include recognition of performance in each of the jobs that it takes to keep a resort running, from accounting to housekeeping to management, as well as awards for broader achievements. And each year Breckenridge Grand Vacations takes some of these awards home.

This year, however, we walked away with two of the very biggest. At the top of the list is the Project of Excellence, presented this year to Grand Lodge on Peak 7. We won this same award for Grand Timber Lodge in 2003, and we are delighted at receiving this prestigious recognition again. It is a confirmation that we are offering you the highest quality resort property out there.

At least as impressive to me, and undoubtedly to you, BGV also took home the ARDA Award for Project Team. Why should this award be important to you? We focused our nomination on the many ways that every department in our company cooperates with every other department to discuss and find best practices for providing great vacations to our owners and guests. This award, therefore, is about our commitment to serve up the best possible vacation experience every time you step onto our properties.

And seriously, we couldn't do it without you, our owners. I consistently invite your input concerning what you are looking for in vacation ownership, and cultivate your feedback about how we are doing. You do your part by providing concrete suggestions, which our executive team takes very seriously. We are constantly working to improve our resorts and our service, and you are the inspiration.

As icing on the cake, BGV was also one of several participating companies who won the Philanthropy Award for their sponsorship of the Christel House Golf Tournament. Christel House is an international nonprofit that works to alleviate poverty for children. Each year many of our employees volunteer to help with this event.

I hope that you don't mind me crowing a bit about what our employees have built. From the first time that Rob and I sat down to talk about what we wanted to create, service to our customers and to the community was at the core. While hearing all the congratulations on award night was fun, the real satisfaction comes from the recognition by the time share industry of what we are working to create here in Breckenridge. To get this kind of recognition in competition with companies like Four Seasons, Wyndham, Marriott, Starwood, Hyatt and Disney, puts us at the very top of the timeshare industry. And we are proud to have you there with us.

                  BRECKENRIDGE, Colo.—May 8, 2012— The Grand Lodge on Peak 7 is proud to announce that it will be co-hosting the 10^th Annual RCI Christel House Open International Golf Tournament with the Christie Lodge of Avon this year on June 11, 2012 at the Breckenridge Golf Club. This charity golf event helps children around the world to break the cycle of poverty and become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. Christel House learning centers -- located in India, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States -- provide education, nutrition, health care and character and life-skills development for children. This global event is “ONE DAY- ONE WORLD - ONE CAUSE” across several different time zones and over 1,500 expected golfers.  In addition, a percentage of the money raised by the Breckenridge tournament will be donated to the Summit Foundation in order to continue improving the quality of life for residents and guests of Summit County and neighboring communities.

                  Breckenridge Grand Vacations, the developers of the Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Grand Timber Lodge, and Gold Point Resort, are excited about sponsoring the Breckenridge tournament again.  Rob Millisor, the Vice President of Breckenridge Grand Vacations, said, “We are very proud to host this event with the Christie Lodge and support such a worthy cause.  We believe that giving back is important not just within one’s own community, but also on a much more global scale.  We would like to thank those who have donated, as well as those who have sponsored teams that will play in the golf tournament.  It is just wonderful to see so many of our associates, neighbors, employees and customers giving to these children.”

Christel House International is a 501(c)3 public charity. If you would like to learn more about the Christel House or if you would like to make an online donation, please visit:
https://donate.christelhouse.org/co

If you would like to play in the tournament, please contact:

Kit Armour
Phone: 970-547-3630
Email: kit@breckgv.com

If you would like to donate items for player prizes, the tent sale or tricky tray, please contact:

Rick Tramontana
Phone: 970-453-3587
Email: rtramontana@breckgv.com

 2011/2012 Ski Season Reflections

                 At 4pm on Sunday, May 6th, the 2011/2012 Colorado ski season came to an end as the chairs at Arapahoe Basin ceased operations until next year.  With one of the earliest closings in the legendary ski resort’s history, you could say that the snow was lacking this season.  However, as the masses gathered on the “beach” (Arapahoe Basin’s famed parking area) for one last hoorah, there was a strong sense of celebration and appreciation for another great winter in Colorado’s High Country rather than disappointment. 

                While many define the success of a ski season by how much snow accumulated on the slopes, I like to measure each season by how many days I was able to get out and make turns at the ski resorts and in the Colorado backcountry.  Yes, it’s true that compared to last winter we had far less snow, but that didn’t deter me from playing in the mountains every chance that I had.  For many of my outings this winter, the days of deep powder turns were replaced by sunny skies and soft snow.  For me, this season was not less enjoyable because I wasn’t skiing in a foot of fresh snow; this season  was simply a different experience that brought the same rewards that I feel anytime I’m doing something I’m passionate about.

