In Search of that White Powder

[9V-SIA]

SFO-DEN

Soon our 2 nights were up and it was time to move on to Vail.

Kerb side check in went smoothly. The line at security was long but moved fairly quickly.
Despite traveling so much, I still carry too much on board the plane! Really must cut down my hand carry.
Once air side, we had breakfast before boarding. Surprisingly good eggs benedict just after security.

I was a bit apprehensive about flying UA after all I've read on this and other forums.
But if you expect taking a domestic flight to be like taking a bus, you won't be disappointed.

Our UA "bus".. Airbus A319 actually



Did OLCI window and aisle seats and manage to secure the middle seat for Tchaikovsky!



Legroom was tight but since my friend was sitting in front of me, he didn't recline his seat.



IFE was adequate. Loved Channel 9 although for the life of me I couldn't pick up what was being said. They speak too fast!





A lot of a/c with winglets.



I liked the UA magazine Hemispheres. Useful information for a 1st timer like me. Especially:

• UA network map
• airport terminal diagrams
• menus at the back pages

OK I'd had my Eggs Benedict at SFO but I just had to see what was in the snack box!
Diet Coke was free. The crew were very cheerful.



Special mention to the Sky Mall magazine. It offered so many products I never thought I needed.
But I do need them! Take for example this travel jacket. Pockets for everything.
Perhaps I can reduce the amount I carry by wearing the things!



The flight was quite bumpy over the Rockies. That's DEN off on the right



Quick 180° bank to the right..



.. to a perfect landing. See the mountains in the horizon? That's where we're heading.

[phaleesy]

Introducing Tchaikovsky, my daughter's boxer from Whistler who flew with me

Ohhh.... my bear is called Elgar! Why do girls name their soft toys after composers?

Miss 9V-SIA (2.2) will have to find her own partner to fly in premium cabins

9V-SIA, you have to start training the girls early. They should be self-sufficient to fly in premium cabins. No need to find a partner for that.

No audio guide in the early 1990s when I was at Alcatraz. Not that I remember anyway.

Interesting that you should mention the lack of snow in Whistler. One of our consultants is there now for the next three weeks snowboarding. Wonder how he's getting on.

Great TR and pics as usual. Looking forward to the rest.

[9V-SIA]

9V-SIA, you have to start training the girls early. They should be self-sufficient to fly in premium cabins. No need to find a partner for that.

Is there a tuition centre I can send them to?

Interesting that you should mention the lack of snow in Whistler. One of our consultants is there now for the next three weeks snowboarding. Wonder how he's getting on.

It was either reported in the NYT or Times ( London )

No audio guide in the early 1990s when I was at Alcatraz. Not that I remember anyway.

Those headphones are new. And they really make the place alive.

Great TR and pics as usual. Looking forward to the rest.

Thanks. Not really a calorie run TR I usually do though.

[9V-SIA]

DEN-Vail

I'll review DEN on the way out. Right now, I'm keen to get to Vail.
Our ride to Vail.. Cadillac Escalades ...x3.
I was expecting Hummers actually but apparently they don't like snow as much as they like sand so the firm we used got rid of theirs.
Thanks to the Supermums who supplied the burgers and pizzas for the road trip.
( In a well rehearsed operation, they disappeared to buy us lunch while we waited for the bags at DEN )
The Escalades are very comfortable and the kids had movies to watch all the way to Vail



As we headed west for Vail along the I-70 this is as near to Denver city centre as we got.



Not much snow by the road side till we go through Eisenhower Tunnel.
It's the longest and highest tunnel in the USA. Then snow, snow and more snow.
Next 2 pics below are run offs.. in case truckers lose their brakes!





Snow ploughs. Talk about road hogging. 3 were spread across the road.
One on centre lane passes snow to middle lane one who passes snow to the outer lane.
One of the most coveted jobs in Colorado. It pays up to USD$120k per year.



They salt the road while they plough the snow.
We were stuck behind this convoy for 45 minutes..



DEN to Vail is about 200 km.
It's an easy to drive as the I-70 snakes it's way eastward through the Colorado Mountains.
Not as winding as the mountain roads of Cameron Highlands or Bhutan.
Therefore no problems keeping to the speed limit.
Takes about 2 hours.

Looking north: I-70 seen from the gondola

Lionshead in front of the highway

[9V-SIA]

Vail

History

Vail was where the 10th Mountain Division trained for alpine warfare during WW2.

2 veterans saw Vail's potential as a ski resort.

In 1962, Vail Village was born consisting 4 houses and a telephone.

It has gradually spread along the valley to include:

1. Vail Village, the original Vail
   
2. Eastwards to Golden Peak
   
3. Westwards to Lionshead

Lionshead

We stayed at the newer ( and less expensive ) Lionshead.
Note that I said less expensive not cheaper.
Vail is expensive! Even with the discounts because of the Global Financial Crisis

Map of Lionshead

We are the L shaped building to left of picture
Note:
Eagle Bahn Gondola that took us up the mountain is right next to the condo
The bridge across the creek that we ski across back to the condo



Lion Square Lodge where we stayed
Note:
Ski racks next to the entrance. Proper ski-in ski-out condo
The slopes are at the other side of the building




Entrance



Lobby Living Room



My one bedroom apartment: Living Room
Nice gas fired fireplace



Kitchen: free shuttle in the evening to the supermarket 5 minutes away. A taxi will set you back USD$15... one way!



