Consistently voted as North America’s top ski resort, 14 out of the last 19 years to be precise, Vail is unsurpassed in its premiership of North American Ski. Blessed with Mother Nature’s generosity in snowfall and graced with an inherent commitment to excellence borne in those who live there, Vail can credibly lay claim to being a resort like no other on earth.
INTRODUCTION
The history of this resort is as impressive as its monumental rise through the ranks of North American Ski resorts. In the 1950s, two pioneering veterans of World War II, Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton, discovered some two thousand foot plunge from the mountaintop of ‘No Name Mountain’; the product of the previous engineering efforts of Charles Vail, Chief Engineer of the Colorado Highway Department, to a valley as flat as that of a ballroom floor. The two men set about transforming this untouched, neglected precipice into the majestic mountain utopia that it is recognised as today. 1962 saw Vail’s official opening with 4 houses, 5 lifts, 1 gondola and 1 telephone, those privileged enough to ski there embraced the spirit of adventure and fell into a lifelong, rugged romance with the resort.
A lot has changed in the last 50 years and as American Ski matured so too did Vail. Instead of just the 5 lifts, Vail now boasts the largest network of express quad chairlifts in the world with 33 in total, 14 high speed quads and one gondola, all serving its vast 5,289 acres of skiable terrain, providing a plethora of trails for skiers of all levels. One of Vail’s most prominent features is its world famous Back Bowls; 2,966 acres of wide-open skiing terrain, while the front side at 1,627 acres and Blue Sky Basis at 645 acres offer skiers some of the best and most varied patrolled terrain in the world. The size and layout of Vail Mountain is such that on an average day there are less than 2 skiers per acres and only 4 skiers per acre on the peak holiday times...that makes for a lot elbow room!
The town of Vail itself is as splendid as its towering mountain neighbour. The Tyrolean-style village is a haven for those who enjoy the finer things in life. With over 250 European boutique shops, over 100 restaurants and bars, many of which offer 5-star dining and an exclusive atmosphere, Vail encompasses the spirit of North American Ski. Synonymous with friendly and patient staff and just 100 miles from Denver International Airport, it’s no wonder Vail is heralded as America’s most famous winter playground.
CHALETS IN VAIL
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Chalet Bear PawLocation : Vail,USAVail | Bedrooms: 4 | Sleeps: 6 + 4 Abercrombie & Kent Ski is proud to offer our guests Chalet Bear Paw, a private residence that offers the finest in mountain living and at a spectacular on-mountain location. From every window, beautiful views of Vail Mountain abound and (...) |
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Chalet HummingbirdLocation : Vail,USAVail | Bedrooms: 8 | Sleeps: 16 Choose this traditional Tuscan residence as your next rental home in Vail, CO and make your vacation to Vail a memorable one. Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this luxury residence provides sleeping accommodations for 16 and is t(...) |
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Chalet TyroleanLocation : Vail,USAVail | Bedrooms: 4 | Sleeps: 8 The Tyrolean Chalet is one of the premier private rental homes in the Vail Village. Completed in the summer of 2006, Vail's famous Tyrolean Restaurant was renovated and converted into a spectacular 5800 square foot private vacation residence. |
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Eagle LodgeLocation : Vail,USAVail | Bedrooms: 4 | Sleeps: 8 Eagle Lodge is a sophisticates dream on the banks of Gore Creek, just steps away from Vail Village. This unique 2 storey residence is perfect for those who want simple access to the slopes, fine dining, and shopping that Vail has to offer. Spectacular mountain views (...) |
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Evergreen LodgeLocation : Vail,USAVail | Bedrooms: 4 | Sleeps: 8 + 2 Evergreen Lodge is an exclusive custom built home on West Forest Road in Vail. An ambitious redevelopment project finished in the Autumn of 2006, this 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath residence sits in an spectacular location on the west end of Vail&rsqu(...) |
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EVENTS
REGULAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT WINTER SEASON:
December
January
February
March
April
May
REGULAR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER SEASON
July
August
September
ACTIVITIES
Beaver Creek Resort is home to McCoy Park, a huge Nordic oasis (30+ kilometers of trails) sitting at the top of the Strawberry Park Chairlift. Open from 9:00 am to 4:00, the Nordic Sports Center offers a complete rental shop and is an official center for Fisher cross-country skis, Atlas snowshoes and the Tele-Tech Center. Nordic Cross Over Ticket: Use one days of your multi-day pass for a half-day cross country/snowshoeing lesson or tour, including equipment rental. Additional charges may apply to discounted tickets including but not limited to the Perfect 10 pass, Colorado pass, and group tickets.
