5 days in Vail, Colorado in January with my husband and some of our friends was the perfect winter getaway for us. I have been to Vail several other times before and this trip takes the cake for our best trip out there. 4 days of skiing, a big dump of fresh snow, some great temperatures and much-needed adult time were the highlights of our winter ski vacation.
We super early on Tuesday morning and arrived at lunchtime in Denver. We then had to make the 2.5 hour drive from Denver to Vail. We checked into our hotel, enjoyed some snacks at the hotel pub and then proceeded to our hotel room for a nap before the evening’s festivities that included a cocktail reception and then dinner in Lionshead. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Josh was there for business.
The first part of our trip we stayed at the Vail Marriot Mountain Resort. It was an awesome place that had a Charter Sports downstairs where we could rent our skis and was just a 5 minute walk to the Eagle Bahn Gondola that would take you straight up the mountain for quick access to skiing. The best part of this place was the amazing cookie and hot chocolate bar they set up every day after skiing- I indulged every day.
Most of the days in Vail looked the same: wake up, eat breakfast, head out to the mountain, stop for a quick lunch, continue skiing until he lifts close, I would take a nap (Josh would do some work), we would go to dinner, and then Josh might have a night cap and I would go to bed and get an amazing 9-10 hours of sleep. Then repeat the next day.
Wednesday we got up and had a breakfast at the hotel, I did a quick workout and some blog work while Josh was at his morning conference sessions and then we headed out to ski late morning. We skied through lunch and had just a quick snack of apples and larabars on the mountain. We finished up skiing, I took a nap and then got ready for a cocktail hour hosted by Josh’s company. Once that was finished we went into Vail Village for dinner with his team and our good friend Tony who had arrived that day. Once we got back to the resort, Josh had a nightcap with some guys from work and I headed to bed.
Thursday morning we were up early and I was ready to hit the slopes. I loaded up on another delicious breakfast at the hotel before meeting our friend Tony on the slopes. Josh met us out there about an hour and a half later and we got in a good few more hours of skiing. We stopped in Lionshead for a late lunch and I decided to call it a day after that. The elevation got the best of me and I had a terrible headache. We then moved out of our hotel and into the condo we’d be staying at with our friends for the remainder of the trip. I took a long afternoon nap while Tony & Josh enjoyed the hot tub. Josh then had a dinner for work that night and I decided to bail, stay in the condo, sit by the fire and eat leftovers- it was perfect.
Friday was the best day for skiing! Another early day: Josh, Tony and were back on the slopes by 9am! We hit the Blue Sky Basin, something I had never done before, and it was incredible! The snow was fresh and thick, the space was wide and open and it was hands down the best skiing I had ever done. We didn’t even want to stop for lunch, so we grabbed a quick bratwurst at the mountain shack near the lift and scarfed it down before heading out. We skied until 3:30m when we met our other friends who had made it from California. Another nap for me until it was time to head out to dinner.
Saturday was no different than the other days, but this time Mike joined us while his wife Lacey enjoyed a spa day. We were once again on the mountain early and skied until the very last possible minute. We took a trip back to Blue Sky Basin again and finished in Lionshead where Josh and I had to drop off our skis. A nap for me, relaxation for Lacey and the guys hit the hot tub. Josh and I headed out a little early for dinner to do some shopping in Vail Village before meeting everyone else for our last dinner.
It was so great to be with our friends! We all live in different places in the country and every one is busy with life and taking a few days to wind down, unplug and just be together was great. I love that we can all be active together too.
As for Josh and I, it was a much-needed trip just the two of us. We missed the kids dearly, but we understand the importance of getting away and being together. It was so great to be together, relax and not have much of an agenda (especially those last couple of days).
I am one of those people who despises winter unless I can get out and be active in the cold and snow and Vail is the perfect place. I love everything about the town and the skiing out there is the icing on the cake. I can’t wait to do it again… next winter. I think it is probably time for me to hang up my ski gear for the winter: I can’t keep my snow pants zipped and my coat is getting tight.
Your turn- tell me!
Are you a skier?
What is your favorite winter getaway place?
Oh my goodness – what a fun vacation! I’m not much of a skier {unless you count skiing down the slopes on your rear-end as skiing!} but it sounds like you guys had a much-needed, relaxing, refreshing, and EXCITING vacation! SO fun!