Vail, Colorado looks like a quaint European village. It has jaw-dropping postcard views of sunny blue skies and spectacular powdery snow conditions. Vail is plentiful in great restaurants, spas, and fun. Vail’s slogan is “Like nothing on Earth.” It’s true… Vail is a dream vacation.

Growing up, my family spent many spring breaks in Beaver Creek and we’d visit Vail to ice-skate and have dinner. Those happy memories are now being creating for our children. Both Beaver Creek and Vail have such a relaxed atmosphere that make you want to stay longer. My husband looks like a typical Vail skier now because he started to relax while we were there and grow a beard…I love it! It’s very easy for me to get into the haute hippie style of Vail. I like the healthy vibe and appreciate that it’s a town full of real athletes. The relaxed atmosphere was enhanced by the music that would follow us…it seemed that everywhere we’d go, eighties music was playing!

  

There was also the charming music of the old world clock tower at the Arrabelle. Every four hours the clock would play a sweet tune and the king and queen would come out to ring the bell. My children were enchanted and it made it feel like we were visiting a little town in Austria.

The Arrabelle has a warm and inviting ambiance that is enhanced by Vail’s crisp alpine air.  It has a European feel and is ski-in/ski-out…only steps from the Eagle Bahn gondola. The Arrabelle suites are cozy with a fireplace and warm colors. The ski service is a families dream… storing ski gear at the foot of the mountain. The ski concierge makes it so easy that you never need to carry anything. After you ski, the Arrabelle’s hot chocolate trolley welcomes children with endless combinations of how to decorate your hot chocolate. My children choose fresh raspberry whipped cream and chocolate marshmallows…happiness is a hot chocolate trolley.

Vail, Colorado is THE giant of ski resorts in North America… offering 195 named trails served by 31 lifts. It’s world-famous for its “Back Bowls” that span around 3,000 acres. Vail is VERY family friendly… (it’s not all about the bowls) there are plenty of groomers to enjoy with your family. No matter your level, there’s huge terrain for beginners all the way to the crazy advanced skiers.

A nice perk is that Vail’s interchangeable lift ticket lets skiers explore the many possibilities of nearby mountains like Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Arapahoe Basin and Keystone.

The ski schools are out of this world offering every possibility, age and ability. They are known to have the best and largest ski schools on Earth. Our children loved their ski instructor and also enjoyed meeting other kids from all over the world.

Getting to Vail is super easy! It’s about forty minutes away from the very user-friendly Eagle-Vail airport. Like my children say…”it’s easy peasy lemon squeezy.”

Vail is like the Disney World of skiing… it’s a decorated amusement park for skiers (but the lines are not at all like Disney)! The many lifts are fast and easy and they’re always improving to make them even faster.

Getting around Vail is just as easy with free shuttle access to shopping, activities, food, spas, ice-skating… Vail reminds me of Rosemary Beach in the way that you never need your car. It’s nice to be able to walk or ride the shuttle and always feel safe to stroll around the town.

Here are a few recommendations if you decide to visit Vail:

• GEAR: Pack your GoPro Hero3 so you can capture your kids runs.

• EAT: 

For lunch…

The 10th at Mid-Vail has incredible views of the Gore Range and a wide range of healthy energetic food choices to keep you going.

For dinner…

Up the Creek is a contemporary American cuisine that is family owned and serves fresh organic local foods on the banks of Gore Creek. Get the tri-color quinoa, Ashley baby beets and a berry crush cocktail.

Montauk Seafood Grill: Has wonderful fresh fish selection and you can mix and match your sauces. The seared Shi Tuna and the linguini and clams are favorites…the clams were a hit with my children! Try the Bee Hive cocktail.

Lancelot Restaurant: The most old world charm. My husband enjoyed the prime rib. My children and I loved the Weiner Schnitzel and homemade apple strudel. Try one of their signature Moscow mule cocktails.

La Bottega: Traditional Italian cuisine. They have wonderful wood-fired oven and make their pizza from scratch. The arugula salad with fresh burrata cheese is a must before your pizza. I also couldn’t help ordering an Aperol Spritz in an Italian restaurant.

• Après-ski:

The swimming pool on the roof at the Arrabelle and the many spa treatment options or sip hot cocoa around an open fire pit after taking a spin on the ice skating rink. A nice glass of wine at the Arrabelle’s Tavern on the Square is also a nice Après-ski treat.

 

Every serious skier will agree that Vail is the best and most varied resort. Whether it’s your first time on a snowboard, or you ski the bowls, Vail will be the ski trip of your dreams…it’s like nothing on Earth!