From Wikitravel

Vail [1] is a ski resort town set in the Rocky Mountains of the the state of Colorado, United States of America. It is 100 miles west of Denver and 35 miles east of Eagle.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

I-70 is a direct route into Vail. It's exactly 100 miles from Denver, and about 130 miles from Denver International Airport.

[edit] By plane

Fly into Vail/Eagle County Airport or Denver International Airport. Note: Vail/Eagle County Airport is still about 35 miles from Vail, a Van from there to Vail will cost you about $40, may make sense to rent a car if staying for a while.

[edit] By bus

Colorado Mountain Express [2] - Offers service from Vail and Eagle. Its about the same price from each place, but Eagle is about 1 hour shorter. You can book on the web.

[edit] Get around

If you are staying in Vail or Lionshead, having a car will be more hindrance (parking fees) than a value. The town is set up so you can walk between most places and the slopes. There is also a free shuttle that will take you to the immediate surroundings as well as up to Beaver Creek. If you feel like getting out an about, cabs are available, and can take you to Minturn or anywhere the free bus does not.

[edit] Parking

If you are coming from somewhere else and skiing, you can park on site. It will cost about $16 per. Best advice arrive early (before 9am) on busy days and you won't have problems. There are two parking garages, one in Vail and one in Lionshead. The lionshead garage is the shortest walk to the slopes.

If the garages do fill up, you may to park on the road. The problem being that they don't let you park on the road until BOTH garages are filled. So say you drop your friends off at Golden Peak (so they can put their kids in child care) then go back to the Vail parking lot, its full, so you then have to go park in Lionshead and take a bus back to catch your friends.

For those doing child care there is also a ($25/day) valet parking at Golden Peak, cheaper to park at the main Vail garage and walk (5 mins).

See: [3] for parking maps and descriptions.

Most Hotels in Vail, (see: upscale) will provide you with a free shuttle, just ask before you arrive.

[edit] Bus

There a many free buses going throughout the Vail valley. For current schedules see: [4] .

[edit][add listing] See

Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum - Might be interesting.

[edit] Do Winter

Ski Weather Conditions Current and predicted weather conditions with a slant towards skiers and boarders are available at snowforecast.com [5].

[edit] Ski/Snowboard

[edit] Tickets

$77 (2005 prices) a day too steep? Want to save some money? Well there ARE a couple of ways, but they are not easy:

• Vail Travel Site - Book Vail Tickets 7 Days In Advance
• Vail Resorts - One way to save on Vail lift tickets is to book your lodging together with your lift tickets. Very few discounts are available without purchasing a package. Or check with your hotel or condominium concierge.
• The SkE Card - This used to be called the Colorado Card. Basically it is targeted at Colorado residents, but as far as I know residency is not a requirement. Rather they just make this available in October and early November at local Denver sporting goods stores (REI for example). You have to be present to get it. But it does get you some nice discounts on lift tickets (try $55 in 2005).
• Colorado Pass - The Colorado Pass provides unlimited slope access at Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin, as well as 10 days' access to the lifts at Vail or Beaver Creek. The Colorado Pass costs $349 (2005). It is blocked out on certain dates. Available at the same times/places as the Ske Card.
• Ebay - Friends swear by this. Typically for $10 you can buy a 2 for 1 coupon that was issued somewhere in the country. There have been counterfeits so your mileage may vary.

Discounted tickets for Vail are no longer available at grocery stores on Denver as they once were.

Also, you should sign up for their "frequent skier" program called Peaks. You can attach a credit card, then you don't have to wait in line, just scan the card and voila your credit card is debited for a ticket. The points do add up if you have a family and you might get a day or two of free skiing out of it. A recent change where you get the points after a several month delay means that you won't be able to use them until your next trip. Just go to a ticket office before you do your first day of skiing to get one.

If you have friends in Vail, and they have a season pass, they get 5 "Buddy Passes" that are 35$ each, so make some friends, and ski for less.

[edit] Avoid the Lines

If you can get on the mountain a little earlier (before 9:30 am) than everyone else you can stay ahead of the crowds and never wait in a line more than 5 minutes. Here are some suggested starting routes:

• Favorite: Start at golden peak, and take the lift past the first drop off to the top. Get off and take lift 11 (Northwoods) to the very top of the Mt. From there drop into China Bowl or go off to Blue Sky basin. Come back to the front after noon and you'll see a lot of the mountain.
• Staring at Vail Village. If the Vista-Bahn is really full, take the little two seater chair up. * They do not run the two seater chair, except for races.* Ski over to Golden Peak and follow along above.

Lionshead - Don't wait for the gondola, take the quad chair. Ski over to the far side (the far side can be LOTS shorter) of lift 2 and up.

AVOID: Chair 4 from mid-vail. Always crowded. Chair 11 can get crowded. Check the status boards for the back bowl lift and game creek bowl lifts before going into each as they can fill up and there is only one chair in each bowl.

[edit] Child Care

Vail has an excellent child-care center for all ages of kids. For babies to toddlers, the nursery provides great, on mountain, care. As young as 3 years old the Ski School can really teach your kids to ski and give them a fun day too (and free you up to ski with your spouse). All this does not come cheap, but you get a good quality product and don't have to worry about your kids.

