Planning a ski trip to the picturesque mountains of Vail and Beaver Creek? Well, get ready for an adventure of a lifetime! To ensure your trip goes off without a hitch and is filled with unforgettable moments, we’ve got some fun and informative tips to share with you.
1. Rent a Home with a Dash of Luxury
Choosing the perfect home base for your ski getaway is paramount. Consider your preferences: do you fancy ski-in/ski-out access, or is a cozy abode with a hot tub and a chef’s kitchen more your style? Maybe you’re a budget-savvy traveler who’d rather stay a bit further from the hustle and bustle in exchange for more space. No matter your choice, Vail Butler’s sales representatives, who are local experts, can assist you in finding the ideal rental property.
2. Snag Those Lift Tickets Early
Avoid long lines and by buying your lift tickets online in advance. Although Epic mountains don’t offer discounted lift tickets, savvy travelers can save by purchasing multi-day or seasonal passes. Season passes tend to be worth it for those who plan to ski 6 or more days or who plan to visit other Epic-owned resorts throughout the season.
3. Rent or Ship Your Skis
If you’re lugging your skis through the airport, you might want to rethink that strategy. Ship Skis can help you safely transport your skis to your rental home. Plus, Vail and Beaver Creek offer a range of rental options, with discounts available to Vail Butler guests.
Elite Ski Delivery: delivery available, 20% discount for Vail Butler guests!
Base Mountain Sports: 30% discount for Vail Butler guests!
Ski Butlers: 10% discount for Vail Butler guests!
Charter Sports: in-store pick-up and drop-off only
Venture Sports: delivery available
Pro Tip: For convenience, consider booking a private consultation for ski rentals. They’ll come to your rental home, making it an excellent choice for large groups or those tight on time.
4. Stock Up on Groceries
After a day of traveling, there’s nothing worse than arriving at your rental home only to discover an empty fridge. Resort Delivery services can save the day, delivering groceries, alcohol, and more right to your door before you even unpack.
5. Dress for Success on the Slopes
Nobody wants to be chilly or soggy on the mountain, so make sure your ski attire is on point. Here’s what we recommend wearing:
- Helmet
- Thin hat or fuzzy helmet cover for very cold days
- Goggles – make sure your lenses are appropriate for the lighting conditions!
- Warm sweat-wicking base layers: long sleeve shirt with neck coverage and long pants. Avoid 100% cotton as your base layer since it doesn’t absorb sweat and tends to stay wet.
- Mid layer – a light puffer jacket and another layer of pants for cooler days
- Snow pants or bibs – wind and water proof is best!
- Snow jacket – wind and water proof is best!
- Long socks – again, sweat wicking material. Never wear 2 pairs of socks when skiing. Instead of making you warmer, you’ll end up with too much bulk in your shoes and limit circulation, which makes your toes colder.
- Gloves or mittens – waterproof is a necessity!
Pro Tip: Don’t have your own gear? No problem! Mountain Threads offers rentals that can be conveniently shipped to your rental home.
6. Sort Out Your Transportation
Getting around Vail and Beaver Creek is a breeze with these options:
- Private Transportation: The most convenient choice tailored to your group’s schedule.
- Shared Shuttle: Epic Mountain Express offers shuttle services from Denver and Eagle Airports.
- Rent a Car: Be mindful of parking costs, but a rental car can offer flexibility.
- Free Bus: Vail’s free bus system is reliable and even has a real-time tracking app.
Pro Tip: Beaver Creek operates a convenient Dial-A-Ride service for rental home guests.
Private Transportation: The most convenient option. A private vehicle is reserved for your group and operates on your schedule.
Shared Shuttle: Epic Mountain Express offers shuttle services to and from Denver and Eagle Airports. They use vans that seat 12-16 people and are generally scheduled based on flight times. The pick up and drop off periods can take a little longer depending on the needs of your fellow passengers.
Rent a Car: Another great and convenient option! Keep in mind you are required to pay for parking in many garages and street parking is not available in Vail or Beaver Creek. Vail Village offers free parking after 3 pm.
Free Bus: The Town of Vail operates an excellent free bus system. It services East Vail to West Vail and everything in between. Depending on the time of day, a bus can whisk you to Vail or Lionshead every 15-30 minutes. The buses are always free and are very reliable. Plus, you can track the bus’ locations on a real-time map on the app. Find the Town of Vail bus schedule here.
Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead operate on a combination of an on-demand bus system and a scheduled loop. For those staying in a rental home, simply call Dial-A-Ride or use the Village Connect app to hail a mini bus. Beaver Creek and Bachelor Gulch generally operate 7 am – 12 am while Arrowhead operates 8 am – 4 pm. There is also a bus servicing the Bear and Elk parking lots. This bus runs on a loop 5:30 am – 12 am and does not require a reservation. Times are subject to change. Please visit this website to confirm shuttle and bus times and download the Village Connect app.
7. Download a Trail Map
Ensure you always know where you’re headed on the mountain by downloading the Epic Mix app for easy access to trail maps and skiing stats.
8. Check Event Calendars
Vail and Beaver Creek are bustling with activities. Don’t miss out; check the event calendars for both destinations and the Vilar Performing Arts Center.
Vail and Discover Vail
9. Make Dining and Activity Reservations
The mountain towns of Vail and Beaver Creek are wildly popular for a reason, so reservations are a must. Don’t leave your dining and activity plans to chance.
Pro Tip: Check out some of our favorite activities and restaurants on our website for inspiration.
With these tips in mind, your ski trip to Vail and Beaver Creek is bound to be a fantastic adventure filled with unforgettable moments. So, book your accommodations, grab your gear and get ready to hit the slopes in style!