Travel Eye on Vail (Colorado, USA)

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Overview:

Another of the real big boys in North America, Vail/Beaver Creek's ski area is the biggest in the US. One of its major delights is one of the region's best snow records. Equally enjoyable is the choice of skiing offered by Keystone, Breckenridge and Arapahoe Basin, all available on the same pass.

It does, however, share Aspen's exclusivity tag, having held the World Championships in 1999. Vail tries to replicate Tyrolean style and this can either attract or offend. The skiing is largely for intermediates, but beginners are spoilt with nursery slopes and brilliant ski schools.

The resort of Vail is vast and expensive, with prices increasing as you get closer to the lifts. There are a wide range of eateries, some of excellent value, as well as shops and nightlife to excite non-skiers. Vail also has plenty of off-snow activities, with the free bus making these very accessible.

This area is aimed towards the middle- to upmarket singles, groups and affluent families looking for vast skiing opportunities and sophistication. Not for those seeking a quaint mountain resort or somewhere easy on the pocket.

There is a broad range of traditional hotels, smaller lodges and an ever-growing complement of multistorey condominiums. Although most tend to be expensive, especially those closer to the lifts, cheaper alternatives can be found across the main highway or away from the centre.

Children are well catered for on and off the snow. Denver, the nearest international airport is 2½ hours away. You must also be wary of altitude sickness.

Overall, Vail is a great resort with the added bonus of easy access to other resorts and terrain.

Locality:

Vail is situated in W-central United States, in the central part of Colorado State. 122 mls W of Denver and its international airport. 22 mls NW of Copper Mountain. 11 mls E of Beaver Creek. 30 mls E of Eagle County airport. Framed by the Gore Mountains on the edge of the spectacular Holy Cross Wilderness area and surrounded by the White River National Forest. Situated at the E end of a narrow valley.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Snowboarding - Snowparks: 2, Halfpipes: 2

Other Snow Sports - Cross country: 15km, Cross country equipment available, Snow shoeing, Snow shoes available, Telemark, Telemark equipment available, Sleigh rides, Skidoos:

Vail's illustrious ski-school is reputed to be the world's largest, with more than 1,000 staff. Children's ski-school and snowboarding tuition available. Ski-passes are good for neighbouring Beaver Creek and Arrowhead.

There is a wide selection of fine upmarket boutiques, expensive jewellers, sports retailers and art galleries concentrated in the pedestrianised centre. Also 2 major supermarkets at the W end of town, and a couple of minimarkets and various liquor stores scattered about.

Winter activities during the daytme include ice-skating, extensive cross-country trails , snow-shoe trekking, snowmobiles, snowboarding, sleigh rides and snow-cat tours, popular mountain-top activity centre (Adventure Ridge) and various restaurants, reached via the Eagle Bahn gondola (day and night); and Colorado ski-museum.

In the summertime there are chair-lift rides, horse riding, Jeep tours, mountain biking and climbing, river-rafting, golf and tennis, regular outdoor concerts, Oktoberfest which is held in late September. Many hotels have in-house leisure facilities open to all.

The nightlife is purely lively sophistication in the winter with umpteen bars. There are 1 or 2 nightspots (havens for trendy apres-skiers), but also theatres, cinemas, and horse-drawn carriage rides.

There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. These vary from sophisticated silver service to delicatessens, champagne cocktails to a 6-pack. American cuisine (buffalo, beef and chicken), Swiss, Mexican, Moroccan, Chinese and much more. Usual variety of burger and pizza establishments and some roadside diners along the highway.