One note: book early (like a month before you get there) for the nursery. They do fill up.

[edit] Eat on Mountain

• Best value on the mountain is the Combo at the Wildwood shelter. $11 for a great barbeque beef or pork sandwich, soup and side. Plus Wildwood is much smaller than most of the other places on mountain so you can find your group. And there is a good view.
• Two Elk - This place has beautiful architecture (a giant log structure) nice furniture, but has expensive, average food. And it is huge so it is a pain to find anyone. See it once then head to Wildwood for your next meal.

[edit] Ride the Gondola

Typically the Gondola is free for foot traffic from about 2pm on. Good way to get the non-skiers and the kids up to the top. Before that there is some outrageous charge for a single gondola ride.

[edit] Do Summer

[edit] Mountain Bike

In the off season, Mountain Bike rentals and lift tickets are available for a reasonable cost. Ride the lift up to the top and bike your way down, taking in thrills, scenery, and encounters with wildlife. Trails are rated by difficulty and are well-maintained. It is certainly easy and fun to ride the gondola up and ride the bike down.

• Vail Bike Tech [[6]is located on the Lionshead Mall and offers mountain bike (and ski) rentals.
  • Venture Sports[7]Located in Avone, Full service bike 970-949-1318
  • Mountain Pedaler of Vail [8]is a great bike pro shop.
  • Trail Action Group [9] is a great trail (for biking and hiking] maintenance group. A great way to help build trails and meet local folks.

[edit] Gondola Ride

As of summer of 2005 it was $17 to ride the Gondola to the top of the mountain. At the top there is an outside bar with the worlds greatest view, and a pretty pricy grill (check times).

Hint: If you want a work out and want to save the $17 walk up to the top. The Gondola is always a free ride down! The hike will take you about 1-2 hours (depending on fitness). Take the Berry Picker trail from Lionshead.

[edit] Piney Lake

A gorgeous view awaits you if you brave the 12 mile dirt road up to the Piney Lake. You can also grab some grub or rent a boat at the Piney River Ranch (http://pineyriverranch.com). See the map on the Piney River Ranch web site for directions.

[edit] Rafting

Vail is a great location to plan some rafting adventures. The Eagle River runs through the Vail Valley -- it offers outstanding rafting during its short season (typically May & June, sometimes into July). The Colorado River is just downvalley and offers ample opportunity, especially during summer months, because it has such a reliable water source. The stretch above and through Glenwood Springs is a favorite hot-weather summer family ride. The Arkansas River is about an hour away, and offers several famous whitewater stretches as well.

In the Vail Valley:

• Lakota Guides [10] is a world class outfit based in Vail and offers rafting on the Eagle, Colorado, and Arkansas River. Door-to-door transportation from your hotel is usually included. Also offers Hummer off-road tours and night vision raft trips on the Upper Colorado. ph. 970-845-RAFT

• Nova Guides [11] is based between Vail and Leadville and offers trips on the Eagle, Colorado, and Arkansas River. Door-to-door transportation from your hotel is usually included. Also offers jeep tours, and winter activities.

• Timberline Tours [12] is based in the town of Eagle and offers trips on the Eagle, Colorado, and Arkansas River. Door-to-door transportation from your hotel is usually included. Also offers jeep tours.

Out of Valley:

• Whitewater Rafting, LLC [13] is located on the Colorado River down valley in Glenwood Springs.

• Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting, ph. 800-507-7703, [14] is in the Frisco-Dillon area and runs the Arkansas, Eagle, and Colorado Rive.

• Colorado River Runs, ph. 800-826-1081, [15] Vail area outfit.

• Rock Gardens Rafting, [16] they specialize in family float trips down the milder waters of the Colorado or Roaring Fork Rivers. They also offer fun jeep tours on the nearby flat-tops.

• Dvorak Expeditions, [17] Specializes in longer and multi-day trips in rivers across Colorado. They do really neat Yoga, classical music (a raft with a quartet goes along] and fly-fishing multi-day trips.

[edit] Golf

The Vail Valley has half a dozen nice golf courses.

Eagle Ranch Golf Course, [18]. Eagle Ranch Golf Course is an Arnold Palmer Signature Design. The course plays through the Brush Creek Valley and offers panoramic views of the Colorado Rockies on every hole.

Cotton Ranch Golf Club, [19]. Cotton Ranch is a golf community that welcomes the public. There is a restaurant that serves lunch every day and dinner nightly.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Vail has all your typical resort shops. The one thing that is uniquely Vail is the The Golden Bear, a jewelry store known for its line of jewelry featuring a (duh) Golden Bear.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] In Vail

• Sweet Basil, 193 Gore Creek Dr, (970) 476-0125, [20] $$$$ - Consistent quality. Service is impeccable. Great food.

• La Tour, 122 East Meadow Dr., 970-476-4403, [21] $$$$ - Great French food, consistently excellent.

