General Information: Vail-Beaver Creek: 970-476-1000

Vail and Beaver Creek are about 100 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70, served by the Eagle-Vail Airport a few miles to the west and excellent shuttle systems. Beaver Creek is 10 miles west of Vail.

Vail is the largest ski area in the United States, opened in 1962 and designed by a World War II veteran from the famous 10th Mountain Division of combat skiers. It has America’s best bowl skiing and more high-speed chair lifts than any other place in the world. It is huge, offering so much variety that skiers find new experiences constantly.

Vail has seven bowls, 85 trails and over 1,500 skiable acres (32% advanced, 36% intermediate, 32% beginner). Its highest lift goes to 11,440 feet and its longest run is nearly four miles. Snowboarding is available, as is backcountry snowcat skiing on nearly 3,000 acres. Nordic skiing includes multi-day trips along the 10th Mountain Division trail between Vail and Aspen. Children’s lessons and child care are available.

Beaver Creek 10 miles west of Vail is a more exclusive ski resort, with smaller crowds and more luxury accommodations than any other Colorado resort. It has 85 trails and 1,530 skiable acres (43% advanced, 39% intermediate, 18% beginner). One of Beaver Creek’s lifts connects with nearby Arrowhead, a smaller ski area with mostly intermediate, uncrowded runs that families especially enjoy.

Vail luxury lodging includes the 320-room Cascade Hotel and Club, with pool, whirlpools, exercise room, restaurant, lounge and movie theater. The 60-room Lodge at Vail has hotel rooms plus two-and three-bedroom suites, restaurant, lounge, pool, sauna, whirlpool and exercise room. The Sonnenalp has restaurants, lounge, pool, hot tub, fitness center and spas.

Vail luxury condominiums include Montaneros, with fireplaces, pool, hot tub, sauna and Jacuzzi. Condo management companies include Vail Management Company, 970-476-4262. There are more fine condos in Vail than we can list here.

Beaver Creek luxury lodging includes the 300-room Hyatt Regency Hotel, with ski-in/ski-out convenience, pool, hot tubs, fitness center, restaurants, lounge and shops. The 60-room Pines Lodge has saunas, pool, whirlpool and exercise center. A few miles west is the Lodge at Cordillera, with fireplaces, pool, hot tub, exercise room, lounge and the popular (expensive) Restaurant Picasso.

Beaver Creek luxury condos include ski-in/ski-out Saddle Ridge, with two-and three-bedroom villas, fireplaces, kitchens, whirlpools, fitness center, hot tub and pool. The 155-unit Charter has one-to five-bedroom condos, pool, hot tubs, health club, sauna, restaurant and lounge. Beaver Creek Lodge has one-to five-bedroom units with fireplaces, pool, spa, exercise room, steamroom, sauna, kitchens.

Popular, expensive restaurants in Vail include Alfred’s, Ambrosia, Left Bank and LaTour. In Beaver Creek: Beano’s Cabin, Mirabelle, Patina Ristorante, and traMonti.

Night spots that usually have music or dancing in Vail include Louie’s, Sheika’s, The Club, Cascade Hotel, Sonnenalp’s King’s Club and Mickey’s in the Lodge at Vail. At Beaver Creek: The Pines Lodge and Hyatt Regency hotel.

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