Vail Mountian Colorado has a reputation as one of the world’s greatest ski resorts. But it also has much more to offer, including outdoor activities, restaurants and a variety of other things to do.
The town began as a mining town before it became a ski destination in the 1960s. It was the brainchild of two veterans from World War II, Pete Siebert and Earl Eaton.
History
Vail Mountian Colorado began as a small town in the early 1960s. Its founding was based on the vision of a World War II veteran and ski-patrol trooper named Pete Seibert, who returned to Colorado after completing his military career in Europe with the idea of opening a new resort.
With assistance from Denver investors, including Jack Tweedy and Earl Eaton, he raised cash for the development of the resort and purchased land at the base of the mountain. Eventually he incorporated his company as Vail Associates and launched a race to raise money and build the village in time for opening day on December 15, 1962.
When the first gondola lift opened in Vail, the mountain grew quickly as more and more people skied here. By the 1970s, Vail had become a popular destination for Americans and tourists from across the globe.
In the 1980s and 1990s, as the resort became more of a year-round destination, golf courses and mountain biking trails were added. Guests who wanted to sightsee would take the gondola, which transports them to different areas of the mountain.
The popularity of snowboarding, another sport that has grown in recent years, also made it necessary for the ski area to expand its offerings. A winter-amusement park, Adventure Ridge, was built at the top of Lionshead gondola, offering bars with live music and extreme snowboarding movies, as well as four restaurants.
Terrain
Located 100 miles from Denver in Colorado, Vail Mountian offers 5,317 acres of skiable terrain. Its terrain ranges from family-friendly to expert.
The resort is a world-class destination for skiing and snowboarding. It is also home to numerous events and signature slopes.
There are many different areas of the mountain to explore, including the Front Side; Back Bowls; and Blue Sky Basin. Each of these areas offer a variety of terrain options, and each is unique in its own way.
For instance, the Back Bowls are a great place for advanced skiers to try out long, wide runs. But there’s also a smattering of cornices and tight trees for those looking to challenge themselves.
In fact, the vast majority of Vail’s skiers never even leave this zone. It’s not the most challenging of all USA ski resorts, but it is still quite fun.
Another reason to visit Vail is that it’s one of the few places in the United States where you can see snow all season. This is thanks to its large elevation and extensive snowmaking.
The ski area is well-known for its powder, with an average of 354″ per season. It is possible to get much more, though, thanks to the resort’s expensive cloud seeding schemes that aim to boost a storm’s precipitation level.
The resort is also a leader in lift modernization. It has 19 detachable chairlifts, including two gondolas. These chairlifts are all powered by electricity sourced from clean, renewable sources.
Lifts
Vail Mountian Colorado is a huge ski resort that offers 5,317 acres of terrain and 31 lifts. Its 195 trails cater to skiers of all skill levels, from novices to experts.
The front side of the mountain features a wide variety of below-treeline skiing, including blue groomers for beginners and advanced skiers. The front side also offers a number of double-black diamond runs, as well as a few unmarked glade runs with hidden powder stashes for advanced skiers.
As a large ski resort, Vail is susceptible to crowding on weekends. Be sure to check chairlift status signs throughout the mountain and use the EPIC Mix app to find lift wait times.
For the past 11 years, Vail has invested in upgrading its lift system, replacing ten of them. Two of these lifts are the Mountaintop Express Lift and Northwoods Express Lift, which increase capacity.
With a massive investment in game-changing lift upgrades, Vail Resorts has put a spotlight on making the most of your time on the slopes by reducing lift line wait times and improving the overall guest experience. Across the company’s 12 resorts coast to coast, these projects will transform how you get on and off of the mountain so that more time is spent on the slopes and less time waiting in lines.
With so much terrain and snow, it’s no surprise that Vail has become one of the most popular ski areas in the country. It has a big vertical drop of 3,450 feet and serves up plenty of pristine powder.
Lodging
Located in Eagle County, Colorado, Vail Mountain is one of the most legendary ski resorts in the world. It offers skiing enthusiasts and outdoor recreationists a world-class terrain, accompanied by excellent dining, nightlife, culture, and amenities.
There are several hotel options available to suit all types of travelers in Vail. These vary from budget-friendly to high-end luxury hotels.
The best way to find a good deal on accommodation in Vail is to compare prices on momondo. The site searches hundreds of travel sites to get you the best deals on your stay. It filters by price, location, amenities, review score and so much more.
If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Vail, consider visiting during the low season. The prices will be much lower during November and October.
Another great option is to book your hotel in Vail at least 90 days in advance of your visit. This way you can guarantee your reservation and avoid the higher rates that are associated with peak times.
Alternatively, if you want to save some money on a luxury hotel in Vail, there are many hotels that offer free cancellation and enhanced cleaning for guests. These include The Sebastian – Vail and Grand Hyatt.
You can also look at Solaris Residences if you’re interested in a condo with a private balcony, kitchen, and gas fireplace. This property is in the heart of Vail Village and just steps from the gondola.
Dining
Vail Mountian Colorado is one of the most popular ski resorts in the world and offers a lively dining scene. From high-end upscale restaurants to local favorites, there’s something for everyone at this ski town.
For a ski-in, ski-out meal with spectacular views of the mountains, head to The 10th Mountain Lodge in Mid Vail. The posh ski-in, ski-out dining room is decorated with fine fabrics and furnishings that will transport you to an Alpine mountain chalet.
It is also home to a stunning bar that serves a number of unique cocktails and a variety of spirits from around the world, including whiskeys, tequilas and mezcals. There is a light casual menu for lunch and dinner so you can grab a bite to eat before you head back to the slopes or if your party has worked up an appetite.
This New American gastropub in Vail Village specializes in the cooking of meats and fish on an open, live wood fire. They serve a number of delicious appetizers and tender meat and fish entrees. The corned pork shank is a must-try, with caraway vinaigrette, puffed farro and gruyere potato puree.
Another must-try Vail restaurant is Almresi, a quaint chalet style eatery that has become known as one of the best in Vail. You can dine on fondue, bratwurst, soups and Austrian dishes in a cozy setting plucked straight from the Alps.
Activities
Vail is a top-tier ski resort with a large range of terrain. It is also an excellent place to go for non-skiing activities.
During winter, the most popular activity is skiing and snowboarding. This resort offers more than 5,000 acres of terrain, with several different terrain parks.
Aside from the ski area, you can take your family on a snowshoe tour or a tubing adventure. There are even fat-biking trails at the Nordic Center.
There are also plenty of opportunities to hike around the mountain. For example, Booth Falls is a 4.2-mile loop that boasts beautiful views of the surrounding valleys and forests.
Another popular trail is the Cougar Ridge Trail that climbs 1500 feet up to Lionshead Rock. This trail is challenging but rewarding.
The mountain has seven zip lines that are perfect for flying above the trees, summer tubing on a 550-foot long tubing hill, two rope adventure courses, rock climbing and a giant bungee trampoline called the Forest Flyer.
If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to have a beer after a day on the slopes, head to Vail Brewing Company. It’s a “veteran and ski bum-owned” establishment that has a wide variety of craft beers on tap.
The Vail Brewing Company also offers a number of events and specials, so be sure to check their calendar before you arrive to see what’s on offer. It’s also worth visiting 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirits, where you can try bourbon, rye, moonshine, potato vodka or the local Alpenglow cordial.