Vail

Vail, Colorado is known for ski resorts, celebrity sightings, and expensive real estate. While this is what most people first think of, there is much more to know about. When I first thought about writing about Vail, I had mixed feelings, because there is both good and bad to Vail. Although it is one of Colorado's true mountain towns, you don't get the welcoming vibe you do from most of Colorado. The people I've encountered here all seem a bit cold and distant, without the normal friendly welcoming feel of what I think most natives are capable of. I do understand that many people just come to Vail to work and are seasonal, but it doesn't seem that way to me at other ski resorts in the state. True Coloradans have always had a welcoming, friendly air about them.

Another thing I dislike about Vail is the parking situation. When you're in town it is so crowded and there are barely enough parking spots. Some of the parking lots are so tight you have to wait for other people to move before you can drive through. There's a lot packed into some of the areas and it almost seems as if parking was an after thought. It also stinks that I-70 goes right through town as it really detracts from the landscape. I also don't care for the look of some (many) of the buildings. They seem old to me even if they aren't. Mostly I'm talking about the ones on the north side of the highway.

In many regards, Vail is very overpriced. Not just the real estate, but everything right down the to McDonalds. It's as if the name of Vail itself commands higher prices just because you are able to say you were in Vail, which seems a little ridiculous.

On the plus side, Vail is a very pretty place, although I prefer it in the summertime. When you first come over the hill and are descending into the town it is a nice scenic view and looks just peaceful. Growing up in Colorado I learned to love the mountains from a young age and I appreciate them for what they are worth which makes me like Vail even though I don't care for many aspects of it.

If I were asked by a non-Coloradan whether or not to ski or vacation in Vail, I would suggest other options such as Beaver Creek just down the road a bit. I have found people to be a bit more friendly and although it too is a bit overpriced, it isn't near as bad. As for the actual skiing, I really couldn't say as I quit skiing some years ago. I do know the price of lift tickets seems to be very high now and I'm surprised so many families still go up so frequently.

The actual town of Vail has 5,292 residents as of the last census. The most common industry is obviously accommodation and food services, although the median household income is over $12,000 higher than the state average. The cost of living here is very high though and an average, single family detached home costs around $1,132,461. The high cost of living doesn't leave Vail as an option for many people. For residents with children, the schools in Vail are all rated very good and students continually score well above state averages.

Overall I would say Vail is a nice place to visit once and say you've been there, but to get your money's worth there are better places with nicer people.

Just had a wonderful trip in Vail Colorado for the first time and loved it. Even though I did not ski I was never board and enjoyed all the amazing sites to see. Being a family on a budget I was nervous about spending too much money while there, but I was surprised to find out, if you did a little planning ahead of time, that it was affordable.

We stayed at an awesome rental property in West Vail called the Ptarmigan, which had a great community hot tube and was right on a creek. Going this route instead of the staying at one of the big resorts, made it much easier to cook at home and pack lunches to the mountain. The free bus also made it convenient for us to get around without having to pay $25 for parking.

Both Cascade Village and Lionshead Village offered tons great restaurants, shops, rental companies, clothing stores and sports outlets. The best thing, for me, was all the amazing buildings and beautiful scenery around you. One of my guests commented, many times, about how impressed they were by the accommodating spirit of all the customer relation associates throughout the entire area, restaurant and mountain staff included.

It true that skiing was expensive for those in my party who participated, but all three of them said it was totally worth it. I would definitely go back for another winter family vacation and would even consider it in the summer as well!

Vail is a town and a ski resort in central Colorado along I-70. Vail is the biggest and arguably most prestiges ski resort in Colorado. The slopes first opened in 1962. As far as size Vail boasts the largest ski mountain terrain in North America second only to Whistler Blackcomb. Interestingly, the ski resort of Vail was started by the 10th Mountain Division after returning home from WWII. The resort section of town has many many fine restaurants and coffee houses, bars, clothing and sports gear stores.

The towns itself leaves a bit to be desired because it is such a touristy, ritzy and often fake place plus the real estate makes Boulder look cheap! The mountainous area itself is amazing, the big mountains are really dense in this heart of Colorado. The White River National Forest sits just across the interstate to the south of town and go deep deep into undeveloped land and forest roads leaving behind the glamour of Vail and getting to reality quickly.

The actual residencial population is about 5,000 people. There are some amazing and super expensive properties in and around Vail. Unless you have a passion for skiing and are really wealthy or want to invest in tourist property I do not see much reason to live in the crowded, somewhat plastic world of the I-70 corridor. There are just as beautiful sport, near ski areas, with less traffic and tourism and at a much better price than Vail. It is good to visit but not all its cracked up to be.