Bedroom



View from the balcony



Note:
Eagle Bahn Gondola that took us to Eagle's Nest
Ski-able bridge we ski across the creek on our way back
Heated swimming pool and hot tub through the railing

Next up the slopes..

[kaysquare]

really nice TR. I like the snow.. Keep it coming 9V-SIA!

[LionCity]

Could see the tight space you experienced on trip to Denver on UA. We got the same experiences to Denver and we changed out of Denver to Bos from Y to Y+ for that 3 hours flight subsequently.

[9V-SIA]

really nice TR. I like the snow.. Keep it coming 9V-SIA!

Glad you are enjoying the TR. More to come.

Found the folks in Colorado generally friendly group.

Yes I found the people very friendly too.

A lot come from mid West to work in the hospitality industry.

Could see the tight space you experienced on trip to Denver on UA. We got the same experiences to Denver and we changed out of Denver to Bos from Y to Y+ for that 3 hours flight subsequently.

Great minds think alike!

And DEN-SFO I paid to fly Y+

[9V-SIA]

I will remember 16 Dec 2009 for the rest of my life.

1. My better half's birthday
2. First flight of 787
3. First time on the slopes of Vail

The Slopes

Vail Resorts owns 3 ski areas around Vail.

All of them lie south of the I-70.

The I-70 runs in an east-west direction.

All slopes facing the I-70 belong to the Front Side.. main map on billboard

On the other side of the ridge, facing south, are slopes of.. not the Back Side but the Back Bowls .. .. bottom left of billboard

Facing the Back Bowls is Blue Sky Basin... bottom right of billboard

There are 5 on-mountain dining spots, 4 along the ridge line
( from West to East )

1. Eagle's Nest
2. Wildwood
3. Buffalo Henry's Hut
4. Two Elk Lodge

& 1 halfway down the mountain to Vail .. Mid Vail




On Eagle Bahn gondola to Eagle's Nest
To left of "ski bridge", Lion Square Lodge where we stayed



View when you step out of the gondola





Eagle's Nest



Some of the hardware needed to maintain pristine slopes



Snowcat
To transport non skiers to a mountain top restaurant Game Creek Restaurant.
Never tried it. Only opens for dinner



Please appreciate that it is very cold up on the mountain.
Taking my gloves off, holding a freezing camera to take the shot is very tough.
Especially as I was shooting blind a lot because the sun made the view finder next to useless.

So here is the gang. Goggles photoshopped in to protect our identities



©WH

[9V-SIA]

Elements of a Perfect Ski Trip

1. powder snow
2. large ski area
3. many runs for different skill levels green: easy, blue: intermediate & black: advanced skiers
4. nice on-mountain dining
5. not too crowded
6. things to do after skiing (aprēs ski activities)

Vail ticks all the boxes.

We hired an experienced ski instructor for the 5 days we were skiing.
Dan, you're the best

It's always good to have someone with local knowledge,
not only because of the safety aspects, but to take us to the best, least crowded runs.

So a typical day would take us to Eagle's Nest, where we would ski the green runs down to the chair lift that will take us up to the next peak to ski down.
Strategically located at these peaks are the on-mountain dining areas.

A typical run

OK I can ski black runs but I don't anymore.
I know a lot of friends or friend's friend that have torn ligaments or broken bones whilst skiing
If you ski once a year, for 5 days only, stick to the green slopes

At the top of the run



Looking down the run



Halfway down, looking back up



And looking down towards the chair lift



From the chair lift, looking up. It's more blue-green than green. But Dan assessed us and figured, "Yes we can!"



Queue at the chairlift

©WH

Do this a few times and it's time for a break..



This is Mid-Vail...



... on the only day it snowed while we were there




Only outlet with sushi on the mountain



.

[9V-SIA]

Other On-Mountain Dining Outlets

Wildwood Smokehouse









Signature Beef Brisket smothered in tangy bar-b-q sauce



Buffalo's Henry's Hut



Two Elk Lodge

I only saw one elk







Looking down Back Bowls towards Blue Sky Basin

[haf]

Lovely TR!

Enjoyed Vail - my first ski trip when I was 16. zoom zoom!

[Chris]

Great TR!

[9V-SIA]

Lovely TR!

Enjoyed Vail - my first ski trip when I was 16. zoom zoom!

Thanks.

You should revisit the place.

Unrecognizable with all the new developments

Great TR!

Thank you

[TerryK]

Thanks.

You should revisit the place.

Unrecognizable with all the new developments



Thank you

How do you know. Maybe he/she was 16 last year.

Great TR!