Should we stay in Lionshead, Avon or Arrowhead?
 

We will be skiing at Beaver Creek.<BR><BR>The prices at the BC resort are just way, way too pricey for us.<BR><BR>We had looked at Avon as a less expensive option, as we will have a car - Chapel Square, Canyon Run or Brookside, and Arrowhead (Seasons at Arrowhead), and someone said it is a little more upscale, nearer a mountain (Arrowhead) and has its own village.<BR><BR>Someone at work mentioned we may want to consider Lionshead. Not quite as pricey as Vail Village, still some nightlife that we could walk to - which he said we cannot in Avon or Arrowhead - and for just a bit more $$ than Avon/Arrowhead. He also mentioned Townsend Place right in BC Village, but said that there is not as much going on there at night as Lionshead.<BR><BR>We don't know what to do now, as we don't have a good feel for the area. We would love it if we could walk from our condo at night to some restaurants/shops.<BR><BR>I can easily check the prices, but can someone give me a sense of what area offers what? Thanks.

It's been a while since I've been to Vail and I stayed in Vail Village the last time. I thought Lionshead seemed pretty reasonable. There is (at least there was when I was there) a free shuttle that ran between LH and VV. Plus there was a free shuttle to the ski area at BC (Vail and BC are owned by the same company). I've never been to Arrowhead, and Avon didn't really leave much of an impression on me. Next time I go to Vail, I would consider Lionshead.

I agree with Liam, Avon is not real impressive although most likely the most reasonable in terms of lodging $$.<BR>I really like Lionshead and getting from Vail village to L.H is very easy with shuttles running all the time.<BR>L.H. is right at the base of the gondola so there is plenty af activity there and no need for a car at all if you're skiing Vail.

I would imagine that the prices in Lionshead may be more than just a little more than in Avon, but you can check lodging prices yourself.<BR><BR>Lionshead is on the western end of the Vail Village, and Vail's free shuttle buses run in a continuous loop (line?) from West to East Vail (with Lionshead & VV in between), so at basically any time of the day or night, you're just a few minutes from Vail Village. Lionshead itself has a bunch of restaurants, which you can of course walk to as well, as well as a shopping plaza. And, as a previous poster pointed out, that's where the gondola is located (as well as a 4-person chair lift that also will take you up to Eagle's Nest).<BR><BR>Yes, I'd agree that there's more going on at night in Lionshead/Vail Village than there is in Beaver Creek. I group Lionshead and VV together because they're really close - they're really only different parts of the same town, and from the middle of Lionshead to the covered bridge in VV is probably no more than 1/2 mile, with stores, restaurants, houses, the library, ice rink, medical center, etc. in between.<BR><BR>Lionshead has more charm and beauty than Avon, which IMO is just a town at that I-70 exit. If you can, choose Lionshead!

Kim:<BR>Vail & Lionshead are basically different ends of the same town. Interconnected by lifts, free shuttle and only 10 minutes walking in street shoes. <BR><BR>Avon is about 10 miles west of Vail off I-70 (I-70 runs east-west). Beaver Creek is about 2 miles south & up from Avon exit. <BR><BR>Arrowhead is about 5 miles east of Avon but interconnected to Beaver Creek by a lift system.<BR><BR>If nightlife and shopping is a big concern - I'd go with Lexmans advice and stay in Lionshead. <BR><BR>You had mentioned skiing BC though. From the Seasons at Arrowhead, you can catch the lift from AH and ski to BC. However, AH is located in a gated residential community with houses, a small ski lodge and 1 high end restaurant. No other restaurants or shopping within walking distance. Edwards is about a mile farther west, Avon is about 5 miles east. Both with restaurants and shopping.<BR><BR>I would also say that Lionshead is going to be considerably more expensive than Avon. Additionally, if you're staying at a condo, they are privately owned, and in LH, some haven't been remodeled in a decade. You're paying for location, not level of accommodation. Chapel Square, Canyon Run and Brookside are all relatively new - built in the past 2-3 years. All of the Seasons units I have seen (2-3) have all been very nice and convenient to skiing. Townsend is nice (would rec asking for a newly remodeled unit) and convenient to BC and skiing. Generally, though even the older units at Townsend are nicer than most of the units in Lionshead. <BR><BR>Let me know if you have any other questions. b<BR>

Hi Kim. yes stay in the Vail area if you can afford it. Bly is correct that Lionshead and vail Village are close and EASY access on the free shuttle. I think you would have an overall better ski vacation than staying in Avon. A couple of places to look for lodging are http://web.vail.net/<BR><BR>http://www.toski.com/parkmeadows/summer.html<BR><BR>http://www.skigolfvacation.com/

One other place to look <BR><BR>http://www.econovail.com/

Thanks everyone for the advice. One other question/thought. Would staying in Lionshead (which we find cheaper than Vail Village) still be a better idea than staying right in BC. We found the Townsend, which is about the same as some of the places we looked at in Lionshead. I believe someone said there is alot more going on in Lionshead?<BR><BR>Anyone have specific recommendations for places (condos) to stay? Right now we are looking at The Antlers, Landmark, Vail 21, Westwind, Lion Square, and Willows. I think the latter 3 are out of our price range, but so far, we have found that nwaski.com has the best prices, as they include lift tickets as well.