text: Vail Daily column: Ski season just seven weeks away | VailDaily.com
  Vail Daily column: Ski season just seven weeks away
  As we finish the last of our full summer schedule of events, I want to express thanks, pleasure and satisfaction that the business community has once again prospered from the concerted efforts of the town of Vail, Vail Resorts and all of the business partners who contributed to make Vail and Beaver Creek as vibrant as ever.
  Fall means the last of the trees are shedding their leaves for the weight of the snow that will surely come and the business community starts to shift its sights toward the upcoming ski season so let's quickly look back at the short, but event filled summer season that the Vail Valley enjoyed this year.
  On the front end of the summer season is the GoPro Mountain Games, an iconic event that over time has grown to become the preeminent marquee kick-off to our packed summer events season. On the back end of the summer season is the newly introduced Outlier Offroad Festival that was a grand success and coincides with the brilliant colors of fall as a staggering backdrop. Two mountain lifestyle events to bookend a busy summer season and continue to drive the guest expectations, guest visitations and guests' loyalty to the Vail Valley brand.
  In between these two iconic events the calendar is bustling with King of Mountain Volleyball, Vail Arts Festival, Bravo! Vail, Vail Valley Music Festival, Vail International Dance Festival, Oktoberfest's, Vail Farmers' Market and the annual Jazz Festival. Wow. What a lineup!
  The other major initiative that has been going on behind the scenes and will be revealed for summer 2016 business is the next phase of Epic Discovery on Vail Mountain. The new Forest Flyer which will run on raised rails as it winds its way down the front side of the mountain and the Game Creek zipline canopy tour will bring thrills and add a whole new way for our guests to experience Vail's famed back bowls. Adventure Ridge is already a go to entertainment destination for our visiting families and the new Epic Discovery addition to Vail Mountain will continue to keep our guests loyal to the Vail Valley brand.
  After a highly successful summer season, most recent town of Vail sales tax data shows a 5.4 percent increase in collections over 2014 for the month of July. We've had an incredible fall leaf viewing season, and we wish to acknowledge our partners and all the teams that help make summer so spectacular in the Vail Valley.
  It is the spirit that we all harness and the community's passion that continues to keep us focused on providing our guests with the Vail experiences during every season of the year. The Vail Chamber & Business Association is the business communities' advocate, voice and partner and works in conjunction with all of the other entities within the community to help make the Vail Valley a vibrant and robust place to live and do business.
  Ski season is only seven weeks away and the snowmakers are back on the payroll preparing to make Golden Peak ready for early season training. Stores across Vail are receiving new merchandise every day and opening boxes to display what was ordered last winter for this season's business. Staffs are putting away summer gear, pulling out winter gear and anticipating the opening of our mountains. Hotels are cleaning, restaurants are working on their menus and the summer's flowers will fade away for another winter to descend upon the valley.
  Businesses are hiring and training is just around the corner for all our new staff and community members as we look forward to a great ski season this year. I can feel the holiday season already in the air as we say goodbye to summer and hello to winter.
  If you want to stay informed about all of the great things happening in Vail this winter please check in with the Vail Chamber & Business Association. If you are not already receiving our weekly e-newsletter, then email us at info@vailchamber.org.
  If you are interested in finding out more about the VCBA and what we have to offer to businesses in and that do business in Vail, the please call 970-477-0075. Our office is located on the top level of the Vail Transportation Center, so please stop in and say hello.
  Scott Speedy is the regional manager for Vail Resorts Retail in Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts. Speedy is a board member of the Vail Chamber & Business Association.