paappraiser Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Going to make a trip to Vail (primarily) and surrounding area in a few weeks. Anyone have suggestions for their favorite trails etc. I asked this when we went to Utah a few years ago and got some excellent trails recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xolufus Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 What type of runs are you looking for (skill level/terrain) ? And do you know where you will be uploading (Golden Peak/Village/Lionshead) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted December 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Hi were staying in Lionshead, I prefer intermediate trails, but as the day goes on I switch to easy. Ill go anywhere, both me and my cousin are pretty adaptable. He is kinda slow on anything choppy. Im looking for some great carving groomers. I was at vail years ago and never made it to blue sky basin... What kind terrain in in there? Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xolufus Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Blue Sky Basin, with the exception of a few runs - is all blue, but the trails are fairly tight compared to the rest of Vail. One of the best things to do if you are interested in getting to Blue Sky is making a day of it, especially if you're uploading out of Lionshead. Out of Lionshead, skip the Gondola and take Chair 8 up, at the top of 8 - go to your right down to Chair 26. Under Chair 26 are some very good blue groomers and it is never/ever busy...take a few runs here especially in the morning. After you're done with 26...from the top of 26 head down to Chair 2 (Avanti), there might be a line here, but it will move fast...from the top of 2 you can go back down to 2, again - great blue groomers or I would go to your left - down to Chair 3. Ride Chair 3 a few/several times - it's basically Vail shortest lift and the run (s) are again great for carving...when you're tired of 3 go around the base of Chair 3 to the rider's right of Chair 4 (the shorter lift line) and upload 4. At the top of 4 you basically have every option in the world - my suggestion, especially if you want to get to Blue Sky is to skate through the crowd over to the sign that explains how to get to Blue Sky - ignore the instructions on the sign (it's terrible for carvers) and ride down from the sign to Chair 17 - this might be a little tough depending on conditions, but you're now in the back bowls and portions of them/they are usually groomed... From the top of 17, you can ride back down to 17 if you feel you like the terrain - or ride down into China Bowl and past the Orient Express Lift and into the bottom of Blue Sky Basin - take the lift up and enjoy some of the most unique blue groomers. After you're done with Blue Sky, follow the signs back to the base of the Orient Express Lift. Take the lift and if you have the legs ride China Bowl back down to it - China Bowl is extremely well maintained and you can lay out some major league carves on it's open face even late in the day... At the top of Orient, ride to Two Elk Restaurant ... Here's the greatest thing in the world for an alpine snowboarder - from Two Elk Restaurant - you can ride all the way down the front side of the mountain back into Lionshead without taking another lift on all great carving runs (a few cat walks), but it's like "now all I have to do is ride home, it's going to take a while - and I'm glad..." Or ... skip the signs to Lionshead and ride all the way down to the Village and take the Vista Bahn back up to where Chair 3 & 4 upload, upload 3 and ride the top of the ridge past the top of Chair 2, past Eagle's Nest Restaurant, past the bottom of Chair 26 and into Lionshead... I love Vail and I know it sucks for a lot of reasons, but after 30+ years of snowboarding - I'm not so interested in riding lifts, as I am in just riding... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willywhit Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 keep an eye out for booster2 aka lowell, I'll bet he can link some carving runs together for ya. Be careful with all the bisecting trails and catwalks, just slow down for the merges. Vail is a great hill for blasting around on the wide blue groomers. Take a side trip over to Beaver Creek, pref Bachelor's Gulch. You can just take the bus over to Avon/ Beaver Creek. Good Stuff, take lotsa pics for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil sunday Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 I agree with WW -- when i coached at Vail last year i went to the beaver creek area for a change of pace... it's a fun switch. coming from the mid atlantic you will be in the promise land. trust me. safe travels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor VonRippington Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=13096&highlight=vail Check out this Bomber thread on the topic of ridding Vail B2's list on post #5 is what you are looking for but other good info as well You really should hit Beaver Creek one day while you're there... some of the best carving in Colorado imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Buggs Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 A couple good carving runs at Game Creek bowl and a chair right at the bottom, I second the trip to BC for the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted December 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Thank you Thank you Thank you... You have no Idea how much this means