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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 2475m
Families:		[Yes]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[5]
Advanced:		[5]
Snowboarding:		[5]

With more than 5,200 acres of terrain, Vail has the biggest ski area in the USA. It’s also one of the most successful in recent decades. The company that owns it has gone on to create, or buy, four other major US ski areas including Colorado neighbours Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Keystone – you can ski them all on one lift ticket.

As Vail approaches its 50th birthday as a ski resort, it is in the midst of a billion dollar spend in upgrades which is gradually transforming the resort to ever higher standards. Those high standards also exist on the mountain where Vail claim they groom more terrain than any other resort on earth.

One of the world’s best known resorts, in recent years Vail has also become one of the greenest, buying in renewable energy for all five of the resorts it owns and offsetting 100% of the energy it uses. This makes the company the second biggest private buyer of green power in the US.

Beginners

There is a dedicated beginner skiing area with the option to progress on to long easy runs from the top of the mountain. Beginner zone group lessons offered for first-time skiers with Vail’s ski school are highly regarded. Testimony to the quality of the ski school is that 80% of guests are repeat visitors.

Intermediates

With 16 high speed detachable quad chairs, Vail operates more of this type of lift than any other resort. The high speed lift network makes it easy to get around the big ski area quickly and efficiently. There are more than 190 trails to explore, the longest, Riva, 6.4km (four miles) long. Vail’s newest terrain at Blue Sky Basin offers trees, rocks and natural terrain everywhere. Skiers and boarders can enjoy lightly wooded or ‘gladed’ runs that are intermediate and advanced grade, allowing skiers of at least mid-level ability to enjoy its unique scenery and terrain.

Advanced

With more than half of this big ski area rated advanced/expert, you know this is a good destination for serious skiers. Vail’s legendary Back Bowls comprise seven diverse bowls that stretch across six miles. Whether it’s gliding down Poppyfields in China Bowl or making tracks on Genghis Khan, the Back Bowls offer a huge amount of terrain to challenge and satisfy the experienced skier.

Snowboarding

Vail has three terrain parks (Fly Zone, Flight School, and Aviator) as well as operating a 115m (450ft) long Superpipe, with five metre/16 feet high walls and two half pipes with four metres (13-foot) walls.

The Fly Zone Park is nearly a mile long, offering a continuous flow beginning with the Superpipe through the Jib Park and down through the lower park. The Jib , accessed by the Riva Bahn high-speed quad in Golden Peak, is described as a "park within a park" where jibbers can hang all day hiking the jibs and choosing from a variety of rails.

So we’re talking serious freestyle boarding territory. Freeriders will enjoy whizzing around on the fast quads and hitting the powder in the back bowls.

Other Activities and Facilities

Being a major international resort you would expect there to be dozens of things to do, and there are. There’s an ice rink, cinema and other options include hot air ballooning, dog sledding or cross-country skiing. Snowcat tours and snowshoeing are also available. Spas are increasingly popular in the resort – with six to choose from offering a huge range of therapeutic and luxurious treatments.

There are more than 180 shops and boutiques in Vail so you could spend your holiday just shopping. Options include numerous art galleries, casual clothing, gift shops, jewellers, a wine shop and florist.

Après Ski and Dining Out

The dining and nightlife options in town rival the 193 trails to choose from on the mountain. With more than 73 local favorites available, ranging from family friendly venues or a more leisurely dining experience that blurs into the après-ski hours.

The huge variety ranges from fast food to gourmet dining. Recommended establishments include Blue Tiger for Mediterranean and Asian tapas and sushi, Kelly Liken for seasonal American cuisine and the Montauk Seafood Grill.

There are also dozens of après ski choices including eleven bars and clubs. The Red Lion is one popular option with a great beer selection and live entertainment or try Los Amigos or Vendetta’s also in Vail Village.

Families

Children aged two months to six years can sign up for the Small World Nursery at Golden Peak which is open seven days a week. On the snow there’s a huge choice of tuition options including increasingly popular private lessons. For children that can ski already Vail's Kids Camps for intermediate and above skiers (levels 5 - 9) run Monday to Friday at the Golden Peak Kids Center.

After the ski day is done Adventure Ridge is an on-mountain family entertainment centre at the top of the gondola for snow tubing, ski biking, kids snowmobiling, dining and more. You can sign a disclaimer online before trying any of the activities to save time when you arrive.

Piste Map for Vail

Accommodation in Vail

• Chalet Cheyenne - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Cheyenne - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Cheyenne - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Cheyenne - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Columbine - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Columbine - 4 star, catered
• Chalet Columbine - 4 star, catered
• East Vail Condo - 3 star, self catering
• East Vail Condos - 3 star, self catering
• East Vail Condos - 3 star, self catering
• East Vail Condos - 3 star, self catering
• Evergreen Hotel - 4 star, room only
• Evergreen Lodge - 4 star, room only
• Evergreen Lodge - 4 star, room only
• Holiday Inn - 4 star, room only
• Holiday Inn - 4 star, room only
• Holiday Inn - Apex Vail - 4 star, room only
• Lionshead Inn - 3 star, bed & breakfast
• Lodge At Vail - 5 star, bed & breakfast
• Lodge At Vail - 5 star, bed & breakfast
• Racquet Club - 4 star, self catering
• Sonnenalp Resort - 5 star, bed & breakfast
• The Lodge At Vail - 5 star, bed & breakfast
• Vail Cascade - 5 star, bed & breakfast
• Vail Cascade Hotel And Club - 4 star, bed & breakfast

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