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"Vail offers some of the best skiing and snow I have ever experienced; even at the end of the day we were finding fresh tracks through the trees. If groomed pistes are more your thing, then you'll be pretty happy here as Vail offers the most groomed terrain in the world! No visit to Vail would be complete without cooking up a BBQ at Belles Camp - a very unique experience."

Nick Laver

Product Manager

Vail Ski Holidays

With jaw-dropping terrain and exceptional luxury hotels, glamorous Vail more than deserves its reputation as one of the best ski destinations in the world. And with an impressive powder record and over 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s no wonder skiers and boarders flock to this special Colorado resort.

Explore the slopes

If you love perfectly groomed terrain, Vail has the most in the world. With 5,289 acres of pristine packed powder, ranging from gentle tree-lined greens to exhilarating black diamonds, you need never ski the same run twice. The entire front face of the mighty Vail Mountain has an easy trail option at the top of each lift, so mixed groups and beginners can safely explore the full elevation of the mountain.

Fans of off-piste skiing and riding should venture over to the back side of the mountain to explore Vail’s legendary Back Bowls. With seven miles of powdery wilderness to play in, this is some of the most incredible inbounds backcountry terrain we’ve ever seen. From the Back Bowls, you can then try the challenging runs in Blue Sky Basin, the most remote of all Vail’s terrain. The sweeping views of the surrounding Gore and Sawatch mountain ranges from these lofty slopes will take your breath away. 

Enjoy the resort

Vail is a large resort famous for its unabashed luxury. The Tirolean-inspired Vail Village was the resort’s charming original base, gradually expanding along the valley to include the contemporary Lionshead and peaceful Golden Peak areas, as well as more secluded spots beside Gore Creek. Both Vail Village and Lionshead boast traffic-free heated streets, an eclectic choice of restaurants and shops, and some rather glitzy après-ski venues. Don’t worry if you prefer down-to-earth hangouts, there are several local tap rooms and bars where you can relax beside a cosy log fire.

Families and non-skiers can enjoy a huge range of activities away from the slopes. Soak up the stunning scenery from the comfort of a four-track snowcoach, horse-drawn sleigh or alpine spa. Try your hand at dog sledding, tubing, hot air ballooning or winter horseback riding. Or why not visit one of the resort’s three picturesque outdoor ice rinks?

Where to stay

Vail boasts a truly luxurious portfolio of accommodation, from five-star hotels to spacious condos and private homes. Many of our featured options are situated in stunning slopeside locations, offering the ultimate in convenience and ease. For the ski trip of a lifetime, it has to be one of Vail’s lavish five-star hotels. Guests are treated to superb first-class service, breath-taking mountain views and unrivalled facilities including indulgent spas, heated robes, ski concierges and open-air fireplaces. Vail also offers lodgings in smaller boutique hotels, some in beautifully secluded locations, as well as great value lodges and condos.

Getting to Vail

Ski Independence offer a choice of airlines flying direct from London into Denver, and indirect into Vail Eagle and we provide complete flexibility to choose the day of departure, holiday duration, choice of airline and cabin type. We have the freedom to build you the perfect holiday itinerary around the best flight options that suit you, and not around a product we’re committed to sell.

All of our holidays to Vail include a shared, scheduled shuttle transfer from Denver, but if you want to take advantage of your EPIC Pass, you may want the flexibility of a self-drive, SUV or minivan. We offer 'Gold' option car rental which includes all the mandatory taxes & fees, extra driver fees, fuel and ski rack. We can also offer vehicles with SatNav. We also offer a full range of private transfer options.

image: © Vail Resorts -- All rights reserved

 

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"Vail offers some of the best skiing and snow I have ever experienced; even at the end of the day we were finding fresh tracks through the trees. If groomed pistes are more your thing, then you'll be pretty happy here as Vail offers the most groomed terrain in the world! No visit to Vail would be complete without cooking up a BBQ at Belles Camp - a very unique experience."

Nick Laver

Product Manager

Vail Stats

Ski Area

5,289 acres

Ski Range

8,120–11,570ft

Blue Runs

18%

Red Runs

29%

Black Runs

53%

Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr

Airport distances

Denver

2hr30mins

Vail Eagle

30mins

Offers in Vail

The Sebastian - Vail

Winter Booking Offer
Book a stay at The Sebastian - Vail and receive daily breakfast credit plus up to $700 resort credit

Grand Hyatt Vail, Vail

Complimentary Breakfast
Book your Winter 23/24 stay at the Grand Hyatt Vail and receive a daily complimentary breakfast

Vail Accommodation

Four Seasons Resort Vail

The Four Seasons Resort Vail is located in central Vail...

The Arrabelle

The Arrabelle is one of the finest and most luxurious...

The Ritz-Carlton Residences

The Ritz-Carlton Residences offer luxury mountain living in Vail's Lionshead...

Grand Hyatt Vail

The beautiful Grand Hyatt Vail is one of the resort's...