• Game Creek Restaurant, [22] $$$$$ - Typically, at a place with great views and the requirement to take a snow cat (winter) or (Suburban) to get there you would dismiss it as a tourist-trap, pay for the view type of place. Well the Game Creek Restaurant is not, it actually has the food and service to back it up. It is a great dinner, in a very nice (if you like modern-Bavarian style) setting, with a great view.

• The Savory Inn, 2405 Elliott Ranch Road, 970-476-1304, [23]. For a great time, eat amazing food and learn some new culinary techniques. (And drink some vino!) Vail's best kept secret!

[edit] Near Vail

If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the town of Vail (well sort of, you'll still have to wait but at least you see something a little more local) then try some of these spots:

• Minturn Saloon, [24]. Tremendous atmosphere Mexican restaurant in a town called Minturn about 15 minutes drive from Vail. Prepare to wait for dinner, but thats OK cause the bar has a fireplace and serves margaritas (of course).

• Chili Willys, [25]. Another Mexican restaurant in Minturn. Right across the street from the Saloon. More kid and family friendly. Not quite the atmosphere of the Saloon. But with kids go here!

• Gas House,34129 Highway 6, Edwards, Phone: (970) 926-3613. In Edwards Colorado, another 10 minutes west of Minturn. Want meat, go here! Lots of animal heads on the wall.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• The Red Lion, [26]. THE place for apres ski in Vail. Get there early for an outside table.
• The Club, Top of Bridge St., (970) 479-0556. Think fraternity party, that's the club.
• Garfinkle's, at the base of the gondola in Lionshead, Vail. Great deck to enjoy the afternoon sun.
• The George, at the Covered Bridge, Vail Village. Good Irish style pub.
• The Altitude Club - All sports, All the time, in the Evergreen Lodge, (970) 479-6137. Watch your game while enjoying American food in a fun and friendly atmosphere.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Antlers at Vail Condominiums and Conference Center, 680 W. Lionshead Place, 800-843-8245, 150 yards from lifts, pets accepted in some units, free high-speed internet [27].

• Vail 21 Condominiums, 521 E. Lionshead Circle, 800-322-8245, [28]. 50 yards from lifts, free high-speed internet, ski shop. Includes one bedroom, two bedroom and two bedroom+loft condominiums.

• Destination Resorts Vail, 610 W. Lionshead Circle, 800-322-8245,[29]. Vail's largest selection of rentals. Six distinct vacation rental properties in Vail, with over 100 condominiums in Vail and Lionshead Village. Vacation packages including lift tickets and discounted lodging available all year.

• Enzian Condominiums, 705 W. Lionshead Circle, 800-322-8245,[30]. 200 yards from lifts, free high-speed internet, includes three bedroom and four bedroom and four bedroom+loft condominiums, very spacious condominiums

• Evergreen Lodge @ Vail, 250 S. Frontage Road, 800-284-VAIL, [31]. Conveniently located between Lionshead and Vail Village. Complimentary high speed internet.

• The Landmark, 610 W. Lionshead Circle, 800-322-8245,[32]. 150 yards from lifts, free high-speed internet, pool, hot tubs, ski shops, free parking, daily housekeeping service, full concierge, restaurant. Includes Landmark Tower & Landmark Townhouse vacation rentals

• Lion Square Lodge Vail Colorado Resort, 660 W. Lionshead Place, (800) 525-5788, [33]].

• Lodge at Lionshead, [34]. Luxury condominiums at one of the best locations in Vail! Steps from the gondola and ski school, Lodge at Lionshead features heated outdoor pools, hot tub, saunas, fitness center, concierge services & free Wi-Fi.

• Manor Vail, [35] One of the best, if not the best, places to stay in Vail.

• Montaneros Vail Colorado Condominiums Resort, 641 W. Lionshead Circle, (800) 444-8245, [36]

• The Savory Inn & Cooking School of Vail, [37]. Vail's most unique and cozy inn. Gourmet breakfasts, hot tub, romantic rooms, conveniently located. You'll love it!

• Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, 1300 Westhaven Drive Phone: 800.282.4183, [38]. A luxury, AAA Four-Diamond ski resort at the base of Vail Mountain along the banks of Gore Creek that features ski-in/ski-out accommodations, private condos, and vacation rentals. Other amenities and services include a luxury spa, meeting facilities, and fine dining options.

• Vantage Point Condos, 508 E. Lionshead Circle, 800-322-8245,[39]. 150 yards from lifts, free high-speed internet, includes moderate vacation rentals ranging from one bedroom through four bedroom+loft, hot tubs, summer pool.

• Village Inn Plaza Condominiums, 100 East Meadow Drive, Phone: 1-888-881-0164,[40]. Affordable Vail condo rentals just steps from Vail Village and an easy walk to the Vista Bahn.

• Westwind Vail Condominiums, 548 South Frontage Road, Phone: 1-888-881-0164,[41]. Vail condos conveniently located 125 yards from the Vail Eagle-Bahn Gondola and the children’s ski school.

[edit] Get out

• Beaver Creek Beaver Creek is right down the valley.
• Glenwood Springs - A beautiful 1 hour drive from Vail and you can enjoy their famous Hot Springs when you arrive.
• Aspen - A 1.25 hour drive away.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!