Aspen or Vail?
 

Help me plan my next year's ski trip. Family of 4, decent skiiers, appreciate some night life but it doesn't need to be great. I assume both resorts have comparable lodging, etc. Anyone have a strong preference?

I am looking forward to the answers. For the past two years we went to Deer Valley, Utah, which was great (really good for families with small children...good ski school...they limit the number of skiiers on the mountain...no snowboarding, etc.) but we're ready for a change. We went to Beaver Creek (near Vail) before children and it was great. I'm glad you asked the question!

Just returned from 5 days from Beaver Creek. We had a great time. The ski school was a little more crowded because of Spring Break, but the kids had fun, made friends and progressed well. The lift lines were never more than 5 minutes and the wait was usually less. We stayed at the Inn at Beaver Creek. It is apporximately 15 feet(literally) from the Strawberry Park lift. Not a closer fine hotel as close to a lift in North America. They have a great warm breakfast each day and are close to the ski school, rentals, restaurants the skating rink, shops and the like. We always eat at least once in Minturn(Chili Willis) and once in Vail at a great Italian restaurant(the name escapes me). We have never skiied in Vail because the skiing at BC is so convenient. There are other places like the Pines, The Charter and The Park Hyatt that are also ski in and out. The Apres ski was great on the decks and the people are always friendly. There is afternoon entertainment in the bars and the Blue Moose has great Pizza. The kids love to skate art the Black Family skating rink- check out the small Zamboni. The place is not cheap, but it is the most convenient and nice place I have been to in the Rockies. <BR><BR>The snow wasn't too great because it is the end of the season, but you would expect that anywhere in the Colorado Rockies this season.

Just returned from 5 days from Beaver Creek. We had a great time. The ski school was a little more crowded because of Spring Break, but the kids had fun, made friends and progressed well. The lift lines were never more than 5 minutes and the wait was usually less. We stayed at the Inn at Beaver Creek. It is apporximately 15 feet(literally) from the Strawberry Park lift. Not a closer fine hotel as close to a lift in North America. They have a great warm breakfast each day and are close to the ski school, rentals, restaurants the skating rink, shops and the like. We always eat at least once in Minturn(Chili Willis) and once in Vail at a great Italian restaurant(the name escapes me). We have never skiied in Vail because the skiing at BC is so convenient. There are other places like the Pines, The Charter and The Park Hyatt that are also ski in and out. The Apres ski was great on the decks and the people are always friendly. There is afternoon entertainment in the bars and the Blue Moose has great Pizza. The kids love to skate art the Black Family skating rink- check out the small Zamboni. The place is not cheap, but it is the most convenient and nice place I have been to in the Rockies. <BR><BR>The snow wasn't too great because it is the end of the season, but you would expect that anywhere in the Colorado Rockies this season. And BC is very close to Vail and the great mountain there. The ski passes work at Vail, BC, Breakenridge and Keystone so there is more possibliliteis although they are a little drive and I prefer the convenience.

ttt

Jimmy,<BR><BR>Here are my takes on the differences between the two:<BR><BR>. Vail--Kind of a faux replica (I know that's redundant) Alpine town. Very commercial, very expensive but with incredible skiing, restaurants and hotels. Don't get me wrong, I like it very much but it's kind of a Disney-ized version of what a Alpine town is (by the way, before any of you locals start in on me, I happen to love Disneyland and Disney-ized things).<BR><BR>Aspen--Different feel altogether. More of a glorified mining town feel to it. Still very expensive and commercial but not in as overt a manner as Vail. I used to live here and am still partial to it overall: to me it's much more diverse and interesting. Also features great hotels, restaurants and incredible skiing at four different ski areas--all in close proximity (although from Vail you can also visit Beaver Creek quite easily).<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR><BR>Davidcs

In case you'd like insight from a LOCAL ...I am partial because I've LIVED in Vail/Beaver Creek for over 20 years... Vail offers so much more for families! Beaver Creek is great too because just about every condo is ski-in/ out (or awefully close to it!)and it sits back in a horseshoe shaped valley so the kids CANNOT get lost! Vail Resorts also owns Breckenridge, Beaver Creek & Keystone and A-Basin. Shuttle service between all + Lift tickets are good at all!<BR>Get a FREE PEAKS card (www.peakscard.com) and really save money!! Vail & Beaver Creek mountains are MADE for families with Kids adventure zones and a phenomenal mountain-top evening playground called Adventure Ridge (sledding, skating, tubing, snow-mobiles for kids etc!)<BR>Beaver Creek is more serene as far as night life is concerned. Vail and Beaver Creek are 10 minutes apart (with shuttle service)Vail has loads of GREAT restaurants & GREAT entertainment (again I am partial, my husband has been playing piano here for 26 years!)<BR>visit www.vail.com for all the facts.<BR>Vail is also faster & easier to get to. Both resort areas are equally expensive.<BR>You'll LOVE IT HERE!!!