For luxury and a see-and-be-seen crowd, there's nothing better in my mind than hobnobbing on and off the slopes in Vail, Colorado.
Vail Resort has been considered a legendary ski and snowboarding destination for over half a century, and when I visited for the first time in 2014, I thought it was easy to see why.
With nearly 200 trails covering 5,317 acres of varied terrain, it's the fourth largest ski resort in the US. There are the seven Back Bowls, flawlessly groomed runs, and an unparalleled après-ski scene, in my opinion. For me, these attractions mean the resort is nothing short of a skier's paradise.
I do think it can be an incredibly expensive destination. For example, overnight public parking in Vail costs $60 a night, and one-day lift tickets usually cost over $200, so I always tell my friends visiting Vail for the first time to save up beforehand.
Off the mountain, I can generally spend a whole day on the heated cobblestone streets of Vail Village, which is a walkable, car-free ski village with European alps-inspired architecture. When I've been, it's always buzzing with energy, full of cafes, shops, and restaurants.
When I'm in need of R&R, I like the Hythe Hotel for its ski-in/ski-out privileges as well as its spa and altitude-combatting oxygen bar, which can be helpful for combatting altitude sickness since Vail sits at 8,000 feet elevation. I also appreciate the hotel's elegant design with black stone walls, carved wood decor, and a fireplace in the lobby.
I've also stayed at the Four Seasons Vail, which has large guest rooms with firepalces and lounging areas. This resort has a prime location in a lovely part of Vail Village, right in front of an ice skating rink. It's a slightly further walk to the gondola than some other hotels, but the resort also has a separate ski concierge building right near the gondola. There, you can store your skis, which I think is convenient to avoid hauling them back and forth from the hotel, and you can also have your skis waxed.
When I'm hungry in Vail, I head to Margie's Haas restaurant for European alps-inspired cuisine like fondue. Another of my go-to's is the breakfast buffet at Ludwig's in the Sonnenalp Hotel, which has tasty options like smoked salmon and eggs benedict. The Stuberl at Ludwig's for dinner is another great option, in my opinion, for fine dining with a long wine list. The last time I went here, I enjoyed a delicious arctic char.
Also located at the Sonnenalp hotel is The Swiss Chalet, another restaurant I think is great for a cozy mountain meal, which serves raclette, fondues, and a schnitzel that I thought was incredible.
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