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Introduction
Vail is the biggest ski resort in the USA by far, and very possibly the best. Built in the 1960s as a faux Austrian village for an easy-going upmarket clientele, Vail has transformed in recent years into a destination for everyone.
The traffic-free village which meanders along the slopes is mostly attractive, with smart hotels, shops and restaurants, but it's not overly expensive and there are reasonably priced places to stay nearby.
The amount of skiing is monstrous, from the conventional pistes on the front face, to the big, open Back Bowls, to the rough and tumble of the ungroomed Blue Sky Basin. The resort is eco-friendly, with energy credits against all the lifts, solar panels on mountain restaurants and hybrid low-pollution buses.
The traffic-free village which meanders along the slopes is mostly attractive, with smart hotels, shops and restaurants, but it's not overly expensive and there are reasonably priced places to stay nearby.
The amount of skiing is monstrous, from the conventional pistes on the front face, to the big, open Back Bowls, to the rough and tumble of the ungroomed Blue Sky Basin. The resort is eco-friendly, with energy credits against all the lifts, solar panels on mountain restaurants and hybrid low-pollution buses.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 2,476m (8,120ft).
Top elevation: 3,527m (11,570ft).
Base elevation: 2,476m (8,120ft).
Number of lifts: 32.
Number of runs: 193.
Average annual snowfall: 8.8m (29ft).
Where in the world?
is located on I-70, two hours west of Denver, in Colorado's Rocky Mountains.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from mid November until mid April.
Vail's newest attraction is Blue Sky Basin, a rugged, wooded area a 10km (6-mile) ski from the village which offers the adventurous feel of out-of-bounds slopes within the safety of the resort. The huge open Back Bowls enable all levels to get to grips with powder skiing while the pistes at the front snake through the trees with views over the Vail Valley.
The resort has excellent beginner slopes, although they can get crowded. There is endless skiing for all levels along with hidden fun for experts such as narrow, tree-rooty Hairbag Alley and the Minturn Mile, an off-piste run much longer than that starting in the Back Bowls and thundering down a creek to the town of Minturn and its lively saloon.
Four terrain parks and a superpipe add to the fun for snowboarders. Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin are included on the same lift pass.
Vail's newest attraction is Blue Sky Basin, a rugged, wooded area a 10km (6-mile) ski from the village which offers the adventurous feel of out-of-bounds slopes within the safety of the resort. The huge open Back Bowls enable all levels to get to grips with powder skiing while the pistes at the front snake through the trees with views over the Vail Valley.
The resort has excellent beginner slopes, although they can get crowded. There is endless skiing for all levels along with hidden fun for experts such as narrow, tree-rooty Hairbag Alley and the Minturn Mile, an off-piste run much longer than that starting in the Back Bowls and thundering down a creek to the town of Minturn and its lively saloon.
Four terrain parks and a superpipe add to the fun for snowboarders. Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin are included on the same lift pass.
Beyond the slopes
Adventure Ridge is a mountaintop centre for fun where you can snowshoe, snowmobile, skate, slide on giant inner tubes, ski-bike and more all day and into the night, with its own restaurant.
You can visit other resort towns such as Breckenridge and Aspen on a day trip.
You can visit other resort towns such as Breckenridge and Aspen on a day trip.
Family fun
The Golden Peak Children's Centre is the focus of activities for children aged three to six, from ski school to the Small World Play School Nursery, with a major revamp for the 2007/8 season. Adventure Ridge is a great attraction, with a children's snowmobile track.
Retail therapy
There are plenty of shops in Vail, but mostly upmarket boutiques, galleries and ski and souvenir stores. Nearby Avon has a more realistic selection, although Silverthorne with its factory outlet malls 50 minutes away is better, with discount Ralph Lauren, shoes, luggage and so on.
Après ski
Vail's après scene is lively with plenty of options in Vail Village and its fast-improving Lionshead annex. At the Lionshead gondola, the Lion's Den is lively, as is Garfinkels with its deck.
In Vail Village the Red Lion and Tap Room (both Bridge Street) are busy from early until late. Sanctuary, above the Tap Room, and FuBar and Bridge (all Bridge Street) are rated for dance music. 8150 (143 East Meadow Drive) has live music while The Club (Seibert Circle) has wacky acoustic performers. Mickey's piano bar (Lodge at Vail, 174 East Gore Creek Drive) and the bar at Bully Ranch (Sonnenalp, 20 Vail Road) are less frenetic.
In Vail Village the Red Lion and Tap Room (both Bridge Street) are busy from early until late. Sanctuary, above the Tap Room, and FuBar and Bridge (all Bridge Street) are rated for dance music. 8150 (143 East Meadow Drive) has live music while The Club (Seibert Circle) has wacky acoustic performers. Mickey's piano bar (Lodge at Vail, 174 East Gore Creek Drive) and the bar at Bully Ranch (Sonnenalp, 20 Vail Road) are less frenetic.
Eating out
The choice is endless, and good too. Try the elegant Wildflower (Lodge at Vail), or the modern French cuisine of La Tour (122 East Meadow Drive), for top-end food, or Bully Ranch for steak and burgers. You'll find good pizza places, and simple fare at reasonable prices in many other spots.
Getting around
The resort and outlying settlements are served by the country's largest free bus network. Taxi and shuttle services connect with Denver airport. There are buses to Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin.
Splashing out
Take to the air on a dawn balloon ride over the Vail Valley. Soar above the ski slopes and gaze down in silence on the snowy blanket with sensational views across the Rockies. The excursion is guaranteed to last an hour but could be quite a bit longer depending on conditions. Flights include transport from your hotel and a champagne toast. Available through Camelot Balloons (website: www.camelotballoons.com).
Accommodation
Luxury
The Arrabelle at Vail SquareThe newest slopeside retreat in a resort which has many (Lodge at Vail, Sonnenalp Bavaria Haus, Marriott Mountain Resort, Manor Vail Resort and Vail Cascade all boast 5 stars). Like a European grand hotel, it heralds the stylish rebirth of the Lionshead area.
675 Lionshead Place
Tel: (970) 477 3796 or 1 866 662 7625.
Website: www.arrabelle.rockresorts.com
Moderate
Evergreen LodgeRoomy, pleasant place between Vail Village and Lionshead, with an outdoor pool and sports bar.
250 South Frontage Road
Tel: (970) 476 7810.
Website: www.evergreenvail.com
Budget
Don't be ridiculous! But if you're on a package holiday, or booking for a week or more, you can often get decent deals. Cheaper apartments or chalets can be found in East Vail, West Vail or across I-70.Getting there
Nearest airport: Eagle (EGE); Denver (DEN).
Distance to resort: 20km (12 miles); 190km (119 miles).
Driving time: 15 minutes; 2 hours 30 minutes.
Distance to resort: 20km (12 miles); 190km (119 miles).
Driving time: 15 minutes; 2 hours 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Snowboarders, Families, Environmental awareness, Intermediates, Beginners, Experts, Non-skiers, Snow reliability, Après ski
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