Vail
Post Office Box 7
Vail, CO 81658
Reservations Number: (800) 404-3535
Snow Report Number: (970) 476-4888
Fax Number: (970) 496-4980
Website: www.vail.com
Resort Overview:
Vail's motto is "so much mountain, so little time". Vail is the largest single-mountain ski area in North America. They have developed numerous programs especially for children and families, including SKE-COLOGY, an educational program that teaches kids about the environment at the same time they're learning to ski. Vail offers a special package of information designed specifically to help parents plan family vacations. It contains information on everything from babysitting services to special events for families, plus reading materials just for kids. To receive this package, call 800-4SKIKID
What's New This Year: Thrill Sledding - A nighttime downhill guided adventure tour from the top of Vail Mountain to the bottom of the gondola. The head-first sleds have a hand-actuated hydraulic brake system and ride on four independently suspended skis. Rider must be at least 12 years old and be able to handle the sled (may be by guide discretion). Reservations are recommended (970) 476-9090. Prices are: $47 for Value Season; $55 For Regular Season.
Resort Statistics:
Base Elevation: 8,120
Summit: 11,480
Vertical Drop: 3,360
Skiable Acres: 5,164
Average Annual Snowfall: 335"
Season: Mid November through end of April
Snowmaking: 380 acres
Night Skiing: No
Ski-Only Areas: No
Snowboarding Offered: Yes
Snowboarding Trails: 174
Terrain Parks: 1
Cross Country Skiing Offered: Yes 9 miles of trails
Lifts: 32: 1 Gondola, 13 High-speed Quad, 1 Fixed-grip Quad, 3 Triple Chair, 5 Double Chair, 9 Surface Lift
Lift Capacity/Hr: 51,781
Lift Hours: 8:30-4
Terrain: 28% Beginner; 32% Intermediate; 40% Advanced/ Expert
Longest Run: 4.5 miles
Lift Ticket Prices: $31 adult/ $19 children
Passes/Discounts Available: Yes, Your Vail lift ticket, also known as The Colorado Ticket, is valid at Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone. That's 10,500 acres of terrain with one ticket. Also, visit their website for several new specials.
Day Care: Small World Play School (970)479-3285 is located in the Golden Peak base area. Non-skiing children 2 months to 6 years old. Open daily, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Full-day, $63 (regular season); $73 (high season). Sprint pagers available to parents. Wide range of activities, both indoor and outdoor.
Children's Lessons: SKE-COLOGY®, a special environmental education program designed to teach children about the environment and the resort's ecology while learning to ski or snowboard.
3 Years-Kindergarten. Class hours: 9:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Children may wait in the center until 4:30 p.m. Cost: $80 (regular season); $90 (high season).
Mini Mice Program For potty-trained 3-year-olds. Includes lesson, lunch and Magic Carpet rides.
Mogul Mice Program For children 4 years old to kindergarten age who can't stop on their own. Includes lesson, lunch and lift access.
Super Stars Program For children 3 years to kindergarten age who are advanced beginners (able to stop on their own) up to experts. Includes lesson, lunch and lift access. All-Day Ski or Snowboard Lesson 6- to 14-year-olds. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Class hours: 9:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Children may wait in the center until 4:30 p.m. Available for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Includes lesson and lift access. Must bring money for lunch. Cost: $80 (regular season); $90 (high season).
Teen Access Young adults, ages 15-18. Lesson and lift access package. Choose from any adult full-day and half-day ski or snowboard lesson. During high season, additional full-day teen classes are offered with coaches who specialize in teaching teens. Cost: $95 (regular season); $105 (high season).
Babysitting:Vail Babysitting Service can be reached at (970) 827-5279. Rates vary.
Family Recreational Activities: Family Adventure Phone Line Call the KIDS LINE at (970) 479-2048 and listen to recorded information on weekly activities the whole family will enjoy.
