The Ultimate Guide to Vail

Located in Eagle County Colorado, Vail is the third-largest single mountain ski resort in the United States with over 5,000 acres of ski trails for skiers to explore. Dating back to 1962, two Aspen ski patroller’s inspired by their experiences in the Alps put together their vision to create the next great ski mountain and so the first gondola in the United States was put into place, along with two double chair lifts and a beginner Poma lift.

By the mid-1970s, Vail had earned the reputation of one of Colorado’s greatest ski areas and as it grew in popularity as a winter destination, money was invested to expand Vail as a summer destination, seeing golf courses and mountain bike trails laid out. By 1990, the popularity of Vail the ski resort was marked with the hosting of the Alpine Ski Racing World Championships .

Today, Vail remains as popular as ever for skiing with plenty of alternative activities on offer for the non-skiers of the group.

A paradise for skiers, Vail is known for its wide, open back bowls and exceptional natural snow record. One of the largest linked ski resorts in the United States, this stunning resort has more than 5,200 acres of developed ski and snowboard terrain with 31 lifts. With three distinct areas including the Front Side, the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, Vail has something for everyone when it comes to ski terrain. Beginner’s visiting this beautiful ski resort will have nearly 18 percent of the mountain’s acres to explore with magic carpets and green circle trails. Complete with renowned ski schools and high Alpine beginner’s terrain, Vail is the perfect place to learn and build confidence with this exciting winter sport.

Ideal for intermediate skiers, those with more experience under their belts can explore iconic intermediate runs including Born Free, Bwana and Simba, as well as Vail’s south-facing Back Bowls which offer wide open basins above the treeline. With 53 percent of expert skiing terrain, advanced skiers will be in their element as they take on the mostly ungroomed Blue Sky Basin and challenging terrain in Mongolia and Siberia Bowl. Vail also has several terrain parks with plenty of features ranging from jumps to super-pipes.

Non-skiers have plenty to keep them amused too from ice skating on the indoor Olympic ice rink to enjoying a ride on the Luge Alpine Coaster. Nature lovers can explore the landscape on a snowshoe trek, a dog sledding tour or have a go at ski joering. For an adrenaline rush, try paragliding or ice climbing. Afterwards, relax at the QC Terme wellness centre which has a beautiful setting overlooking a small lake.

It should come as no surprise that as Colorado’s largest ski resort, guests staying in Vail will be spoilt for choice with over 100 restaurants. For a delightful mountain restaurant, The 10th located near chairs three and four has a cosy bar complete with crackling fires and outstanding views of the Gorge Range. Serving unique and modern cuisine, this delightful restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner with dishes boasting a French, Italian and Swiss flare including pea risotto with roasted cauliflower and beef short rib bolognese.

For a romantic dinner, make sure you reserve a table at Game Creek. With its unique location just above the Game Creek chairlift, this cosy restaurant provides guests with both gourmet food and breathtaking views. Accessible only by snowcat in winter, dishes include elk,black cod and wild boar.

Located in the heart of the village, Sweet Basil first opened its doors in 1977, making it one of Vail’s oldest restaurants. Today this charming restaurant remains a popular venue with its contemporary American cuisine and for its collection of 500 bottles of wine. With attention to detail in both presentation and service, delicious meals include beef ragu and pan roasted duck breast. For a taste of Switzerland during your stay in Vail, visit the Swiss Chalet for a fantastic ambience and authentic Swiss cuisine, while Flame is the perfect restaurant for steak lovers.

With a jam-packed events calendar including winter skiing tournaments and summer music festivals, this resort knows how to keep visitors entertained.
For film fanatics, Vail’s annual March Film Festival sees thousands of attendees and filmmakers from across the United States and around the world foster independent film through film screenings, panels, workshops, networking events, and educational projects. The best and longest-standing mountain town festival in the country, Spring back to Vail in April also brings a new dimension to spring skiing with free concerts and a variety of live music throughout Vail village and the Lionshead.