Travel to Vail with ski insurance from Essential Travel

One of North America’s biggest and best ski resorts, Vail offers visitors the ultimate winter holiday. From a sleepy mountain town inhabited by a few sheep ranchers, Vail has undergone a phenomenal metamorphosis, culminating in the expansive, fully-equipped town that it is today.

The resort town exudes European charm, created primarily by its Tyrolean-inspired façade that features Swiss-style chalets and Bavarian lodges among the profuse accommodation options. Additionally, the town offers an incomparable selection of hip night spots, gourmet restaurants, shops of all description, and a plethora of other amenities.

Vail’s world-class ski area covers a whopping 2,140 hectares and includes terrain for all levels of ability. The ski resort has an impressive system of 34 lifts, and a longest run of 6.4kms. There are three distinct mountain facets: the Front Side, the Blue Sky Basin, and the legendary Back Bowls – an advanced skiers’ paradise with 87 per cent of its runs geared for the highest ability levels.

Of the entire spread of ski territory presented by Vail resort, beginner trails are the least dominant, making up only 18 per cent of the slopes; however, novices are compensated with superb nursery runs and outstanding ski schools. Intermediates have a very decent 29 per cent of the mountain, but experts take the cake at Vail, with 53 per cent of all ski routes allocated to those with upper level abilities. Snowboarders have access to the ski resort’s full range of facilities.

In keeping with the rest of the resort, off slope activities at Vail are just as profuse. Tubing, snowmobiling, ski biking, ice-skating, snowshoeing, orienteering, bungee trampolines, sleigh rides and dog-sledding are just a few of the alternative activities available to visitors. If none of those interest you, the spas, health centre or extensive range of shops and other facilities in town surely will.

The ski season at Vail runs from mid-November to mid-April. The resort is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, approximately 160kms from Denver, and is accessible via car, air transportation or shuttle transfer.

Skiing in Vail

There are many reasons to visit Vail, including: the charming Tyrolean town itself, the spectacular scenery, the vibrant nightlife and the superb dining opportunities. Of course, Vail’s magnificent skiing opportunities outshine all else. Offering something for everyone, this massive expanse of snowy terrain has gained a deserved reputation as one of North America’s most spectacular ski areas.

Skiing in Vail is nothing short of incredible. The resort is known for its reliable snowfall, blanketing the slopes in a dreamy layer of powder and creating optimal riding conditions. Additionally, Vail is fabulously uncrowded, with an average of only two to four skiers per half-hectare, spread out over 2,140 hectares of terrain.

The 193 ski trails featured in Vail are split among beginners (18 per cent), intermediates (29 per cent) and advanced/expert skiers (53 per cent). A 6.4-kilometre longest run gives long distance skiers the chance to stretch their legs and test their thighs. The slopes are distributed over three separate areas: the Front Side, the Blue Sky Basin, and the challenging Back Bowls. Access to the slopes is provided by a state-of-the-art system of 34 lifts.

Vail is open for skiing from mid-November to mid-April. The resort is located approximately 160kms from the city of Denver, in the magical Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Après-ski in Vail

In the event that you need a break from the slopes, Vail offers a wide spectrum of non-skiing activities, including: tubing, snowmobiling, ski biking, ice-skating, snowshoeing, orienteering, bungee trampolines, sleigh rides and dog-sledding. The resort’s après-ski scene is another fun-filled avenue open to exploration. Whether you prefer laid-back or buzzing, Vail has the full spectrum of top notch restaurants, live music venues, nightclubs, bars and lounges to keep you socially satisfied and smiling.

Lodging facilities abound in Vail, offering visitors the choice of luxurious hotels, atmospheric lodges, comfortable condos, rustic chalets and charming bed–and-breakfasts. Many of these provide guests with ski-in/ski-out convenience, while others are situated in the heart of Vail town.

Dining and nightlife are equally varied in Vail, with endless restaurants serving everything from home-style cooking to nouvelle cuisine, and a social scene featuring sports bars, piano bars, dance clubs, live music venues and more.

Nearby Summit County offers four additional ski resorts that are accessible on the same pass as Vail, and are worth checking out if you are up for something different. Beaver Creek is connected to Vail by bus transfer, making it particularly convenient. Additionally, the Vail area presents a number of possibilities for great day excursions, including the Colorado Ski Museum and Ski Hall of Fame, and the perennial Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.

Transportation to Vail

Vail ski resort is situated in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado, roughly 160kms west of Denver and 56kms east of Eagle. Methods of transportation to the resort include driving, shuttle transfer, or air transportation to Denver International Airport or Eagle County Airport, followed by a road transfer.

If you opt for taking your own car, or hiring a car from one of the airports, Vail can be accessed via the scenically lovely I-70 that leads directly to the town. When you enter Vail, follow signs to the main Vail exit (176), where the majority of lodging can be found, along with parking and access to the mountain.

The closest airport to the ski resort is Vail/Eagle County Airport, located just 30 minutes west of Vail on I-70. Eagle County Airport receives non-stop service from 13 major cities across the United States. If you are coming from outside of the country, the closest international airport is located in Denver. Colorado Mountain Express offers shuttle transportation to Vail ski resort from both airports. Additionally, CME Premier offers luxury chauffeured sedan transportation to Vail, and A Mountain Limousine provides limousine transfers to and from all Colorado destinations.

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