Vail Ski Resort applies new meaning to the phrase "size matters." Simply put, this rather "
lodge" resort is best appreciated by visitors with rather large bank accounts. It's a trustifarian paradise that caters to visitors who appreciate the finer things and demand the ultimate luxury treatment on ski vacations. For example, to ensure exclusivity, Vail charges a $25 parking fee, thereby preventing ski bums and riff raff from destroying the glamour.
But please forgive Vail's snobbery. She is the sister resort of St. Moritz in Switzerland, and thus feels obliged to emulate the cosmopolitan sophistication of her European sibling. This Euro-ambiance is evident at the Game Creek Chalet. According to a Forbes Magazine article entitled "World's Most Expensive Ski Resorts," in 2005, the Game Creek Chalet charged $2,800 a night. Rates included accommodations for four, daily breakfast, a private ski instructor, lift tickets, nightly hors d'ouevres and a full course dinner at the chalet. At these prices, let's hope they use central casting to find the hottest instructors in the lot!
Do you prefer ski-in/ski-out luxury? Consider the Lodge at Vail. Three-bedroom suites start at $3,349 a night. For the ultimate extravagance, book the Penthouse Suite for $6,500 a night. In March of 2008, the Rock resorts Spa will be completed. This 8,527-square-foot facility will offer 11 treatment rooms, a romantic, private couples' room with a soaking tub for two, a wet treatment room, two facial rooms and seven massage rooms. Additionally, it will have a 2,700-square-foot fitness complex.
This fitness center is a required amenity if you plan to enjoy Vail's exclusive restaurants. Mirabelle, located in a restored farmhouse near Beaver Creek is considered to be one of the most beautiful dining establishments in the Vail Valley. Mirabelle's Belgian/French cuisine is noted for its exquisite presentation as well as its unique and harmonious blends of flavors and food textures. You can either ski off the calories, or burn them off by taking an expensive walk through Vail's boutiques and art galleries. The only weight you may lose will be from your wallet.
In fact, no trip to Vail would be complete without a visit to the Golden Bear. Here, you can purchase the Golden Bear Pendant, which has been adopted as the symbol of the Vail Valley. Additionally, the Golden Bear features jewelry created by popular designers such as John Hardy, Slane & Slane and Roberto Coin. Another option for jewelry is Pismo Fine Art Glass, which is located on 122 East Meadow Drive. The gallery also features paintings and unique furniture creations.
While this jewelry and art is wonderful, most visitors come to Vail for the skiing. If you want to look like you belong here, a shopping trip to Pepi Sports is in order. Located on Bridge Street in the Vail Village, Pepi Sports features high-fashion skiwear by Bogner, DNA by Descente, E+O, Eider, Killy, Marker, M. Miller, Nils, Obermeyer, Phenix, Skea and Spyder. The store is owned by Pepi Gramshammer, former member of the Austrian National Ski Team and Professional Ski Racers Association.
You can ski with Pepi at one of his Wedel Weeks. "Wedel" refers to a type of short and stylized ski turn that is useful on narrow trails and steep terrain. Rates run between $2,100 and $3,000 and include six nights of lodging at either Pepi's Hotel Gramshammer or at the Lodge at Vail, lift tickets, instruction, breakfast buffets, a welcome party and two organized dinners. This is a small price to pay to train with a coach of the master race, um I mean master race coach.
This valuable Vail ski vacation advice was provided free of charge by our double diamond expert in skiing luxuries, Lisa Marie Mercer.
Buzz...Buzz... Buzz. Oh, that's your alarm clock waking you up from this dream and back into reality? No problem, we'll help you escape from it, if only for a short vacation in Vail. You too, can enjoy all that Vail has to offer, even if you don't have unlimited funds. If you can afford at least $100 a night for Vail lodging, then we may just have a rental condo for you. But if you're looking for something more in the middle, we can also help you find a reasonably priced ski vacation house for rent in Vail.