If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
trip to Vail - looking for advice
Hello,
we're heading out to Vail for the somewhat extended April 15th weekend. We've been there before during summer and by car, but this is our first trip there during winter, and this time we're flying in. Since we already paid quite a lot for tickets and lodging, I'd like to keep the rest of expenses to the minimum (within reason). So before I'm told "you shouldn't go to Vail then" I have a few questions. I've done some homework, read some info from various sites, I found this one: http://www.econovail.com/ to be particularly useful. However a few things are still unclear: 1) we'll be flying in to Eagle County airport. What is the best way to get into Vail from there, and then from Vail back into airport? I understand there's a bus (http://www.eagle-county.com/bus_schedules.cfm) but it seems like it won't fit our schedule. 2) will we need a car? I've heard several, and sometimes conflicting, information about the Vail shuttle system. How good/convenient is it? We don't have to go to other resorts. 3) I'm thinking of taking the "Meet the Mountain: welcome tour". Is it worth taking? We're very good riders, just not familiar with this area. 4) Food: I'm not interested in the gourmet stuff, but not necessary fast food either. Any recommendations here? 5) Stuff to do when not riding/eating: thinking about seeing the ski museum. Any other things to see/do? 6) Riding: any advice here welcome. How are the snow conditions during this time of year? Any places better than other (less crowds, better snow, etc.)? I wouldn't mind trying the trees, and some steeps. Is the pipe still in good shape? Thanks in advance. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
trip to Vail - looking for advice
Rent a car. It's cheap and convenient. I stayed in Leadville last spring
in the Super 8. $40 a night. For spring riding try Beaver Creek right down the road. That place is great! "Sharkie" wrote in message om... Hello, we're heading out to Vail for the somewhat extended April 15th weekend. We've been there before during summer and by car, but this is our first trip there during winter, and this time we're flying in. Since we already paid quite a lot for tickets and lodging, I'd like to keep the rest of expenses to the minimum (within reason). So before I'm told "you shouldn't go to Vail then" I have a few questions. I've done some homework, read some info from various sites, I found this one: http://www.econovail.com/ to be particularly useful. However a few things are still unclear: 1) we'll be flying in to Eagle County airport. What is the best way to get into Vail from there, and then from Vail back into airport? I understand there's a bus (http://www.eagle-county.com/bus_schedules.cfm) but it seems like it won't fit our schedule. 2) will we need a car? I've heard several, and sometimes conflicting, information about the Vail shuttle system. How good/convenient is it? We don't have to go to other resorts. 3) I'm thinking of taking the "Meet the Mountain: welcome tour". Is it worth taking? We're very good riders, just not familiar with this area. 4) Food: I'm not interested in the gourmet stuff, but not necessary fast food either. Any recommendations here? 5) Stuff to do when not riding/eating: thinking about seeing the ski museum. Any other things to see/do? 6) Riding: any advice here welcome. How are the snow conditions during this time of year? Any places better than other (less crowds, better snow, etc.)? I wouldn't mind trying the trees, and some steeps. Is the pipe still in good shape? Thanks in advance. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
trip to Vail - looking for advice
If you want to spend your entire time at Vail, you can probably do ok
without a car. But, are you sure you want to spend 100% of your time at Vail? When I go out, I stay in Frisco, which is about 40 mins east of Vail and a lot less expensive. From there, you have many world class choices: Breckenridge 10min, Copper Mtn 10Min, Vail 40Min, A-Basin (which has the longest season) 5Mins, etc. I like the variety and while they are all great resorts, I prefer Breck or Copper over Vail. If you want to look into it, I recommend the Holiday Inn, Frisco. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
trip to Vail - looking for advice
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
trip to Vail - looking for advice
