Vail Ski Resort
Vail, CO 81657
Phone: (970) 476-5601
- Hours:
- Daily 8:30am-4pm
Editorial Review for Vail Ski Resort – by Citysearch Editors
In Short
Take away the chichi shops and malls, the top-notch dining and the charming village atmosphere, Vail would still have a megalithic resort with World Ski Championship terrain. There are 5,289 acres within three distinct mountain experiences: the Front Side, the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. The runs that orbit Vail terrain include very challenging Back Bowls. Speedy skiers can test their skills on the dual giant slalom course for an extra fee.
Vital Stats
Vertical drop: 3,450 feet
Base elevation: 8,120 feet
Top elevation: 11,570 feet
Lifts: 34
Number of trails: 193
Skiable acres: 5,289
Beginner terrain: 28 percent
Intermediate terrain: 32 percent
Expert terrain: 40 percent
Snowboarding: Full facilities
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User Reviews for Vail Ski Resort
12/25/2006 Posted 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
11/11/2005 Posted 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!
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