Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The draw to Vail is no secret. It's the endless outdoor activities in both winter and summer
that make this resort so attractive. Do remember that the mud season (mid-April to May
and November) holds little attraction for visitors - you can't ski, but you can't really get
up into the mountains to hike around either. If it's the backcountry you're interested in,
head for the Holy Cross wilderness outside of Minturn, where you'll find several peaks to
climb.
Winter Sports
Vail Mountain
( 970-754-8245;
www.vail.com
; lift ticket adult/child $129/89; 9am-4pm Dec-mid-Apr)
Vail Mountain is
our favorite in the state, with 5289 skiable acres, 193 trails, three terrain parks and (ahem)
the highest lift-ticket prices on the continent. If you're a Colorado ski virgin, it's worth
paying the extra bucks to pop your cherry here - especially on a blue-sky fresh-powder
day. Multiday tickets are good at four other resorts (Beaver Creek, Breck, Keystone and
A-Basin).
With over 30 lifts in operation it can be tough to find your way around, so spend some
time studying the trail map. The two high-speed gondolas will get you out of the base
areas:
Gondola One
(heated and wi-fi enabled) serves Vail Village;
Eagle Bahn
serves Lion-
shead. The main lift-ticket office is located just northwest of Gondola One.
SNOW SPORTS
Dobson Ice Arena
( 970-479-2271;
www.vailrec.com
; 321 E Lionshead Circle; adult/child $6/5, skate rental $3; hours vary)
Located at the entrance to the Lionshead ski resort, this aging yet more than adequate rink
offers public skate times (see schedule online). There are also much smaller outdoor rinks
in Vail Village and Lionshead.
SKATING
Vail Nordic Center
( 970-476-8366;
www.vailnordiccenter.com
;
1778 Vail Valley Dr; day pass adult/child $8/free; 9am-5pm)
Vail's cross-country skiing resource offers lessons and gear rental for aspiring Nordic ski-
ers. You can also rent snowshoes. There are 10 miles of trails; ask about backcountry ac-
cess too.
SNOW SPORTS
Summer Sports
Vail to Breckenridge Bike Path
CYCLING