The Sebastian - Vail

The Sebastian is one of Vail’s most stylish boutique properties...

Lodge at Vail

The Lodge at Vail offers luxury ski accommodation in the...

Gravity Haus Vail

The Gravity Haus Vail is something fresh, new and different...

Antlers at Vail

The Antlers at Vail is located on the banks of...

Tivoli Lodge

The family-owned Tivoli Lodge is a luxury ski lodge, nestled...

Vail Racquet Club

The Vail Racquet Club offers fantastic value-for-money condo accommodation in...

Après-Ski in Vail

There’s three fantastic ski outs in Vail – Golden Peak, Vail Village and Lionshead. We suggest you slide down and finish your ski day in Vail Village or Lionshead for exceptional après. Best locations for an après beer or two are as follows:

Garfinkel's (Lionshead)

Popular with the locals, Garfs is a great place to sit outside, especially in the spring on their south-facing terrace overlooking the Gondola. Enjoy the late afternoon sun and watch skiers and boarders making their descents to Lionshead. Inside you’ll find a bar with walls stacked with ski memorabilia and a classic mountain town atmosphere. Serves beer by the pitcher, great margaritas and great après snacks.

C-Bar (Lionshead)

The slopeside C-Bar in the Vail Chophouse right in front of the Gondola, is more of an upmarket place to go, and has a great happy hour. Expect great après snacks like Crispy Pork Belly Sliders, a Seafood Bar and a range of hand-crafted cocktails as well as the usual array of local beers and regional wines.

Root & Flower (Vail Village)

One of Vail’s most versatile watering holes, this is a wine & cocktail bar with a difference. Enjoy a tasting experience, or sample one of over 50 wines by the glass. Expect classic cocktails and an ever-evolving menu to complement the journey.

Los Amigos (Vail Village)

Hand-crafted margaritas, tequila, beer, street tacos – enough said. This is a fantastic American Mexican fusion of food & beverage classics that adds a bit of salsa to Vail’s après scene.

Vail Brewing Co. Tap Room (Vail Village)

This is an award-winning, locally owned and run craft brewery in Vail Village serving exceptional beer and comfort food. You’ll find a proper selection of beers on tap, or try a flight of tasters.

Vendetta’s (Vail Village)

A hang out popular with the locals, including the Ski Patrol, you can enjoy a cold beer and a slice of pizza and feel like one of the guys in no time at all. This is fine dining without the stuffiness. Visit the legendary double-sided bar for drinks with your amigos or enjoy a classic Italian meal in the main dining room.

The Red Lion (Vail Village)

A Vail original, the Red Lion welcomes guests from near and far to enjoy its warm hospitality, great American cuisine, and the best in local entertainment. This is the perfect après spot in Vail Village – bar for après, restaurant for dinner and then nightclub to finish. Stagger home in ski boots…

 

Dining in Vail

Vail has a well-deserved reputation for the quality of its food and wine. During the ski day, the mountain has plenty of choice, including fine-dining options like the new 10th at mid-Vail. With a vast array of restaurants to choose from in the evening, there’s no problem finding a venue to please everybody in Vail. For a special treat, try the Game Creek Restaurant (accessed by gondola and snowcat!) which offers five-star American cuisine.

Bully Ranch

A genuine taste of Colorado awaits you in the casual and lively environs of The Bully Ranch. A local favourite since 1986, The Bully features the finest cuts of prime aged beef, and barbeque ribs, washed down with a choice of beers, wines, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try one of their signature mudslides. Just bear in mind, there’s a reason why they limit you to three! 

Pepi's Bar & Grill

Pepi’s claim to fame is that it was established way back in 1963 by Austrian couple, Pepi and Sheika Gramshammer, ensuring that guests have enjoyed a genuine Austrian welcome ever since! The restaurant’s highly original, Austrian ambiance is carried over into menu choices, where you’ll have such delicious options as Jaegerschnitzel, Paprika Goulash, and Sauerbraten. As well as European, there are American dishes. Popular with locals and visitors alike, reservations are recommended.

The Game Creek Club

Accessible only to members during the day, in the evenings the Game Creek Club is open to non-members to experience its special environment. The club is located on the north side of Game Creek Bowl and to reach it in the evening you take the Eagle Bahn Gondola, and then have a short ride in a snowcat. This all adds to the evening’s fun and makes you feel like you’re having a night out with a difference! Once there, you’re in for a real treat, with a menu that covers all tastes, offering both European and American cuisine. The dining room is beautiful, with upscale décor and furnishings, the food highly memorable, and the service attentive. 

La Tour

Close to the village centre, and just minutes from the west end of the Vail Village parking structure, Chef Paul Ferzacca’s contemporary French-American cuisine is famous on the Vail dining scene, and La Tour is reassuringly known as the restaurant ‘where the chefs eat’! The menu uses the finest organic, natural and sustainable ingredients available. Sporting one of the best wine lists in Vail, La Tour is a recipient of the Wine Spectator’s ‘Best of Award of Excellence’ accolade. The dining room’s ambiance is enhanced by the creative displaying of numerous sculptures, paintings, photographs, and pieces of glass art.

