If you are a serious skier who fancies a change from the slow-paced ski slopes of Europe, you have to experience Colorado. Even if you only have a few days free, visiting Vail – Colorado’s ultimate skiing destination is a must. Well, if you want to experience some of the highest, fastest and snowiest ski slopes in the world, that is.
To help you make the most of a long weekend in Vail, here are a few tips veteran Colorado skiers swear by:
Arrange how you’ll get there in advance
Don’t leave arranging your transport from the airport until you arrive. Otherwise, you could end up stuck for hours. Before your trip, look at the options for getting to your resort and book the most suitable one.
If you decide to take a shuttle – these regularly run from the airport to the skiing resorts, make sure to check the timetables. The Vail airport shuttle schedules can change from day to day. So make sure to double check the buses running on your day of arrival.
Go with a group of advanced skiers
While Vale caters for skiers of all abilities, only 20 percent of the slopes are suitable for new skiers. These ranges tend to be away from the steeper slopes. So if you don’t want to have to split your time, go with other advanced skiers.
Many of the slopes are long – Riva Ridge is a whopping four miles in length, so it’s important to be in good shape. It’s also crucial to go with a group of skiers who are at the same fitness level as you.
Get up early
Vale is one of the world’s largest skiing resorts, which means the slopes are spread out over a 10-mile radius. The best slopes to ski – if you are experienced that is, are The Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. However, it can take up to an hour to arrive at these from your accommodation, as you have to take several different lifts to get there.
To make the most of your trip, it’s advised to get up early to beat the lift queues and head straight for these slopes. This will give you the chance to have a fantastic morning out on the best slopes, before heading back to your resort.
Research all the best places to eat
As all veteran skiers will tell you, it’s not just the slopes that make the experience, it’s also the on-mountain dining. The best ski resorts are the ones that offer various places to eat, from fancy restaurants to more relaxed lodges serving delicious bar food. Vail is packed full of amazing eateries. From mountain restaurants to ski-in, ski-out cafes, there are so many options to choose from.
While I could mention all the best places to eat – Two Elk on Blue Sky and The 10th are popular, it’s important that you do your own research. When it comes to where to eat, we all have our own personal preferences. So doing a little Trip Advisor stalking before your trip is a must.
Make the most of a long weekend in Vail skiing with these handy tips. Be prepared, plan in advance and research all the best places to eat, and you’ll have a whale of a time.