 Poster: A snowHead
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Has anyone skied in Vail, USA?
I found a half-price flight and accommodation bargain, but am not sure what it will be like there. I'd prefer to ski in Europe really as it is my first time, but I also need to keep the costs down and this does seem to be much cheaper than most of the packages I've seen for France or Austria.
We'll be travelling on the 1st April for one week or perhaps leavinga few days later.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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wondercat, Vail is a good destination, I was there at the end of March last year, and had great snow conditions.
They have an excellent ski school - if you do choose to go, let me know, and I can point you to some specific instructors. (all of whom speak a close relation of English as their first language)
Depending on where you stay there is a free shuttle bus from East and West Vail to the slopes, or you can also stay in the main village. Nightlife is good, and prices are reasonable. If you want to blow your budget and treat your SO to dinner, then pre-book for the Game Creek Restaurant - it's not cheap, but it is excellent.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Norbert666, you'll enjoy Beaver. They give out great choc chip cookies in the mornings. Just look for resort staff wandering around at the top of the escalator above the ticket windows.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I've only skied a day in Vail (we were in Breckenridge), but it looked great. We were there right at the beginning of April, and the snow was a bit soft, though there was plenty of it. If you're a first timer, a good deal of Vail's best bits might not be much use to you, but I should think that there'll be plenty of skiing for you. I seem to remember that most of the green (beginner) runs are lower down the slopes, so they will get softer, sooner. Mind you, it was spectacularly hot when we went, so with a bit of luck you'll be fine.
The village is one of the most repulsive places I've seen, however, a sort of ghastly Disneyland pastiche of a Tyrolean resort. There seemed to be some good bars and restaurants, though, and the centre is car free, IIRC.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks everyone, still not made my mind up. It seems like a good deal, but think I'd really prefer to go to the Alps.
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I went in the middle of the first gulf war when they were threatening to shoot down uk / us planes...it was under 300 for a fortnight and it was amazing. Lift queues were non existant as were drag lifts and t bars, terrain was varied, snow was perfect, sun was hot and pistes were quiet....over in Beaver even more quiet and gorgeous long cruising runs. Passes were about 180 quid a week with a superb exchange rate and 15 years ago so I would check that. Apres ski was a bit american and a slight disappointment, but overall friendly and fun.
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Just come back from a week in Vail. Excellent conditions. I loved it, although it snowed almost every day the visibility was OK thanks to all the trees - very different from the same conditions in some 'snowsure' place in Europe like Val Thorens or Tignes.
Some advice
- Prebook ski and boot hire with the tour operator, it is unbelievably expensive in Vail.
- Don't bother with car hire as you have to pay to park near the lifts in Vail, use the free bus service (every 15 minutes).
- Remember that in the USA you have to add 15% - 18% to all food or drink prices as a tip (and taxes for all items!)
- Make sure you visit Beaver Creek.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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How much is it? You can ski for £165 catered chalet in feb at the moment on iglu??? Also bear in mind american passes/eqmpt is more expensive (in some cases much more) than eu equivalents.
www.igluski.com
aj xx
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I think I found the offer at Igluski too - £329 for a week in April - that includes flights from London to Denver.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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