to me.. I asked this a few years ago when we went to Utah and we told about a trail that me and my cousin still talk about to this day. It was amazing, I think we did that trial for 3/4 the day. Were going to be in town for a week a trip to BC is not out of the question. .. Suggestions again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor VonRippington Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Suggestions again?Post your plans on the Colorado ride board so we can ride with you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostertwo Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 In addition to the good information posted on this thread, you'll find up-to-the-minute info on what's groomed using Vail's daily grooming report. Same at Beaver Creek. Keep in mind both areas groom some slopes during the day, so if your like your corduroy light and airy (before the freshly groomed crystals bond) note which slopes will be groomed before noon and plan accordingly. <img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/34640zn.jpg" border="0" alt="Big snow: Bring your fat board!"> We've enjoyed big snow through the last week, with more forecast. The coverage and the conditions are sensational. Look forward to an amazing vacation! Cheers, B-2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted December 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2008 In addition to the good information posted on this thread, you'll find up-to-the-minute info on what's groomed using Vail's daily grooming report. Same at Beaver Creek. Keep in mind both areas groom some slopes during the day, so if your like your corduroy light and airy (before the freshly groomed crystals bond) note which slopes will be groomed before noon and plan accordingly.<img src="http://i43.tinypic.com/34640zn.jpg" border="0" alt="Big snow: Bring your fat board!"> We've enjoyed big snow through the last week, with more forecast. The coverage and the conditions are sensational. Look forward to an amazing vacation! Cheers, B-2 WHAT?!?.. Im from the East Coast....if its not Ice I dont know what your talking about. .. lets see, ice is bad on the west coast? lol gotta love it... I think it was 55deg today and its droppping below freezing... the mountains here are going to be a great chunk of boiler plate later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I forgot... Does anyone know where to get discount tickets for Vail / BC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor VonRippington Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I forgot... Does anyone know where to get discount tickets for Vail / BC?:lol: :lol: :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimo Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Go with somebody who has a pass. Each passholder gets like 6 discount buddy tickets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Go with somebody who has a pass. Each passholder gets like 6 discount buddy tickets. Thanks... Ill grab someone out of the lift line! hahahha (don't think I wont) Last time I was in Utah the ski shops and grocery stores sold discounted tix ... I didn't know if they did that their ... It was great just stop in and get some ramen and a ticket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimo Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I think Front Range (i.e. Denver, Boulder type areas) King Soopers (i.e. Kroger) still sold "discount" tickets. I think you get a bigger discount with a pass, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paappraiser Posted February 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Thank you everyone I printed out the list of trails and hit them all. Super fun times! You effort was not in vain. We had a a foot or more one day and hit the back bowls and that was such a hoot. My toes are still sore from the trip... hahah. I really really appreciate it! Big thanks to everyone especially xolufus !!! Did I meet you there by chance, I rode a lift with a guy from Chicago (was on skiis but he had a house in vail) and he travels to vail every week.He sat with me and my cousin who is a cop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xolufus Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Nope wasn't me - I don't ski and probably would of had to jump from the chair with Johnny Law nearby. Seriously, glad you had such a great time - also really glad we could help with info on trails, etc. Let me know well in advance - next time you decide to visit and we'll hook you with stuff like booze and women, etc. too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fastskiguy Posted February 10, 2009 Report Share Posted February 10, 2009 Thank you everyone I printed out the list of trails and hit them all. Super fun times! You effort was not in vain. We had a a foot or more one day and hit the back bowls and that was such a hoot. My toes are still sore from the trip... hahah. I really really appreciate it! Big thanks to everyone especially xolufus !!! Did I meet you there by chance, I rode a lift with a guy from Chicago (was on skiis but he had a house in vail) and he travels to vail every week.He sat with me and my cousin who is a cop. Hey tell me more about how this guy operated...the guy who travels from Chicago to Vail every week. Does he fly into Denver? Eagle? Private plane or regular airline? How many weeks will he get in during the season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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