One of the world`s most famous resorts and for many the top resort in North America, Vail is a surprisingly young resort, conceived in 1962 by a gentleman called Peter Seibert. In being wholly purpose-built rather than claiming some tenuous link to the `Old West` it differs from many other famous Colorado ski resorts. It`s different again from the other Colorado resorts that have been started from scratch in that Mr Seibert has done a rather nice job - creating a US resort with an Alpine village feel and an ambience that the majority of North American ski centres sadly lack. He was helped on his way by the first business owners in the area - many of them from Austria and Germany, anxious to recreate a little of what they missed from home. The centre of what is now a town has been pedestrianised, further enhancing the holiday atmosphere. Due to its incredible success the resort has inevitably spread out along the sides of the I 70 valley in both directions, with modern developments linked by an efficient shuttle bus to the central Vail Village. More than 4000 staff are now employed by Vail Resorts alone. The resort has also spawned new resorts such as up-market Beaver Creek and the developments at Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch, as well as buying up near neighbours in recent years, including Breckenridge and Keystone - creating a very appealing group resort lift ticket in the process. Indeed Vail is marketed very much as a `Valley`. Apart from the resort`s own developments they include revitalised original settlements such as the former rail centre at Minturn, home of quaint art galleries and a winery and the tiny community of Redcliff, an 1890s gold-mining centre in a picturesque canyon over Battle Mountain Pass. Avon, between Vail and Beaver Creek (10 miles/16km apart) has developed from a ranching community into the administrative and commercial heart of Vail Valley. Beaver Creek, still marketed alongside Vail, has very much established itself as a unique resort in its own right whilst the newer-still Arrowhead, closest to the local Eagle County Airport, is centred around a Jack Nicklaus-designed Country Club of the Rockies. Because of Vail`s phenomonal success, building in the area shows no sign of slowing, to the alarm of some locals and environmentalists from outside the area who are becoming increasingly vocal in their concerns of `over development`. In common with other Western North American resorts Vail gets huge powder snow falls each season, in Vail`s case averaging 27 feet / 842 cms per annum. Apres Ski Apres ski normally gets rolling around 4ish and runs on through in to the small hours. The choice of night spots is not bettered in any other ski resort. A good choice to start, if you`d prefer coffee to alcohol, is the Daily Grind, a popular coffee house known for its Java. Favourite long-standing spots are Pepi`s Bar and Sheika`s nightclub at the intersection of Bridge Street and Gore Creek Drive. Both are located in the Gasthof Gramshammer owned by Vail pioneers Pepi and Sheika Gramshammer. Vail`s microbrewery, the Hubcap, is a favourite with the locals as well as visitors. There are dozens more in Vail itself and throughout the valley. Apart from clubs and bars there`s a lot more choice in Vail - the Eagle`s Nest Activity Centre at the top of the gondola offers sliding under the lights in to the night, or you can take a sleigh ride or, usually once a week, watch a torchlit descent and fireworks display. Eating Out Over 100 great dining options in Vail and for all price ranges. • Main courses from to . • Sweet Basil, Lancelot, Blu's Activities • Ice skating • Snowmobiling • Ski biking • Adventure Ridge • Snowshoe Tours • Dog sledding Other Amenities • Colourful shops, restaurants and bars • Health clubs • Winter footpaths • Wildlife tours • Shuttle service between Vail and Beaver Creek, half-hourly (0800-2400), each way • Silverthorne Factory Outlet Shopping Centre |
|
calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