                So, until the snow guns fire up this fall and the first chairs turn at your favorite resort, remember to cherish those days you spent in the mountains this ski season.  Enjoy the warm summer months and I hope to see you on the slopes next year!   

With so many dining options to choose from in Breckenridge, here are some of Breckenridge Grand Vacations employee’s favorites!

Briar Rose! They have a great bar and the food is tops.
Mike Millisor, President of Breckenridge Grand Vacations

Briar Rose is my favorite restaurant because of the family style portions, and the quality of meats that they offer. The atmosphere has a fine dining feel, but also has a laid back attitude that I enjoy. You have to try the rib eye with the red wine shallot demi gaze sauce, and mac and cheese!
Jeremy Crowson, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Timber Lodge Housekeeping Manager

Oh Yeah, Steak and Rib!  Best Porterhouse Steak you will get with a Baked Potato and Steamed Vegetables I have had in Summit County in the five years I have been here.
Tobias Bruning, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Laundry Technician

I particularly enjoy Ember in Breckenridge.  The ambience, professional service, and creative cuisine make me feel that I have spent my time and money well each time I dine there.
Brad Beverlin, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Director of Loan Servicing

My favorite place in town is Angel’s Hollow mainly because there is no masking or veils surrounding the food, or the people for that matter.  Owned and operated by a local couple, Angel’s Hollow is simply real good people making real good food.  And off the beaten path of Main Street, it truly is the hidden gem of Breck.
Laura Anderson, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Timber Lodge Front Desk Manager

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for an early season activity to enjoy on your spring visit to Breckenridge? Summit County offers an extensive system of paved recreation paths that are all free of snow and offer easy and scenic rides. Many ski shops in town ore already in bike mode and rentals this time of year are easy to come by. The Bike shops all offer trailers for little ones so biking is a great family activity. Here are a few options for easy paved bike paths that are all free and open now so you can enjoy some early season biking in the fantastic spring weather we are getting now!

Breckenridge to Frisco

• Rating: Easy
• Distance: 9.5 miles one way.
• Elevation: 9,600 - 9,050 feet
• Season: April to November

Pick up this path at the in town Breck Connect Gondola Station and take it north towards Frisco. This easy path winds through pine forests and mountain meadows offering views of the Ten Mile Range, Dillon Reservoir and more. The Breckenridge to Frisco route is mostly downhill and you can get back but riding to the Frisco transfer station and taking the Summit Stage to Breckenridge.

Dillon Reservoir

• Type: Loop ride using paved trails and roads.
• Distance: 18 Miles
• Elevation: 9,025 - 9,500 feet
• Season: April - November

The best place to start this scenic ride around Lake Dillon is the Snake River Inlet parking lot in Dillon just north of the Swan Mountain Road intersection on Highway 6. From this point you can ride a level path to the other side of the lake and end up in Frisco. From Frisco you can turn around or continue around on Swan Mountain Road back to the Snake River Inlet. Swan Mountain Road has an elevation gain of 500 feet and a section that is on the road so it is not recommended for small children.

Frisco to Vail Pass

• Type: There and back or one way with a shuttle
• Distance: 14 miles 1 way
• Elevation: 9,100 - 10,600 feet
• Season: Late May - October

The best way to enjoy this path is to park at the top of Vail Pass on Interstate 70 at exit 190 and put a second car at the bottom of the pass at the parking lot right off of exit 203 in Frisco. This path winds down from nearly 11,000 feet to Frisco as it follows the Ten Mile. This path is an easy and exciting ride that is good for the whole family and the best part is it is entirely downhill!

Here are the most recent updates for Grand Lodge owners form the April Owner Newsletter.

•We have installed new garage doors in the south building. These doors are much quieter and faster than the previous doors.

•Some owners have expressed that they would like more of a staff presence in the pool area, so the Front Desk is now walking through the indoor and outdoor aquatics areas throughout the day in order to hand out plastic cups, swim diapers, and other items that make the pool area more safe and enjoyable for all guests.

•The outdoor hot tub that is closest to the Phase 3 Ski Locker Room is being designated as “adult only” at the request of many owners. Only owners guests 21 years or older will be permitted to utilize this hot tub.