1) we'll be flying in to Eagle County airport. What is the best way to
get into Vail from there, and then from Vail back into airport? I understand there's a bus (http://www.eagle-county.com/bus_schedules.cfm) but it seems like it won't fit our schedule. You can rent a car, hire a taxi, or take the shuttle. If you will be staying in Vail (Village, Golden Peak, or Lionshead) you will not need a car to get around as most attractions are within walking distance or accessable by the free shuttle system. 2) will we need a car? I've heard several, and sometimes conflicting, information about the Vail shuttle system. How good/convenient is it? We don't have to go to other resorts. I live and work in Vail, and use the shuttle frequently. It's quick, easy, and reliable. Parking can sometimes be an added hassle and expense on a busy weekend. 3) I'm thinking of taking the "Meet the Mountain: welcome tour". Is it worth taking? We're very good riders, just not familiar with this area. The mountain tour is a good way to get your bearings (and to learn about the natural and human history of the region), but will likely not challenge your riding. If you weant to get to the action quickly, bail on the tour and ask an instructor or patroller for 'secret stash' recommendations. 4) Food: I'm not interested in the gourmet stuff, but not necessary fast food either. Any recommendations here? Two Elk, Buffaloes and Wildwood offer a variety of good choices (so do Eagle's Nest and mid-Vail, but IMO, the food at the former locations is a bit better). Each is located at a mountaintop location, so you do not need to ride to the base area so you can eat and keep charging. The food is hearty, tasty, and nutritious. 12-1pm can be busy, and you may want to schedule lunch either early or a bit later in the afternoon. It's not inexpensive, but it is good. 5) Stuff to do when not riding/eating: thinking about seeing the ski museum. Any other things to see/do? The ski museum is a great idea. Walk around Vail Village. Rent a mountain bike and cruise the rec path. Adventure Ridge offers tubing, snowbiking, and snowmobile rentals. Vail is scheduled to close for the season April 18, and you can look forward to plenty of 'end of the season' celebrations, both on the mountain and in town. 6) Riding: any advice here welcome. How are the snow conditions during this time of year? Any places better than other (less crowds, better snow, etc.)? I wouldn't mind trying the trees, and some steeps. Is the pipe still in good shape? You simply can't go wrong. Vail is huge and you'll be super-stoked to explore. The snow is soft spring 'hero snow', and we've been seeing several inches of fresh snow on the mountain each day through the past week. The Back Bowls are incomparable. The pipe is in good shape, as is the terrain park (both at Golden Peak). Hike out to Ptarmigan Ridge (off Wildwood Chair #3) for an untracked descent into Sundown Bowl. Snag Park (in Nothwoods Bowl), Yonder (in Sunup Bowl), and all of Blue Sky Basin offer well spaced trees and plenty of fun lines. If the temps are below freezing, work with the sun: south aspects tend to soften first. North aspects will be less affected by the sun, and can offer faster snow when the going gets super-soft. Once you go up, you do not need to go down to the lower mountain (where the warmer temperatures in the lower elevations have melted back much of the snow). There is a pond-skimming event on Saturday (4/17) at Golden Peak, and the energy will be high all over the mountain with locals and guests celebrating the end of another great season. If it'd be helpful, feel free to stop by the Vail Village Ski and Ride School between 8:30-9am and I'd be more than happy identify the places on the mountain map that will best meet your needs (you can also ask any other instructor, patroller, or mountain information person). Look forward to a great vacation! Thanks in advance. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
trip to Vail - looking for advice
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Tahoe Trip | Mike M. Miskulin | Snowboarding | 3 | March 28th 04 12:19 AM |
French Alps- Tips for a Spring trip to SERRE-CHEVALIER? | toddjb | Snowboarding | 3 | February 26th 04 06:20 AM |
Trip Report - Mt. Baker / Mt. Bachelor | toddjb | Snowboarding | 10 | January 5th 04 11:34 PM |
November Skiing conditions at Vail | Jonna | General | 0 | November 19th 03 03:32 PM |
Vail on the cheap | 4matic | Snowboarding | 8 | July 25th 03 12:11 AM |