Vail Resorts

12/25/06

Diverse terrain, lots of lifts, easy access from Denver

by jamuku2

I stopped in B. Creek/Vail for a day while passing through CO right after the "big one" of '06. I've skied Vail several times an chose to ski BC for the first time because I had two dogs with me and there is a place called "Walkin The Dog" in Avon that will entertain your dogs for the day. If you have dogs I HIGHLY recommend placing them there for day camp so you can ski an not concern yourself that your pets are nervous amidst the unfamiliar surroundings.

The snow was great, the skiing was great (unless you're an intermediate as most of terrain is beginner/advanced), but I found the other skiers a bit snooty - especially the ones who owned permanent vacation homes there. That put me off a bit.

I lived in Aspen for a year and found that the social climate was much more egalitarian in spirit than Vail. If you have little or a lot of money, Aspen ecompasses more of an inclusive environment, more diversity in terrain, and a much more interesting city.

Nevertheless, both Aspen and Vail are over-priced -- where else do you have to shell out $22 for a cafeteria-style lunch? -- but even at $85 for a lift ticket, that's less than $20 an hour for a winter wonderland thrill that will give you wonderful memories for years to come.

The worst thing about Vail is sleeping next to a freeway. To truly get away, try Aspen, Steamboat, Jackson Hole, Alta, or Squaw Valley. Vail is fantastic, but the U.S. has better.

• Pros: Great terrain, great customer service, nice snow, beauty...
• Cons: Price, I-70 running through town, snooty locals/homeowners

11/11/05

You get what you pay for

by markludwin

I lived in Vail for five years; one before college and three after, and I can't say that Vail is percect. However, after skiing all over the continent and in every resort in Colorado, Vail offers something for everyone. Nice people (the locals aren't the rich ones), great terrain for all abilities, and wonderful nightlife. There are certainly better ski towns with lesser mountains, and vice versa, but Vail offers the entire package in style. You do have to know the mountain well to find all of the expert terain, but it is certainly there, especially with all of the backcountry access from China bowl. Enjoy!

11/11/05

Best Mountain in North America

by canefromtech

Unbelievable! I've skied all over North America and Vail is by far the best mountain I've found. The mountain is huge. You couldn't ski the entire mountain in one day if you tried. there are stashes of powder after a week of no snow. the nightlife ids great and they have an awesome transit system. there truly is no comparison.

• Pros: powder days anytime, back bowls, hits in the trees
• Cons: price, needs more local girl, price