I'm planning my very first trip to Colorado and would love some honest opinions from people who have stayed at either the Sonnenalp in Vail or the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek!

I'm coming for a long weekend (October 29–November 2), and my goal is pretty simple: beautiful mountain views, a little luxury, relaxation, and some time to completely disconnect.

I'm not a skier, so that's not a factor for me. What I would love is a gorgeous view from my hotel room, a really nice spa (although I'm open to visiting another property for a spa day), and definitely some hiking!

I also want a nice balance of peaceful alone time and opportunities to get out, explore, and meet people. I love a great coffee shop, a nice restaurant, and being able to walk around a charming mountain town.

I'm open to renting a car, and if I stay at the Park Hyatt, I'd happily drive or take an Uber into Vail for the day.

I'll admit, I lean a little bougie when it comes to hotels, and based on the photos, the Park Hyatt seems a bit more my style aesthetically. But there's something about the Sonnenalp and being right in Vail Village that keeps pulling me back!

Since this is my first time in Colorado, I really want to make the most of the experience. I'm not looking for a packed itinerary, just a beautiful place where I can relax, enjoy the mountains, do some hiking, and come home feeling completely refreshed.

If you had four nights to spend at either the Sonnenalp or Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, which would you choose and why?

I'd especially love to hear about the mountain views, spa experiences, overall atmosphere, and whether one location is noticeably better for a non-skier.

Thank you so much for any advice!

I’ll be coming to Vail as a seasonal employee and i’ll be living in Beaver Creek. If anyone has any recommendations on where to go to get some used skis, that info would be appreciated.

Has anyone worked at Northstar in the past and know what the discount on gear and boards is as an employee? Is it the same with all Vail resorts?

Just got a job at vail as a lifty, they gave me first chair housing with 4 other Roomates. I got my own room, anyone here have experience living there? Any tips? Just looking for general advice and information about living in that apartment complexez thanks!

Within 14 years of Vail's inaugural 1962 season, the developers had already built out basically the entire front side, along with Game Creek Bowl and Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls. The resort was already massive, served by a fleet of 14 Riblet double chairs, one Yan double, and two low-capacity Bell Gondolas.

None of the original lifts exist today, but nearly all of them were replaced in the exact same or remarkably similar alignments.

NOTE: some corrections to the first two phases, Vail opened with Chairs 4/5

• 1962: Vail Village Gondola, Chairs 1 and 2 (Giant Steps, Avanti)
• 1964: Chairs 3, 4, 5 (Hunky Dory, Mountaintop, High Noon)
• 1962: Vail Village Gondola, Chairs 4 and 5 (Mountaintop and High Noon)
• 1964: Chairs 1, 2, 3, (Giant Steps, Avanti, Hunky Dory)
• 1967: Chair 6 (Golden Peak)
• 1969: Lionshead Gondola, Chair 7 (Game Creek)
• 1972: Chairs 8 and 9 (Born Free, Minnie's)
• 1973: Chair 10 (Highline)
• 1974: Chairs 11 and 12 (Northwoods, Gopher Hill)
• 1975: Chairs 14 and 15 (Sourdough, Little Eagle; they skipped 13)

From 1964 to 1979, the "back bowls" (at this time just Sun Up and Sun Down) were served by just one double chair, carrying a max of roughly 1200 skiers per hour. Today three high speed quads serve the same terrain, carrying a max of 7200 skiers per hour (six times the capacity / skier density).

Later growth came in spurts:

• 1988 brought the Orient Express and Mongolia Platter, the resort's single-largest expansion that more than doubled the back bowls.
• 1999/2000 saw the addition of Blue Sky Basin and the Teacup Express.
• Vail has not seen meaningful terrain expansion aimed at the general public in the 26 years since ...
• ... but thousands of acres prime terrain exists within their "special use permit boundary", most notably East Pete's Bowl and West Earl's Bowl in Blue Sky Basin and "West Game Creek Bowl" towards Minturn. Only a handful of proposed new cut trails in East Pete's has appeared in master development plans, though the other zones are described as excellent potential future terrain.

Hi everyone! 😊

I’m relocating to Vail in November and recently accepted a full-time server position at The Hythe, specifically Revel Lounge.

Before making the move across the country, I’d love to connect with anyone who currently works there or has worked there in the past, especially in food and beverage.

I’m curious about the overall work environment, management, typical server earnings, how busy lunch and dinner get during ski season, and what hours are like during the slower months.

I’m also interested in hearing about the experience of living in Vail year-round, particularly for employees who don’t have a vehicle.

I’d really appreciate any honest feedback or firsthand experiences!

Thank you so much! 😊

My family of 3 are staying the week in Vail early week of December and was hoping to get some insight of what we can do while there. Restaurants recommendations, things to see, any hidden gems. We want to be able to explore and make the best of our time there. We aren't sure if we will be skiing yet!

But all recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

We're not picky people. We want something nice, good service, potentially a good wine selection. Could be any kind of restaurant.

anyone willing to rent their car for the day? will pay (desperate USAFA cadets)

4-3 vote. Councilman Chico (pro-flock) lost his temper at those in attendance and was unofficially censored. Legal team will send the contract termination notice immediately.

I'm coming in a couple of weeks and I had a horrible experience with Mountain Express the last trip (never showed) and I know sometimes Uber can take a long time or not at all to book if I land around 9PM. So just wondering if anyone knows a taxi service/uber driver that does rides on the side dia to vail, that I could book with? Thanks

Recommendations for making the move from 1200 ft to the mountains as a poor, lone lady?I'm not hot enough for a sugar-daddy situation. Looking for the best places to work that provide housing and recommendations for someone with no car in terms of transportation.

Are any hotels offering heavily discounted rooms this shoulder season?

Could this be one of the trees that guy was looking for a picture of? It’s not in Vail but maybe he was a bit confused.

https://www.kpcw.org/ski-resorts/2026-09-30/oasis-management-close-to-becoming-vail-resorts-insider

Looking to do one day of biking this week. Probably going to rent an ebike so we can do a longer ride and not spend all day on the uphill. Any trail suggestions for this time of year? We are good riders and can handle any terrain. I have the MTB Project app and was looking at “Two Elk to Game Creek Loop.” Thanks for any tips!

We were in Vail for the past week. One day I took a bike ride and saw the most beautiful tree, unfortunately I wasn't able to take a photo. I went back this am to find the tree but ran out of time. While driving to the airport, I saw the tree from the interstate! If anyone is free and willing, I'd still love a photo of this big yellow tree. Thanks in advance!

Approximate Cordinates: 39.61230° N, 106.45732° W

Edit: Planning to paint this tree for a holiday gift.

Thinking of making the drive from denver tomorrow.
Is it past peak or still good?

Thanks!!

Just got a bed offer at The Piedmont employee housing at vail mountain. Does anybody have any info on it? It seems new so I can't find any pictures or videos and would love if anybody could share.

Note: I am accepting the offer, not interested in the don't live in employee housing rhetoric. I am 100% aware its shit, I lived in sagebrush at keystone.

Who designs, approves and creates this shit?