Skiing and Boarding
2003-04
For Information about lift tickets
you should go to www.vail.com. there are
too many different options for me
to keep track of.
At the vail.com website you can buy tickets on-line and save.
Vail and Beaver Creek are Snowboard
Friendly!!!
Sometime around Christmas if there has been enough snow and the
trail crew has had enough time, the crew builds one of the best
half pipes and snowboard parks in the world. The Superpipe is
425 feet in length and has 15-foot walls and 17-foot transitions.
The Superpipe is accessed by the Riva Bahn Express (Chair 6) out
of Golden Peak. The Superpipe and Terrain Park have been designed
to provide riders with and experience that begins in the pipe
and continues as they travel down the park through a series of
jumps, hits, tabletops and more.
During the 2000-01 season the Superpipe was
voted the No. 1 pipe in North America by FREEZE magazine. Vail
also was recognized by Snowboard Life, which rated Vail the No.
1 snowboarding resort in the United States.
Skiing Vail's 4 Resorts
How far is it between the four resorts? Depending
on your driving style, it takes approximately 35-45 minutes to
drive between Keystone or Breckenridge and Vail or Beaver Creek.
Allow a little longer if Vail Pass is getting a traditional "dump"
of the fresh stuff. It takes approximately 20 minutes to drive
between Keystone and Breckenridge via Swan Mountain Road. You
can't ski from Vail to Beaver Creek, but the two are less than
15 minutes apart via I-70. And remember free transportation is
provided within each resort.
Inter-Mountain Bus Service
Vail Resorts Express Shuttle
The Vail Resorts Express is the fastest and easiest way to travel
between Keystone and Vail or Breckenridge and Vail. Shuttle service
is provided throughout the day between all three resorts and convenient
pick-up points make it easy for guests to board with their gear
for a day on the slopes. Shuttle service begins December 17th
and continues through March 31st. Cost is $10 per person round
trip.
PLEASE NOTE -
Because seats are limited, we strongly suggest that reservations
be made in advance by calling:
(970)4765601
(800)354-4386
Assorted Stuff You Should Know
- A bus runs every hour from the Vail
Transportation Center to the skier drop off, at Beaver Creek.
The bus costs $5.
- Both Vail and Beaver Creek offer great skiing.
Beaver Creek is often less crowded, and has free parking,
but Vail is much larger and offers a wider range of terrain.
I would recommend skiing at both mountains during your stay.
Ski Beaver Creek on the days that are most likely to be crowded:
Weekends and Holidays.
- Vail Village and Lionshead are the east and
west ends of Vail. A free
Town of Vail Bus runs back and forth
from Vail Village to Lionshead year round. During the ski season,
you can ride the bus, or you can ski, down into The Village or
into Lionshead and back.
- A free bus runs back and forth from
Avon to Beaver Creek.
- The Children's Ski and Snowboard School offers
lessons for kids ages four through thirteen, and child day care
for three year-olds.
- The Small World Play School (Day care) at
Beaver Creek for children ages 2 months to 6 years is open from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required (970)476-5601
Some suggestions from Vail Resorts
- Ride the bus or car pool as much as possible to reduce traffic.
Avoid driving between 4 and 6 p.m.
- Use the skier drop-offs at the base of Vail
at Lionshead and Golden Peak.
- Hit the slopes early. Lines at base-area
lifts peak around 9:30 or 10 a.m. Grab first chair at 8:30 to
get in more turns.
- Consider taking the Riva Bahn Express (Chair
6) out of Golden Peak. Morning lift lines at the Riva Bahn tend
to be a little shorter than Vail Village and Lionshead. Golden
Peak is easily accessible on the FREE bus route from most locations in Vail.
- Eat early or late on the mountain - before
11:30 or after 2 p.m. Skiers and snowboarders who choose to eat
early can take advantage of the Early Bird Lunch discount at
select on-mountain restaurants. Guests who eat before 11:30 a.m.
receive a 15 percent discount. ( I recommend skiing off the mountain
for better food at a better price.)
- Familiarize yourself with the mountain on
the first day by taking a free "Meet the Mountain: welcome
tour. Mountain welcome tours are available to intermediate and
advanced skiers only out of the Lionshead and Vail Village base
areas. Skiers and snowboarders must arrive by 9 a.m. at the meeting
locations near the Vista Bahn Express (Chair 16) and Eagle Bahn
Gondola. Tours depart promptly at 9:15 a.m. No reservations are
necessary.
Ski Cooper offers an affordable alternative
for the whole family

Come ski one of the friendliest mountains around.
Committed to good service and a friendly atmosphere. Ski Cooper
always has time for a smile and a cheerful hello. You'll enjoy
our less crowded slopes and classes. There's more than just Alpine
Skiing. Telemarkers, Cross-country Skiers, Snowboarders and Snowmobilers
enjoy this great terrain in the San Isabel National Forest.