Those who have not had the fortune of gliding over the ice in the Vail Square at Lionshead have been missing a unique experience. One of the most photogenic environments in all of Vail, this Bavarian Village styled ice rink is must do for both the long time Vail traveler and the rookie. Families find no better place to meet in the afternoons than Vail square. Great pizza, cocktails and people watching can be found for family members not wishing to carve up the ice in Olympic style. For those staying in Beaver Creek, the Black Family Ice Rink within Beaver Creek Village has long been a popular meeting and social spot. Just adjacent to Toscanini (gourmet Italian) it makes for a good after dinner calorie burn. Also, don’t miss out on a cup of warm hot chocolate while sitting rink-side on one of the many new fireplace club loungers while watching the kids burn the final ounce of energy left within before going to bed.
Mountain Musher offers the best dog sledding in the Vail Valley, Colorado. Private beautiful trails, free from snowmobiles, await you! Looking for some fun winter activities for your family this winter? Join Mountain Musher for a picture perfect, fun dog sled ride. One morning and one afternoon tours depart daily. Five sleds go out with each trip with two people per sled. Age limit is 4 years old. Weight limit is 400 pounds for 2 people. It is a 6 mile ride that takes just under 2 hours. You will stop at the turnaround area and have a drink and snack which is hot cocoa and homemade pumpkin bread. Guests need to dress for winter conditions. Hat, gloves, goggles, winter boots, ski wear or winter coat.
PRACTICAL INFO
GMT -11
English
The official currency is the US Dollar ($). Coins are available in 1 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 25 cent, 50 cent & $1 denominations. Notes are available in $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 denominations.
Travellers cheques are widely accepted for exchange or purchase in major cities, but in more rural areas, visit a bank to exchange them for Dollars. Major credit cards are widely accepted here (though a limited number of merchants have American Express accounts) and ATM access is widespread. Exchange currency only at authorized outlets such as banks and hotels, and exchange only what you think you will spend in the country. Coins cannot be reconverted on departure. Save all receipts from any currency exchange transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency.
AVERAGE COST OF SKI PASS*:
| Adult | Child (aged 12 and under) | Senior (65-75 years old) | |
| Full Day | $102.00 | $69.00 | $92.00 |
| 7 Days | $525.00 | $378.00 | $455.00 |
| 14 Days | $1008.00 | $686.00 | $868.00 |
*Prices are based on an approximate Jan – Feb pricing. May be subject to change according to peak and off peak weeks.
Tips in restaurants are usually added on at 10/15 % of the bill. However, it is often a subject of controversy whether this amount actually goes to the waiter or not, therefore it is your choice whether to tip more.
Travel documents are your responsibility. In general you should have: a signed, valid passport that will remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the completion of your trip. Your passport must have enough blank pages (excluding amendment pages) available for entry and exit stamps issued when entering and exiting immigration points. Visas are required for certain nationalities and you are strongly advised to check your status allowing plenty of time for visa application.
The nearest airports to Vail are:
The alpine climate is cold and visitors should wear warm, waterproof clothing at all times when outdoors during the winter. Hats and gloves are also essential to prevent frostbite. Sunglasses or ski goggles are also necessary to reduce the glare of the sun on the snow.
It is advisable to contact your doctor before you travel if you have any specific health concerns and imperative to take out appropriate travel and medical insurance. Winter sports involve a high degree of risk and you should be in good health and carry adequate medical insurance in case of winter sports accident, including cover for air ambulance.