Barb

Hello everyone,

My husband and I are interested in vacationing in the Aspen or Vail area in early december. We both are very active people-who love to ski (beginners), hike, snow-tubing,etc...

We're looking for any suggestions on where we can stay (4-5 star quality) and be surrounded by activites. Our options are open...

Eric

My favorite place to ski in Colorado is Beaver Creek. We stay at the Inn at Beaver Creek. It is a smaller intimate hotel that is about 15 feet from the lift. I think the lift is Strawberry something? The people are nice, it is upscale and there are many nice restaurants in the village(the hotel also has a listing and menus of many of the area restaurants within 20-30 minutes of Avon, as well as, escalators to the lifts from the village. The main hotel in the Village is the Hyatt which is also very nice, but not as intimate. There is a fine arts center(the Vilar Center), a nice outdoor skating area, a great place for gourmet dinners(Beanos Cabin), shopping and many ammenities. The Inn has indoor parking and ski rentals are just across the street with ski lockers right inside the doors of the hotel adjacent to the lift. The Inn has a pool and jacuzzi for unwinding at the end of the day and one year we got to see the Skiing World Championships on the Birds of Prey run. It was cool to meet some of the World Class and Olympic skiers and it was not very crowded on any visit we have had. It has a great ski school and the terrain is varied. I even enjoyed the lodge food although it can be pricey. I am an intermediate skier and I ski all day on runs that are definitely not difficult, although, there are black diamond runs.

You are also near Vail and its ski area. The Vail ski area has a place called Adventure Ridge with tubing, ski boarding skating, snowmobiling and the like. This winter we plan on going to Whistler Mountain because of the great exchange rate, but Beaver Creek is my favorite place to ski and relax in Colorado. Your ski pass will also go between Vail and Beaver Creek, as well as other Colorado resorts in the area. My only warning is that snow is not always plentiful in early December, so you may run into some of the man-made stuff.

Nate

Visiting Colorado? Excellent, just don't move here. Can't say much about Aspen, Coloradoan's don't go there much. As for Vail, ahh Vail. Marriott Mountain Resort and Sonnenalp Resort will treat you right. Stay away from Vail Cascade, small rooms, not all its cracked up to be. Black Bear is a big B&B that offers lots of fun. Try searching for them by name on google.com. Much to do in Vail, Aspen too just a totally different group of people.

Barb

Many thanks for taking the time to reply! Your suggestions were exactly what I was hoping for!

Eric, I stayed at the Chateau Wistler last February...I can't wait to go back again! Enjoy.

Cheryl

Went to Vail last year with my husband for the 1st time and absolutely loved it. Can't wait to go back some day. We stayed at the Lodge at Vail in the main Vail Village ... very, very nice accomodations with a slope side location. Great heated outdoor pool and 4 hot tubs; wonderful service. Very pricey, but worth it. I would either stay there or at Sonnelap on our next trip ... both are high end.