Think about the unusual combination of a guy just returned after World War II and a local rancher starting a ski resort. Pretty hard to image, but it happened. The guy called Pete Seibert, a former member of the 10th Mountain Division returned to Colorado, and rancher Earl Eaton set up ski resort in the Colorado Mountains. During training for ski troopers at Camp Hale, Seibert bivouacked on Vail Mountain and identified it as an ideal ski mountain. In the early 1960s, he got funds from a group of Colorado investors and with Eaton bought a ranch at the base of the mountain. The town of Vail was incorporated in 1966. Today it is the largest ski mountain in Colorado, known for its hotels, dining, and for the numerous events the city hosts annually. All this with only a population of under five thousand.
An arrival with color!
For a few days we join all the happy folk visiting and living in Vail, as we are guests at the magnificent Four Seasons Vail. The Resort is situated at the front door of the history-rich village, steeped in pioneering spirit and untamed refinement, with the legendary Vail Mountain just a stone thrown away. Loyal readers of our blogs will know we are fans of the Four Seasons franchise. From previous experiences we know it earns its well-deserved reputation of a top luxury brand with an extreme dedicating to style, hospitality, and service.
Our connecting rooms have an inviting and residential feel to it. Our youngest girl immediatly starts decorating the cookies with all that is priveded. We are happy with the gas-burning stone fireplace, which is ideal for a lazy evening reading a book. So is the private balcony ideal for an early morning coffee inhaling the fresh mountain air. If this all inspires you to a longer stay, we highly recommend one of the twenty-four private residences offering two to six bedrooms, plus around-the-clock service; the perfect spot for stays of one month or more.
Now, that’s a pool!
The rooms either face town with a garden or overlook the very inviting, year-round pool tucked within a sunken courtyard. In case the water still gets a little on the cold side there are two large spa tubs and a very cosy roofed sitting area with, again, a large gas burning fireplace and not to forget: heated towels. A particularly inviting place to linger for a few hours. Also, private cabanas are for rent during the summer.
Our residential room
Vail's average elevation is 8,150 feet (2484 m) above sea level, so snowfall is abundant in Winter. It has a 5,289 acres (2,140 ha) skiable area, thirty-three ski lifts, 193 marked skiing trails. So, the main attraction in winter are ofcourse skiing and snowboarding. In addition, it offers access to snowmobiling and snowshoeing, and many other winter sports.
Vail is on the same hand a fantastic summer area and golfing centre. Summer activities include guided hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding, carriage rides and fishing. Vail is also developing as a cultural centre, with various art and music venues active throughout the summer.
As we are avid horse riders, we go for a ride with Vail Stables. We enjoy a thrilling outing through magic aspen groves, wildflowers, and sagebrush on open pastures along a small creek and mountainous terrain. Our guide is great and easy-going. We learn about nature, fun facts and are having a perfect two hours on beautiful horses. The horses are very well trained and follow each other up and down the mountain. Kids ages seven and older are welcome to hit the horseback trails and younger buckaroos can assess their skills on pony rides.
If you are more into for example mountain biking the Vail area offers almost sixty miles of paved recreational paths. The concierge can arrange the rental of a mountain bike, cruiser, or e-bike to explore all of this. You can even take your bike up the Eagle Bahn Gondola with a bike haul pass and then enjoy breath-taking mountain views as you pedal along the golf course and through aspen groves down the mountain back to the resort. An even more adrenaline pump is provided by the 90-minute, six lines zip tour operated by Top of the Rockies Ziplines in Leadville. You really do not have to be too physically fit or knowledgeable to do this. They explain all the safety features and get you all suited up. They drive you up the mountain and you zip line down. There is some light walking from line to line and the ground is often uneven, but if you do not have any serious mobility issues it is easy. Also, the scenery is beautiful along the way. If you are luckily an old steam train might even go under you while zipping! We highly recommend this experience.
For this 45-minute one way trip to Leadville we took one of the complimentary Mercedes house cars, which it itself was an incredibly fun experience. Closer by, the Vail Mountain offers a lot of activities. A 10-minute trip with the already mentioned gondola takes you to Eagle’s Nest. Explore all the activities offered at Adventure Ridge, surrounded by unbelievable views. One of the all-time favourites is the Forest Flying Mountain Coaster. Enjoy the thrill as it winds its way 3,400 feet around the mountain, following the natural contours of the landscape through the forest. Or you might go at the Eagle's Nest Tubing. Grab a tube, hop a lift and get a rush! Adventurers young and old will love taking thrilling runs down the 550-foot-long tubing hill. Still some energy left? Then try the Paramount Peak Climbing Wall. Harness your adventure while scrambling up to new heights! This rock-realistic wall allows multiple climbers to scale the thirty-five′ tall wall.
With all the mountain streams it is not surprising that in Vail you are in the perfect place to try some white-water rafting. From class 2 float trips that end with a wine tasting at a ranch to hair raising class 4 or even class 5 trips are available through a myriad of operators. Again, the immensely helpful concierge will direct you to the best outfitters available. Or visit one of Colorado’s favourite lakes, Piney Lake at Piney River Ranch, for hiking, fishing, stand-up paddling, canoeing and horseback riding amidst spectacular views. You can even take it to the skies by going on a paragliding flight with a tandem instructor. The pilots fly with digital cameras and will document your entire experience – an invaluable memento of your adventure.
For the less adventurous we also recommend a visit to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail as it is considered the highest botanical garden in the United States. This beautiful place offers an outstanding display of high-altitude plants in natural and cultivated landscapes. Plant lovers will enjoy the guided tour, while children will delight in a variety of programs. The gardens also host cultural events and yoga.
Although the Vail area offers a wide range of amazing activities the resort has everything you need to just stay put and go no where. We have a fun time together at the playing air hockey and table tennis at the Teen centre. It’s also equipped with gaming consoles, a TV lounge, and a pool table.
And while the kids enjoy themselves, parents can enjoy one of the two restaurants the resort has on offer. The Remedy Bar has a nice and interior and lovely outdoor seating. They have invested in making it special. If you like to watch TV, and even a 165-inch TV, you can eat your heart out in the bar. The food is consistent and delicious. To get an idea: the burgers are perfect - loaded with bacon and the bun was exceptionally good. One of our daughters has the crispy chicken sandwich and loves it as does the other with her order of the Ahi Tuna Poke with rice, watermelon, radish, edamame, avocado, unagi, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, furikake and cherry blossom shoyu.
For a slightly more formal diner option the other day we head to the Flame restaurant on the ground level of the resort. Again, we enjoy some amazing dishes. The Bison ribeye is very generous but tasty and the fillet mignon is great. The best steak we ever had. Also, the lobster bisque appetizer and the brussels sprouts, lobster mashed potatoes and bacon wrapped asparagus sides Are amazing. Correct portions, excellent seasoning.
Wines by the glass are of a good range and quality. We enjoy being able to sip a taste before the glass was poured at our table. We also enjoy our server’s wonderful attention and suggestions.
To top it all the poolside bar offers seasonal dining with mountain views. From cocktails (we highly recommend the Summer Thyme with Strawberry, Lemon Juice, Thyme Syrup and Soda) and light salads in Summer, to hot cocoa and s ’mores in Winter. It is the place to be and the beating heart of the Four Seasons Vail.
WOW
# Tremendous hotel in a beautiful area. The rooms are outstanding and so are the facilities. It’s the perfect base from which to explore Vail and the surrounding area.
# The car service was amazing, and we suggest downloading the app so that you can communicate with the resort. It speeds response time up.
# Staff is extremely attentive in a friendly way, and they do go beyond any other luxury hotel brand.
