Ski List: 5 highlights of Vail

Vail Resorts started its EpicMix Photo program in the 2011-12 ski season by positioning professional photographers around the mountain to take action and posed group shots. The concept was that guests could share the free photos on social media. Visitors had great photos to share and the resort enjoyed the social media exposure for a "win-win" scenario.For the 2012-13 season, the resort started offering high-resolution versions of such photos to download for $30. At many other resorts' third-party, on-mountain photography services, that $30 price is the going rate for a single photo. In this case however, the $30 price is an almost-unbelievable rate for an entire season's worth of photos at any and all of the Vail Resorts-owned ski areas.Vail Village may be a faux European setting, but the Sonnenalp provides an authentic touch. A fourth-generation hotelier from Bavaria, Johannes Faessler owns and manages the hotel of 112 suites and 15 rooms. The staff does an excellent job of providing service that is refined, but not pretentious. Largely thanks to such service, the Sonnenalp finished in the top 10 of the 2012 Expedia Insiders' Select List among hotels around the world.Although the hotel is a short walk to the ski runs, the hotel's concierge service at Bridge Street Skihaus right by the gondola erases any possible equipment hassle. In Sonnenalp's dedicated ski lounge there, the tasty cookies are a nice bonus when dropping off gear at the end of the day.At the start of the 2012-13 ski season, Gondola One replaced the Vista Bahn chairlift coming directly out of Vail Village. Appropriately for Vail's  50th-anniversary season, the name of the new state-of-art gondola commemorates an original 1962 gondola that was once in virtually the same location. A car from the original gondola is on display near the new one's loading station.The display provides a rather striking contrast to show 50 years worth of technology. The new gondola cabins for up to 10 passengers have heated seats and free Wi-Fi from four towers along the gondola line. With a ride time of 7.5 minutes, the new gondola is the fastest of its type in the world. The uphill capacity increased from the Vista Bahn high-speed lift by 40 percent.View the list »
Colorado's Vail Mountain ranks as the largest single ski area in the United States.

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Celebrating its 50th anniversary during the 2012-13 ski season, Vail Mountain has 5,289 acres of skiable terrain to make it the largest single ski area in the United States. The acreage is split between the Front Side, Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin.

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At 1,627 acres, the Front Side consists largely of intermediate cruisers and draws the bulk of Vail's crowds that in many years make Vail the nation's most-visited ski area. The largely open terrain comprising the 3,017 acres of the Back Bowls draws raves on powder days. The bowls' southern exposure, however, can also create unfriendly "variable conditions" after a few warm, sunny days. Blue Sky Basin was added to the resort's boundaries in 2000.

Disclaimer: Travel accommodations were provided during visit to Vail.

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  • At the start of the 2012-13 ski season, Gondola One replaced the Vista Bahn chairlift coming directly out of Vail Village. Appropriately for Vail's  50th-anniversary season, the name of the new state-of-art gondola commemorates an original 1962 gondola that was once in virtually the same location. A car from the original gondola is on display near the new one's loading station.The display provides a rather striking contrast to show 50 years worth of technology. The new gondola cabins for up to 10 passengers have heated seats and free Wi-Fi from four towers along the gondola line. With a ride time of 7.5 minutes, the new gondola is the fastest of its type in the world. The uphill capacity increased from the Vista Bahn high-speed lift by 40 percent.
  • Vail Village may be a faux European setting, but the Sonnenalp provides an authentic touch. A fourth-generation hotelier from Bavaria, Johannes Faessler owns and manages the hotel of 112 suites and 15 rooms. The staff does an excellent job of providing service that is refined, but not pretentious. Largely thanks to such service, the Sonnenalp finished in the top 10 of the 2012 Expedia Insiders' Select List among hotels around the world.Although the hotel is a short walk to the ski runs, the hotel's concierge service at Bridge Street Skihaus right by the gondola erases any possible equipment hassle. In Sonnenalp's dedicated ski lounge there, the tasty cookies are a nice bonus when dropping off gear at the end of the day.
  • Vail Resorts started its EpicMix Photo program in the 2011-12 ski season by positioning professional photographers around the mountain to take action and posed group shots. The concept was that guests could share the free photos on social media. Visitors had great photos to share and the resort enjoyed the social media exposure for a "win-win" scenario.For the 2012-13 season, the resort started offering high-resolution versions of such photos to download for $30. At many other resorts' third-party, on-mountain photography services, that $30 price is the going rate for a single photo. In this case however, the $30 price is an almost-unbelievable rate for an entire season's worth of photos at any and all of the Vail Resorts-owned ski areas.
  • Blue Sky Basin feels like a mom-and-pop ski area within the mega-resort of Vail. From the trail design to the signage, the 645 acres are characterized by a natural look. The Back Bowls across the way may receive most of the acclaim, but much of Vail's best terrain can be found in Blue Sky Basin. 
  • Vail Mountain, particularly its Front Side, does not have an especially extreme reputation in terms of challenge. However, laps on the double-black Highline trail do demand a major mogul workout. Served by the Highline Express quad since 2007, the high-speed lift offers only seven minutes of ride-time rest in between about 1,750 vertical feet worth of bumps.
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, Skiing Examiner

Eric Wagnon is a freelance writer and television producer. His work has aired on NBC, CBS, and ESPN. Despite his current home base in the flat and warm environment of Jupiter, Fla., Eric continues to add to his total of more than 40 ski resorts visited across the country. Eric may be reached at ...

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