|
| We've been here
once - Winter 1999/2000. We're going back to this area this year.
We rate this as the best place we have been to. This is like the 3
valleys of Courchevel
all in one fantastic resort. Vail has three sides to the mountain,
Golden Peak, Vail and Lionshead. You have the front side of the
mountain, Vail, which gives access to the other resorts. |
|
| Golden
Peak |
Vail
(Central) |
Lionshead |
Back
Bowls |
|
| Blue
Sky Basin |
Vail
Facts |
Recommendations |
Comments |
|
| Golden
Peak - This tends to be where
the upper class stay as there is a hotel complex at the base. As for
skiing, it gets quite icy in the late afternoon as the sun moves around.
Ski runs do vary from greens / blues and single / double blacks.
There is a snowboard park here for the more adventurous. It
also hosts a few competitions during the season, such as boarder cross. |
|
| Vail
(Central) - This
is the fastest way to access the area, as there is a high speed chair with
weather cover. I might add it is quite speedy, and leads you
straight to the main access area for the rest of the mountain, with 2 four
man chairs, giving you access to the total mountain from here. |
|
| Lionshead
- The tranquil area of the mountain, cruise the blues and greens around
here. Very picturesque, wide open runs. There is a steep area but it
is easy to avoid if you want. Lots of trees for those who want to
build up the off-piste skiing but aren't ready for the back bowls. |
|
| Back
Bowls - Well off-piste, as much as you want! Get up early for the
fresh powder! There's nothing quite like skiing the bowls first
thing. It may be colder, but well worth it. Improve your own
standard of skiing, as there is skiing for all standards in the
bowls. To ski the best areas, hire yourself a guide. |
|
| Blue
Sky Basin - A
recently new addition to Vail, and forever extending. Tree
skiing to the extreme! Be careful to avoid people jumping out in
front of you on the small trails leading around the area. This is an
experienced skier area only. Challenging skiing for those who want
it, but don’t take beginners over there please for their own safety! |
|
| Vail
Facts |
| Village
Height : |
8200
Feet / 2500 Metres |
Highest
Lift : |
11480 Feet / 3500 Metres |
| Number
of runs : |
149 |
Number
of Lifts : |
46 |
| Ski
Area : |
317
Square Kilometres |
Longest
Run : |
5.6
Kilometres |
| Average
Snowfall : |
840
cm |
Snow
Cannons : |
550
acres covered |
|
| Recommendations |
| Best
Ski Run on the mountain : |
Look
out for the grooming reports on Vail TV in the mornings. When BLUE
OX, which is a double black diamond, is groomed then it’s a must. Steep,
Long, but wide and open. It is generally not groomed, but does get groomed
once a month, and when it does, it’s the best run on the mountain! |
|
| Best Restaurant
: |
In
our opinion. On the main street there is a restaurant called the ORE
HOUSE. This is the best value for money and for quality of food and
service. |
|
| Worst
Restaurant : |
In
our experience. Near the main road there is a restaurant called
PAZZO’S. This is an Italian / Pizza place. The food is
generally OK and reasonably priced, but the service is diabolical and the
staff are very ignorant, and don’t appreciate the repeat business.
(All the staff seems to be having a bad day). |
|
| Pubs
: |
Well,
for those who like a sports pub and like to play pool, then the best place
we recommend is called THE EVERGREEN LODGE. Bar snacks are OK (good value) and the tables are
fantastic. If you are not driving, then there is generally a limo
service offered by the chauffeurs who work at the hotel, all for the same
price as a taxi home. |
|
| Ski
Hire : |
Best
for overall service would be Gravity Jones. Located underneath the
transportation centre, (bus station), Ski storage comes part of the hire
package. This is a family run business. Home made cookies,
cakes and tea and coffee is always available from opening until closing,
FREE of charge I may add. All the latest up to date equipment is
offered. The prices are very competitive, (cheaper), with the other stores. If
you pre-book over the Internet, there is extra discount offered |
|
| Other
comments about the resort. |
| Well
the 3 valleys. This resort seems like all of the valleys in France
in one area. Plus, there are another 5 resorts available to ski on
the same ski pass! No hustle and bustle of the resort.
Fantastic people who cannot do enough for you. Superior
accommodation, hire of equipment, and fantastic customer service with
great hospitality! Don’t forget your ID when going for a drink, as
you need to identify yourself in any public place. |
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