Vail, Colorado – Winter 2024 – This winter, Vail promises to deliver new experiences, exceptional services and a mountain vacation like no other. As Vail Mountain continues to make exciting guest service improvements, the destination with its quaint mountain villages complements the ski and snowboard experience with exciting events, new dining experiences and lodging offers to make playing and staying even easier.
New Flights + Valley-Wide Transportation
New Non-Stop Winter Service to Eagle County Regional Airport from Seattle & San Diego
Getting to Vail in the winter has never been easier with two new non-stop flights on Alaska Airlines from Seattle and San Diego to Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE). The new flights bring Eagle County’s first low-cost carrier to increase West Coast access to Vail’s world-class slopes, which are just 45 minutes from EGE. Starting Dec. 20, the new routes will be operated by Alaska Airlines offering three times per week flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and San Diego International Airport (SAN) to EGE. These new services will significantly enhance the travel experience for winter sports enthusiast and visitors, reducing travel time and increasing ease of access. The new flights complement EGE’s already extensive list of 13 non-stop destinations in the winter including Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Phoenix, Newark, Miami and San Francisco.
Frontier Airlines to Debut at Eagle County Regional Airport with Three Expanded Routes
Frontier Airlines will begin offering service this December from Colorado’s Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE). The new routes mark the first time the low cost carrier has offered service from EGE. Flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Denver International Airport (DEN) will operate twice per week with weekly service to San Francisco International Airport.
New Core Transit System Provides Free, Low-Cost Valley-Wide Transportation
The new Core Transit system provides complimentary and low-cost transportation between Vail and Dotsero along the I-70 corridor including Highway 6, Minturn, Valley, Leadville and Vail/Beaver Creek express routes. The new service is a complement to Town of Vail’s free in-town transportation and provides guests with a seamless experience to explore and enjoy several locations throughout the Vail Valley. Most routes are free, however, there are a few low-cost fare-collecting zones such as travel to Gypsum and Leadville.
Dining + Entertainment
Four Seasons Resort Vail and Frasca Hospitality Group to Open Tavernetta Vail
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail and Frasca Hospitality Group recently announced a new partnership to open Tavernetta Vail this winter. Like its namesake in Denver, Tavernetta Vail will offer a menu that explores the whole of Italy, capturing the rich flavors of the north and the vibrant tastes of the south, while honoring the mountain culture and diverse cuisine of the country’s Alpine regions. Tavernetta Vail will also offer an all-Italian wine list, as well as a full Champagne offering and an extensive Italian-driven spirits list and digestif program. Tavernetta Vail, located in the space previously held by Flame Restaurant, will have multiple indoor/outdoor spaces featuring a new bar and lounge as well as cozy booth seating ideal for après-ski dining or a morning bite before a day of adventuring. A renovated private dining room will anchor the farthest end of the restaurant and will be ideal for small meetings, family gatherings, and milestone life events. Other furnishings incorporate delicate details to underscore considered craftsmanship, with nods to renowned Italian architect, Gio Ponti.
Sweet Basil Receives Michelin Exceptional Cocktails Award
Sweet Basil, a MICHELIN Recommend restaurant, recently added to its accolades from the renowned guide as Managing Partner of Operations Jessenia Sanabria received a MICHELIN Guide Colorado 2024 Exceptional Cocktails Award. The special award recognizes those who consistently craft innovative cocktails. Sanabria began her career at age 17 in Miami, where she discovered a passion for cocktails and bartending. Moving to the Sweet Basil family of restaurants in 2017, Sanabria quickly impressed multiple generations of guests with her delicious creations. Today, with the support of Beverage Manager Bru Phillips, she focuses on spotlighting local partners and incorporating new ingredients, while never sacrificing originality.
Kemo Sabe Vail Offers Private Bar & Event Space
Kemo Sabe Vail, known for its fabulous hats and gorgeous boots, also offers a private bar and event space that guests can rent for a unique, bespoke experience. The VIP bar is the perfect venue to host bachelor/bachelorette parties, a wedding, a welcome reception, milestone birthday or a great après event for a post ski day adventure. The team at Kemo Sabe can design a custom experience for guests that provides the perfect mix of cocktails and custom, curated hats, boots, jewelry and more.
A Picnic of a Partnership in Vail
Black Tie Vail is excited to announce a new partnership with beloved local luxury picnic purveyor The Grazing Fox. Black Tie Vail now offers picnic provisions as an optional add-on to Black Tie rental packages for all seasons. Order a Fox Box – a Balsa wood box filled with a variety of snack-ables, from charcuterie, to fresh fruit and veggies, cheeses, spreads and more – for a fall bike excursion. Or choose a backpack stocked with snacks and grill-ables for an on-snow spread at Blue Sky Basin or one of the many mountain decks at Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts. The Grazing Fox provisions can be booked during the final steps of your online reservation process with Black Tie Vail.
Avanti Food & Beverage to Open at Golden Peak
Vail Mountain and Avanti Food & Beverage are teaming up to create a new food hall in the Golden Peak base area, opening early 2025. Known for its modern food hall concept, Avanti operates in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood and on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall. Avanti Vail will bring a fresh culinary concept to Golden Peak, reinventing the space previously occupied by Larkspur Restaurant. This investment will reinvigorate Golden Peak, offering a diverse range of dining options at affordable prices, with a focus on showcasing local chefs and restaurateurs.