Kids Rental Items: www.babysaway.com
Lodging: The Vail Valley provides more than 150 lodging options that can accommodate up to 40,000 visitors. Spacious hotels, quaint bed-and-breakfast inns and comfortable homes, and condominiums provide something for everyone's taste and budget. All properties located in Vail's three main base areas - Lionshead, Vail Village and Golden Peak - are within a five-minute walk to the slopes. Properties situated outside the areas - East Vail, West Vail and Avon - are easily accessible by convenient bus transportation or by property-operated shuttle service. Lodge at Vail Vail Village's only ski-in/ski-out luxury hotel, with 117 hotel rooms and condominium units just steps from the base of the Vista Bahn chairlift in the heart of Vail Village. Choose from 40 individually decorated chalet-style suites with one, two and three bedrooms. Each unit includes a kitchen, living area and wood-burning fireplace. Two award-winning restaurants on site - Cucina Rustica and The Wildflower. Features 6,000-square-foot ballroom and an additional 4,000 square feet of meeting space to accommodate groups of any size. Other amenities include an exercise room, a Jacuzzi and sauna, an outdoor heated swimming pool, on-site ski rental and storage, Mickey's Piano Ba
Sonnenalp Resort Three "houses" - Austria, Bavarian and Swiss - offer more than 173 rooms to choose from. On-site child care, guided backcountry programs, ski storage and tuning, lift tickets available on site, ski shipping, and cellular phone rentals are just a few of the unique amenities offered at this top-rated resort. Two spas that feature unique treatments. Facilities also include Turkish steam rooms, Finnish saunas, Jacuzzis, fitness equipment, pool and free weights.
Marriott's Vail Mountain Resort Located 200 meters away from the Eagle Bahn Gondola in Lionshead. 350 deluxe guest rooms, including 50 condominiums and suites. Amenities include restaurants, a 24-hour front desk, maid service, swimming pools, hot tubs, an athletic club, gift shop, ski rentals, room service, full-service spa, hair salon and more.
Vail Cascade Hotel & Club AAA Four Diamond-rated facility offering ski-in/ski-out accessibility, with the Cascade Village lift only 10 feet from the back door. 289 deluxe guest rooms and 63 condominiums from one to four bedrooms. Amenities include a 26,000-square-foot conference center, Alfredo's award-winning restaurant, a 75,000-square-foot athletic club and spa, two movie theatres, three Jacuzzis, two ski shops and a free courtesy shuttle.
Vail Athletic Club Hotel and Spa Deluxe hotel located in Vail Village within walking distance of the slopes, dining, shopping and nightlife. 118 hotel guestrooms and condominiums, ranging from studios to penthouse suites. Amenities include a 24-hour front desk, a 20-meter indoor pool, four indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, an extensive fitness and exercise facility with an indoor rock climbing wall, and a spa for massage therapy and skin treatments. Home to one of Vail's most popular restaurants, Terra Bistro.
Lion Square Lodge A true ski-in/ski-out property in Lionshead, just steps from the Eagle Bahn Gondola and Born Free Express. Lodge rooms and spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums are available. Amenities include a restaurant, pool, sauna, hot tubs, conference rooms, ski rental and a full-service concierge.
Private Mountain Retreat Game Creek Chalet Four-bedroom, four-bathroom, European-style cabin located on Vail Mountain overlooking Game Creek Bowl. Ski or snowboard to the Chalet or catch a ride with a snowcat. Greeting by chalet keeper with champagne, hors d'oeuvres and warm, fleece slippers. Private chef serves elegant, four-course dinner and returns in the morning to prepare breakfast. Amenities include an outdoor Jacuzzi, large wine and bar selection, and extensive library and music options to choose from. Lift tickets and half-day instruction included. Special extras may be added to this exclusive experience. Extras include a private massage, activities at Adventure Ridge, or snowcat service late at night from Vail Village after visiting the bars. Cost: $600 per person, four-person minimum. Two-night minimum stay required. Cost for additional amenities varies.
Amenities: Ice skating, tubing, ski-biking, laser tag, kids' snowmobiling track, and snowshoeing.
Transportation Available: Van shuttle companies operate from both airports and can drop visitors off at the front door of their lodge or condominium.
Awards: Vail was recently ranked as the #1 family destination by Skiing magazine.
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