Skiing: The only sport where you pay a gazillion dollars to be cold, complain and perhaps encounter an untimely death upon the steep slopes. AND I LOVE IT. I spent the last week in Vail, Colorado and am pleased to report I truly got the lay of the land when I wasn’t busy shredding the fresh powder on the legendary Back Bowls. My trusty travel agent Eddie Mena of Mena Travel booked all of our airfare, hotel and transportation and he can be reached at (786) 395-8887. Without further ado, here is the best-of-the-best Vail, Colorado travel guide:
EATS 🍕
La Nonna: For Italian eats harkening that of an adorable nonna, look no further than this ristorante. The mushroom cream ravioli and braised short rib are what dreams are made of! lanonnavail.com
Sweet Basil: I love this spot for après ski cocktails and noms (from 3 to 5 p.m.). Order up the truffle fries after a long day on the mountain and enjoy the heady high-altitude buzz. sweetbasilvail.com
Mountain Standard: This place is so nice, we dined there twice. The same peeps behind Sweet Basil operate this locally loved haunt. Be sure to make reservations or take a seat at the bar around 5 p.m. before the masses trickle in. The standout dishes here? The burrata, wedge salad and flat iron steak. mtnstandard.com
Matsuhisa: Does world renown chef Nobu Matsuhisa ever disappoint? Nope. Delicious eats aside, the Vail outpost boasts stellar floor-to-ceiling views of the neighboring snow-capped Rockies. Our fave plates and sips? The miso cod lettuce wraps, crunchy rice tuna and lychee martinis are to die for here.
The 10th (on Vail mountain): Skiers and snowboarders alike (see, we can all get along after all) love this spot nestled atop Gondola One at Mid Vail Mountain. Take off those painful boots, slip on a pair of complimentary slippers and order up the chicken pot pie and thank me later. the10thvail.com
Minturn Country Club: A 15-minute car ride outside of Vail, you will find this family friendly grill-your-own-meat steakhouse — where the bartender, TJ Ricci, oohs and aahs the crowd with his magic tricks. Yep, you read that right. minturncountryclub.com
Four Seasons: For tasty and chic Italian eats, seek out the property’s on-site resto, Tavernetta. But it’s the viral Haute Chocolate here that is a MUST. The dramatic table-side presentation is simply Instagram-worthy. fourseasons.com
HOTELS 🏨
Solaris
Sebastian
Four Seasons
Ritz Carlton (Lions Head)
The Arabelle (Lions Head)
The Antlers (Lion Head – most wallet friendly)
MELT THE AMEX 💳
Gorsuch: Unearth the best Goldbergh and Bogner selection here. Love the home goods, too.
Kemo Sabe: Authentic cowboy boots, belts and custom hats? Yee haw!
Pepi Sports: I adore the custom mittens, beanies and scented candles here.
Fusalp: Arguably the IT ski brand RN
Patagonia: The fleeces here are tops.
COS Makeup Bar: I simply adore the highly curated products at this beauty emporium.
INSIDER TIPS:
♥ Drink a lot of water while in Colorado. We mortals where not made for life at this altitude!
♥ The closest direct flight to Vail is Eagle County Regional Airport
♥ Take Epic Mountain Express for the 40-minute ride from Eagle to Vail for $39 per person
♥ Day trip to nearby Beaver Creek. The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch is chic, chic, chic!
♥ Need private transportation? Call Daniel Popa of Valley Limo at (970) 343-9687
Comment below with your fave Vail haunts so I can discover them next time I go!
