Winter Teva Mountain Games Web Series

Photo (C) Dennis Katinas

Creating a new event from scratch is always a daunting task. Especially when the new event is something as epic as the 2012 Winter Teva Mountain Games presented by Eddie Bauer.

With something like the Teva Mountain Games we like to share as much video and photography as we can. We hate telling you why something like the Teva Mountain Games is cool. We'd much rather show you and allow you to make your own decisions. With any luck you like what you see and get excited.

After a successful Summer 2011 Teva Mountain Games we immediately started looking at ways to show you how cool we thought the Winter event was going to be. Instantly we realized a problem... we have never done this event before and had nothing to work with. No video... no photos... nothing. All we had was a slate of rad events and a website that was pretty lame without photos and videos. To complicate things even further many of the events we are doing are by no means mainstream. Compelling video and photos for things like big-air snow biking or a ski mountaineering race is already hard to come by.

In the end we hired a great production company out of Boulder called Louder Than 11 to help us put together a four part pre-event web series showcasing select sports at the Winter event. It was really L11's creative direction and vision that made what you see below possible. They have spent countless hours sifting through whatever video we could get our hands on in addition to shooting on location in Boulder, Rocky Mountain National Park and Loveland Pass.

I was fortunate to lead this project from the Vail Valley Foundation side of things and still cannot believe I got paid to belay Josh Wharton (one of the world's best alpine climbers), make a couple turns with Pete Swenson (race director for the Colorado Ski Mountaineering Cup) and kick it with Jeff Lenosky and Adam Hauk in Boulder (both Teva athletes and Summer TMG winners).

As we worked through each spot and had the chance chat with Josh, Pete, Jeff and Adam it was fun to see how excited each of them are to bring this event to Vail in the Winter. We hope you get excited also. Enjoy the first three web shorts below and be on the lookout for one more piece specific to Mixed Climbing with Josh to be released soon!

PART 1: 2012 WINTER TEVA MOUNTAIN GAMES PREVIEW


PART 2: 2012 WINTER TEVA MOUNTAIN GAMES PREVIEW - SKIMO


PART 3: 2012 WINTER TEVA MOUNTAIN GAMES PREVIEW - TEVA BIKE


We have to thank a lot of people for helping us out with photos and videos. Thanks a ton guys... see you February 10-12 when hopefully we can collect some amazing photos and videos of our own!

Special Thanks:
Ian Anderson/ Backbone Media
Rock & Ice Magazine
Daniel Dunn/ CBST Adventures
Red Bull Media House/ Austria's White Style Event
Rich Crowder/Jon Glassberg/Jordan Shipman - Louder Than 11


-- Paul

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VVF's First Notes Program Holiday Appearances

The First Notes program has been getting a lot of show time this year around the holiday season, and we're excited to share some of those experiences with you!

Last week, First Notes performed with The Dallas Brass, who later played at the Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC) on Tuesday, December 15. Kim Hannold, who helps coordinate events at the VPAC, wrote this below:

Good morning, I just wanted to share with you all what a great day for arts education we had yesterday at the Vilar.  The First Notes brass musicians had some one-on-one with the Dallas Brass yesterday afternoon which the director, Michael Levine, said was his favorite part of the day!  Later in the afternoon we had Eagle Valley High School and Battle Mountain High School musicians participate in a clinic, followed by a rehearsal with Dallas Brass.  In the evening, the First Notes musicians performed in the lobby before the show, then Eagle Valley High School joined them on stage for one number.  Michael announced First Notes to the audience, saying it’s amazing that there were 3rd and 4th graders playing in the lobby!  Thank you Lindsey and Jean for your help in making it happen for First Notes.  As Lindsey put it, opportunities like this will have a long-term impact on their lives.  Enjoy the photo below and the cover of today’s Daily! 

 

And then, just this weekend, 6 young ladies from First Notes performed live on TV8. Watch the interview and performance below!

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US Ski Team Doug Haney's World Cup Notes

 

 

"Hurry up buddy, time is money." That was my friend Spook (think his real name is Kevin) shouting, while holding the cat tracked truck so I could catch a ride to the Birds finish.

 

Bob Condron always said, get to know the guy who has the biggest key chain. He's right, but in the world of winter sport, it's the guy wearing the most radios. Spook has at least five.

 

"Hi, I'm Jeb. Just wanted to tell you how much fun it's been volunteering this week. The U.S. Ski Team is making all of us incredibly proud to be fans." There were five other guys sitting in the truck bed with me for the five minute ride. The conversation went like that. I handed out a batch of pins, slapped some high fives and went on my way.