•We have placed more ski storage racks around the resort for the convenience of our owners and guests.

•The Phase 3 parking garage drop box has been moved outside of the garage, making it easier for owners and guests to return their parking passes and keys.

•We have some new activities taking place at the resort, such as “Color a Keepsake.” Please stop by our Concierge Desk to pick up your copy of our weekly Activities Guide!

•The new online Day Use system is up and running! We have already seen many owners take advantage of using this new system, and we look forward to further developing this system to add even more online owner services.

Pool Locker Policy Change: Owners who wish to use a locker for more than 3 hours while visiting the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 should use the Day Use Locker Room, as the lockers by the pool area have been reprogrammed to automatically unlock after 3 hours to ensure they are available for those owners and guests who are enjoying the pools and hot tubs. This change has been made at the request of several Grand Lodge on Peak 7 owners.

Grand Lodge on Peak 7 Day Use Policies Reminder: Please remember that Day Use parking reservations can only be made by Grand Lodge on Peak 7 owners and their immediate family, as defined as children and parents.  Owners wishing to take advantage of Day Use can reserve available parking no more than seven (7) days prior to arrival.  Upon arrival, owners must register with the Concierge Desk and will be issued a parking pass, limited to one parking pass per ownership.  Groups of 9 or more must obtain management approval prior to arrival and based on availability.  Groups of 9 or more will not be honored during peak times, defined as weekends and holiday weeks. Thank you for your attention to this important information!

Visit http://gl7owners.com/ for more information on your Grand Lodge on Peak 7 ownership.

Here are property updates for Grand Timber from the April Homeowner’s Newsletter

GTL has recently hired two supervisors to oversee the nightly activity of the property.  Both supervisors possess great customer service experience in their careers as a whole, and both present excellent knowledge of Grand Timber Lodge.  With the addition of these supervisors, the resort has supervision during the morning and evening hours, seven days per week.  We hope that this will continue to bring you exceptional service during your future stays with us.

When Mother Nature gives us mud, we make it grand!  BGV Activities will be hosting spring-tastic fun throughout April and May!  This fun includes, but is not limited to, a scavenger hunt with a twist; crafty classes and a kids’ club at GTL.  Please contact your resort Activity Concierge for full details and reservations!

For more information on our Grand Timber ownership click here.

Although there is still skiing in Summit County this weekend in Breckenridge and for awhile longer at Arapaho Basin it is clear that the season has turned here in Breckenridge and Summit County. The first hints of green are starting to show on the trees and in the grasses around Breckenridge and the temps have started to rise bringing the return of wildlife to the area. The snow has receded and there are plenty of great spring and summer activities to enjoy. The driving range is open at the Breckenridge Golf Course and the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area is back in summer mode.

The Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area is just down the road from Breckenridge on Highway 9 north towards I-70 and Frisco. It is easily found about 8 miles up highway 9 on the right going down the hill into Frisco. There is plenty of signage and it is hard to miss.

The Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area is large and there are a variety of activities to enjoy particularly in the spring when some of the other summer activities that Breckenridge and Summit County are known for are not quite open yet.

Hiking and mountain biking are two prominent activities to enjoy at this early stage of the summer season. The Frisco Peninsula offers an extensive system of trails that wind through the forest and along the shores of Lake Dillon. There are miles of trails to enjoy and most are easy to hike and bike with only minimal elevation gains.

The Peninsula offers the only frisbee golf course in Summit County and it is an amazing and breathtaking course to play. Like regular golf, the frisbee golf course is made up of 18 “holes” that are really baskets and just like golf the object is to sink your disc into the basket within the allotted amount of throws. Just like in golf each “hole” has a designated par. There are amateur and pro pars for each hole. Many stores including City Market in Breckenridge have discs for sale and they are affordable starting below $10. Frisbee golf is also a relaxing form of exercise requiring the player to walk the course which is about a mile or so long.

The latest summer addition to the peninsula is the bike park. The addition of the bike park to the existing skate board park had made the peninsula the place to go to try out tricks and jumps on a bike or a skateboard. The bike park offers jumps, bumps and other features to try out your skills on a mountain bike or a trick bike. The skateboard park offers a half pipe and other features to ride on.

The Frisco Peninsula also offers multipurpose and baseball fields for open use and reservations as well as a new day use lodge that is available for reservations and is a great place to host a party or other gathering.

So if you are travelling to Breckenridge in the next few weeks and are wondering what there is to do in the early summer season besides skiing, look to the Frisco Peninsula Recreation Area for some wonderful outdoor activities.

