Vail Ski Resort, USA

Overview of Vail

Glitzy Glamour & Pristine Powder

Vail offers a combination of sophistication and elegance with a distinct Tyrolean feel. Attractive, tree-lined streets are home to a vast array of boutiques, bars and restaurants. The resort extends along the Vail Valley, comprising four main areas: East Vail, Vail Village, West Vail and Lionshead. The high-speed, efficient lift system departs from Golden Peak, Vail Village, Lionshead and The Cascade in West Vail. As if Vail was not already a first-class ski destination, its continuing development this year has resulted in more shops, a new ice-skating rink, entertainment venues, enhanced streetscapes and landscaping, not to mention even better skier services.

3 Things We Love About Vail

1. Amazing combination - Huge ski area, loads of fresh powder and immaculately groomed slopes.
2. Dining and nightlife - Combining the best of the Alpine party atmosphere with the choice and exemplary service of North American hospitality.
3. Quick Transfer - A straightforward 2.5hr transfer from Denver airport with no winding mountain roads meaning you can be at your destination easily.

Skiing and Boarding in Vail

A ski holiday in Vail has something for everyone: With 5,289 acres of terrain, Vail is the largest ski resort in the USA, featuring seven legendary back bowls spanning seven full miles. On average, Vail grooms 1,500 acres of terrain per night, more than any resort. With a yearly average of 348 inches of snowfall and 300 days of sunshine, skiing in Vail is really is fantastic.

The jewel in the crown of America’s ski resorts and rightly recognised as one of the finest international skiing destinations. A fantastic range of tree-lined runs and the extensive back bowls makes for unparalleled choice of superb skiing for all levels. Advanced skiers will enjoy the expert terrain in the back bowls and steep mogul challenges on the front faces. Vail is ideal for intermediates with its wide-open pistes and beginners benefit from good nursery slopes and short lifts at the base area.

Lift Passes in Vail

Local lift passes are available, but for holidays any longer than a week (and even for week-long holidays at peak times), it's well worth considering an Epic Pass - a unique season pass which gives you access to dozens of ski resorts worldwide! Unlimited skiing in Vail and neighbouring resorts of Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek, as well as Whistler-Blackcomb in Canada. PLUS 7 consecutive days in any 3 Valleys resort or Skirama-Dolomiti in Italy, AND 3 consecutive days in the Austrian Arlberg region (St Anton).

Activities in Vail

When you have finished skiing in Vail, Vail Village offers world-class dining, shopping, galleries, and après ski, nightlife and spa services, all just steps from the slopes. There are plenty of other winter activities such as...ice-skating, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, tubing and ski-biking. For children, special play areas have been set up around the mountains, which include a fort and tepee village.

• Adventure Ridge - Ski bikes, a mountain coaster, rip-roaring tubing lanes and more. Located at the top of the Eagle Bahn gondola
• Snowmobiling - Explore the backcountry of Vail with a qualified guide on a high-performance ski-doo. Adrenaline seekers put your hands up!
• Ice Skating - Practice your triple Salchow (or just cruise around serenely!) at Vail Village's outdoor ice skating rink.

Après Ski in Vail

And for those who just want to lap up the après-ski, a ski holiday in Vail offers more than enough variety. The charming village, which lies at the bottom of Vail mountain, combines the best of American hospitality and an Alpine resort feel. The centre is completely pedestrianised giving way to more than a hundred shops to explore.

• Bart & Yeti's - A Vail institution and favourite among locals, Bart's is a down-to-earth rustic bar with good brews, good tunes and good snacks... not to mention good company.
• Express Lift Bar - Right at the foot of the slopes, the Express is your classic American après bar great for pitchers of beer, margaritas and bar snacks. Great view of Lindsey's run for some people watching with your après drinks.
• Garfinkel's - A popular sports bar with basket-style pub grub, pretty much any drink you can imagine, daily specials and a great deck for when the weather's nice.

You'll also find public bars in most of Vail's hotels which offer a combination of drink and dining options. Depending on the time of day it might be necessary to book a table at these venues.

Places to eat in Vail

The nightlife in Vail is buzzing with numerous bars and restaurants where the friendly manner of the staff is second to none. For those looking for some fine dining, why not treat yourself to a meal at La Tour, one of Vail’s best restaurants? For visitors on a tighter budget, the village pubs offer good food and rustic atmosphere. If you are looking to party later into the night, Vail holds street concerts every week and there are plenty of clubs for dancing or listening to live music.

• Vintage - Traditional brasserie menu featuring French classics like escargot, beef bourguignon, and steak-frites. A restaurant with an interior almost as stylish as its food.
• Osakis - The popularity of Japanese food in ski resorts can't be underestimated, but Osaki's is a cut above - owned and run by the Takeshi Osaki himself. As well as being delicious, the food has legitimate pedigree too.
• Alpenrose - A Vail staple since 1974, it now has a new look to go with its menu of modernised Bavarian classics like raclette, schnitzel, and zwiebelkuchen. Don't forget your stein of beer!
• Mountain Standard - A gastropub atmosphere with dishes that will have your taste buds doing 1080s. Think wood-roasted bone marrow, tiger-prawn Caesar salad, Corned pork shank with gruyere potato puree, and blackened Texas redfish. Salivating already?

Family Features Vail

• Winter Events in Vail Village - Throughout the season there are various activities with a family & kids focus. Craft sessions, theatrical shows, outdoor light installations and live music.
• Adventure Ridge - Child-friendly adventure park offering winter activities like ski biking, kid’s snowmobiling, snow-tubing and a mountain coaster. The nearby lodge at the gondola station supplies all the hot chocolate and cookies you can handle!
• 10-pin Bowling - BOL, located in Solaris Residences, is a bowling alley like no other. They say it's "a place where family and friends gather to experience the best nightlife in Vail Village." 10 custom lanes, different spaces to relax in and a menu of delicious 'bites' to choose from.