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January/February 2002
Global-Scene -
Vail
Imagine waking up to a
sapphire blue sky with six inches of new, light fluffy powder covering
more than 5,000 acres of terrain. Situated just two hours from Denver,
Vail, Colorado, North America's largest ski resort, not only has amazing
skiing, but architecturally, is a Tyrolean-style town with everything you
can imagine-from restaurants, bars and clubs to ski shops and art
galleries.
One may ask, why is Vail considered by
many, to be the best skiing in the United States? The answer is simple;
Vail mountain has such unique terrain in each of its 3 parts of the
mountain: the front side, the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. Blue
Corduroy-loving cruisers find heaven on the front side, while more
adventurous, aggressive skiers are challenged by Vail's world-renowned
Back Bowls, including China Bowl. Blue Sky Basin has a character
all in its own. Steep terrain, glade skiing and the overall rustic feel
have been a big hit since its recent opening. If you are an expert skier,
make sure you hit the double black diamond run: Highline (off of
chair 10). For beginners, Avanti (chair 2), Ramshorn (chair
4) and Born Free (Gondola) are great cruisers. Don't miss
Forever and Wow in the Back Bowls and Lover's Leap
and Big Rock Park in Blue Sky Basin. If you are planning to eat
lunch, dining at Two Elk is a must. Seating nearly 1,000 skiers,
Two Elk is the largest and most gorgeous gourmet cafeteria on the
mountain.
After a long, hard day of exhilarating
skiing, there is nothing better than enjoying a little apres-ski. If you
ski down to Lionshead, the west end of Vail, enjoying apres-ski on
Garfinkel's extra large deck or at Gravity is a de rigeur.
Directly at the base of the mountain, in Vail Village, is Los
Amigos. If you are lucky enough to get a seat on the deck, you can
relax with some cocktails while watching the skiers come down for the day.
There is no way you can head home after apres-ski. The next step, across
the street from Los Amigos, is The Club which provides a hilarious
show of live a coustic music with a lot of audience
participation.
You definitely cannot forget to fit a
hot tubbing into your schedule. After apres-ski and The Club, it is time
to go back to your hotel, relax in the hot tub, and prep for a night out
in the town.
Vail is comprised of a plethora of
restaurants, ranging from Blu's, the best cheeseburger in the
Valley, to Sweet Basil, an upscale restaurant specializing in
fresh, creative cuisine. Other restaurants worth checking out are:
Larkspur, Up The Creek, Campo di Fiori, Hubcap Brewery and Terra
Bistro.
Even though you may be exhausted (not to
mention sore) from skiing, it is well worth your while to experience
Vail's nightlife. Don't worry, there is no need to be concerned about how
you will get home; Vail has a free shuttle that runs regularly all around
town. Bridge Street, the main street in Vail Village, prohibits vehicular
traffic and is where the majority of the late-night action can be found.
If you feel the urge to listen to some live jazz, make sure you hit
Club Chelsea, located on Bridge Street. Afterwards, walk down
Bridge Street to The Bridge, Vail's newest nightclub.
If you are not in the mood for jazz, 8150 is
the place to be. Named for Vail's elevation level, this club is famous for
its bouncing floor and has great live music, often hosting well-known
bands. Other hot spots to check out are: The Tap Room, Red Lion,
Vendetta's and Kaltenberg Castle.
If you don't
think you can handle a hard day of skiing and then a big night out, or if
you just don't like to ski, Vail has a variety of alternative activities.
From snowmobiling at Piney River Ranch, cross-country skiing or
snowshoeing through the back country, or taking a snowcat tour of the Gore
Range, there is an activity for everyone. Don't forget to keep your eyes
peeled for celebrities walking the streets or partying at the same bar you
happen to be at. In the past, Vail has been the destination of choice for
Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, and not that anyone
would care, Dan Quayle. |
Vail, Colorado
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