For more information visit http://www.townoffrisco.com/activities/peninsula-recreation-area/

So many stores in Summit County offer great end of the season specials on gear. Here are some the places Breckenridge Grand Vacations employees recommend checking out!

My favorite place is Mountain Sports Outlet in Silverthorne!
Melony Arnot, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Marketing Guest Services Manager

I like Mountain Outfitters, they run a good honest shop!
David Decker, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Lodge on Peak 7 Maintenance Manager

The Columbia outlet store in Silverthorne is always good for a nice, affordable pair of pants or a new jacket.  For new skis, boards or boots, I can never find anything better than the high performance equipment at Precision Ski and Golf in Frisco, plus you can get a new driver at the same time!
Josh Stuhr, Breck Inn Hotel Manager

My favorite store in Summit County to shop for end of the season deals on winter gear is Christy’s Sports.  Paul and Dan do a wonderful job of assisting an individual to size what it is they truly need.
Brad Beverlin, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Director of Loan Servicing

I love the deals at Main Street Outlet.  They have great outdoor clothing at great prices.  AND, all the staff there, especially the owners, are lots of fun and really helpful!!
Kit Armour, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Executive General Manager

Mountain Sports Outlet (MSO) in Silverthorne is a great place to save on gear in the offseason.  MSO sells all kinds of ski gear, snowboard gear, clothing’s and winter accessories not to mention a full selection of bikes and other summer stuff including having the best deals on rack systems by Yakama and Thule.
Mark Grattan, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Internet Marketing Program Manager

I do like Mountain Sports Outlet in Silverthorne.  The ski swap that is held the same weekend as Oktoberfest is always a good one too, but that is more pre-season than end of season. 
Ryan Huff, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Direct Marketing Manager

 

 

Breckenridge Grand Vacations, parent company of Gold Point Resort, Grand Timber Lodge and the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 celebrates being crowned with five gold ARDYs and three silver ARDYs at the recent ARDA (American Resort Development Association) annual conference in Las Vegas.  Two of the gold ARDYs are ARDA Circle of Excellence or ACE awards, the absolute top honors given in the industry.

The company’s newest resort, the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 was honored with the ACE Project of Excellence by the association, beating out national, big-brand competitors and taking their place next past winning resorts such as the Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations and the St. Regis by Starwood.  

“We couldn’t be more pleased and honored that our resort has been recognized with this prestigious award,” says Mike Millisor, President of Breckenridge Grand Vacations.  “We are incredibly proud of the product we’ve built and are ecstatic that so many of our wonderful employees have also been recognized.” 

This is the company’s second ACE Project of Excellence awards with Grand Timber Lodge taking top honors in 2003.

In addition to the ACE Project of Excellence, the company was a partner in the ACE Philanthropic Award for their part in the Christel House international golf tournament.  The tournament, which is played simultaneously across five continents, raises money for impoverished children throughout the world.  Last year’s tourney was played across 17 sites including the Breckenridge Golf Club and involved 1,800 golfers.

Additional Gold ARDY winners are:

• Project Team - Kit Armour, Ginny Vietti and Dave Stroeve
• Marketing Team – BGV Marketing Services
• Social Media Campaign – Mark Grattan

Silver ARDY winners are:

• Administrative Manager – Brad Beverlin
• Sales Person – Traditional Line – Drew Meirow                         
• Sales Person – Inhouse Line – Brent Henry

Breckenridge Grand Vacations is the parent company of the award-winning Grand Lodge on Peak 7, Grand Timber Lodge and Gold Point Resort. Since 1985, brothers Mike and Rob Millisor, along with partner Mike Dudick, developers of the Breckenridge Grand Vacations family of resorts, have been creating great vacations for thousands of families. Their solid, 4 component business philosophy—comprised of investors, owners & guests, employees and the community, has given them the focus for their incredible success in the vacation ownership business in Breckenridge, CO.  For more information, visit www.breckenridgegrandvacations.com.

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has almost 1,000 members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC). For more information, visit www.arda.org or ARDA’s consumer website at www.VacationBetter.org.

Maximizing the activities you can take advantage of during the spring and fall in Colorado can sometimes be tricky due to weather and conditions both in the mountains and on the eastern and western slopes of Colorado.  However, if you enjoy Breckenridge skiing, biking and golfing, then the fall and spring seasons in Colorado can be a great time of the year to take advantage of one or all of these activities – and you can even do them all on the same day! 

