Vail
Like nothing on earth.
On the heels of its 50th anniversary season, Vail Mountain, the largest ski resort in the United States, continues to invest in the guest experience with two new chairlifts and world-class events, including year two of the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships. While new features abound, both big and small, Vail continues to excel with what it’s inherently been known for since 1962: more than 5,000 acres of terrain, including the legendary Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin, the vision inherent in the spirit of Vail’s founders, and a modern day commitment to excellence in all aspects of guest service and operations.
Vail – A Class of Its Own
Vail’s commitment to excellence since opening in 1962 is un-matched, particularly when looking back at the tremendous investments and upgrades in recent years as well as those that make the resort unique and will carry its leadership into the next 50 years. From the eagerly anticipated and now renowned third phase of Vail’s expansion in 2000 and 2001, to six major lift upgrades in six years, improvements to snowmaking capabilities and on-mountain dining, to the ever-evolving base area developments, Vail’s leadership in the entire guest experience is obvious from every angle, both on and off the mountain.
- 2000-2001: The opening of Blue Sky Basin and more than 500 additional acres of terrain.
- 2004: Vail’s New Dawn and the transformation of Lionshead Village begins.
- 2007: Two new high-speed quad chairlifts open on the eastern side of the mountain: the Highline Express Lift (#10) and the Sourdough Express Lift (#14).
- 2008: The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort, opens in January alongside a reinvigorated base area complete with shops, dining and other public amenities. Vail’s Front Door Project also comes to fruition with the luxury Lodge at Vail Chalets, the RockResorts Spa at the Lodge at Vail, the Vail Mountain Club and new skier service facilities, quick-service dining and a day lodge at Mountain Plaza.
- 2009: Enhanced and more efficient snowmaking capabilities are implemented in Golden Peak, making it prime early-season training ground for the world’s best athletes, including Vail’s own Lindsey Vonn.
- 2010: Upgrades to existing buildings and amenities in town and the debut of new luxury properties including the Solaris Residences and Plaza, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Vail, Four Seasons Vail, and the Sebastian. Simultaneously, another lift upgrade was taking place and the high-speed High Noon Express Lift (#5) debuted for the 2010-2011 season, greatly improving capacity out of Vail’s legendary Sun Down and Sun Up bowls.
- 2011: Vail’s newest on-mountain dining experience, The 10th, opens its doors, satisfying an overwhelming appetite for an upscale, table-service dining venue and adding another brilliant option to Vail’s already-impressive culinary lineup on the mountain and in town with names like Game Creek, Kelly Liken, Sweet Basil, Larkspur and newcomers Elway’s and Matsuhisa.
- 2012: Vail’s 50th anniversary season kicks off in earnest with the debut of the state-of-the-art Gondola One - the first and fastest of its kind in North America featuring heated cushioned seats, Wi-Fi, and a cozy 7.5 minute ride from the base of Vail Village to Mid-Vail – and the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships along with an Olympic standard 22-foot half pipe in Golden Peak.
And after numerous investments on and off the mountain over the years, there is still more on the horizon for the 2013-2014 winter season as the tradition of Vail’s excellence continues to lead the resort into the next 50 years with an experience like nothing on earth.
