Families will feel the love this ski season at Vail Resorts. The ski resort, one of the largest in the U.S., with more than 5,000 acres of skiable terrain, is celebrating the milestone with activities on and off the slopes. In addition to a 50th anniversary celebration, the resort is also pumping up annual events such as Vail Snow Daze, Vail Family Holidaze, Spring Back to Vail and more.
The fun began on Nov. 16 with the opening of the resort and the dedication of its new gondola at Mountain Plaza. Snow Daze, an annual weeklong music festival that will take place Dec. 10-16, is the next major celebration of the season. This year’s musical lineup features The Shins, Wilco and Michael Franti & Spearhead. The event will also include a free 50th anniversary celebration at Mountain Plaza, featuring appearances from Vail dignitaries and original founders, a fireworks show and more.
Following Snow Daze is an ideal event for families. Vail Family Holidaze takes place from Dec. 16-25 and 31 and features fun family activities, such as free ice skating performances from Olympic and world champion Evan Lysacek, holiday concerts, caroling, special Kids Zone activities and New Year’s Eve entertainment, including the Torchlight Parade & Fireworks.
One of the things that will inspire the competitive nature in families at Vail this season is the opportunity to challenge friends and family while competing against world champion skier Lindsey Vonn’s time on the EpicMix Racing course on Vail Mountain. Aspiring young female ski racers can also participate in the Vail Ski & Snowboard School’s Ski Girls Rock program, inspired and designed by Vonn. The premium, small-group lesson program is offered exclusively for girls as young as age 7 and is led by female instructors.
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Families should also keep an eye out for EpicMix photographers in green in order to get a special 50th edition EpicMix Photo taken on Vail Mountain. Strike a pose at the summit of Vail where Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton first discovered Vail’s legendary Back Bowls more than 50 years ago.
Kids also have new places to explore this year. They can wind through all eight Kids Adventure Zones, including the two newest additions — Pony Express and Bearclaw Glade.
In conjunction with Vail’s celebratory 50th anniversary season, clients should check out Ski Heritage Week April 7-14, presented by the International Skiing History Association (ISHA) and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame. The weeklong event will celebrate the history of the modern sport of skiing and the highlight of the event will be the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame’s annual Induction Ceremony on Saturday evening at the Vail Marriott Resort & Spa.
Skiers can also choose to close out the 50th anniversary ski and snowboard season with outdoor concerts at Vail’s signature end-of-season party, Spring Back to Vail, as well as sign up to sink or float at Vail’s annual World Pond Skimming Championships on closing day, April 14.
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| Children have new places to explore by ski in Vail, Colo. // © 2012 Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts |
Your Guide to Vail
What to do:
Adventure Ridge
www.visitvailvalley.com
Alderhof Ice Rink
www.vail.com
Nature Discovery Center
www.vail.com
Where to Stay:
Four Seasons Resort Vail
1 Vail Rd.
Vail, CO
970-477-8600
www.fourseasons.com/vail
Vail Cascade Resort
1300 Westhaven Dr.
Vail, CO
970-476-7111
www.vailcascade.com
Vail Marriott Resort & Spa
715 West Lionshead Circle
Vail, CO
970-476-4444
www.marriott.com
Where to Eat:
Bol
Throw a strike at Bol, Vail’s unique dining and entertainment experience.
Metropolitan-meets-mountain at this sleek and modern bowling alley located in The Solaris Residences in Vail Village.
www.bolvail.com
The Lodge
If an award-winning menu of hand-cut prime steaks and Colorado lamb is what you are in the mood for, try Elway’s, located in Vail Village at The Lodge at Vail and less than a block from Vail Mountain’s new gondola.
www.elways.com/vail
When to go:
Vail is truly a year-round destination but, to take advantage of the 2012-2013 ski season, clients should visit between now and closing day, April 14.