In the spring, the snow has usually piled up by late April and the temperatures are starting to warm on the eastern and western slopes.  Keep in mind that Loveland Ski Area usually stays open through early May and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (affectionately known as A-Basin) tries to keep the lifts running through the 4^th of July! This gives you the opportunity to take advantage of a long ski season while still getting out and enjoying those other activities in Breckenridge like hiking, biking and golfing.

In the fall, the snow making guns at Loveland Ski Area and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area fire up in late September.  Both resorts generally open for skiing sometime in early to mid October, depending on how often the temperatures dip low enough for the technicians to make snow.  While the nighttime temperatures in September and October in the High Country are usually near the freezing point, the daytime temperatures on both the eastern and western slopes of the Continental Divide are generally quite pleasant for all sorts of outdoor activities.  This makes it a perfect time of the year to take advantage of a morning of skiing in the mountains followed by a round of golf in the afternoon.  You could also put your skis or snowboard in the car along with your bike for a great day on the slopes and a great day of biking.

I hope you’ll have the chance to enjoy all of the seasons and all of the activities that Breckenridge has to offer!

Breckenridge Grand Vacations is always striving to get greener. As a company here are the updated stats on our company wide recycling program. These figures are based on average pick-ups per week by Waste Management and Timberline Disposal, as well as material we take directly to the Breckenridge Recycling Center.

Help us do our part for the environment by simply using the recycle bins located at all Breckenridge Grand Vacations properties!

This was our first year of recycling electronics and appliances.  This is a program that all resorts and offices took advantage of, and it was also offered to all of our employees. During our first year, we recycled 5.2 tons of TVs, computers, printers and appliances.

 

Property	Per Week	Per Year
Grand Timber
96 gal. comingled bins	12.5 cu. yds.	650.0 cu. yds.
Cardboard	4.0 cu. yds.	208.0 cu. yds.
Light bulbs/batteries		9.0 cu. yds.
Grand Lodge
2 yd. comingled bins	16.0 cu yds.	832.0 cu. yds.
(includes cardboard)
Light bulbs/batteries		2.5 cu. yds.
Gold Point
96 gal. comingled bins	2.8 cu. yds.	145.6 cu. yds.
Cardboard	1.0 cu. yds.	52.0 cu. yds.
Light bulbs/batteries		2.5 cu. yds.
Breck Inn
96 gal. comingled bins	3.0 cu yds	156.0 cu yds.
Sales Center
96 gal. comingled bins	1.0 cu. yds.	52.0 cu. yds.
Cardboard	2.0 cu. yds.	104.0 cu. yds.
Company Totals		2213.60 cu. yds.

 

With so much to see and do here in Breckenridge, we don't often think of the many other great activities that are within close proximity to Breckenridge.  Here are some day trips Breckenridge Vacations employees suggest checking out!

Our favorite day trip from Breckenridge is going to visit hot springs.  A trip to Mount Princeton Hot Springs is popular as well as sentimental as we were married there.
Joell Folger, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Timber Lodge Activities Coordinator

My favorite day trip from Breckenridge is to travel to Denver.  I love the mountains and at the same time truly enjoy the amenities of the city.
Brad Beverlin, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Director of Loan Servicing

In the summertime, I like to suggest that visitors to Breckenridge take a scenic drive to the Minturn Market. Every Saturday, this market features an assortment of items from farm fresh and organic produce to great breakfast and lunch items to gourmet foods, gifts, clothing, jewelry, handmade crafts, home decor, fine art and much, much more! The Minturn Market includes fun for the whole family with children’s face painting, a bouncy castle, live music, and over 115 market booths. Downtown Minturn is located just five miles southwest of Vail, making it an easy day trip destination.
Kimberly Tramontana, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Lodge on Peak 7 General Manager

In the summer and fall, I always love taking a day trip to Aspen via Independence Pass. This pass is only open during the summer and early fall months, and makes the drive to Aspen only 95 miles. The drive is spectacularly beautiful and happens to be the 2^nd highest paved mountain pass in Colorado! I enjoy driving over on a Saturday morning, checking out the great Aspen farmer’s market, grabbing lunch at The Red Onion, or maybe heading up for a short hike around the Maroon Bells which are the most photographed 14er’s in Colorado. It’s always fun to enjoy the scenery of this beautiful state that I’m lucky enough to call home!
Britton Fossett, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Owner Relations Quality and Training Supervisor