Guest Programming, Hotel + Retails News
Reimagined Sitzmark Vail Reopens in Heart of Vail Village
This year, the Sitzmark Vail in the heart of Vail Village completed a multi-million dollar renovation completely transforming the property into a luxury boutique hotel. The reimagining of legendary property was done under new family ownership, continuing the 50-year tradition of the hotel being owned and operated by a local family. The design, inspired by the hotel’s European architecture, is a mountain modern gem. All guestrooms and public areas were completely renovated including the addition of the lobby’s Sitz Aprés Bar. A new breakfast area was added to include an elevated complimentary continental breakfast including freshly baked French pastries. The luxurious penthouse floor was transformed into a 2,600 square foot, four-bedroom suite accommodating up to 13 guests. Hotel guests can sit by the fireplace in the lounge while enjoying cookies and cocoa as they listen to the large antique German bells signal the start of après.
The Sebastian-Vail Celebrates Holidays Around the World
Experience the magic of the season with “Holidays Around The World” at The Sebastian – Vail. From Dec. 14 through New Year’s Day. Guests can immerse themselves in a global celebration featuring music, international cuisine, festive crafts and holiday movies. The hotel will feature unique traditions from across the globe including enchanting Christmas tree displays representing the United States, Mexico, Italy, Brazil and the United Kingdom along with rejuvenating spa treatments such as Latin-inspired scrubs, a global elf hunt inspired by “Elf on the Shelf,” festive crafts for kids and so much more.
Grand Hyatt Vail Offers Snow Day Superstitions Package
For families looking for the perfect winter wonderland during their stay, Grand Hyatt Vail is launching a “Snow Day Superstitions Turndown Service” this holiday season, providing all the items needed to summon magical flurries during vacation. From matching family pajamas to ice cubes for the bathroom, a white crayon for the windowsill, a bowl of ice cream before bed and even beds being made backward (feet at the head and head at the feet), this service provides a unique sense of excitement and wonder not available anywhere else.
New Antlers at Vail Winter Slopeside Supper Special
An award-winning international chef with a pedigree stretching from Australia to Colorado, Vail Chef Barry Robinson has cooked for Hollywood actors and rock stars. Now, while guests play on the slopes, Antlers at Vail hotel brings the taste and convenience of a delicious Chef Barry-prepared entrée delivered directly to their condominium. With the new Slopeside Supper package, guests can kick back in Antlers’ home-away-from home comfort while indulging in a delectable apres-ski meal without lifting a finger. Choose from six family-style options – perfect for couples, families, or solo adventurers – for a memorable and hassle-free dine-and-stay experience. Seasonal rates vary, but Antlers’ Slopeside Supper package is available this winter starting from $244 per night.
Alpine Kind to Open in Vail Village
Alpine Kind, a locally owned mountain inspired gift and apparel shop, is opening in Vail Village in November. The Vail location compliments its other locations in Beaver Creek and Minturn. The shop features apparel lines that inspire life outdoors such as Vuori, Cotopaxi + Kavu as well as locally sources gifts and jewelry. Alpine Kind also offer a custom hat bar and guests can book appointments with a hat styling to create the ultimate, bespoke design.
Signature Winter Events
Vail Aprés
When the ski day is over, guests can keep the energy going with Vail Après. Vail Aprés starts when winter begins on November 15 with Vail Mountain opening day, kicking off with the Welcome to Winter featuring Kringle Crossing mini holiday villages and the ever-popular ice skating shows, tree lighting, Smile with Santa, New Years Eve fireworks and more. This year, Vail Aprés features two signature concerts – one with international acclaimed Dutch DJ and producer Tiesto on Dec. 13 and ever-popular DJ John Summit on Feb. 14 at Ford Park.
Kris Kringle Farm to Table Dinner Kicks Off Holiday Season
Vail’s popular summer Farm to Table dinner series will continue into the winter with an event to start the holiday season – the Kris Kringle Holiday dinner on Dec. 9 from 4:30-8 p.m. at Donovan Pavilion. The evening starts with a mini holiday mart featuring local vendors with the dinner starting at 6 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $148.
Kris Kringle Market
Vail’s Kris Kringle Market creates a festive and magical holiday experience in the heart of Vail Village. Inspired by the Christmas markets of Europe, Vail’s Kris Kringle Market runs Dec. 12-15 starting at noon daily. The market will feature Colorado artisans, handmade food products as well as musical entertainment, kid’s activities, gluhwein and more.
10th Mountain Legacy Parades
On select evenings in Vail Village, guests are invited to watch skiers dressed in traditional 10th Mountain Division Ski Trooper uniforms perform a Torchlight Ski Down to the base of Gondola One, followed by a parade of military veterans, also in traditional uniform, marching from Gondola One down Bridge Street, across the Covered Bridge and finishing at the 10th Mountain statue. Event scheduled for Dec. 27, Jan. 17 and Feb. 22.
Taste of Vail
Taste of Vail Wine + Food festival is a spring rite of passage in Vail. For more than 30 years, the festival has infused local flavor with top chefs, artisans, experts, and food enthusiasts from around the globe for a four-day event April 2-5. From elegant wine tastings to mouthwatering gourmet dinners, Taste of Vail promises an array of unforgettable experiences.
Aprés at the Amp
The popular Aprés at the Amp returns to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater April 6 and 7. The line-up of weekend outdoor entertainment has yet to be announced, however, last year’s concerts featured Bob Moses, Daily Bread, Disco Lines, Sofi Tukker and more.
There’s no place like Vail for year-round recreation, outdoor pursuits and cultural experiences in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Nestled at the foot of Vail Mountain just two hours west of Denver, Vail’s fresh air, rugged beauty and charming pedestrian villages await visitors. Discover quaint Bavarian villages where outdoor activities abound and the performing arts flourish. Vail is known for its rich culinary scene, family activities, world-class events and everything in between.
For more on Vail’s year-round offerings, visit discovervail.com
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Media Contacts: Kristin Yantis or Amanda McNally, Malen Yantis Public Relations, [email protected], (970) 949-7919