In light of our upcoming trip to Vail for the wedding of two good college friends, I am posting a flashback recap of Alex’s and my ski trip to Vail in 2011. Coincidentally, one of the friends owns a great ski lodge in Vail, Park Meadows Lodge, where we stayed. (I would review it, but they are closing for business after this ski season). This trip is going to be a whirlwind because we have to get back home right after the wedding due to work schedules, but we are so excited to share in our friends’ special day.

Vail, like Breckenridge, speaks for itself in terms of natural beauty. Obviously, your activity itinerary will build itself no matter what time of year you go as you can fill your time with skiing, snowboarding, tubing, hiking, and plenty of other outdoor activities. When you aren’t enjoying the great outdoors, here are a few great places for dinner and apres ski:

• Blue Moose Pizza: Great place to get pizza and cocktails after a day on the slopes. I had to get “The Vonnderful,” in honor of Lindsey Vonn, which has grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, roasted garlic, sun-dried tomato and pesto, and mozzarella and goat cheese.
• Garfinkel’s: Classic bar/grill with a large, sunny deck perfect for apres ski with friends.
• The Lobby Lounge at the Ritz: If you’re feeling a little fancier, head to the Ritz for a cocktail and some appetizers in the pretty surroundings. I especially enjoyed sitting outside and chatting around the outdoor fire pit.
• The Fireside Lounge at the Four Seasons: The Fireside Lounge was one of my favorite spots for an apres ski cocktail. It feels so cozy and welcoming and the bartenders made the best Moscow Mules.
• El Sabor: We didn’t actually eat at this restaurant, but we did eat at the location. It was formerly an Italian restaurant where we spent New Years Eve and is now a Mexican restaurant. Reviews of the restaurant look promising, and I can definitively say that the location is among the best you can ask for: slopeside in the heart of Lionshead Village.
• Bol: Exceptional food, cocktails, bowling, and music. Fun for all!

In terms of activities, a Vail ski pass works at Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin. Vail has fantastic skiing, particularly if you are more advanced and looking for a lot of black runs. Beaver Creek and Breckenridge are a bit more family friendly with more beginner greens and intermediate blues. I especially like Beaver Creek because they greet you at the base with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Yum!

When you want a break from skiing, you can find plenty of activities like tubing, ski biking, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing at Adventure Ridge at Vail Mountain. We opted to tube, but I have heard that ski biking is a blast too!

And finally, if you would rather take a break from snow sports in general, check out the shops or go ice skating in Lionshead Village and Vail Village.

 

Can’t wait to recap wedding weekend in Vail next!!