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Upscale Skiing in Colorado
Vail and Beaver Creek
by Valerie Summers
Consistently voted one of the top five ski resorts in North
America, world famous Vail, not only a resort but a community, provided
the ultimate ski holiday. Vail’s legendary Back Bowls boast 2,734
acres of deep powder, wide open terrain and panoramic mountain range vistas.
Blue Sky Basin challenges intermediate, advanced and expert skiers and
snowboarders. Two half-pipes, four terrain gardens and more than seven specially
designed snowboard areas enhance the experience of devotees of this fast
growing sport. I happily stuck to the green and blue ski runs.
At first known as Vail’s little sister, Beaver Creek, the
creme de la creme of ski resorts, attracts people who appreciate the good life
and can afford it. Its amenities keep getting better and better. State of
the art features include a covered skiers escalator, moving skiers from the
village to the base of the slopes; a moving sidewalk carrying skiers across the
bridge to the snow shoe and Nordic ski center, and heated cobblestones to keep
away the snow in the pedestrian plaza where hot cocoa and cookies are offered to
weary skiers. Red jacketed men and women armed with mountain information provide
a convenient service to visitors. For evening activities, The Vilar
Performing Arts Center features a variety of world class entertainment.
The sister resorts, each with its own distinct personality,
continue to improve and expand their facilities. Excellent free shuttle service
within and between the resorts is provided for visitors. Although
most well known for skiing and boarding, the resorts also offer a variety of
other winter sports and services. Both resorts feature ice skating and other
family activities include snowmobiling, sleigh rides and snowbiking. Apres
ski scenes are plentiful as are a variety of dining spots from fast food to
haute cuisine. Both include children’s programs, child care facilities
and offer a variety of accommodations from private homes to condominium to
luxury hotels to more modest lodgings. It’s a winter wonderland for all
ages, interests and abilities. For information:
Vail Resorts United Airlines and United Express serves Vail/Eagle County
airport both direct from several major cities with up to eight flights daily
from Denver. 800/241-6522 |
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During my visit to Colorado, I skied the posh sister
resorts of Vail and Beaver Creek. Talk about heavenly….both filled the bill in
their own way with both also providing a plethora of off the mountain activities
for the whole family. Skiing and boarding instructors offered an
all-encompassing breakdown of classes to suit every level, not just beginner,
intermediate and advanced. I received first class treatment and was
pleased with my progress on the slopes, where the snow was so perfect it felt as
though I was skiing on ice cream.
I was comfortably ensconced at the Vail Cascade Resort
during my stay. This first class mountain hotel provided convenience and
luxury, so much so that I was tempted to spend all of my time availing myself of
its facilities. I dined at the hotel’s four star dining room, socialized in
front of the roaring fireplace in the comfortable lounge, relaxed in my
elegantly appointed guest room, and visited the spa. Talk about full
service, the 78,000 square foot spa and club included indoor/outdoor tennis
courts, squash, racquetball and basketball courts and indoor running track.
There was an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, state of the art fitness equipment and
classes. For the ultimate in pampering, the spa services included more
than 20 body and facial treatments. However, I was here to ski, so off I
went to the ski valet who was holding my ski equipment just 10 paces from the
Cascade Village ski lift for a day of skiing on freshly fallen snow. 
But most important to me was what was happening on at the
slopes. Blue, Green and Black signs noting the difficulty of any given run
are familiar at all ski resorts, but Beaver Creek also posts icons identifying
which runs have been recently groomed. A yellow-jacketed patrol prowled
the slopes insuring skiers and boarders adhered to safety and speed regulations,
giving particular attention to family and beginner areas. The Birds of
Prey Express whisked me up the mountain to an Olympic-class downhill course
designed for the 1999 World Alpine Championships. At lunchtime, I skied
down to the Spruce Saddle Lodge and was delighted to discover yet another
welcome service. Tired from skiing and carrying a tray loaded with food,
costumed greeters located empty seats for my companions and me taking a lunch
break without having to roam the dining room hoping to find a place to rest our
weary bones.