 

Funny, but the world seems to be taking notice too. My colleague Matt Futterman put together an amazing story that's running in today's Wall Street Journal entitled Is American the New Austria - As U.S. Skiers Win Races and Ink Deals, the Sport's Royal Power Frets; 'All the Kids Love Bode'. It's totally worth a read - http://goo.gl/XMGGo.

 

In Vail, all the kids love Lindsey and today is her first World Cup race at home. Here's the notes:

 

Beaver Creek, CO – Audi Birds of Prey 'the sequel' – women's super G

-       Toss aside that Lindsey has won four of the five races she's entered this year (in three different disciplines). Ditch the fact that last weekend she produced the first clean sweep in Lake Louise since 1997 for victories 43-45. Journalists have been asking her about all of these things. Lindsey's answer – "Lake Louise is Lake Louise, and I have to really just focus on this course and the tactics that are going to help me win this race," she said to Lauren Glendenning at the Vail Daily after the Tuesday free ski on Birds (Full story: http://goo.gl/y6flC)

 

-       They'll go from just above the men's GS start in Pete's Arena (Map: http://goo.gl/PK8j4). "It's going to be a fun ride," said women's Speed Head Coach Chip White. "It's pretty turny, but nothing these girls can't handle. The snow is perfect and totally edgeable. They'll have to lay it down in a few spots, but this is our kind of hill. They'll probably be pissed that can't run it again." Only they can, we're training here after tomorrow's slalom. 2015 baby.

 

-       The racers, wide-eyed with their cheeks pinned to their ears, said the same thing after the free ski. Turny, tons of terrain…um, Julia Mancuso. You can fill in the details here. She was in the finish for Ted's win yesterday. She's a keen study that one.

 

-       Stacey Cook has bib No. 1, but she won't be the first gal to do a super G race run on this hill. Resi Stiegler foreran the men's SG in 2007…and Mikaela Shiffrin wore F1 yesterday for both runs of GS. Beyond that, this is brand spanking new to the entire women's World Cup field. I've said it before, Birds of Prey has a mystique. That hasn't changed one bit with regards to women.

 

-       Watch Alice – another CO gal from right down the road in Glenwood Springs – she was 8^th in the season opening downhill after missing most of last season with a busted knee. She has free skied this hill a bunch and was telling the other girls about it on the drive to the hill this morning. Leanne, Kiley, J. Ford and Brooke Wales were all ears. The energy level in the truck warmed up my hour-old coffee.

 

While I can't say for sure, my guess is there will be a lot of 'sick' kids…and parents in the Vail Valley today. History is in the making my friends and Universal Sports is running the entire deal LIVE. You might want to check it out.

 

Onward,

 

Doug

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Support the Vail Valley Foundation on Colorado Gives Day

Bode Miller in his winning DH run at the 2011 Audi Birds of Prey
Photo (C) Jonathan Selkowitz

Today the Vail Valley Foundation is participating in Colorado Gives Day, a state-wide online initiative to promote grassroots online giving.

Our goal is to reach new donors with new platforms at grassroots levels. For us to reach our goal we are asking anyone with a little time to simply tell your friends on Facebook/Twitter or via email a little bit about what makes the VVF great and how they can easily help.

At the Vail Valley Foundation we do many things. Many things that most people do not realize they can support.

ATHLETICS:Things like the Teva Mountain Games, Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week, Vail Beaver Creek 2015 World Alpine Ski Championships and the Korbel American Ski Classic all require support from donors to the VVF's "General Fund."

ARTS:The Vilar Performing Arts Center, Vail International Dance Festival, Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Bud Light Street Beat, Bud Light Hot Summer Nights and ShowDown Town all provide arts and culture to the Vail Valley and require support from donors to the VVF's "General Fund."

EDUCATION:
Serving more than 20,000 children in Eagle County annually VVF Education programs give kids the necessary learning skills to succeed in school.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP:Without donors supporting the General Fund our ability to bring events, media, spectators and guests to the Vail Valley would be drastically impacted. If you are a Vail Valley local or business owner you would be impacted.

We are racing additional World Cup Ski Races in Beaver Creek as we type and bringing Lindsey Vonn to town to compete on one of her home mountains largely because of the generous support from our donors.

