Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
VAIL & THE HOLY CROSS WILDERNESS
Tucked between the remote Eagles Nest Wilderness to the north and the Holy Cross Wil-
derness to the west, Vail is a universe unto itself. Famous for its massive, stylish ski resort,
this is the place where many come to indulge in their deepest, darkest powder-filled fantas-
ies. Your pockets don't have to be flush with cash to enjoy the dramatic scenery, however;
the surrounding wilderness areas are truly magnificent and a great place to find inspiration,
free of charge.
MT OF THE HOLY CROSS
Once one of the most famous peaks in the Rockies, Mt of the Holy Cross first caught the nation's attention in 1873,
when William Henry Jackson photographed the mountain while accompanying the Hayden Expedition. His photo-
graphy, along with paintings of the mystical 'snow cross' (a vaguely cross-shaped snowfield on the northeast face)
by fellow expedition member Thomas Moran, symbolized the Colorado wilderness to millions of 19th-century
Americans. Pilgrimages to view the cross on the northeast face during the late spring and early summer led to the
construction of the shelter at the summit of Notch Mountain in 1924.
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Vail
POP 5305 / ELEV 8120FT
Blessed with peaks, graced with blue skies and fresh powder, carved by rivers and groomed
with ski slopes and bike trails, Vail is the ultimate Colorado playground. The real draw has
always been Vail Mountain, a hulking domed mass of snowy joy that offers more terrain
than anywhere else in the US: 1500 acres of downhill slopes on the north face and 3500
acres of back-bowl bliss. And it's those endless, naturally sculpted back bowls that have
made this resort beloved and famous - though some would say current resident Lindsey
Vonn (Olympic gold medalist and four-time World Cup champion for alpine skiing) has
helped to boost Vail's profile in equal measure.
Factor in Vail's gourmet offerings, well-coiffed clientele and young powder-fueled staff
and you have an adrenalin-addled, yuppie utopia. Indeed, stress does not cling to the bones
long here…until you get the bill. And even then you'll have had such a time skiing, hiking,
biking and horseback riding that the memories will last far longer than the icy splash of
