I plan to visit Vail in February. I have never been to a ski resort and will be traveling with an eleven year old. Any ideas on where to stay and where we might get some ski lessons for beginners? Thanks.

We like to stay in the Lionshead area.

The Vail ski school can provide lessons at all levels.

The Vail ski school is excellent. Let your child take lessons every day. He/she will meet other kids, have a great time, and REALLY learn to ski. It will be an excellent investment. It has been many years since we have been to Vail. Where you stay may depend heavily on your budget. Our favorite place to stay was the other end from Lionshead (we have stayed there also) at Manor Vail. There is no car traffic in Vail--you take shuttles to get around. I think the website is probably vailresort.com. Staying off the mountain will be more reasonable, of course--West Vail, etc.

I have never been to Vail... I am going Jan 4-8 for business.
I do not have a desire to do winter sports or hot tubs.
I like scenery, shopping and funky coffee houses.
I am flying to Denver and taking the shuttle to the hotel, so I will not have a car.
The hotel does offer a shuttle to Vail Village.
What would someone like me find to do in my spare time during this trip?

ttt

Shop and eat.

Bummer... That's it, shop and eat?
No tours or great places to visit?

Vail has plenty of things to do for non-skiers. You might want to check the website and contact guest services to see what kind of activities you might want to pre-book for your visit. As you can imagine, it's in the resort's interest to keep the non-skiers in the family happy as well as skiers.

TxTravelPro: No winter sports? Would you consider snow mobiling a sport? We've been skiing Vail every year for nearly 30 years, but some of our best days have been spent on snow mobiles in the back country north of town. There are companies which offer guided tours.

Or go antique shopping in Leadville.

Funky coffee houses? Sorry, but the only truly funky coffee house is gone. But try Bridge Street Coffee.

Jean, based on your experience or others you know, can you recommend companies that offer the guided snowmobile tours, either in Vail or Silverthorne area? Thanks.

Avs, Check out Good Time Adventures. (google for website) They pick up from most locations from Vail to Silverthorne. We took the guided tour to the Continental Divide and it was a wild trip. They also do dog sledding tours.

Oooo. Dog sled tours. THAT sounds like fun! Have to try it this year....

The Lionshead area is under a redevelopment so there is lots of construction going on.

Catbert, did you tried the dog sled tour? It sure looks fun. Plus I love them Huskies and Samoyeds. Will request for info from their website. Thanks.