Without the VVF's general fund we would not have the ability to do many of the great things we do everyday that often go unnoticed.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Just post. Repost one of the messages we will be sending to any one of our Facebook/Twitter pages. This is an opportunity for anyone to support VVF programs they may not know they can support at ANY level. Messages will be posted from all VVF pages including The Vail Valley Foundation, Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC), Audi Birds of Prey, Free Concerts, Vail International Dance Festival, Teva Mountain Games and Vail Beaver Creek 2015. Share our post to your wall, or craft your own message and simply include a comment with the program or project you would like to support so we can allocate funds appropriately.

Send a Personal Email. If you are not on Facebook or Twitter but still want to help simply send an email with a link to this post.

Donate now. Simply click here to make a one-time charitable donation today. Include "General Fund" in the comments field so we can properly allocate funds (include "Vail International Dance Festival," "Vilar Performing Arts Center," or "Education" to support those VVF efforts). All donations received on December 6 will be increased by the FirstBank Incentive Fund or perhaps matched with Bonus Bucks or cash prizes for select VVF projects. 100% of your donation will impact the VVF when received on Colorado Gives Day.

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Support the Vilar Performing Arts Center on Colorado Gives Day

Sheryl Crow at the VPAC, Summer 2011
Photo (C) Zach Mahone
Supporting the VPAC on Colorado Gives Day helps us bring artists like Sheryl Crow to Beaver Creek.

The Vail Valley Foundation's Vilar Performing Arts Center is participating in Colorado Gives Day today.

Being a non-profit we need the support from arts lovers like yourself to continue to bring world-class culture to the Vail Valley. Every dollar raised today helps! Click here to show your support and please include "Vilar Performing Arts Center" in the comments field so we can properly allocate your gift.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Just post. Repost one of the messages we will be posting today to the Vilar Performing Arts Center Facebook or Twitter pages. Many of your friends, like many of our friends don't know how or where to help.

Send a Personal Email. If you are not on Facebook or Twitter but still want to help simply send an email with a link to this post.

Donate now. Simply click here to make a one-time charitable donation on December 6. Include "Vilar Performing Arts Center" in the comments field so we can properly allocate funds. All donations received on December 6 will be increased by the First Bank Incentive Fund or perhaps matched with Bonus Bucks or cash prizes for select VVF projects. 100% of your donation will impact the VVF when received on Colorado Gives Day.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP:
Did you know that ticket sales only cover 35% of the VPAC’s annual operating costs? The remaining 65% must be raised from individual donations.

Each year, more than 5,000 Eagle County students are given FREE tickets to daytime performances at the VPAC, through the STARS (Supporting the Arts Reaching Students) education program. 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:“That VPAC is a really great venue…a tight little room, really cool” – Blues music artist Keb’ Mo’

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Support the Vail International Dance Festival on Colorado Gives Day

Charles "Lil Buck" Riley performing for International Evenings of Dance II at the 2011 Vail International Dance Festival.
Photo (C) Erin Baiano

The Vail Valley Foundation's Vail International Dance Festival is participating in Colorado Gives Day today.
Being a non-profit we need the support from dance lovers like yourself to continue to bring world-class dance to the Vail Valley. Every dollar raised today helps! Click here to show your support and please include "Vail International Dance Festival" in the comments field so we can properly allocate your gift.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Just post. Repost one of the messages we will be posting today to the Vail International Dance Festival Facebook or Twitter pages. Many of your friends, like many of our friends don't know how or where to help.

Send a Personal Email. If you are not on Facebook or Twitter but still want to help simply send an email with a link to this post.

Donate now. Simply click here to make a one-time charitable donation on December 6. Include "Vail International Dance Festival" in the comments field so we can properly allocate funds. All donations received on December 6 will be increased by the First Bank Incentive Fund or perhaps matched with Bonus Bucks or cash prizes for select VVF projects. 100% of your donation will impact the VVF when received on Colorado Gives Day.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP:
The 2011 VIDF By The Numbers
It costs $10,000 to feed the dancers and musicians during the Vail International Dance Festival.
It costs $70,000 for lodging for the dancers and musicians during the Vail International Dance Festival.
It costs $85,000 for transportation that includes, airfare, airport transfers and local ground transportation.

Free Community events in Vail Village and Beaver Creek cost $20,000 and expose 2,000 to the art of dance in public spaces.
It costs $9,000 to rent three pianos for the 14 day festival and an additional $1,000 to tune each piano.

WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE VAIL INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL:
“Vail…a summer destination for dance lovers.” The New York Times

“This year the diversity in dance and people, and the excitement of seeing people we all watch on tv live made me want to come! We had a great time and I hope that the VVF will continue to bring young, fresh, new dancers, and celebrate all styles of dance.” Rachel Nelson, Vail local

“This year was our favorite year at the dance festival. The variety of artists were amazing….I have been attending the dance festival for more than 13 years and this year the new Dace TV night was one of my favorites. I am hopeful you will continue this new performance and make it a tradition.” Dr. Susan Vickerman, local Vail Valley Resident

RELIVE THE FESTIVAL!

More VIDF Videos

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Beat Fuez, An Up-And-Coming Swiss Racer

This blog post and opinion is written by Dak Steiert. Dak was born and raised in Vail, Colorado and ski raced at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail for much of his life. After racing FIS for several years, Dak is now building his own small business and trying to be a marginally productive member of society.

After a great day of racing at the Beaver Creek Birds of Prey
 downhill, all the attention is focused on American Bode Miller pulling
 together yet another fantastic win- and well it should be.

Bode said he felt apprehensive all morning while contemplating the degree of 
risk he would need to take in order to beat the competition on one of
the most difficult and intimidating tracks in the world.

Yet the
 untold story of the day from the American press will be that of Beat
 Feuz, a young Swiss racer who 10 months ago had barely scraped into
 the top ten of a world cup race, but today managed a razor close 
second place in the face of the same intimidation. 

Coming from 
seven-tenths behind Bode at the middle of the course, an often 
insurmountable gap, Feuz managed to carry significantly more speed 
than Miller from the steep upper section into the flatter final
portion of the course in order to make it a near dead-heat at the 
finish line, almost edging out Bode in the last few feet of the run.
 Having traveled 1.7 miles at an average speed of 60 miles per hour,
 only a meter would have separated the two at the line. A great race 
delivered by the match up between Bode’s leave nothing on the hill
approach that had him taking what he described as the fastest lin e
he’s ever skied at Beaver Creek, and the come-from-behind tactics of 
the emerging Swiss racer who made an advantage out of a portion of the
 course where most racers assume there is little time to gain.

Feuz has 
been on fire since last March, and a result like this on a very 
challenging hill will certainly bring confidence to carry him forward 
to a fantastic year. He’s already planning to work on his English so
he can better accommodate the press conferences that come with his
increased success.

- Dak

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A Post by Elior, our Birds of Prey Young Ambassador

Meet Elior, our youngest ambassador to the Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week. Elior's dad is a photographer here and brought Elior along to learn about ski racing. We've given him some assignments in writing and math and he has been a great addition to the team!

From Elior:

I was born on October 20, 2000. I'm 11  years old and I like to play board games. I have a mom named Monica (51 years old), a sister named Naomi (8 years old), and a dad named Nathan (54 years old). I was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and moved to Crested Butte, CO when I was 10 months old and lived there ever since. I'm an enriched kid in my grade (5th) and some people call me the future Einstein (because I do 6th grade math) even though I am not the best speller with common words. I came to the world cup with my dad because I got a fifth grade pass for free. It allows you ski in 21 participating resorts 3 days in each one.



 Here are my photos from yesterday.

This is how the board stands after each position that the racers got was announced on Tuesday, Nov., 29, 2011.  (Photo/Elior Bilow)

Ciel Folz, president of the Vail Valley Foundation, announces that the European races are going back to Europe after the races here in the USA on Nov. 29, 2011.  (Photo/Elior Bilow)

*Note: On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, Ceil Folz announced the races will in fact take place here in Beaver Creek!

Guenther Hujara calls out names as people chose where they want to place it on the board before the next day's training on Nov. 29, 2011. (Photo/Elior Bilow)

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Lindsey Vonn Excited to Race at Birds of Prey Next Week

 As you may have heard, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting the canceled Val d'Isere races here at Beaver Creek - we're calling them the Audi Birds of Prey World Cup Race Week Part Deaux. Most notable is the fact that this will be the first time EVER women have raced on the Birds of Prey course. Lindsey Vonn, who slipped the course in the 1999 World Alpine Ski Championships, is most excited about this race. We hope you all will be there, it is going to be quite the historical moment!

 From the lady herself:

“I am so excited, it's going to be an awesome, awesome race. I've always been jealous of the men, they get to always race World Cups in Beaver Creek and this will be my first World Cup in my hometown, so I'm really excited. I hope to see all my friends and family out there and I'm excited to try to ski well for the home crowd.”

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