I love heading down to Beuna Vista and Salida.  It is at least 20 degrees warmer down there and there are many great hiking and biking trails, as well as camping spots.  After a long day on the trail, stop at Cottonwood Hot Springs or  Princeton Hot Springs to soak tired muscles.  Finally, don’t forget to stop at Bongo Billie’s for a great cup of coffee and snack.
Kelley, Jensen Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Timber Lodge General Manager

My favorite day trip is to drive about 45 minutes out to Buena Vista and mountain bike the Midland Trail! I usually go out in the morning and by the time I am done biking I head over to Bongo Billie’s in town for a nice lunch on the patio.
Gracie Ravenscraft, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Marketing Guest Services Representative

With the new wife, I have found us doing trips over to Glenwood Springs more and more frequently. On the way, you can stop and tackle the Hanging Lake hike, which is relatively short and incredibly scenic. After the hike, you can go recover in the natural hot springs.
Josh Stuhr, Breck Inn Hotel Manager

Check out mountain biking at Rampart Reservoir in Woodland Park!
David Decker, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Lodge on Peak 7 Maintenance Manager

A day trip to Glenwood Springs is always fun. The views on the way to Glenwood Springs are always breathtaking. There are always things to do in Glenwood: you can hike Hanging Lake, soak in hot springs, check out Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, watch people surfing in the water park, drive to Rifle Falls state park, or just have a nice lunch in one of the restaurants in this little town.
Olena Brack, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Administrative Manager – Sales 

I like to go to the Mount Princeton hot springs!
Melony Arnot, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Marketing Guest Services Manager

One of my favorite day trips is a spring trip down to Denver to see the Colorado Rockies play an early season baseball game. To me the return of Major League Baseball signals the beginning of summer and while we still have another month or so of really good skiing and snowboarding up here in the high country a day trip to Denver to see my favorite team play one of my favorite sports is a nice break from the Breckenridge winter routine.
Mark Grattan, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Internet Marketing Program Manager

My favorite day trip is definitely to head south to Buena Vista to visit the hot springs.  It is only an hour and twenty minutes or so from Breckenridge, and they have a couple of great and totally different options to explore: Cottonwood Hot Springs or Mount Princeton Hot Springs.  Soaking in hot mineral springs surrounded by nature is some of the best R&R you can get! 
Trish McNerny, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Vacation Rental Department Vacation Rental Specialist

 

 

 

 

 

An Article from the most recent Owner’s Newsletter

On your next visit to Breckenridge, venture off Main Street just a few steps, and pop into Ridge Street Wine and Cheese, a shop that offers a unique and affordable selection of wines, chocolates, and cheese from around the state and the world. The wine shop opened in 2000 with the goal of supplying Summit County with some of the finest wines from everywhere, and the cheese and chocolate shop opened in 2005 to offer guests one stop shopping for their dinner parties.

The wine selection is hand chosen by Certified Sommelier and Owner, Anne Dowling. Anne's passion is to bring to Summit County some of the most delicious, beautifully handcrafted wines from around the world. The selection of chocolates, cheese, and other items are impressive as well, as they try to offer as many high-quality Colorado products as possible. Ridge Street Wine and Cheese is open daily from noon to 8pm, offering wines by the glass and cheese plates during business hours. Special events held weekly are "Wine and Cheese Wednesdays", held 5pm to 7pm every Wednesday with a free cheese assortment and tapenades, and also "Friday Night Flights", where you can choose any three half glasses from the "Enomatic" for only $15.

Ridge Street Wine and Cheese also offers fresh baked baguettes, pestos, tapenades, gourmet baskets, and cupcakes. It is an excellent place in town for gifts, or just a little something for your dinner table! Ridge Street Wine and Cheese is located just off Main Street at 304 South Main, Breckenridge.

The View from the Bottom is Mike Millisor’s monthly letter to all of the stakeholders of the Breckenridge Grand Vacations family of resorts.

There is no question that the internet has changed the travel industry. According to Mashable.com, there will be 98.3 million online travel bookings in 2012. Most travelers no longer rely on a travel agent to find the best deal on a flight, a travel package to a foreign destination” or high quality accommodations. Travelers have taken their vacation shopping into their own hands.

In addition to booking online, travel shoppers can read reviews of their prospective destinations via many different venues: travel review sites, facebook postings, twitter feeds and travel blogs, to name a few. Of the research and booking tools out there, TripAdvisor has become one of the first stops for people checking out a hotel or resort.

