Things that are FREE

Best Kept Mountain Secrets

Kids Activities

Souvenirs

Clothing Tips

Top 10 Things that are FREE

1. Never been to Beaver Creek or Vail? Join a knowledgeable guide for the FREE Mountain Welcome & Blue Sky Basin Tours designed to introduce you to the vast terrain and amenities of both Beaver Creek and Vail Mountains. The Beaver Creek Mountain Welcome Tour meets daily at 10:00AM at the "Information" sign at the top of the Centennial Express Lift #6. The Vail Mountain welcome Tour meets at 10:30AM at Eagle's Nest (Bailey's Pavilion) and Mid-Vail (Snowsports School desk on Look Ma level), Blue Sky Basin tour meets at 11:00AM at the yurt located next to Patrol Headquarters (Henry's Hut) and are available to intermediate and advanced skiers and riders.

2. Vail brings in top music artists year-round and most of them are FREE concerts. From Street Beats to Vail’s signature events, there is sure to be entertainment for you to enjoy.

3. In the winter, parking after 3:00PM in the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures is FREE! In the summer, parking is free all day, everyday.

4. Complimentary guided 45-minute ski tour of beginner and intermediate trails with a ranger. Meet at Ski Patrol HQ located at the top of Cinch Express Lift by 1:30PM every Monday at Beaver Creek.

5. Our Stay Free December, January and April lodging, lift ticket & ski rental packages could give you a FREE night of lodging when you purchase a 4-night package. Click on our "Specials" link for details.

6. The Colorado Ski Museum offers a historical look back on the History of Skiing for a mere $1 fee - that's basically FREE!

7. Vail's Lionshead Gondola is free to ride after 2:00PM for non-skiers & snowboarders.

8. Rail Jam at Beaver Creek - complimentary rail session supervised by Beaver Creek Ski & Snowboard School on the snow in front of McCoy's starting at 4:00PM every Wednesday and Saturday.

9. All Avon and Vail in-town shuttle service is free, including the Beaver Creek skier shuttle. Town of Vail buses run regularly between the eastern end of Vail Village and the western end of LionsHead. Scheduled buses to East Vail and West Vail run frequently as well.

10. Complimentary Family Snowshoe Tours on Tuesdays at Beaver Creek - 1 1/2 guided tour. Snowshoes, and headlamps provided. For ages 6+. Departs from Nordic Center at 4:00PM.

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Top 10 Best Kept Mountain Secrets

1. Pre-Purchase lift tickets in advance and save up to $100 on a 6-day ticket when you pre-purchase online at www.snow.com 14 days in advance of your arrival. Plus, you'll get to skip the ticket window and go straight to the lifts. Don't wait, pre-purchase your tickets today!

2. The Riva Bahn Express Lift (#6) out of Golden Peak to the Northwoods Express Lift (#11) will get you up on the mountain and to the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin faster than any other access point. Take the free town shuttle east from the covered bridge. The shuttle stops just below the Golden Peak base area & the Riva Bahn Express Lift.

3. If there is a line at the Eagle Bahn Gondola, take the Born Free Express (Chair #8) to the Avanti Express (Chair #2) and you'll get up the mountain just as fast, if not faster! Be sure to use the catwalk through the trees above the bottom of the Avanti Express Lift (#2) to access the usually shorter line on the opposite (east) side of the lift.

4. Take a lesson/guided mountain tour on your first day at Vail or Beaver Creek Mountain to learn all the hot spots. Whether you want to learn a new sport, improve your skills or just want to find the stashes that only the locals know our ski & snowboard school has the program for you.

5. On a powder day, start with an early run down the west side of Sun Down bowl to High Noon Lift (Chair #5). Move on to China Bowl and Blue Sky Basin before 10:00 a.m. when most people are just getting to the Back Bowls and the lift lines grow.

6. Stop by our New Technology Center located across from Patrol Headquarters at the top of Mountain Top Express Lift (Chair #4) and Northwoods Express Lift (Chair #11) to try out the latest in equipment featuring shaped skis, powder skis, and skis designed just for women.

7. If your legs are tired at the end of the day, download on the Vista Bahn Express (#16), the Riva Bahn Express (#6) or the LionsHead Gondola (#19).

8. Look for the Lunch for Less symbol at participating restaurants to get a deal on a lunch meal.

9. If you are heading to Blue Sky Basin, pack a lunch or stop in Two Elk to pick up a sack lunch to take with you. There are no food options once you get back there, only a warming hut with water and restrooms and a few grills to cook-out yourself.

10. Get up to Adventure Ridge - Vail's day and night mountaintop activity center. The entire family can ice skate, snowmobile, play laser tag, bounce on the trampoline and fly on some of the fastest tubing lanes on the planet. Or, for an alternate adventure, "big kids" can ski-bike down the mountain.

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Top 10 Kids Activities

1. Adventure Zones

2. Night Owl Program

3. Adventure Ridge

4. Children's Ski & Snowboard School

5. Small World Playschool Nursery

6. Ice Skating at the Black Family Ice Arena or Nottingham Lake - 970-479-2271

7. Story hour at the library - 970-479-2184

8. Avon Recreation Center - pools, athletic facilities - 970-748-4060

9. Movies at Crossroads, Cascade and Riverwalk Cinemas - 970-476-5661

10. Make a Children's Ski & Snowboard reservation in advance, online today!

11. New Children's Holiday Camps - A specialty five-day Holiday Camps for children ages 7-14.

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Top 10 Souvenirs

1. SharpShooter Photograph atop Vail Mountain

2. Golden Bear - Vail's signature piece of jewelry in Vail Village

3. Personalized trail name sign from the Moose's Caboose in Vail Village

4. T-Shirt from The Red Lion or Garfinkle's

5. Wood carved bear from Minturn

6. A cowboy hat from Wild Bill's in Vail Village

7. Special mountain dog treat from Mountain Dog in Vail Village

8. The General Store or Rucksack for a Vail picture frame

9. Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Poster - Buy Online

10. Vail Limited Edition Manhole Cover

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Top 10 Clothing Tips

1. A helmet is a great idea, especially for kids! It can save a life!

2. Dress in layers, putting your lightest layer on the bottom. The weather here changes quickly and dramatically, you'll want to be prepared for anything and everything! Remember it's at least 10 degrees colder atop the mountain.

3. Polypropylene is the best fabric for inner layers - it absorbs wetness and won't smell!

4. Fleece is a great layer!

5. Wear a hat - even when it's sunny out!

6. Goggles are a must, even when it's sunny out.

7. Buy hand and feet warmers to put in your boots and gloves.

8. A neck gator is key on snowy days - pull it over your neck and face and you'll stay warm!

9. Don't ski in jeans or other cotton pants - if you don't have a pair of ski pants, we highly recommend purchasing a pair.

10. Thick ski socks do not translate to warm feet. If you socks are too thick, you will cut of the circulation in your feet and they will sweat - both making them colder in your boots. Wear a thin pair of socks and you'll be much more comfortable. Also, have your boots looked at by a professional - they can work miracles!