Press Releases

Rock n' Roll With The Stars!

Luxury hotel brand RockResorts launches program for guests who love to learn

Denver, CO, February 26, 2006 Want to experience - hands-on - how to manage one of nature’s great predators? Or get a crash course in the hottest trend in haute cuisine, Artisanal cheeses? How about taking a Nordic Snowshoeing lesson or exploring the sport fishing capital of the world with an eco-biologist?

Guests who want to learn a skill or two while on vacation can simply request a “RockStar,” a specialist in their respective field, from dog sledding to rock climbing. Luxury resort company RockResorts has launched the RockStar program at its resorts to provide a unique service for guests. More than just concierges, consultants and butlers who give advice, guests staying at the RockResorts will have access to a “RockStar” to enhance their vacation learning experience.

“RockResorts’ guests want a memorable trip all around, from the accommodations through to the special services the resorts can provide, which sets them apart,” said Bill Hall, vice president of operations for RockResorts. “All RockResorts reflect their locations in their services and décor and we want to offer our guests something that is cohesive with that theme,” he added.

With the introduction of the RockStars, RockResorts goes above and beyond the usual concierge services offered at many high-end hotels. RockStars can be found at the following RockResorts:

Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Islamorada, FL Keys – Who says fishing is a male sport? Cheeca’s Fish Whisperer is a female water sports specialist (and eco-biologist), who earned her title after devoting every waking hour during the past 12 years to playing, working and protecting the eco-systems of the Florida Keys. She takes guests on fishing and snorkeling excursions in this Sport Fishing Capital of the World, also home to America’s only living natural coral reef.

The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Edwards, CO – Snowshoeing is the new winter activity. According to Leisure Trends, this fun sport is up 40% over the last five years. Cordillera’s Nordic Snowshoeing Expert will share snowshoeing smarts including lessons, and new moonlight tours being introduced this winter. Now, that’s a different way to explore the resort’s 17 miles of maintained trails!

The Equinox Resort & Spa, Manchester Village, VT – A Master Falconer will teach guests how to handle and fly a hawk at the resort’s British School of Falconry. Guests can then practice their newfound skills in the hunting field, working in harmony with a specially trained dog and discover the role falconers play in the conservation of raptors.

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, NM – The Cheese Whiz spreads his cheese knowledge with one of the largest selections of cheese in the southwest. Guests will learn the background, history, aging process, and little known facts about the featured cheeses as well as their uses and presentations for home entertaining.

The Pines Lodge, Beaver Creek, CO – Experienced skiers can learn this trademark “free heel” form of skiing, known to be the original method of skiing with The Tele Teacher at Pines Lodge. Beware, this sport is only recommended for those fit for the challenge --- tele-marking for a day is the physical equivalent of doing several hundred deep-knee bends!

Rosario Resort & Spa, San Juan Islands, WA - Guests at this San Juan Islands resort can call upon the Marine Masters and go in search of orcas while learning about marine and wildlife in the pristine islands of the Northwest.

Snake River Lodge & Spa, Jackson Hole, WY – Q. Who knows kids and teens better than themselves? A. The resort’s new class of family travel authorities, The Kidcierges, who impart their knowledge and provide a kids eye view to their peers aged 6 to 16 on the fun activities to do (with and without their parents!) in this family-friendly destination.

The Lodge at Vail, Vail, CO – Guests at The Lodge at Vail can experience a different type of winter sport with The Mushing Maven, the resident dog-sledding expert who will show guests a new way to travel through snow and ice.

Keystone Lodge, Keystone, CO – From past to present, the Eco Olympian, Jana Hlavaty (a former Olympic athlete) knows Dercum Mountain like no other. Guests can trek the summit with this local guide to learn about the native animals, wildflowers, trees, and history of the area.

For more information on the RockStars, visit www.rockresorts.com and start learning!

The RockResorts collection features casually elegant resorts in seven U.S. states. The luxury portfolio includes: The Lodge at Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs, CA.; The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, CO.; Keystone Lodge in Keystone, CO; The Lodge at Vail in Vail, CO; La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in Santa Fe, N.M.; Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, FL.; The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, Edwards, CO; The Equinox Resort & Spa in Manchester Village, VT; Rosario Resort & Spa on Orcas Island, WA.; and Snake River Lodge & Spa in Jackson Hole, WY. The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort in Vail Colorado, is also currently under development. RockResorts, based in Denver, CO, is a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc., a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:MTN). Visit the new online pressroom, including downloadable image archive, at http://media.rockresorts.com.