Flame

Located within the Four Seasons Resort & Residences Vail this is one of the resort’s most sought-after culinary destinations. Expect signature dishes that include a Chilled Shellfish Tower, Crispy Skinned Colorado Trout and Rocky Mountain Elk steaks.

Russell’s Steakhouse and Bar

A cosy little steakhouse, conveniently located in the centre of Vail, Russell’s serves ribs, chicken and seafood as well as steaks. It’s great food and a welcoming atmosphere have made it a long time Vail favourite, amongst locals and a real find for visitors. 

Swiss Chalet

Serving delicious European cuisine in an authentic-feeling Alpine environment, the Swiss Chalet’s menu is sure to delight, with its inclusion of traditional specialities like Kase Spatzle, and a variety of delicious fondues. A dining destination the whole family will enjoy, Swiss Chalet also offers mouth-watering desserts, and a children’s menu. Reservations are recommended.

Sweet Basil

Open for business in Vail for over 40 years, the Sweet Basil has long been a Vail mainstay. Sweet Basil is a creative, modern, American restaurant located in the heart of Vail Village. It is constantly being showered with accolades. The menu features imaginative cuisine from across a wide spectrum of diverse influences. A popular destination for wine lovers, the wine list has over 500 selections from around the world, and the bar is a great place for pre-dinner drinks. Lunch and dinner are served daily, and the bar is open throughout the day.

Up The Creek

Located on Gore Creek, and enjoying stunning scenery, Up The Creek boasts Vail’s only creek side patio, and is open daily for lunch and dinner. Their welcome is warm, the food is wholesome and plentiful, and the menu features reasonably priced appetizers, salads, pastas, and fresh fish. There’s also a children’s menu.

Tavern on the Square

Nestled within The Arrabelle at Vail Square and only steps away from the Eagle Bahn gondola, The Tavern on the Square is Vail’s most happening spot for delicious food and drink, before and after you hit the mountain. Casual by day and refined at night, The Tavern is a mountain American grill inspired by the freshest farm to table ingredients. Enjoy signature dishes, such as the Tomahawk Steak, Grilled Elk Lettuce Wraps, Baja Fish Tacos and Lobster Mac & Cheese. The Tavern boasts an eclectic wine list, a wide assortment of microbrews and fresh cocktails meant to complement any dish on the menu. The Tavern is also kid friendly and offers a great menu designed specifically for them.

Vail Chophouse

The Vail Chophouse sits right in front of the Gondola in Lionshead and offers a fantastic view up the slopes. This is a lovely restaurant offering great steaks and fresh seafood, hand-crafted cocktails and an extensive wine list. The menu has some absolute beauties to savour – double Colorado lamb chops with whipped Yukon tatties and bacon-wrapped asparagus gets our vote.

Activities in Vail

Hot Air Ballooning

Enjoy the unbeatable spectacle of the sun rising above the beautiful Vail Valley as you float soundlessly upwards. At the culmination of each Hot Air Balloon ride, enjoy a welcome glass of champagne.

Ice Skating

There are three ice rinks in Vail: at the Arrabelle, in front of Solaris and also at Adventure Ridge.

Sleigh Ride Dinner

A fun adventure for the whole family, take an open-air sleigh ride from Beaver Creek Village to Beano’s Cabin, or from Bachelor Gulch to Zach’s Cabin. Enjoy a memorable gourmet dinner high up on the mountain. Both restaurants offer spectacular Colorado cuisine with friendly service in spectacular setting. Lasting memories will be created as you relax before the glow of an inviting fire and enjoy a fabulous 5-course dinner to the accompaniment of live musical entertainment. Children have the option of their own menu at Beano’s Cabin, and there’s a children’s buffet on offer at Zach’s Cabin. Beano’s Cabin is open nightly, and Zach’s Cabin is open from Tuesdays through Saturdays. Guests in Vail will need to take a taxi to and from Beaver Creek.

Snowcoach Tours

For visitors who prefer to admire the majestic Colorado scenery from the comfort of a fully enclosed, heated snowcoach, these tours are for you! Each 4-track vehicle seats 13 passengers and travels with ease over the snow, following trails through the White River National Forest at historic Camp Hale. Admire the unrivalled beauty of the backcountry with its spectacular views of the Canadian Rockies and the Continental Divide.

Winter Horseback Riding

A great activity for young and old alike, everyone will enjoy taking a trail ride through a snowy landscape, admiring the stunning scenery that surrounds you. From your vantage point, you’ll meander through meadows, along Muddy Creek and across a mountain bench meadow, experiencing the Colorado winter landscape with every step. Whether you are a complete beginner, or have often ridden, this wonderful experience will be a highlight of your winter holiday in Vail.

Reviews of Vail

Jill Hutton

25/02/2022

Excellent service. Karen Anderson is brilliant! So helpful and nothing is too much trouble.