The BGV management team watches for comments on TripAdvisor and other sites to determine whether or not we are meeting our commitment of "always great vacations". We have built our success not by focusing on sales as a short term goal, but by focusing on the kind of service that will build on the great experiences of happy owners.

When a poor review is posted on TripAdvisor for example, we review the complaint, investigate the situation and post a response as quickly as possible. In addition to addressing the concern online with our response, we make sure the issue identified is dealt with internally and changes are made to improve our guests' experiences moving forward.

The ability to post a comment, concern or complaint instantly to millions of people greatly empowers the consumer and can be seen by some companies as an opportunity for huge exposure. We welcome the transparency these tools have created as it enables us to gain further insight into our quality of service and allows us the opportunity to continually improve our product.

One impact of TripAdvisor may surprise you, however. While a few people may take a look at the ratings before they come to Breckenridge for a property tour, the majority of consumers who consult TripAdvisor are looking to rent rooms at one of our resorts. More than 90% of our rental stays are in units that our owners have booked and have put up for rent. That means the impact of TripAdvisor comments may be felt by our owners who want to rent out their unit/week in any given year.

The question you may want to ask, then, is "Does TripAdvisor present an accurate picture of a property?" The answer is undoubtedly "sometimes, and sometimes not." The resort has no means to control the information, and it is often only disgruntled guests who take the time to submit an entry. Thus, the impression created by TripAdvisor may be skewed. Luckily, most savvy travelers understand this dynamic and utilize reviews as only one piece of the decision making process.

We know that we can sometimes fall short of our high customer service standards, but we also know that most of the time we are successful at creating great vacations for our owners and guests. That is the information we hope makes its way to TripAdvisor and other online review venues.

So I encourage you: the next time you have a great vacation at a BGV property, take a moment to get online and let the world know. It will benefit you and all owners in the BGV family.

Since TripAdvisor is one of the most well-known venues, we've made it easy for anyone to read ratings and post comments to that site. The websites of each of our properties now have a link that will take owners, guests, and potential guests directly to TripAdvisor.com. I am proud of this for a couple of reasons. First, it is proof that we are confident in the experience we provide our owners and guests. Second, it creates the transparency we desire by inviting everyone to share their experiences. It says we have nothing to hide, and that we are proud of our resorts.

At BGV, we are committed to making sure that we provide the great vacations that generate praise. Will you please help us get the word out?

 

Easter in Breckenridge is always a wonderful time to visit. The weather is usually warm and sunny and Breckenridge ski area offers perfect spring conditions. This year is no exception with warm sunny weather predicted for Breckenridge’s Easter festivities. This year Spring Fever is in full effect with events, competitions and concerts. 2 perfect family events this Easter weekend are sure to bring good times for the whole family! These Easter events take place on Peak 8 and in the Town on Breckenridge. They are the Golden Easter Egg Hunt and the 21^st Annual Great Egg Scramble. Check out the information below.

Golden Easter Egg Hunt

When:  Saturday, April 7^th
Where: Shops around Breckenridge and in the Blur River Plaza
Info: Eggs filled with candy and coupons will be hidden at participating businesses and in the Blue River Plaza. There will also be “Golden Eggs” that will contain cash vouchers that can be redeemed at the Breckenridge Welcome Center. Look for advertisements in the Summit Daily News. Also join the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 7 at 5 pm. in the Blue River Plaza.

21st Annual Great Egg Scramble

When: Saturday, April 7^th
Where: Breckenridge Recreation Center
Info: Breckenridge Recreation Department presents the 21st Annual Great Egg Scramble! Get your picture taken with the Breckenridge Bunny and scramble for eggs at the Recreation Center! The Great Egg Scramble also includes prize giveaways and goody bags for every child. Our inflatable jungle and obstacle course will also be set up on the tennis courts for jumping fun in between scrambles! Make sure to arrive on time and don't forget to bring your camera and basket for collecting your eggs! All ages welcome, however egg scrambles are for ages 0-10. Registration is not required and this is a free event.

• 10:00AM Greeting on Tennis Courts
• 10:15AM Climbing Pit Scramble (Ages 0-2)
• 10:15AM Gym Scramble (Ages 3-6)
• 10:45AM Climbing Pit Scramble (Ages 0-2)
• 10:45AM Gym Scramble (Ages 7-10)
• 11:15AM Pool Scramble (Ages 3-6 then 7-10)

10:15-11:15 Inflatable Jumping, Bunny Visits, Jelly Bean Counting Contest and Coloring Pages!

Easter is Next Sunday April 8^th. If you are planning a visit to Breckenridge check out the Easter Sunday Brunch at Sevens Restaurant in the Grand Lodge on Peak 7.

$48 Adults $24 children 4-12 under 4 free

Brunch Items

Cold Display

Assortment of Smoked Salmon: Minced red onion – Capers - Dill cream cheese

Artisan Meat & Cheese display: Choose from a variety of Charcuterrie, Dill havarti - Smoked Gouda - Vermont Cheddar -French brie - Sage Derby - Sliced fresh bread - Dried fruit

Salad Station

Seasonal Field Green Salad : Dried cranberries –candied pecans - bleu cheese – Apple wood bacon - Blueberry pomegranate dressing

Vine Ripe Tomato Salad : Fresh mozzarella - Cracked pepper -Shaved basil- Cold pressed olive oil

Omelette Station

Assortment of Toppings – Fresh Eggs – Eggbeaters – Egg Whites

Assortment of Fresh Quiche

 Soup

Spring vegetable and barley soup

Four onion and wild mushroom soup

Carving Station: Chef attended

Mustard Glazed Ham

Roasted Leg of Lamb with Apple Mint Jelly

Oven Roasted Salmon

lemon and basil butter sauce

Sides

Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes

Roasted Summer Squash – Herb Butter

Green beans - Almond butter

Desserts

Chef’s Assortment of Pies and Cakes

Warm bread pudding - Crème anglaise

With so many things to see and do in Breckenridge, here are what some employees think shouldn't be missed!

I think the obvious answer is that you must experience the mountain. From skiing and snowboarding to a scenic chairlift ride, there is a way for just about anyone to experience the mountain and enjoy the scenery from the top.
Josh Stuhr, Breck Inn Hotel Manager

In the summer time, rent a power boat on Lake Dillon for a couple of hours and explore the lake.  It is an entirely different perspective of the county.
Mike Millisor, President of Breckenridge Grand Vacations

I would want to make sure I visited Chrystal Lake just south of town across from the Tarn. I would then take the trailhead up and around Peak 9 back to the lakes. This is so very Colorado at its finest alpine spectacular. This would be an all day adventure plus the fishing is also pretty darn good!
Dale Holland, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Director of Maintenance 

One fun activity, winter or summer, I would tell someone not to miss on their trip to Breckenridge would be a historic tour of Breckenridge with a tour guide from the Breckenridge Heritage Alliance. Besides being a world class ski resort Breckenridge is a real historic mining town founded in 1849 with a rich history. The tour guides are well versed in all of the local history and legends and it is obvious they love what they do. A historic tour of Breckenridge is a wonderful family outing. Just stop by the Breckenridge Welcome Center in the Blue River Plaza or visit www.Breckheritage.com for more information.
Mark Grattan, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Internet Marketing Program Manager

During your stay in Breckenridge there are many activities and sites to enjoy and explore.  The Breckenridge Grand Vacations Loan Servicing Department recommends the following: In the winter, it is always a fun experience to go sledding at Carter Park, and then go to the Briar Rose for their fabulous elk medallions.  If your visit is during the time of the International Snow Sculptures, we highly recommend that you visit this wonderful exhibit as well.  In the summer, we think it is fun to hike or bike the Burro Trail from the Quicksilver lift at the base of Peak 9 on the Breckenridge Ski Resort up and around to the base of Peak 8 and then back down through the beautiful Cucumber Gulch Preserve back into town.  This is a great ride and you may even get the chance to see moose or elk in the Gulch! In the evening, try to catch a sunset from the deck at Kenosha for a wonderful low-key barbecue dinner or if your tastes lean toward more upscale fare travel over to Relish in the Riverwalk. The culinary delights that the chef/owner of Relish presents are spectacular and the view of the Breckenridge Ski Resort to the west over the Blue River is inspiring.  Most of all have fun!!
Brad Beverlin, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Director of Loan Servicing

I always recommend that visitors to Breckenridge ride the BreckConnect Gondola, even if they don’t ski or snowboard. The gondola offers some amazing views of the Ten Mile Range and the historic town of Breckenridge, as well as the chance to see some unique terrain, such as Cucumber Gulch. Taking a gondola ride is a great way to also learn the “lay of the land” and allows visitors to establish a better sense of where other key points of interest are located.
Kimberly Tramontana, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Grand Lodge on Peak 7 General Manager